Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is the most widely accepted exam for B-school admissions worldwide. According to Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the administrator of GMAT, 9 out of 10 MBA enrollments globally are made through GMAT scores.
While the average GMAT score is 564.84, top B-schools in the US, including MBA programs at MIT, Harvard, UNC, Stanford, Sloan, and Wharton, require a score of above 700. Thus, scoring 700 in GMAT can be a catalyst to boost your chances of getting selected for top management programs.
Is It Difficult to get 700 GMAT score?
So, how hard is it to score 700 on GMAT? According to GMAC, more than 170,000 GMAT exams were taken by prospective MBA students globally in the testing year 2020, and scoring 700 in GMAT was 88th percentile. In other words, 12% or roughly 1 in every 10 tests yielded a score of 700 or above.
Thus, scoring 700+ on GMAT is no cakewalk. It’d take plenty of dedication, discipline, hard work, and strategic preparation to succeed.
7 GMAT Test Preparation Tips from Pros to Score 700 in GMAT
Fortunately, you have the option to learn from people who’ve already aced the exam. Here are 7 GMAT test preparation tips from the experts to help you achieve GMAT 700.
1. Know the GMAT Basics
GMAT is a 3 hours 7 minutes test with two optional 8-minute breaks. It includes four individually timed sections as listed below-
| Exam Sections | Number of Questions | Time Limit (in mins) | Question Type | Score Range |
| Analytical Writing Assessment | 1 | 30 | Argument Analysis | 0-6 (0.5 increments) |
| Integrated Reasoning | 12 | 30 | Table Analysis, Two-Part Analysis, Multi-Source Reasoning, Graphics Interpretation | 1-8 (1-point increments) |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 31 | 62 | Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving | 6-51 (1-point increments) |
| Verbal Reasoning | 36 | 65 | Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning | 6-51 (1-point increments) |
| Total | 80 Questions | 187 Minutes |
GMAT score ranges from 200-800 in 10-point increments. It is also worth noting that the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections of GMAT are computer-adaptive. It means that the difficulty level of the questions tailors themselves based on your ability in real-time.
Pro Tip- As GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, you’re not allowed to change answers after moving to the next question. So, ensure that you only confirm the answer once you’re sure about moving to the next question.
2. Start GMAT Preparation with a Business Mindset
Many students who’ve scored 700+ on GMAT recommend a business mindset while approaching the exam. While GMAT judges you for your quantitative, mathematics, writing, and reasoning skills, it ultimately gauges your decision-making capabilities.
Approaching test preparation with perspectives similar to what is needed to succeed at a job will help you develop the mindset for acing the exam.
Pro Tip- Developing a business mindset that revolves around critical thinking, sound judgment, and time management would be key for 700 score in GMAT.
3. Begin GMAT Planning/Preparing in Advance
How you prepare for GMAT will determine whether or not you score well on the exam. If your goal is to score above 700 GMAT score, you should give yourself at least 4-6 months to prepare for the GMAT exam.
Plenty of MBA aspirants also take the exam more than once. So, check the application deadline of your target B-schools and plan everything accordingly to ensure you have enough time for retaking the exam, if required, to score 700 in GMAT.
Pro Tip- Your current ability level and skills have much to do with test preparation. So, focus on your strengths and weaknesses to determine the ideal time you’ll need to achieve for scoring 700 in GMAT.
4. Take a GMAT Diagnostic Exam or Practice Test Before You Start Preparing
One of the most effective ways to figure out your strengths and weaknesses for the GMAT exam is by taking a practice test. The goal here is to familiarize yourself with the exam and set a baseline to measure your progress.
So, do not worry about the 700 GMAT score just yet. Instead, lightly review the GMAT material and take the diagnostic exam to set a baseline. The baseline will play a critical role in helping you create a study plan and also decide whether you should prefer self-study, an online/offline course, or a private tutor.
Pro Tip- It’d be wise to stick to the two free official practice exams from GMAC as they use the same scoring algorithm as the actual GMAT exam. You can use one at the start of the preparation phase and the other when you’re close to the exam.
5. Create a Study Plan
Another vital aspect of how to score good marks in GMAT is your study plan. Your plan should be as individual as you, depending on your ideal learning pace, lifestyle, and whether you’re a student or a working professional.
If you’re a student, you might be able to dedicate more time daily to your GMAT preparation. But the same might not be possible if you’re a working professional. Also, when creating the study schedule, don’t just focus on when to study but also what to study. The practice exam result should help you devise a customized GMAT exam preparation strategy.
Pro Tip- Use the right learning resources. The GMAT Official Guide 2022 could be an excellent starting point for preparing for the GMAT.
6. Self-Study, Online/Offline Course, or Private Tutor for GMAT Preparation?
The result of the diagnostic exam should also help you decide whether you should self-study, register for an online/offline GMAT prep course, or work with a private tutor. If the diagnostic score is 500+, you can consider an online course or even self-study for the exam.
But if the score shows clear weaknesses, it’d be better if you register for an offline classroom course or even a private tutor. If you’re working, you can easily find online and offline GMAT preparation courses for professionals that’ll better suit your schedule.
Pro Tip- Your test preparation will not be productive if it is entirely dependent on coaching. While coaching will guide you through the path, you’ll have to take the initiative to learn and give your best.
7. Track GMAT Preparation Progress
If your goal is to get 700 score in GMAT, you should also track your progress regularly to ascertain whether the study plan is working for you. There is no single correct way to prepare for the GMAT exam. The process involves a bit of trial and error. Thus, it is essential to start your preparations in advance and give yourself the time to adjust your strategy until you find your sweet spot.
To track your progress, you can use practice tests. You can take full-length practice tests every month or subject-specific tests every alternate week to monitor your growth. You can consider free online mock tests from Princeton Review, Kaplan, and Manhattan as they’re very similar to the actual GMAT exam.
Pro Tip- Evaluate the results of your GMAT mock tests to refine your study plan further. Dedicate more time to your weak areas but also continue improving your strengths.
Ready to Score 700+ on GMAT?
Now, when you have information on how to get 700 in GMAT, it is time to start targeting the right areas of your study. Your proficiency in the admission interview and other determinants, such as essays, academic GPA, LOR, SOP, etc., will determine the outcome of your MBA application. But scoring 700 in GMAT indicates your academic proficiency, helping B-schools isolate you from the vast pool of applicants.
If you’re online searching for how to score 700 in GMAT, the points discussed above will definitely help. For best results, you can also consider a reputed MBA admission consultancy that can guide you at every step along the way to help enhance the possibility of getting selected at your dream business school.
