Updated on Sep 20, 2023 13:57 IST

Aspirants often have a query regarding an average GMAT scores to get admission in the top MBA program. The real question is what GMAT score is enough to get into an MBA program of your choice? Every student who appears for the GMAT exam wants to score maximum in order to get admission in his desired college/program. In this post, we will inform you how much you need to score in order to get into top MBA schools. Even a high GMAT score is not enough to get admission to your dream university. GMAT score is always important, however, it is not the sole criteria, as it should be complimented with a great profile. Always keep in mind that schools generally evaluate the complete profile of the candidate along with GMAT score.

GMAT Scores for Top Business Schools

Rising GMAT score also signifies that competition among the aspirants is rising year after year and it indicates the increasing potential of the candidates. Apart from this, one also get an idea that competition among the top B-schools is also increasing substantially. Now a days, even top institutes are offering more amount of scholarship money to candidates in order to attract top scorers. Having a high GMAT score must be your top priority, however, you should also focus on building a strong profile along with it.

As it has been noted that the top B-schools across the globe give paramount importance to GMAT score while evaluating student’s performance, but they give equal importance to candidates’ overall profile as well. Always remember, your application must be a combination of a strong profile and a high GMAT score. Also, check the requirements of the program and university you are looking for and then set your targets accordingly. Like average GMAT score for Harvard is 730, however, scoring 730 or more does not guarantee admission. So, it is always advisable to give equal importance in making a strong profile as well. Make sure that your application should highlight strong leadership skills, your achievements, and abilities to tackle complex situations.

Along with it, try to participate and take up as much as extracurricular activities and CSR activities to give your overall application an edge over the others. It will increase your chances and sets your profile apart from the crowd.

Below are the average GMAT scores for top 10 business schools:

Business Schools

Average GMAT Score

University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

733

Stanford University (CA)

733

Yale University (CT)

727

Harvard University (MA)

730

Columbia University (NY)

740

University of California—Berkeley (Haas)

729

University of Chicago (Booth)

732

Northwestern University (Kellogg) (IL)

729

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)

730

Dartmouth College (Tuck) (NH)

724

It is not just the international colleges, but premier institutes in India that also prefer high GMAT score. Like GMAT score for ISB is 711 and IIM (Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore) prefer students who scored more than 700. It is obvious that one should have a high GMAT score to get into a top college. However, scoring low GMAT score does not mean you should not apply to your dream school as the above average score does not confirm an admit letter. If you are not satisfied with your score, you can always reject it and attempt the GMAT exam again.

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Scoring high in GMAT Exam is not at all an easy task; many people who pursued MBA from top B-schools succeeded after multiple attempts. It is always up to you to share your best GMAT score with the schools.

Also Read:

About GMAT Exam

GMAT Registration

GMAT Exam Dates

GMAT Syllabus

GMAT Scores

GMAT Preparation Tips

Average GMAT Scores FAQs

Q. Is it mandatory to get a good GMAT score for top MBA colleges?

A. Though it is not mandatory, you should still try to score as much as possible on the GMAT. Getting a good GMAT score increases your chances of getting selected in a top B-school.

Q. If I do not score well on the GMAT, do I still stand a chance of getting selected in my dream B-school?

A. Yes. MBA colleges look at your holistic profile. Even if you do not score extremely well, you can always try and enhance your profile and other admission requirements.

Q. What are factors that MBA colleges consider for student selection?

A. MBA colleges look at your holistic profile. Your GMAT score, your resume, your academics, your extracurricular performance, your admission essays, your letters of recommendation, your SOP, etc. are considered.

Q. If I score above 700, is there a guarantee that I will get admission in a top MBA college?

A. No. Even if you score 750, there is no guarantee that you will be admitted in a top MBA college. You need to work on your profile as well in order to get selected in a top B-school.

Q. What books can I study to score well on the GMAT?

A. You can click on this link to get an idea about the books required for GMAT preparation. Make sure that you do not overburden yourself with too many books. Your focus must be on clearing the basics first.

Q. I am from humanities background, can I still score well on the GMAT?

A. Definitely yes. Remember that GMAT tests only your basic math and verbal skills that you need to survive in your B-school. Irrespective of your academic background, you can score well on the GMAT. Just make sure to focus more on the section where you find difficulty. In addition, do not underestimate the importance of mock tests.
Q:   Which countries prefer a GMAT score for MBA admission?
A:

GMAT entrance exam is a popular standardized exam that is accepted for MBA admission by more than 2,400 institutions. Some of the popular countries where GMAT is widely accepted for MBA and MIM admissions include the US, Canada, Australia, India, the UK, Singapore, Germany, Finland, Norway, etc. 

Q:   Which schools use GMAT scores?
A:

More than 7,700 graduate management programs across the world use GMAT scores to give admission to aspirants. However, the GMAT score is not the only criterion for getting selected for a good MBA college. B-Schools usually look for candidates who have a holistic profile that has sound academic, managerial work experience, extracurricular activities, etc. Moreover, your admission documents (statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, resume, admission essays, etc.) also matter to a large extent. Hence, you need to be careful with your application documents also.

Q:   Will GMAT Focus be accepted by universities abroad?
A:

Yes, GMAT Focus Edition is the new and the latest version of the exam is being conducted across since January 31, 2024. The universities abroad are accepting both GMAT exam and GMAT Focus Edition. The reason being, some applicants have appeared for the previous version of the GMAT by January 31, 2024. So for now both versions are being accepted. But applicants should note, that the previous GMAT exam has been scrapped and GMAC is only conducting GMAT Focus Edition. So applicants from now onwards should prepare for the GMAT Focus Edition exam. 

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