Average GMAT Scores for Top B-Schools Across the World

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Samarpita Goswami
Updated on Jun 24, 2022 04:53 PM IST

Although B-schools do not lay down the minimum GMAT score requirement, average GMAT scores help estimate the score required to get into leading universities. Read on to find out the average GMAT scores for top business schools across the world.

Average GMAT Scores for Top B-Schools Across the World

Average GMAT scores for top business schools help MBA aspirants understand how much they should score to get a fair chance in the top B-schools. GMAT scores form an important part of the MBA application process theynot only makeadmission possible to the desired B-school but also help get scholarships for MBA abroad.

Yes, agood GMAT score does improve yourchances of acceptance to an MBA programme, but one should also focus on other aspects of the admission process. The top business schools aim to pick the best candidates who have remarkable leadership skills and management tactics apart from a good GMAT score. So, in order to raise your chances of admission, you need to focus on yourGPA, resume, LORs, SOP and work experience.

Here, we will list down the average GMAT scores of applicants who have been admitted to the top business schools abroad like Stanford, Harvard and so on. This will help students set a target GMAT score to aim for. They can also devise strategies for the GMAT exam preparation.

What is GMAT?

GMAT is a multiple-choice questions-based test taken by students who wish to study MBA. The exam measures the readiness of test-takers for business schools. Also, GMAT scores provide a common basis for comparison to the business school admission committee. Moreover, the GMAT exam scores, if good and provided, can have a positive influence on MBA admission.

The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test which means that the computer assumes students have an average score and gives questions of medium difficulty. Then, as students answer the question, the difficulty level keeps changing. The GMAT exam assesses students on the basis of their skills in language, basic arithmetic, algebra, data analysis and geometry. It measures the ability to think critically and solve problems.

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Why GMAT Scores are Important?

GMAT scores are important in getting admission to MBA courses abroad. It is considered the stepping stone toward an impactful career. GMAT scores are accepted by more than 7,000 institutions across the globe. GMAT scores are indicators of your skills and talents which are required for a successful business administration.

  • GMAT scores measure the critical skill required to run a business.

  • It is a true indicator of students success in B-school.

  • GMAT scores make up 16% of weightage in MBA admissions. (Source: Poets and Quants survey)

  • GMAT scores are used by corporate recruiters as they reflect the ability to perform, and strong oral and technical skills.

  • A good GMAT score increases the chances to get a scholarship which would be beneficial to meet the tuition fees of MBA programs.

Average Section Wise GMAT Scores

The GMAT score ranges from 200-800. A survey done by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) found that the average GMAT score received by test-takers is 568.21 for the year 2020. Two-thirds of test-takers score between 400-600.The GMAT section-wise average score for 2021 is given in the image below:

Average GMAT Score by Section

Average GMAT Scores for Top B-Schools Abroad

The average GMAT scores of the class of a particular year are published by the respective business schools. Here is a list of the average GMAT scores for Indian students to study at one of the top MBA universities abroad:

Business School

Country

Average GMAT Score

Stanford Graduate School of Business

USA

738

Harvard Business School

USA

730

The Wharton School

USA

733

INSEAD

France

709

HEC Paris

France

690

University of St. Gallen

Switzerland

680

Booth School of Business

USA

732

London Business School

UK

708

Kellogg School of Management

USA

727

MIT Sloan School of Management

USA

730

Warwick Business School

UK

650

Yale School of Management

USA

730

University of California, Berkeley

USA

726

ESADE

Spain

660

ESMT Berlin

Germany

640

Columbia Business School

USA

729

Michigan Ross

USA

722

IESE- Barcelona

Spain

670

University of Texas Austin - McCombs

USA

708

IESE - Madrid

Spain

670

Cambridge (Judge)

UK

687

NYU - Stern

USA

729

Cranfield

UK

680

London Business School

UK

708

McGill University- Desautels

Canada

670

University of Toronto - Rotman

Canada

678

Nanyang Technical University

Singapore

662

University of Texas- Dallas

USA

682

UCLA - Anderson

USA

710

Oxford Said

UK

690

How Should You Evaluate Average B-School GMAT Scores?

The average B-school GMAT scores can be petrifying at a glance, especially for those who are struggling with GMAT preparation. A low GMAT score can be detrimental to the admission to an MBA program unless students apply to colleges that give GMAT waivers under certain pre-conditions.

Those students whose GMAT scores are close to the mark must remember that GMAT scores alone will not help in the admission. They will have to aspire for even better scores to get into the top business schools.

All applicants should visualise their MBA eligibility beyond the test scores. It is necessary to evaluate the demographic profile of students already studying in the B-schools to understand the mind of the admission committee. Besides, they should pay equal attention to MBA essays, work experience, letters of recommendation (LORs)and statement of purpose (SOP)to make a holistic application process.

Should You Target 700+ on the GMAT?

Students often wonder what their target GMAT score would be and how they can score a perfect 800 on the GMAT. Keeping the average GMAT score of top business schools, it will be pertinent to set a high goal for GMAT score. A GMAT score above 700+ will smoothen the path to admission in globally acknowledged B-schools.

Though business schools namely Harvard, Stanford and INSEAD accept the admission of students with low scores, still they prefer to admit students who have a high GMAT score. They also consider other aspects of the admission. However, it is necessary to give the best shot to claim a seat in the top B-schools.

Pursuing MBA abroad at the top B-schools is a rewarding experience in itself. The GMAT scores form only a part of the MBA admission. So, students should not be daunted by the high average scores of top business schools as the admission committee checks the other aspects of the applicants profiles in order to consider them fit for their school. However, it is mandatory that students should be motivated and consistent with their preparation to excel in GMAT.

Our mentors offer one-on-one assistance to MBA aspirants and help them get into one of the top B-schools abroad. Write to them atabroad@collegedekho.com for assistance.

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FAQs

What is the average GMAT score for London Business School?

The average GMAT score required for London Business School is 708, with the 2021 MBA batch's GMAT score ranging between 590-790. Students with below-average GMAT scores might not be rejected as the school usually accepts a GMAT score of around 600. Also, the GMAT score is not the only criterion the admission committee looks at.

What is the average GMAT score for Wharton?

The average GMAT score needed for Wharton Business School is 709. The average verbal and quant score is 162, while the average AWA score is 4.6 for an MBA at Wharton. The class profile of this business school is diverse in terms of experience, background and perspectives and to be a part of it, it is crucial to be a high GMAT score.

What is the average GMAT score for INSEAD?

The average GMAT score for INSEAD is 733, which is undoubtedly quite competitive. Alhtough INSEAD does not have a minimum GMAT score requirement, it requires students to score around 640 on the GMAT. Apart from a high GMAT score, INSEAD bases MBA applications on the student's academic foundation, ability to contribute, leadership skills and global motivation. 

What is the average GMAT score for HEC Paris?

The average GMAT score for HEC Paris is 690. It is extremely competitive and in the last admission cycle, the B-school had accepted only 18.9% of those who had applied for MBA admission. Therefore, international students seeking admission to this business school must prepare well in advance to score high on the GMAT exam.

What is considered an average GMAT score for Canada?

The score that is considered an average GMAT score for Canada is between 550 to 600. A GMAT score as low as 500 can also be considered for admission to business schools in Canada. However, the top-ranked B-schools in Canada like Rotman School of Management, Smith School of Business, and Schulich School of Business would prefer applicants with a higher GMAT score. 

What is the average GMAT score required for European business schools?

The average GMAT score required for European business schools is somewhere between 640-720. While Cambridge Judge's average GMAT score is around 687, 640 is the average GMAT score at Rotterdam Business School, and 670 at IESE Business school. If you aspire to study MBA in Europe, you should target a GMAT score ranging anywhere from 680-700.

What is the average GMAT score for admission to MBA programs abroad?

The average GMAT score for admission to MBA programs abroad for 2020 was 609 according to U.S. News and World Report survey. As per a survey by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the average GMAT score of test-takers between 2017 to 2019 was 568. In general, business schools abroad prefer students with high GMAT scores and GPA as well as impressive LORs, SOP, and Student CV. 

Can I get admission to MBA abroad if I have an average GMAT score?

No, only an average GMAT score is not enough for admission to MBA abroad. Even if you have a high GMAT score, you will be assessed on the basis of other eligibility criteria such as your work experience, statement of purpose (SOP), letters of recommendation (LOR) and academic resume. You may also be asked to write an MBA essay. Each of these has a weightage while considering an applicant for an MBA programme.

What is the average GMAT score for MBA scholarships?

Business schools do not have an average GMAT score requirement for MBA scholarships. However, you should remember that the scholarships are mostly need-based or merit-based. So, if you wish to apply for merit-based scholarships, it is crucial to have high GMAT scores. As MBA courses abroad are quite expensive, your high GMAT score can earn you a scholarship and help you ease the financial burden.

What is the average GMAT scores for Indian students to study abroad?

The average GMAT score for Indian students to study abroad is between 650-700.  A score in this range is extremely competitive and can help students to get into popular business schools. A score lower than this can still be accepted if other admission criteria for an MBA are well met.

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