GMAT 745 Score: What Percentile Is It?
A GMAT Focus total score of 745 places you in the 98th percentile, a truly elite performance. This guide explains what that means for your MBA applications and how to leverage it.
What percentile is a 745 GMAT score?
A GMAT Focus total score of 745 corresponds to approximately the 98th percentile of all test-takers. This means you scored higher than 98% of candidates worldwide, placing you in the top 2% of the applicant pool. This is a rare and highly competitive score.
Is 745 a good score?
Yes, a 745 is an elite score, classified as "Elite" for MBA admissions purposes. It roughly corresponds to a 740 on the legacy GMAT scale, which has historically been a benchmark for top-tier programs. With this score, you are a standout candidate for any MBA program, including M7 and Ivy League schools.
Which schools is it competitive for?
With a 745, you are competitive at the most selective MBA programs in the world:
- Harvard Business School
- Stanford GSB
- Wharton
- MIT Sloan
- Chicago Booth
- Kellogg
- Columbia Business School
While a high GMAT score is not a guarantee of admission, it significantly strengthens your profile, especially when combined with strong work experience, essays, and recommendations.
How to improve from here?
If you are aiming for an even higher score (though 745 is already exceptional), consider:
- Focus on the sections where you lost points (Quant, Verbal, Data Insights) and practice targeted questions.
- Take additional mock tests to build stamina and time management.
- Review your error log to identify patterns and avoid careless mistakes.
Remember that a 99th percentile score (e.g., 765+) is rare, but the incremental benefit over a 745 is minimal. Your energy may be better spent on other parts of your application.