Average GMAT scores for the world’s top MBA programs

The GMAT exam is the world's premier business school admissions test, measuring your readiness for the academic demands of an MBA program.

Your skills are put to the test throughout the 2-hour and 15-minute exam, which assesses your abilities in three areas: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Scoring high on the GMAT will make a good case for you to earn a seat on a top MBA.

So, what is a good GMAT score for an MBA program? A good idea is to aim for the average score of the MBA class you want to get into. To help you out, each year we highlight the average GMAT scores for the world's top MBA programs.

In 2024 we introduced a change to the GMAT scoring system alongside an updated exam structure. The GMAT exam still sees test-takers graded in 10-point intervals, but with the minimum score being 205 and the maximum score being 805 (a change from the previous range of 200-800).

To reflect this change, when we discuss average GMAT scores below, we quote the average GMAT scores for the current MBA class as reported by schools, with a GMAT score range beside them based on the current scoring scale.

We’ve also included the average scores from the old version, because those scores are valid for up to five years and are still being used by test-takers.

US schools: Average GMAT scores for Stanford, Harvard & more

A member of the prestigious M7 business schools, each year the Kellogg School of Management cements its place as one of the best MBA programs, proved primarily by the quality of its candidates. The average GMAT score of its MBA class backs up that claim. The median score of the current intake is 687, making it the highest average GMAT of any MBA class in the world.

The second-highest GMAT score was at Harvard, with an average of 685 and a range of 645-735.

Wharton is the top-ranked MBA in the world according to the Financial Times, but its average GMAT of 676 puts it in third place in this list.

The average GMAT scores of the MBA cohorts at MIT Sloan, Berkeley Haas, and Yale were all 675, though Yale recorded the highest of the three in the old format. American business schools dominate the GMAT ranking, with all of the schools in the list recording an average GMAT score of 670 or higher.

The Indian School of Business was the only non-American school to do the same, with an average GMAT score of 672 for the current cohort making it the top-ranked school in Asia.

At 645, London Business School recorded the highest average GMAT score of any school in Europe (excluding INSEAD, who don’t post average GMAT scores of their intake). Interestingly, an admitted student at LBS appeared to record the highest GMAT score of any school in the world, at 805.

As of 2026, a 645+ GMAT score means placing in the 87th percentile of GMAT exam takers. However, while most of the top schools report high-achieving average GMAT scores, securing a top score isn't everything

Look a little closer at a school’s score range, and you get a better idea of how diverse candidate profiles can be.

For instance, Kellogg recorded the highest average GMAT score of any school in the world, but also one of the biggest ranges. They accepted students with GMAT scores of 515 all the way up to 775 . Similarly, London Business School had a student who scored 805 on the exam, but also at least one who recorded a score of 555.

Read More: For more information, check out our article GMAT Score Range For Top Business Schools Like Stanford & Harvard

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European & Asian MBAs: INSEAD average GMAT score & more

While high GMAT scores remain an emphasis for US MBA programs, the numbers would suggest European and Asian business schools place a smaller focus on top scores.

Of the ten non-US schools listed among the top 20 in the world by the Financial Times, only one recorded higher average GMAT scores than US schools (with the caveat that Duke Fuqua and Cornell Johnson didn’t release average scores).

The highest average GMAT achieved outside of the US was at Indian School of Business, with an average GMAT of 672 . London Business School also recorded an average score of 645. France’s INSEAD does not publish average GMAT scores, but estimates have placed the figure at 655. The average GMAT of HEC Paris was 635, at Esade in Spain it was 615, and at Cambridge Judge it was 630.

* The school provides a median GMAT score
** Based on 2023 data
† These score ranges are based on relative competitiveness and are not a direct conversion of the 2023 scores. See the GMAC concordance chart for more information.

What is a good GMAT exam score?

If you're applying to a top MBA program, aim for the class average GMAT score. Average GMAT scores for MBA programs have been increasing over the years, so you'll need to be ready for the challenge. Consider your test prep options and practice GMAT sample questions.

At the same time, GMAT ranges vary. You don't always need to score over the 89th percentile to get accepted. But you'll need to demonstrate your quantitative ability and academic strength elsewhere in your application. You also need to show the school what unique qualities you bring to the classroom.

A good GMAT score for MBA programs is important. Business schools look at your profile as a whole, but the GMAT remains an important factor.