What GMAT Score Does It Take To Get Into The World's Top MBA Programs? - Part 2

Planning on studying abroad? You’ve probably already begun preparing for the GMAT exam. The GMAT is the most popular exam around the world for students looking to do an MBA. In our previous articles, we’ve covered the rankings of the top 50 MBA programs in the world, as well as the GMAT score required to get into the top 30 programs. In today’s article, we’ll look at the cutoffs for the next 20 programs of the top 50. Read on!

Average GMAT Scores For Top MBA Programs - MBA Class of 2021 - Important Things To Know

• Rankings are based on the 2020 Rankings of top MBA Programs by the Finacial Times.
• The highest average GMAT score for the MBA batch of 2021 (rank 31-50) is at the University of Southern California: Marshall, with the 214 strong batch scoring an average of 708 on the GMAT.
• The lowest average GMAT score for the MBA batch of 2021 (rank 31-50) is at Renmin University of China Business School (RMBS), with an average of 550 on the GMAT - a full 158 points lower than the average at USC: Marshall.
• The lowest GMAT score which has found a place amongst the world's top-50 management institutes is 400, which has been accepted at the Renmin University of China Business School (RMBS).
• The average GMAT score for batches at business schools ranked 31-50 in the world is 669.5, which is just under an 82nd percentile score.
• The average GMAT score for batches at the top business schools ranked between the 41st and the 50th positions (both inclusive) is 663.25, which is only 6.25 points below the average of the previous set, making it under the 82nd percentile score.

Also read: Understanding the 4 Sections of GMAT

GMAT Scores vs Percentile

To understand what GMAT score you need to get into one of the world's top business schools, it is important to understand how your GMAT score compares with others. While most business schools look at your overall GMAT scores and not your percentiles, it does help the admissions teams to gauge how you have fared compared to other test-takers, and whether you can handle the rigor of an MBA program.

The table below encapsulates various GMAT scores in the 800-500 range and their equivalent percentiles. This will help you understand more clearly what percentage of all test-takers score well enough to match the average/median GMAT scores of batches at the world's top MBA institutes.

Important Notes:

• Latest GMAT scores data for certain business schools counted amongst the top-50 management institutes in the world are unavailable, which is why these business schools have been dropped from this report. Business schools not included in this report are Shanghai Jiao Tong University: Antai and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics: College of Business. You can visit the websites of these institutes to take a look at the average GMAT scores and profiles of previous batches. 
• Average GMAT scores below are not cut-offs for business schools included in this report. These are the average GMAT scores for the MBA batches at their respective business schools and can go as low as 400 and as high as a perfect 800.

Average GMAT Scores For MBA Programs At McDonough, Tepper, Fudan, Warrington & Others | MBA Class of 2021*

*In some cases, especially the ones where the business school offers only a one year MBA, the scores are from the 2020 batch
** indicates that data was unavailable

Average GMAT Scores For MBA Programs At IIM C, Warwick, Olin, & Others | MBA Class of 2021*

† indicates Median GMAT score, as Average Score was unavailable
*In some cases, especially the ones where the business school offers only a one year MBA, the scores are from the 2020 batch

That’s all for today folks! If you have any thoughts or suggestions, do write to us in the comments below. Until next time!

Have you also read:

• Cost Of An MBA From The Top 25 B Schools Around The World
• Harvard Business School - Top Salaries And Placements
• Top 50 B Schools Around The World - Financial Times, QS Rankings