Starting in August, MBA applicants can put their best GMAT score forward with a new feature from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC): the GMAT Superscore. The GMAT Superscore is an automatic calculation of a test taker’s best aggregate performance across their GMAT attempts. With no additional cost, this feature presents a more holistic view of the applicant and ensures admissions sees their strongest performance.
According to GMAC, the GMAT Superscore is calculated using a candidate’s highest section scores from all valid attempts of the latest edition, whether taken at a test center or online. It will then be displayed on candidates’ MBA.com accounts and included on Official Score Reports.
GMAC hopes to alleviate score anxiety, which often leads qualified applicants to withhold scores, limit their list of target schools, or abandon their application altogether when a single test result falls short of their expectations.
“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,” said Joy Jones, CEO of GMAC, in their press release. “GMAT Superscore is our commitment to helping make sure that persistence and preparation are rewarded, and that every candidate has the opportunity to put their best foot forward when it matters most.”
GMAC is also planning to collaborate with business schools on validity studies to confirm the efficacy of superscores in predicting academic performance. So far, research from ACT and the College Board has shown that superscores are stronger predictors of achievement than single composite scores or most recent scores.
The GMAT is the most widely accepted assessment for graduate business education worldwide. Adam Witwer, chief product officer at GMAC, also commented in their press release: “GMAT Superscore represents GMAC’s continued investment in candidate-friendly innovation, giving test-takers peace of mind by showing schools their best performance in a holistic way.”
