Is a 685 GMAT Focus good?

Yes, a 685 on the GMAT Focus Edition is a very strong score, placing you in the high percentiles (around the 97th percentile) and making you competitive for top MBA programs like M7 schools, though it's often slightly below the average for the most elite like Harvard/Stanford (who report medians around 685-695), meaning your essays and overall application must tell a compelling story. It's generally considered excellent and equivalent to roughly a 730-740 on the old GMAT scale, opening doors but not guaranteeing admission alone.

Is 685 a good GMAT focus score?

Top-Tier MBA Programs

Highly selective programs like Stanford, Harvard, Wharton, Booth, and MIT Sloan typically report average GMAT scores in the 675-685 range on the Focus Edition, or 720–740 on the Classic GMAT. To stay competitive at these schools, you'll often want to be at or above those averages.

What is a decent GMAT focus score?

Generally, a good GMAT 10th Edition (GCE) score falls within the range of 700 (87th Percentile) to 740 (97th Percentile) which translates to 645 (87th Percentile)- 695 (97th Percentile) on the new GMAT Focus Edition (GFE), while a score of GCE 740/GFE 695 or higher is deemed excellent.

Is 650 a good GMAT focus score?

A strong GMAT Focus score typically falls in the 650–700+ range, though what's considered “good” depends on your target schools. Top business programs often report averages around 715+ on the Focus Edition (or 700+ on the old format), while scores of about 645+ are competitive for many well-regarded institutions.

What is the average GMAT focus score for Harvard?

Harvard reports a median GMAT Focus score of 685, with a score range of 645 to 735.

Best GMAT Prep Courses (Our Top Picks for 2026)

What is a top 1% GMAT score?

A top 1% GMAT score on the current GMAT Focus Edition is around 715-725, placing you in the 99th percentile, while scores of 735 and above reach the 100th percentile (805 is the top score). For context, 305 is around the 1% mark on the old scale, showing how high the top tier is, with scores like 705 hitting 98%, making 715+ the realm for the absolute elite.
 

What GMAT score do I need for my target school?

But most top-25 programs will want to see applicants in the 85th percentile or higher – about a 640 total score – says Susan Cera, MBA admissions director at Stratus Admissions Counseling. "There's going to be people above that average and below that average," she says.

What is considered a bad GMAT score?

Short Answer

GMAT score of 645 (90th percentile) is considered good. 715 (99th percentile) is brilliant, while 735+ (100th percentile) is extraordinary. A 605 (70th percentile) is decent. Below 605 is weak.

What is the GMAT focus 700 equivalent to?

On the GMAT Exam (10th Edition), many test takers aimed for a score of 700. On the GMAT Exam (Focus Edition), a score of 645 is equivalent to a 700 due to the new score scale. Therefore, while scores may look "lower" in comparison, they aren't.

What is the GMAT score for MIT focus?

The GMAT middle 80% range is 710 – 760. The median GMAT (Focus) score for the incoming class at MIT Sloan is 675.

What GMAT focus score do I need for Stanford?

To maximize your chances of admission, begin with an honest assessment of how your profile compares to Stanford's Class of 2027 benchmarks across standardized testing (target 738 GMAT or 164 GRE), undergraduate GPA (target 3.76), years of relevant work experience (target 5.3 years), and the prestige or innovativeness ...

Is a 635 GMAT Focus good?

A good GMAT Focus Edition score depends on the business schools you are targeting: 650 - 700: Excellent. Places you in the top 10-15% of test takers and gives a strong chance of admission to top schools like Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and INSEAD. 630-650: Very good and competitive for many strong business schools.

Is 635 a good GMAT focus score on Reddit?

635 is low for top 10 but you are URM category which is great. An above 655 would have been a lot more comfortable, but if you are sure that you do not want to retake GMAT then you can give it a shot since I am assuming you have time on your side (2 yrs work-ex). Preferable would be to take GMAT again and then apply.

Are GMAT focus scores lower?

Stating, "645 is the new 700," they explained that many students used to aim for a 700 on the GMAT, and that a comparable target score for the Focus edition is 645. The phrase was also a reminder that scores may look lower than the previous version of the test, but they really aren't because of the different scoring.

What is the average GMAT score for Bocconi Focus?

Bocconi accepts a minimum GMAT score of 500 (or 485 in the GMAT Focus Edition). . A higher score, typically in the 650–750 range, can greatly enhance your admission chances and improve scholarship opportunities.

Is 685 a good GMAT score?

685 is a very good score, even for HSW. The only reason you should retake is if you were scoring significantly higher in your mock tests. If you are from an overrepresented pool, then you'll have to differentiate yourself through your essays; a higher GMAT will not help there, and I speak from a lot of experience.

Is the GMAT harder than the GRE?

GMAT is generally seen as tougher in quant with complex reasoning and Data Insights, while the GRE is considered tougher in verbal due to extensive vocabulary (Text Completion/Sentence Equivalence), though the GMAT's critical reasoning is challenging, making the "harder" test dependent on individual strengths; math-focused people often prefer GMAT, while verbal-strong ones may find GRE better, with the GRE allowing a calculator and the GMAT offering more control over question order.
 

Do schools see all GMAT focus scores?

Here's the single most important point: schools only see the GMAT scores you choose to send. If you test three times but only want to share one score, schools will only see that one score.

Is GMAT tougher than cat?

Comparison of the relative difficulty | Is GMAT easier than CAT? The GMAT has a very well-defined syllabus and question types, thus it is easier to prepare for GMAT than the CAT. It is possible to rank at the 86 percentiles on the GMAT with 90 – 120 hours of dedicated preparation.

What is the average GMAT score for Harvard Focus?

The median GMAT (10th edition) score for the incoming class at Harvard is 730. The median GMAT (Focus) score is 685.

What is an Ivy League GMAT score?

For example, if you want to get into Ivy League schools like Harvard, your GMAT score should be in the 720-740 range. Top 20 business schools prefer students with 700+ scores. In addition to the GMAT scores, there are many issues you need to consider before applying to an MBA program.

Is 695 a good GMAT focus score?

695 is a great score but retaking depends on the GMAT scores of the schools you want to apply to. For example, For Cal Haas, the 80% range is 690-750 with a 730 average.