GMAT Focus to GMAT Score Conversion
To compare a score between the current GMAT and the previous GMAT (the 10th Edition, which was phased out in 2024), use percentile rankings rather than the raw score. On GMAC’s official concordance, for example, a 645 on the current GMAT is equivalent to a 700 on the previous GMAT because both correspond to roughly the same percentile. The two scoring scales were designed differently, so comparing the raw numbers directly won’t give you an accurate comparison. If you’re still getting oriented to the current scoring system, start with our overview on GMAT scoring.
Why the Two GMAT Scales Are Different
The current GMAT uses a total score scale of 205 to 805, with every total score ending in 5. The previous GMAT (the 10th Edition) used a 200 to 800 scale, with total scores ending in 0.
GMAC designed the new scale so schools and applicants could immediately distinguish between scores from the two versions of the exam. The scale was also recalibrated to reflect a broader, more global testing population. As a result, a current GMAT score may appear lower than an older score at first glance, even when it represents equivalent—or better—performance.
How to Compare Old and New GMAT Scores: Use Percentiles
GMAC’s official guidance is to compare the two exams by percentile, not by raw score. A percentile tells you what percentage of test-takers you outperformed, so a score at the 90th percentile on the current GMAT represents essentially the same level of performance as a score at the 90th percentile on the previous GMAT, regardless of the different numbers attached to them.
That’s why a direct score-to-score comparison can be misleading: the two exams use different scoring scales and score distributions, while percentile provides a common point of comparison.
The Official GMAT Score Concordance Table
The table below matches GMAT 10th Edition total scores with current GMAT total scores that correspond to the same percentile. You can read it in either direction: find your old score to see its current equivalent, or find a current score to see its equivalent on the previous scale.
The conversion most people are looking for is simple: a 645 on the current GMAT is equivalent to a 700 on the GMAT 10th Edition.
| GMAT (10th Edition) | GMAT (Focus Edition) | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 800 | 805 | 100% |
| 780 | 765 | 99.9% |
| 760 | 725 | 99.1% |
| 740 | 695 | 97.4% |
| 720 | 675 | 94.8% |
| 700 | 645 | 86.7% |
| 680 | 625 | 79.2% |
| 660 | 615 | 76.4% |
| 640 | 595 | 67.1% |
| 620 | 585 | 60.6% |
| 600 | 565 | 50.9% |
| 580 | 555 | 47.8% |
| 560 | 535 | 39.2% |
| 540 | 515 | 31.5% |
| 520 | 495 | 25.1% |
| 500 | 495 | 25.1% |
These are representative percentile-matched values. Because the two scoring scales use different score increments, some GMAT 10th Edition scores correspond to a small range of current GMAT scores rather than a single value.
For the complete official concordance table, see GMAC’s concordance tables.
Data source: GMAC official score concordance, published July 2025. GMAC updates the percentile values once a year, so check mba.com for the most current figures.
What This Means for Your Target Score
If a business school publishes an average GMAT score on the old scale—for example, an average of 700—you can use the concordance to find the equivalent score on the current GMAT (about 645) and set your target accordingly.
Business schools use GMAC’s official concordance when comparing scores from the two versions of the exam. As a result, a current GMAT score that appears lower than an old benchmark may represent the same level of performance and competitiveness.
For more on how much your GMAT score actually matters in the admissions process, see: Does the GMAT Matter?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 645 on the GMAT the same as a 700?
Yes, in percentile terms. On GMAC’s official concordance, a 645 on the current GMAT is equivalent to a 700 on the GMAT 10th Edition because both correspond to roughly the same percentile. The numbers differ because the two exams use different scoring scales.
How do I convert a GMAT Focus score to the old GMAT?
Use percentiles, not raw scores. GMAC’s official concordance matches current GMAT scores with GMAT 10th Edition scores that correspond to the same percentile. Comparing the raw scores directly isn’t meaningful because the two exams use different scoring scales and have different score distributions.
Why do GMAT Focus scores sometimes look lower?
Because the scoring scale changed. The current GMAT uses a 205–805 scale, while the GMAT 10th Edition used a 200–800 scale, and the score distribution was recalibrated for a broader, more global testing population. As a result, a lower-looking current GMAT score can represent the same—or better—performance as a higher score on the previous exam.
Do business schools compare old and new GMAT scores?
Your score is interpreted according to the version of the GMAT you took. Admissions committees are accustomed to evaluating both editions and use the official concordance to ensure scores are compared fairly.
