How much will my score increase? (GMAT)

Excellent question! :)

On average, our users increase their scores by about 50 points overall. While many students have increased their score more than that, this depends significantly on a few key factors:

• Your starting abilities
• The amount of time you have to devote daily/weekly/monthly
• How efficient you are at self-analysis and self-correction

Before you think, "Oh, man, 50 points isn't enough," consider that this includes students of all levels. If you are at a very low score, you are theoretically in a great position to improve more than 50 points because you can improve both on your GMAT skills (e.g. recognizing tricks, learning the format, understanding how data sufficiency works, etc.) and your actual conceptual knowledge (e.g. mastering how to analyze an argument or getting comfortable with exponents). Use that 50-point figure as a benchmark, but push as hard as you can to aim for more!

If you're already scoring high, recognize that you may require more time to see large improvements in your score.  This is because the higher your score climbs, the stronger your competition becomes.  Put another way, it's easier to gain points when your score is at or below average.  But when your score is above average and you need to push it even further—beyond those of the top 25% or top 10% of test takers—it's harder.  But it's not impossible!  We talk more about this in our article on GMAT Percentiles.

So what do you do?

Step 1: Find your starting point. If you have already taken the GMAT and have an official score, that's the most reliable starting point. But you might also have a mock test score from somewhere, and that'll work too. If not, take our free GMAT practice test.  This gives you a baseline from which you can then determine how much you need to improve in each area. Maybe you need to pick up 6 points in Verbal, 4 points in Data Insights, but only 2 points in Quant.  Or maybe you're just looking for an overall gain of 70 points. Knowledge is power!

• Curious how the different section scores combine into the overall total score?  Play with our interactive GMAT score chart to see what impact changes to your section scores have on your total score.

Step 2: Figure out your timeline and what can realistically be done. If you have 2 weeks, you can't cover every possible concept. Instead, figure out where your time can yield the best outcome. Perhaps focusing on algebra and statistics will cover 70% of your Quant (as well as Data Insights) errors. Clearly you would do that! And maybe your struggle in Verbal is pacing, so doing timed practice will help you answer more questions and raise that score! If you have a longer timeline, your plan of attack can be broader and more detailed. 

• Not sure when to take the GMAT yet?  Carefully assess your timeline in our GMAT Test Dates article.

Step 3: Be vigilant and never relax your attention! You should regularly check in on yourself. Ask questions like:

• What new mistakes have I made?
• Am I making the same old mistakes, or are those fixed?
• What are my weakest areas this week?

Self-analysis and using tools like an error log can really help keep track.

In short, your increase potential is up to you! We're all rooting for you. :)

• Learn more about GMAT scores and the average GMAT scores at top business schools.