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With the introduction of the GMAT Focus edition, one question looms large: Will the scores change? In this blog post, we will explore the potential impact of the new edition on GMAT scores.

In this blog:

The GMAT Focus Edition is a revised version of the existing GMAT exam. Recognising the need for continuous improvement and adaptation to the evolving landscape of business education, the creators of the GMAT have recently introduced a new edition called the GMAT Focus. This revamped version of the exam aims to enhance the assessment of candidates’ skills and abilities. 

About the GMAT Focus Edition

Before delving into the potential score changes, let’s familiarise ourselves with the GMAT Focus edition. Designed as an alternative to the traditional GMAT, the Focus edition aims to provide a more personalised and adaptive testing experience. It utilises an algorithm that dynamically adjusts the difficulty of the questions based on the test-taker’s responses, ensuring that each individual is appropriately challenged throughout the exam. This adaptive approach enables the GMAT Focus to assess a candidate’s skills with greater precision and efficiency.

GMAT Test Structure and Content:

One of the key aspects of the GMAT Focus edition is its enhanced test structure and content. The new edition focuses on incorporating real-world scenarios and business-related challenges into the exam. By aligning the questions more closely with the skills required in today’s business landscape, the creators of the GMAT Focus aim to provide a more accurate assessment of a candidate’s abilities. Consequently, the new test structure and content may lead to a change in the overall scoring patterns.

Also read: Inside the sections of GMAT Focus Edition

How GMAT Focus Edition Percentiles Works 

The GMAT is scored on a percentile basis. This means that your score is compared to the scores of all other test-takers who have taken the GMAT in the past year. For example, a score of 700 on the old GMAT would put you in the 85th percentile, meaning that you scored higher than 85% of all other test-takers.

The new scoring scale for the GMAT Focus Edition is designed to be more precise. This means that there are more score points available, which will allow for a more accurate assessment of your skills. For example, a score of 700 on the GMAT Focus Edition would put you in the 87th percentile.

Since your GMAT score is an important part of your B-school application, you want to make sure you land in the top percentile bracket. 

Will the Scores Change with the GMAT Focus Edition

The GMAT Focus Edition is a new version of the GMAT that was released in 2023. It is designed to be a more accurate and reliable measure of a candidate’s readiness for graduate business school. One of the most significant changes in the GMAT Focus Edition is the scoring scale. The old GMAT scale ranged from 200 to 800, while the GMAT Focus Edition scale ranges from 205 to 805.

So, will the scores change with the new GMAT Focus Edition? The answer is yes, but not in the way you might think. The new scoring scale is not simply a recalibration of the old scale. There are a few reasons why the new scoring scale is more accurate and reliable. First, the questions on the GMAT Focus Edition are more carefully calibrated. This means that the difficulty of the questions is more evenly distributed throughout the test, which makes it easier to accurately assess a candidate’s performance. Second, the GMAT Focus Edition uses a more sophisticated statistical model to calculate scores. This model takes into account a wider range of factors, such as the difficulty of the questions answered correctly and the number of questions attempted, which makes the scores more reliable.

Since the GMAT score is valid for 5 years, applicants who took the GMAT in the last 4 years or less can still use their old GMAT scores. The different scoring scales will help B-schools differentiate between the score reports of the two GMAT exams.

Find out: GMAT Exam Dates 2023

Potential Impact on GMAT Percentiles & Scores 

It is impossible to say for sure whether your score will change if you take the GMAT Focus Edition. However, there are a few factors that could affect your score.

  • The first factor is the difficulty of the test. The GMAT Focus Edition is a newer test, so it is possible that it is more difficult than the old GMAT. If this is the case, then your score on the GMAT Focus Edition could be lower than your score on the old GMAT. But, the only way to find out is by taking the test!
  • The second factor is your preparation. If you are more prepared for the GMAT Focus Edition than you were for the old GMAT, then your score could be higher.
  • The third factor is the scoring curve. The scoring curve is the way that the GMAT scores are adjusted to account for the difficulty of the test. It is possible that the scoring curve for the GMAT Focus Edition will be different than the scoring curve for the old GMAT. If this is the case, then your score on the GMAT Focus Edition could be higher or lower than your score on the old GMAT.

Also read: GMAT Diagnostic Test: Do’s and Don’ts

Total Score Percentiles

The GMAC has released concordance tables that show how scores from the old GMAT and the GMAT Focus Edition compare. These tables can give you a general idea of how your score on the GMAT Focus Edition would translate to a score on the old GMAT, but they should not be used to make direct comparisons. 

Total Score Percentile Ranking (%)
805 100
795 100
785 100
775 100
765 100
755 100
745 100
735 100
725 99
715 99
705 99
695 98
685 97
675 96
665 94

So, what does this mean for you if you are planning to take the GMAT Focus Edition? It means that you should not compare your scores to scores from the old GMAT. Instead, you should focus on your own performance and how you compare to other test-takers.

Facing trouble deciding between the old GMAT and GMAT Focus? Get your answer from an expert now! Book your free consultation call here.

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