Do you think GMAT FE score will be inflate if you compare with classic

Question

Hi experts,

I would like to know the tendency of GMAT score FE compare to classic edition so I can think that I should retake an exam or not.
I know that it cannot compare directly but do you feel that student this year got high score more than previously ?

For example, there were only a few students that get classic 700 but this year a lot of students get FE 645 (equivalent to 700) ?

I just got my FE 1st exam and I got only 615 (equivalent to 680, percentile 80). Do you think this score can get into MBA from top 5 universities (Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Stanford, MIT)

Actually, I really want to challenge the score as my verbal is very low even I make quite low mistake. From my experience with 10+ Mock test, 7 incorrect score should be percentile 60+. I really feel unfortable about it but I know we cannot challenge them anyway. The retake exam is an option but very expensive anyway.

bb · Answer

Hi. You’re asking a good question but I think the answer to it does not exist quite yet.

Nobody actually knows the distribution of scores except GMAC And I hope they may release some kind of information but I’m not sure that we can count on it because I feel like it’s going to throw things off.

The first indication will be in about two months when interview invite start going out and we see what kind of scores people are applying.

What you seeing about high scores, that could be an illusion because no one brags about the 615 and everyone brags about the 695. From what I have seen, the scores have remained consistent and it hasn’t become super easy to get a very high score.... I’m sure there may be some flicks where people get a very low score or somebody black out with a gas or a couple guesses and gets a higher score those flukes have always been there.

The score you need is driven by your competitive set. A lot of top schools have many applicants from India for example where a passable score is a 695....

At the same time, we had an applicant from Ukraine a couple years ago who got into Stanford in round three with the 680. It’s about your competitive set.

I would say in general, for the top programs you don’t want to come in below the old 700 or the new 655. The reason is that to take a person with a low score like that, schools really have to want you and if you are quite a bit below the average there’s probably other applicants who are above and perhaps bring as much value to the table. Have you checked the average GMAT focus scores? I made a conversion a little while ago.

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

Here is the post with average gnat focus scores.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/average-gmat ... 30038.html

PS. Also, check the water my chances tool in my signature. We have an update coming soon!

Posted from my mobile device

egmat · Answer

Based on the data, I do not think they will inflate. Here is a video that will provide some context:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctjGqkm-pF4

-Rajat

KarishmaB · Answer

With a 615, you can discuss your chances in the top schools with a consultant if you have an exotic profile - a profile they would want to include in their class for the unique perspective it brings to the table, for example paramilitary experience, high level political experience, an entrepreneur of a rare commodity etc. 
If your profile is well represented in the applicant pool, then you will likely need to push up your GMAT score to 675-685 to be near the average and then talk about why you will add more value to their class than the next person. 
Challenging the score won't get you anywhere. Unfortunately, you will need to retake.

tuyaras · Answer

bb Thank you for your comment. I already read through your forum there. Look like the mean score is very high around 675 Focus! with top universities. That equals to 730 in classic (around 95th-96th percentile from what GMAC official declare). But I believe you imply average score is 675 but it should be around 90th? if compare to classic score from you estimation that this year score number should be a little higher than classic (Based on egmat video). Not sure that I understand correctly.

Do you have a similar table for classic edition ? I tried to search in GMAT club and google but I found only your Focus edition score range.

By the way, thanks about competitive set factor. I just know that today.

egmat Thank you for your video ^^

KarishmaB From your suggestion, look like I need to get score around 675-685 anyway? So I should aim for another test if I want to get in the top universities then. Thank you for your comment

egmat Thank you for your video ^^ KarishmaB From your suggestion, look like I need to get score around 675-685 anyway? So I should aim for another test if I want to get in the top universities then. Thank you for your comment

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

The Understanding Your Score page on the MBA website may be worth checking out. It mentions "three factors" Verbal scores are based on, for example. If you decide to retake, Manhattan-Prep's 6th Edition for CR could be helpful. If you feel your fundamentals are solid, consider working on your solving approach. May help boost your score a bit. Perhaps include working with a study buddy. If you can find someone who is really strong on Verbal (who needs help with areas of the GMAT you're strong on), that could be a good fit (there's a study buddy thread on gmatclub).

How to score high on GMAT Verbal.

tuyaras · Answer

Hi bb, I think I understand your estimation now. Median 675 FE that you use is around 730 classic which is the normal score for MBA in USA.
On the other hand, UK and Europe university tend to have lower score which is around 615-635 FE (around 680-690 classic).

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi tuyaras,

As some other forum members have mentioned, there is no way to be sure about this yet. Any opinions to the contrary are almost certainly speculation based on (at best) anecdotal evidence.

For what's it's worth, I don't expect to see  major  changes in percentiles. Keep in mind though, that score inflation is something that affected the previous GMAT as well. For example, 700 (which used to be 90% just a few years ago) dropped to 86% by end-2023.

egmat · Answer

ajitesh - you are correct in stating that it is difficult to determine the extent of score inflation (or deflation). However, I want to add a caveat to your point about the score fluctuation on the GMAT Classic. The score fluctuation on the classic was driven by demographic change. The first 10 years of the Classic scoring range (2002 to 2011) did not see much change since the demographics did not change as much. Since 2011, we have seen a change as more nonnatives started taking the test.

The GFE percentiles are built based on the current demographics. Hence, they may change if we see a shift in demographics - if more Americans start taking the test or more Indians (or South Koreans, who have much higher median quant scores) start taking the test.

-Rajat

The GFE percentiles are built based on the current demographics. Hence, they may change if we see a shift in demographics - if more Americans start taking the test or more Indians (or South Koreans, who have much higher median quant scores) start taking the test.

-Rajat

AjiteshArun · Answer

Rajat, I agree that demographics can play a major role. I also see percentiles changing if there are fewer ~casual test takers and therefore (proportionally) more ~serious test takers. More importantly, the broader point I want to make is that we don't have any reliable publicly available information (yet) to say that percentiles are going to drop significantly.

Do you think GMAT FE score will be inflate if you compare with classic

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