The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has announced the launch of GMAT Superscore, a new feature that will allow candidates to present their best overall performance by combining the highest section scores from multiple GMAT attempts. The feature is expected to be rolled out in August and will be available at no extra cost to test takers.
According to GMAC, the new scoring method is designed to address score anxiety, which often discourages candidates from submitting scores or applying to their preferred business schools. The organisation said a single test attempt may not always reflect a candidate's full potential, leading some applicants to limit their choices or abandon the admissions process altogether.
Under the new system, GMAT Superscore will automatically calculate a candidate’s best aggregate score using the highest section scores from valid attempts of the latest GMAT edition. It will include tests taken both at physical centres and online. The superscore will be displayed in candidates’ MBA.com accounts and will also appear as an additional data point on official score reports sent to business schools.
“Very qualified candidates sometimes walk away from the testing process with less confidence than their abilities deserve, often because one section score or one testing experience doesn't tell the full story,” GMAC said in a statement. It added that the new feature is aimed at ensuring that persistence and preparation are recognised and that candidates can present their strongest performance during admissions.
GMAC said research on standardised testing suggests that superscores can be stronger indicators of academic success than single composite scores or the most recent test result alone. The organisation said its psychometricians have found evidence supporting the use of superscoring at the graduate level and plans to work with business schools on further validation studies.
GMAT is accepted by more than 7,700 programmes across over 2,400 business schools worldwide and remains one of the most widely used admissions assessments for graduate business education.
