Average GMAT scores for top MBA programs – US, Europe, Canada

An MBA from the top-most study destination is a dream for many aspiring candidates. Graduating from a top business school will undoubtedly give our careers an unimaginable boost. However, gaining admission to a leading program is exceptionally challenging, as these top schools admit only a fraction of successful candidates.

Taking the GMAT is a crucial element in gaining admission to a top business school. A high GMAT score signifies your academic brilliance and assures the business school that you can navigate through the rigorous MBA program swiftly.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT GMAT

GMAT, officially known as the Graduate Management Admission Test, is administered by GMAC (the Graduate Management Admission Council). It is a computer-based standardized test used for admission to top business schools worldwide.

The GMAT syllabus is designed to evaluate analytical writing, problem-solving abilities, and quantitative reasoning skills. The exam’s total duration is approximately 3 hours, and the scorecard remains valid for up to 5 years from the date of results. The test is divided into four sections, each adept at assessing the abilities of prospective managers or entrepreneurs.

So, how much should you score on the GMAT? What are the GMAT average scores for top MBA programs? How much score will ensure your selection in the top B-schools of the US, Europe, and Canada

In this article, we will thoroughly address the aforementioned questions, providing detailed insights into average GMAT scores and percentiles for the top business schools in the US, Europe, and Canada.

WHAT IS A GOOD GMAT SCORE?

If you are contemplating what constitutes a good GMAT score for admission to a top business school, it largely hinges on the GMAT average score of your desired institution. As a general guideline, your GMAT score should be at least 20 points higher than the average GMAT score of the last incoming class at your target business school. Simultaneously, it’s noteworthy that a score of 700 or higher is considered good and can substantially enhance your chances of gaining admission to top-tier business schools.

WHAT IS THE GMAT SCORE VS. PERCENTILE? HOW DOES THIS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN ACING YOUR MBA APPLICATION?

First of all, you need to understand the percentile system. How does a GMAT score of 750 have different percentiles in different colleges? Each year, over 2 lakh students undertake the GMAT test, and the GMAT percentile reflects the number of candidates you outperformed. Additionally, the GMAT percentile is recalculated every intake season, as the number of individuals you have surpassed changes with each season. For instance, if you are applying to any of the HWS B-schools, even with a score of 700+, it’s highly probable that your percentile may be relatively lower (by 2-3%) compared to other B-schools. This is because only top-performing students apply for the MBA program in the HWS B-schools.

So, to be blunt, choosing a top B-school will slightly decrease your GMAT percentile compared to any average B-Schools.  

AVERAGE GMAT SCORE CUTOFF FOR TOP MBA COLLEGES IN THE US

Discussing the top business schools, the average GMAT score for leading US business schools falls within the range of 639 for Smeal to 733 for Stanford GSB. While many U.S. B-schools do not officially establish a minimum average GMAT score for their programs, it is advisable to aim for an average of approximately 696 marks to enhance your chances of admission to their prestigious programs.

Typically, the top MBA schools are looking for candidates with academic brilliance. A GMAT score of 700 or higher can help you get into your dream B-school with ease.

Nevertheless, irrespective of achieving a good GMAT score, the eligibility of candidates hinges on both the competitiveness of the MBA program and their demographic profile.

Attaining a strong GMAT score of 800 can effortlessly compensate for any weaknesses in your application. Generally, scores of 650 and above naturally position someone for consideration in the top 20 business graduate programs.

The GMAT score chart below is compiled with information about the average GMAT scores of the top B-schools in the US.

GMAT score chart

Business school	Average GMAT Score 2020	Average GMAT Score 2019	Difference in Average	Percentile of 2020
The Wharton School	730	732	-2	96%
Harvard Business School	730	730	0	96%
Stanford Graduate School of Business	733	734	-1	96%
Booth School of Business	730	730	0	96%
Kellogg School of Management	727	732	-3	96%
MIT Sloan school of Management	720	727	-7	94%
Dartmouth Tuck	720	723	-3	94%
Columbia Business School	726	727	-1	96%
UC Berkeley (Haas)	727	725	+2	96%
Michigan (Ross)	710	715	-9	96%

AVERAGE GMAT SCORE OF TOP BUSINESS SCHOOLS IN EUROPE

Europe is one of the greatest continents with the best and affordable education in the world. It hosts the world’s most prestigious and ancient universities, with European countries offering a diverse range of courses. Quality education, comfortable living, flexibility, global exposure, and a desirable lifestyle are unquestionable attributes available in European countries.

For a Master’s degree in business administration or MBA from the top B-schools in Europe, one should have a good GMAT score in the graduate management admission test. The average GMAT score for the top 16 business schools in Europe falls within the range of 640+ to 700+.

If you target the top B-schools in Europe, follow the below GMAT score chart compiled with information on the average GMAT score of European business schools.

GMAT score chart

Business school	Average GMAT Score 2020	Average GMAT Score 2019	Difference in Average	Percentile of 2020
INSEAD	709	732	-2	96%
London Business school	708	730	0	96%
Cambridge (Judge)	691	734	-1	96%
HEC Paris	690	730	0	96%
IESE Business school	727	732	-3	96%
Oxford (Said)	720	727	-7	94%
IMD	720	723	-3	94%
IE Business School	726	727	-1	96%
Mannheim	727	725	+2	96%
SDA Bocconi	710	715	-9	96%

To enroll in the top B-schools in Europe, a solid GMAT score is a prerequisite. Additionally, gaining admission to European business schools necessitates taking either the TOEFL or IELTS, essential English language proficiency tests for studying at any international university.

AVERAGE GMAT SCORE OF TOP BUSINESS SCHOOLS IN CANADA

Opting for an MBA in Canada is frequently a favored choice for international students due to its higher pay-scale structure in comparison to other countries. Furthermore, the education cost in Canada is lower compared to US MBA programs. Nonetheless, Canadian universities consistently rank among the top 100 Global MBA programs.

In addition to the aforementioned benefits, Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit programs are available for international students. However, the duration of the work permit’s validity is contingent upon the duration of your graduate program.

GMAT Cut off for MBA in Canada falls in a range of 600+ to 650+. In addition to a commendable GMAT score, a substantial amount of work experience is essential for admission to Canadian universities. For instance, gaining entry to institutions like the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto or the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario often requires achieving an average GMAT score ranging from 642 to 661.

The table below is enlisted with the average GMAT Scores for top MBA colleges in Canada and the college rankings 2020.

S. No.	Business School	Average GMAT score
1.	University of Toronto	665
2.	HEC Montreal	637
3.	University of Alberta	550
4.	Carleton University	600
5.	Concordia University	600
6.	Dalhousie University	550
7.	Lakehead University	500+
8.	McGill University	570
9.	McMaster University	600
10.	Queen’s University	600
11.	Ryerson University	550+
12.	University of Calgary	550+
13.	University of LethBridge	550
14.	University of Guelph	GMAT not needed
15.	University of Windsor	550
16.	University of Ottawa	500
17.	Wilfrid Laurier University	550+
18.	York University’s Schulich Business School	550 – 750

In Canada, certain MBA colleges take your GMAT scores into account when awarding scholarships. This adds to the competitiveness among test-takers, making it crucial to achieve high scores in the GMAT exam.

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR GMAT SCORE?

Typically, many students, including top candidates, are so focused on the end result that they lose sight of what actually matters and what the scorers are looking for.

If you are planning to apply for an MBA in the top Business school, it’s crucial for you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your profile. Then, after identifying your weak spots, you can enhance your test-day strategies and improve them with continued insight into your score.

Being well-prepared for your GMAT exams is imperative because a low GMAT score can thwart your dream of gaining admission to the world’s top business schools.

Ensure your reasoning ability is commendable by staying updated on business news, intellectual insights, and developments in your domain. With the mantra “Practice is the key to perfection,” a well-structured study plan and unwavering determination can pave the way for excelling in the GMAT and gaining admission to the world’s top MBA colleges.

IS A GOOD GMAT SCORE THE ONLY WAY TO ACE YOUR APPLICATION?

There isn’t a strict boundary of specific things or skills that colleges seek when evaluating an application.

Skills, talents, and work experience hold equal importance in the application evaluation process. Bearing this in mind, the following points succinctly outline the key aspects of gaining admission to a university beyond your GMAT scores.

Academic Profile

High cumulative GPA

Academic brilliance in quantitative or business-oriented courses

An UG degree from a college or school with an excellent academic reputation

Career Progress

Clear evidence of proper career progress trajectory.

Visible progress and career achievement.

Excellent references or LORs

Plenty of evidence of managerial potential

Leadership skills

Proper evidence of leadership at work.

Self-awareness of leadership capabilities

Career Goals

Properly defined career goals.

A sense of purpose: passion, meaning, and significance reflected in post-MBA goals.

The appropriate correlation between prior skills and experiences and post-MBA career goals

Convincing motivations for pursuing an MBA

Other Personal Qualities

Evidence of self-consciousness

Balanced personality

International and cross-cultural experience.

An excellent fit for the classroom experience.

CAN I DO MBA WITHOUT GMAT?

Absolutely! Several colleges accept admission applications without any GMAT scores. Moreover, it has become a new trend followed by many top colleges to level the competition for working-class candidates who dream of attending top B-schools. But, unfortunately, due to workload and other severe circumstances, they cannot dedicate enough time to ace GMAT scores.

to know about all such universities that don’t incorporate GMAT scores into their admission application, you can refer to our article about the GMAT waiver here.

To know more about GMAT scores for top universities, hop on a 1:1 45 minute exclusive call with our team of experts. We at MBA and Beyond are determined to help you through each and every step of your application filing. We follow a stepwise process to ensure maximum utility, research, and best results for your applications.