Most MBA applicants find the class average for their target school, aim for that number, and call it a day. The problem? Hitting the average means half the admitted pool already scored higher than you, before your essays, your experience, or your interview even get a look.
This guide cuts through the confusion. Below you’ll find the average GMAT Focus Edition scores for the top 20 global MBA programs, ranked by QS Global MBA Rankings 2026, covering Classes of 2025 through 2027, plus the score our experts at Career Launcher Study Abroad actually recommend you target.
One important note: targeting the average means half the applicant pool is already ahead of you. The recommended scores are deliberately set higher.
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| QS Global MBA Rankings 2026 | School | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | Expert Recommended Score | Official Source |
| #1 | Penn (Wharton) | ~675 | ~680 | 676 ✓ | 685+ | mba.wharton.upenn.edu |
| #2 | Harvard Business School | ~685 | ~685 | 685 ✓ | 695+ | hbs.edu |
| #3 | MIT Sloan | ~665 | ~670 | 675 ✓ | 685+ | mitsloan.mit.edu |
| #4 | Stanford GSB | ~685 | ~685 | 689 ✓ | 695+ | gsb.stanford.edu |
| #5 | HEC Paris | ~635 | ~635 | ~635 | 645+ | hec.edu |
| #6 | London Business School | ~650 | ~655 | 645 ✓ | 655+ | london.edu/masters-degrees/mba/faqs |
| #7 | Cambridge Judge | ~650 | ~650 | ~650 | 655+ | jbs.cam.ac.uk |
| #8 | INSEAD | ~655 | ~655 | ~655 | 665+ | insead.edu |
| #9 | Northwestern (Kellogg) | ~673 | ~681 | 687 ✓ | 695+ | kellogg.northwestern.edu |
| #10 | Columbia Business School | ~673 | ~680 | 690 ✓ | 695+ | gsb.columbia.edu |
| #11 | IE Business School | ~625 | ~625 | ~625 | 635+ | ie.edu |
| #12 | Oxford (Saïd) | ~635 | ~635 | ~635 | 645+ | sbs.ox.ac.uk |
| #13 | Yale SOM | ~673 | ~675 | 675 ✓ | 685+ | som.yale.edu |
| #14 | UC Berkeley (Haas) | ~681 | 660 ✓ | 675 ✓ | 685+ | haas.berkeley.edu |
| #=15 | Chicago (Booth) | ~675 | ~677 | 670 ✓ | 685+ | chicagobooth.edu |
| #=15 | IESE Business School | ~633 | ~633 | ~635 | 645+ | iese.edu |
| #17 | NYU Stern | ~673 | ~681 | 682 ✓ | 695+ | stern.nyu.edu |
| #18 | UCLA Anderson | ~663 | ~663 | ~651 | 665+ | anderson.ucla.edu |
| #19 | Imperial College | ~613 | ~613 | ~613 | 635+ | imperial.ac.uk |
| #20 | SDA Bocconi | ~595† | ~595† | ~595† | 645+ | sdabocconi.it |
✓ Officially reported GMAT Focus Edition score | ~ Estimated
* Note: Scores marked ~ are estimates converted from Classic GMAT averages using the official GMAC concordance table. Schools are progressively publishing Focus Edition data. Check official sources for the latest updates.
* †SDA Bocconi: score reflects their officially stated Focus admission threshold, not a class average. A 615 qualifies for tuition waivers from 60% of program fees; a 645 qualifies for a full tuition waiver.
What Is a Good GMAT Focus Edition Score?
The GMAT Focus Edition is scored on a scale of 205 to 805. Unlike the old 200–800 scale, scores no longer cluster around 500–600 — the distribution is more spread out, and a 700+ is genuinely rare. To put the numbers in context: a score of 655 sits around the 90th percentile, 675 is around the 95th percentile, and 685+ puts you in the top 3% of all test takers globally.
What counts as a “good” score depends entirely on where you’re applying. For US M7 schools, including Wharton, HBS, Stanford, MIT Sloan, Kellogg, Columbia, and Booth, you’re looking at class averages between 670 and 689, meaning a competitive score starts at 685+. For top European programs like LBS, INSEAD, and HEC Paris, the benchmarks sit lower, roughly in the 635–655 range, though the applicant pool is no less competitive.
Indian candidates are one of the most represented groups in global MBA applicant pools, and admissions committees expect strong GMAT scores from this cohort. Aiming 10–15 points above the class average is not just advisable. It is often necessary to be genuinely competitive.
Why You Should Target Above the Average and Not Just Meet It
Every number in the table above is a class average or median. That means for every admitted student who scored above it, another scored below it. Aiming at the average puts you squarely in the middle of the admitted pool before your application has even been read.
There are two more reasons to push higher. First, your GMAT score does not operate in isolation. Admissions committees weigh your entire profile, which includes:
- work experience
- essays
- recommendations
- interview performance
All of this is assessed alongside your score. A score that clears the average comfortably gives every other part of your application room to breathe. A score that barely meets it puts pressure on everything else.
Second, MBA admissions at top programs are competitive in ways the averages don’t fully capture. Many applicants from over-represented backgrounds, including Indian applicants in engineering, consulting, and finance, need to differentiate themselves more actively. A strong GMAT is one of the clearest and most controllable ways to do that before you submit.
School-by-School GMAT Focus Score Breakdown
- Penn (Wharton) — Expert Target: 685+
Wharton officially reported a GMAT Focus average of 676 for the Class of 2027 — the first year they published Focus data. Classic averages were 728 (Class of 2025) and 732 (Class of 2026). A 685+ puts you above the reported average in one of the most competitive applicant pools in the world.
- Harvard Business School — Expert Target: 695+
HBS reported a Focus median of 685 for the Class of 2027, also the first time they published Focus data. Notably, 44% of that class submitted GRE scores and only 34% submitted the GMAT Focus — making a strong GMAT a genuine differentiator. Target 695+ to stand clearly above the median.
- MIT Sloan — Expert Target: 685+
MIT Sloan’s Focus median for the Class of 2027 is 675 with a middle 80% range of 645–735. The school reports only a median, not an average, and their Classic median held at 720 for several years. A 685+ with strong Quantitative Reasoning performance is the right target for a school that admits one of the highest proportions of STEM backgrounds of any top program.
- Stanford GSB — Expert Target: 695+
Stanford’s GMAT Focus average of 689 is the highest of any school that has officially published Focus data. With only ~434 students admitted and an acceptance rate around 6%, every point counts. The Focus score range runs from 615 to 785 — a 695+ keeps you comfortably above the average.
- HEC Paris — Expert Target: 645+
HEC Paris states a Classic GMAT average of 690, converting to approximately 635 on the Focus scale. A 645+ puts you above the estimated benchmark at one of Europe’s most respected programs, with strong consulting and finance placement.
- London Business School — Expert Target: 655+
LBS officially states their GMAT Focus average at approximately 645 on their FAQ page, with a class range of 555 to 805. Their Classic average has been around 708 for several years. Indian applicants historically score above the LBS class average — hold yourself to 655+ to stay genuinely competitive.
- Cambridge Judge — Expert Target: 655+
Cambridge Judge’s Classic GMAT average is 700, converting to approximately 650 on the Focus scale. It is a compact, highly selective one-year program. A 655+ signals academic readiness for a curriculum that moves quickly and expects strong quantitative foundations from day one.
- INSEAD — Expert Target: 665+
INSEAD does not publish an official class average but states a Classic benchmark of approximately 710, converting to around 655 on the Focus scale. For Indian applicants — one of the most represented nationalities at INSEAD — the effective competitive bar is higher. A 665+ makes your GMAT a clear strength rather than a question mark in your application.
- Northwestern Kellogg — Expert Target: 695+
Kellogg officially reported a Focus average of 687 for the Class of 2027. Kellogg is a program where leadership narrative and collaborative profile matter enormously — a 695+ ensures the academic side of your application is never in question, freeing your story to do the work.
- Columbia Business School — Expert Target: 695+
Columbia officially reported a Focus average of 690 for the Class of 2027. Columbia runs rolling admissions — a 695+ submitted in Round 1 is one of the strongest early signals you can send to the admissions committee.
- IE Business School — Expert Target: 635+
IE’s average GMAT is approximately 680, converting to around 625 on the Focus scale. A 635+ gives you a comfortable edge at this entrepreneurially-focused Madrid school, which attracts one of the most diverse applicant pools in Europe.
- Oxford Saïd — Expert Target: 645+
Oxford Saïd’s Classic GMAT median is 690, converting to approximately 635 on the Focus scale. Oxford places heavy weight on both academic rigour and professional impact in its review. A 645+ keeps the GMAT from being a weak point in an otherwise strong application.
- Yale SOM — Expert Target: 685+
Yale officially reported a Focus median of 675 for the Class of 2027, with a middle 80% range of 638–715 — one of the few schools globally to publish this level of Focus detail. GRE submissions have surged to 47% of the class, making a strong GMAT stand out. Target 685+ to stay above the Focus median.
- UC Berkeley Haas — Expert Target: 685+
Haas officially reported a Focus median of 675 for the Class of 2027 — up 15 points from the Class of 2026. With only 273 students in the class, Haas is one of the most selective programs by size. A 685+ places you solidly above the Focus median.
- Chicago Booth — Expert Target: 685+
Booth officially reported a Focus average of 670 for the Class of 2027. The Classic average jumped to 736 — the school’s highest in five years. Given Booth’s intensely quant-focused curriculum, pair a 685+ with strong Quantitative Reasoning section performance.
- IESE Business School — Expert Target: 645+
IESE officially publishes their GMAT Focus acceptance range as 545–715, with the midpoint sitting around 630. Their previous Classic range was 580–750. IESE is a deeply values-driven school where your personal narrative matters as much as your score. A 645+ puts you comfortably in the upper half of their accepted range.
- NYU Stern — Expert Target: 695+
Stern officially reported a Focus average of 682 for the Class of 2027 — a record high for the school. Stern is one of the premier feeders to Wall Street finance careers, where quantitative performance is scrutinised closely. A 695+ with strong section balance is the right target.
- UCLA Anderson — Expert Target: 665+
UCLA Anderson’s Classic GMAT average is 703 with a middle 80% range of 670–750, converting to approximately 651 on the Focus scale. A 665+ keeps you competitive as the program continues to grow its global profile and becomes increasingly selective year on year.
- Imperial College Business School — Expert Target: 635+
Imperial officially states a minimum Focus score of 555 for admission, with a current Classic average of 666, converting to approximately 613 on the Focus scale. A 635+ Focus score, particularly with strong Quantitative Reasoning performance, will make your application highly competitive at a school that attracts a predominantly STEM and finance-oriented cohort.
- SDA Bocconi — Expert Target: 645+
SDA Bocconi does not publish a class GMAT average, but officially states Focus Edition score thresholds on their admissions page: 595 is the encouraged minimum for admission consideration, 615 qualifies for tuition waivers from 60% of program fees, and 645 qualifies for a full tuition waiver. Our recommended target of 645+ is anchored directly to this official threshold — and for Indian applicants, aiming for the full scholarship threshold is a meaningful and achievable goal.
Your GMAT Score Opens the Door, Your Full Application Gets You In
A strong GMAT is necessary but not sufficient. The programs above are selecting applicants for professional impact, leadership narrative, career clarity, and cultural fit alongside the score. Career Launcher’s Premium Consulting team has helped students gain admission to Wharton, HBS, LBS, INSEAD, Stanford, and more. We support you with:
- profile evaluation
- school shortlisting
- essay strategy & writing
- interview preparation
- GMAT/GRE prep
- visa guidance
- scholarship & financial aid advice
We’re With You at Every Step of Your MBA Journey Abroad
Get personalised guidance on your admissions strategy with Career Launcher experts.
Book Free 1:1 Consulting Session →Recommended Reads
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- MBA Success Beyond GMAT: Build Compelling Application
- GMAT: Preparing for B Schools Abroad
FAQs
1. What is a good GMAT Focus Edition score for top MBA programs?
A good score depends on your target schools. For top US M7 programs like Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business, a competitive GMAT Focus score typically starts at 685+, while top European schools like INSEAD or London Business School may have competitive ranges around 645–665+.
2. Is scoring the average GMAT enough to get into a top MBA program?
Not really. Class averages mean that half the admitted students scored higher. Targeting just the average puts you in the middle of the pool. Aiming 10–15 points above the average significantly improves your competitiveness.
3. What is the GMAT Focus Edition scoring range?
The GMAT Focus Edition is scored between 205 and 805. Scores above 675–685 place you in the top global percentiles, making you highly competitive for elite MBA programs.
4. How important is the GMAT score in MBA admissions?
The GMAT is a critical but not standalone factor. Schools evaluate:
- Work experience
- Essays
- Recommendations
- Interview performance
A strong GMAT score strengthens your profile and reduces pressure on other components.
5. Do Indian applicants need higher GMAT scores?
Yes. Indian applicants are often part of an overrepresented applicant pool, especially from engineering, consulting, and finance backgrounds. This makes a higher-than-average GMAT score essential for standing out.
6. Can I get into a top MBA program with a lower GMAT score?
It’s possible, but challenging. If your GMAT is below average, you’ll need to compensate with:
- Exceptional work achievements
- Strong leadership stories
- Compelling essays
However, a low score can limit your chances at highly competitive schools.
7. What GMAT score should I target for M7 schools?
For top US M7 programs like Wharton School, MIT Sloan School of Management, and Chicago Booth School of Business, you should aim for: 685–695+ (or higher)
8. Are GMAT Focus scores different from the old GMAT scores?
Yes. The GMAT Focus Edition has:
- A different scoring scale (205–805)
- Updated test structure
- No direct comparison without conversion
Schools are gradually publishing Focus-specific averages.
9. What matters more: GMAT score or overall profile?
Neither works alone. A strong GMAT gets your foot in the door, but your career story, leadership potential and clarity of goals is what ultimately secure admission. This is where Career Launcher Study Abroad can make a real difference. From refining your profile and positioning your achievements to building a compelling application narrative, expert guidance ensures every part of your application works together, so your GMAT score translates into actual admits.
