GMAT Raw Scores...

ConfidenceIsKey · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:36 am Post subject: GMAT Raw Scores...

Does anyone know if the same raw scores almost always equate to the same overall score on the actual GMAT? In other words, if two test takers take the GMAT on the same day, at the same test center and both receive scores of Q:48, V:48, will those identical raw scores generate the same overall scores?
thanks,
ConfidenceIsKey

BlueRain · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:50 am Post subject:

In my experience, that should be the case.

I think the GMAT scoring scale changes on an annual basis, and you can get a basic feeling of the scale from the official site.

http://www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT/Tools/SampleScoreReport.htm

ConfidenceIsKey · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:05 am Post subject:

Thanks, BlueRain -

I guess my question wasn't specific enough. What I'd really like to know is if anyone has information from GMAC indicating how they actually arrive at the Total Score (200-800)? The raw scores are assigned percentiles, based on ranking information. But, the GMAC does not seem to explain how they go from raw score to total score. Does anyone have any insight on this?

thanks,
ConfidenceIsKey

BlueRain · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:34 pm Post subject:

Not that I can find. That's why I said basic feeling in my original post, since there is no public formula available.

Lisa Anderson · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:21 am Post subject:

Dear ConfidenceIsKey & BlueRain,

You definitely will not get the actual formulas from GMAC. My understanding is they arrive at the total scores and percentiles incorporating raw test scores from the past 3 years into the equation. That sample of scores is always in a little flux as the range will shift more than once per year. I would expect two tests taken within 31 days of each other with the same raw scores to have the same percentiles and total score. I also would not be surprised if the numbers are the same for two tests taken within months of each other.

Regards,
Lisa

bschoolbound

Stacy, I took the GMAT and got the same exact raw scores as some others who received a 740. I received a 730. Should I be concerned that this was unfair?

Lisa Anderson · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:14 pm Post subject:

You were not treated unfairly. As discussed in the thread, the scaled score (which is your 730) will have some variance as it is calculated against a pool of test scores that is always changing. Your test report should have more detail on how the scaled scores are calculated.

Regards,
Lisa

bschoolbound · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 8:21 pm Post subject:

Thanks Lisa, but you also mentioned the raw scores are pooled against scores in the last 3 years. The people who I initially mentioned got 10 points higher with the same sub-scores as me only 1 to 3 months ago. That's why I think there's a problem.