The GMAT is important in order to compare diverse candidates, ones who have a wide variety of educational and occupational backgrounds. The GMAT provides a universal benchmark with which to compare applicants to graduate business programs. A high score is commonly thought to indicate that you possess the strong analytical and verbal skills required to meet the academic rigor of a school’s program.

Though the GMAT score is not the only piece of your application, it is a significant one. A GMAT score at or above the mean of other applicants to a particular program will improve your chances of admission. In short, your GMAT score can be equated to what you wear to a job interview.

A fancy suit alone will not get you the job, and a stain on your shirt will probably not lose you the job, but whom would you rather hire?