GMAT 685 Score: What Percentile Is It?
A GMAT Focus total score of 685 places you at the 88th percentile of test-takers, a strong result that signals elite performance to MBA admissions committees. This guide breaks down what this score means for your competitiveness and how to leverage it in your applications.
What percentile is a GMAT 685?
A GMAT Focus score of 685 is approximately the 88th percentile of all test-takers. This means you scored better than about 88% of people who took the exam. This is a top-tier performance, placing you in the elite range for MBA admissions.
Is 685 a good GMAT score?
Yes, 685 is an excellent GMAT Focus score. It is classified as an "Elite" score for MBA admissions purposes. On the legacy GMAT scale, it roughly corresponds to a 680, which has historically been a competitive score at many top business schools. With this score, you are a strong candidate at a wide range of programs.
Which schools are competitive with a 685?
With a 685, you are competitive at many top-tier MBA programs. While it may be slightly below the median for the very top schools (like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton), it is still a score that will get you noticed. You are a strong candidate for:
- Top 10-20 US programs (e.g., MIT Sloan, Columbia, Yale SOM, Tuck, Ross, Fuqua)
- Leading European programs (e.g., INSEAD, London Business School, HEC Paris)
- Any other highly ranked global MBA programs
Remember, your GMAT score is just one part of your application. Your work experience, essays, recommendations, and interview performance are equally important.
How to improve from a 685
If you have time and want to increase your competitiveness for the most selective programs, you can retake the exam. Focus on your weakest section (Quant, Verbal, or Data Insights) and take additional practice tests to build stamina. Many test-takers improve their scores by 20-30 points with focused prep. However, a 685 is already a strong score, so weigh the potential gain against the time and effort required.
Use our GMAT score calculator to estimate how different section scores might impact your total. For more on percentiles, see our GMAT percentile guide.