What is a good GMAT score for top MBA colleges?

Question

Divakshi Arora · Accepted Answer

For top MBA programs, a good GMAT Focus Edition score typically falls between 645 and 685. This range puts you in the 80th to 95th percentile, which is where schools like Stanford GSB, Wharton, Harvard, and Booth usually draw their admits from.
Here&rsquo;s a quick breakdown of where top schools stand with GMAT Focus Edition:

Stanford GSB: Mid-80% range is estimated between 675&ndash;705
Wharton: Average scores hover around 680
INSEAD: Most admits are in the 640&ndash;680 range
London Business School: Strong profiles with 650+ have a competitive shot

That said, there&rsquo;s no fixed &ldquo;cutoff.&rdquo; If someone scores around 625&ndash;635 but has strong leadership experience, top academic performance, or works in a demanding quant-heavy role, they can still be competitive. On the flip side, a 700+ score won&rsquo;t guarantee admission if the rest of the application is weak.
Want to know the  GMAT Focus score for top b-schools , Read the full breakdown here .

K S Saini · Answer

A good GMAT score for top MBA colleges usually falls between 700 and 740, but it really depends on the school. For example, schools like Stanford, Wharton, and Harvard often report average GMAT scores around 730, while schools like INSEAD or LBS might be a bit more flexible, typically in the 700&ndash;710 range. These numbers come straight from their class profiles each year.
That said, the GMAT is just one part of your application. If the rest of your profile&mdash;like your work experience, essays, or leadership exposure&mdash;is strong, you can still be competitive with a slightly lower score. And remember, many schools now accept GRE too, or even offer waivers. So while a good GMAT score helps, it&rsquo;s not the only way in.
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T Ronak · Answer

A good GMAT Focus Edition score depends on your target schools, but for top 10 programs, aiming above 650 is generally a safe bet. With the new format (scored 205&ndash;805), most schools now share score ranges instead of averages, but expectations remain high.
For example, Columbia Business School and Chicago Booth see most admits between 660&ndash;685, while Berkeley Haas and Duke Fuqua may admit strong candidates with 640&ndash;660 if the rest of the profile is solid. Schools like Kellogg and MIT Sloan focus on percentiles&mdash;so targeting the 85th percentile or higher is a smart move.
Some schools accept the GRE or offer GMAT waivers, especially for candidates with strong academics or significant work experience. But if you're submitting the GMAT Focus, a score above 660 helps your profile stand out&mdash;especially with a strong Data Insights section, which carries more weight in the Focus Edition.

Ruchika C · Answer

If you're aiming for top MBA colleges, a GMAT score of 700 or above is usually considered very good. Schools like Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and INSEAD often report an average GMAT score between 710 to 730. So if you score in that range, you&rsquo;ll be close to what top schools expect.
That said, scoring lower doesn&rsquo;t mean you won&rsquo;t get in. Some students with scores between 650 and 690 also get accepted, especially if they have strong work experience, good essays, or leadership skills. Your full profile matters, not just the test score.
If you're applying to schools ranked slightly lower, a score of 620 to 680 is often enough. But for the most competitive programs, aim as high as you can, because a good GMAT score can help you win scholarships too.
So in short, the higher your score, the better your chances. But remember, schools look at everything &mdash; not just numbers. Work on your full application to give yourself the best shot.