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Arman Davtyan Provides Insights on How to Interpret and Leverage Your GMAT Score in U.S. News & World Report

Arman Davtyan

Understanding what makes a strong GMAT score is essential for business school applicants, and Arman Davtyan, assistant dean of enrollment management at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, offers valuable advice. Speaking with U.S. News & World Report, Davtyan stressed that a competitive score depends on the program. “It’s definitely context-specific, depending on where you’ve set your sights,” he explained, encouraging candidates to research the profiles of admitted students to identify a target score.

Davtyan also highlighted the importance of balanced scores across all sections—quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data insights—especially for demonstrating readiness for the academic rigor of an MBA program.

Though admissions are holistic, Davtyan noted that a score in the 25th percentile or lower may prompt additional review of an applicant's experience and coursework. He advised applicants with low scores to address the issue proactively in essays or interviews. "Don’t leave the admission committee to speculate," he said. "How you frame your comments is key—acknowledge the issue without sounding like you’re making excuses."

With thoughtful preparation and strategic application planning, Davtyan believes candidates can optimize their GMAT performance and strengthen their admission prospects.

Read the full article here. Learn more about the Pepperdine Graizadio Business School programs