Averaged GMAT Scores and MBA Admissions

The admission committee looks at your GMAT score to determine if you have the academic ability to succeed in business school. An outstanding GMAT score won't necessarily get you into the school of your choice but a low score will probably keep you out. If you scored poorly on the GMAT, consider taking it again. Admission committee usually focuses on your most recent score.

What GMAT score do you need?

Although the median score is approximately 500, the latest U.S. News and World Report guide to graduate schools reports that the average GMAT scores of the top business schools in the country--such as Stanford, Sloan (MIT), Kellogg (Northwestern), and Wharton (Penn)--hover around 690. As you can see, the environment is extremely competitive. In fact, 690 translates to a percentile figure of 95 and up.

However, what you consider a good score should depend on your own expectation and goal. But, you should keep in mind that top business schools consider a score of at least 600 as competitive. Information on average test scores at different schools is readily available. Research the schools on your list. Find out what their average GMAT scores are and then develop a preparation plan to achieve it.

When admissions officers evaluate your GPA, they consider the academic reputation of your college and the difficulty of your curriculum. Most committees attach more weight to your junior and senior year grades. Increasingly, admissions committees are examining your performance in quantitative courses, as they feel these courses are good indicators of your likely performance. If you lack quantitative classes in your transcript, you may want to take (and do well in) a statistics or calculus class before you apply