Should You Put GMAT Scores on a Resume?

“Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.” – Richard Branson

One of the questions young job seekers struggle with is – should I put my GMAT score on my resume? Unfortunately, it’s not exactly a yes or no answer. In certain circumstances, it can be a bad idea to include it. Generally speaking, a GMAT score on a resume can help you come off as more credible and honest.

However, in cases where it’s not necessary to include, it could be a good idea to omit it. Here we will discuss some pros and cons of putting GMAT scores on resume. It’s a popular topic. Students are constantly asking us if they should put their GRE or SAT scores on their resumes. So, here we will also go over where it makes sense to place it.

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When and Where to List GMAT on Your Resume

There are certain situations when it’s in your best interest to include a GMAT score on resume. For starters, you definitely should include it if it’s one of the requirements. You should also add it if you either wish to impress the employer. An impressive score signals to them that you can handle some of the more intellectually demanding tasks. Bear in mind though, that the score itself needs to be impressive. Otherwise, GMAT scores on resume make no sense or can do more harm than good.

When to Add GMAT Score in the Resume

Based on what we covered so far, GMAT scores are only usable if they are impressive. Currently, the threshold for an impressive GMAT score is 700 points. If you managed to get between 760-800, it will pretty much indicate that you are among the top 2%.

When we talk about top business schools though, like  Stanford, University of Chicago, Harvard, Colombia, and Yale the results are around 730 points. So, a general rule of thumb for this decision is to include them if they are above 700.

With an impressive score, you are basically saying that you excel in all the areas that the GMAT measures. More precisely, algebra, arithmetic, data analysis, geometry, and grammar. It shows you are a problem solver and a critical thinker. If anything it indicates that you are better in those areas compared to your peers. All of these things can come into play in multiple industries. An impressive score can help you establish yourself as a valuable asset to the company.

Also read: How to put minor on a resume.

Where to List GMAT on Your Resume

Now that we have addressed the question of should you put GMAT scores on a resume, let’s see how to put GMAT on resume, or more precisely where to place it. There are two sections on your where it will fit quite nicely and those are the accomplishments and skills section. Of course, if you put it in one of these there is no need to re-mention it in the other.

Accomplishments section – If you decide to put the score in the accomplishment section, you can place the score anywhere you want. It’s also a common practice to display it in an education section, as you are listing your academic accomplishments there, which is why it fits quite nicely. Accomplishments tend to reflect your real-world experience, so if you have a few of those, make sure they get the spotlight they deserve.

Skills Section – For the skills section, you can group the skills that are tested by GMAT and then add the score below them. Realistically speaking, these really don’t take up too much space on your resume, so even if it is not listed as a requirement you can include them. There is a chance that an employer might value those results, and if it’s a tie between you and the other candidate it could help the odds swing in your favor.

Don’t hesitate to ask for a professional opinion. If you are putting together a resume for the first time, reaching out to online resume writers with more experience will help you.

FAQ

Can Employers Check Your GMAT Score?

They technically can if they wish to go out of their way, but it’s not something employers do. Moreover, you could have taken a test multiple times and used the best result on the resume, so there is really not much point in doing a background check on this.

Do Employers Like High GMAT Test Scores?

Yes, they do, but it’s not going to be a deciding factor in their decision to hire you. Employers are more interested in work experience and accomplishments. High GMAT can certainly be useful and help paint a better image of you as a candidate, which is why a lot of people include it.

Should I Put My GMAT Score on My Resume?

If you scored more than 700 points then definitely include it. Those employers who value the skillset tested by GMAT will find that input useful. If your score was below 700 then you can omit it, especially if it’s not a requirement on the job application.

Conclusion

This is everything you need to know on how to put GMAT scores on resume. GMAT score definitely provides some useful insight for the employers, however, it pales in comparison to real-life or relevant experience. If you are a job seeker novice and have an admirable test score, then definitely add it to your resume.