Defining a good score on the GMAT Data Insights (DI) section relates directly to the exam’s recent restructuring. The GMAT Focus Edition replaced the older format, expanding and renaming the former Integrated Reasoning (IR) section to Data Insights. DI is now a full, equally-weighted component of the total GMAT score, rather than an ancillary score. This section assesses a test taker’s fundamental data literacy and ability to analyze complex information, skills necessary for success in today’s data-driven business landscape.
The GMAT Data Insights Scoring Scale
The Data Insights score is reported on a scale ranging from 60 to 90, increasing in one-point increments. This scale is identical to those used for the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections. All three sections are equally weighted, contributing to the final GMAT Focus Total Score, which ranges from 205 to 805.
The DI section employs a computer-adaptive scoring model, though it differs from the question-by-question adaptation of the other two sections. The final score is determined by the number of correct responses and the statistical difficulty of the questions a test taker answers. High performance requires accuracy across the various question types, including Data Sufficiency and Multi-Source Reasoning, alongside efficient time management.
Interpreting Score Percentiles
The most accurate way to define a “good” Data Insights score is by examining its corresponding percentile rank. A percentile indicates the percentage of test takers whose scores were lower than yours over a rolling three-year period. For example, achieving the 75th percentile means your performance was better than 75% of all other GMAT test takers. Admissions committees use this relative standing to contextualize your numerical score.
The average score for the Data Insights section, which corresponds to the 50th percentile, typically falls around a score of 76. Any score above 76 positions a candidate above the median of the entire GMAT test-taking pool. To be considered highly competitive, a candidate should aim for a DI score that places them in the upper percentiles. A score of 80 places a test taker near the 83rd percentile, while a score of 81 is approximately the 89th percentile.
Scores in the low-to-mid 80s are significantly more competitive. Achieving a score of 83 places a candidate at the 95th percentile, demonstrating mastery of data interpretation and analytical decision-making skills. The relative importance of the DI percentile is high because admissions staff scrutinize this newest section to gauge proficiency in the modern, data-intensive business environment. A high DI percentile provides a distinct advantage by demonstrating a strong capacity for the practical analysis of complex information.
Competitive Scores for Business School Admissions
Determining a competitive Data Insights score depends entirely on the applicant’s target business school and the program’s selectivity. For the most highly selective programs, often referred to as M7 or Top 10 schools, a candidate must aim for a DI score in the highest percentiles. A score in the 83 to 85 range (95th to 98th percentile) is an optimal target for these elite programs. This performance level helps ensure the DI component contributes maximally to the high total score expected by these schools.
For applicants targeting schools ranked within the Top 25, a DI score in the 80 to 82 range (83rd to 93rd percentile) is considered highly competitive. This score demonstrates a strong analytical profile that aligns with the rigor of these programs. Furthermore, a consistently strong DI score can be used strategically to compensate for a slightly lower score in another section.
For regional or specialized Master’s programs, a DI score of 78 or higher (near the 70th percentile) is often sufficient. Admissions staff utilize the DI score as an independent verification of a candidate’s data literacy, a skill set increasingly valued in business school curriculum. Ultimately, a “good” DI score is one that bolsters the total GMAT score and meets the specific percentile benchmarks set by the applicant’s prospective program.