What average GMAT scores should you aim for in the mocks to have a fighting chance at the elite business schools? We have collated the data for the schools that boast the highest scores. While there’s no rule as such, Indian students at these programs usually score higher than the class averages.
MBA applications are evaluated holistically, but certain aspects like a good GMAT score and compelling MBA essays can play a pivotal role in influencing the admissions outcome.
The GMAT score is looked upon as an indicator of the candidate’s readiness to face the academic pressure and the rigour of an MBA program. The top elite MBA programs have high GMAT averages, which also helps them stay ahead in the various business school rankings.
If you’re an MBA applicant aspiring to get into a top business school, a high GMAT score can make your application competitive and improve your admissions odds.
Business schools, especially in the US, have now been reporting both the GMAT 10th edition as well as the GMAT Focus averages though outside the US, not all schools report their class GMAT averages. Also, US MBA programs report higher average GMAT scores than their European counterparts.
This reflects how MBA programs evaluate candidates. US schools place a greater emphasis on the GMAT scores, whereas leading European MBA programs typically admit a more experienced cohort and prioritize candidate profile and professional background.
The GMAT 10th edition also known as the Classic GMAT or the Legacy GMAT was discontinued from 1st February 2024, but the scores continue to remain valid for 5 years. The GMAT Focus Edition which was launched in November 2023 is now the only version available.
The GMAT 10th Edition scores cannot be compared directly to that of the GMAT Focus Edition. This is because the total score scale is different. The GMAT Focus Edition has a score scale of 205-805 whereas in the GMAT 10th Edition, the score ranges from 200-800. A score of 645 in the GMAT Focus Edition corresponds to a 700 on the classic GMAT exam.
Top business schools with the highest GMAT score in 2025-2026
| Business School | Average/Mean GMAT Score | Median GMAT Score |
|---|---|---|
| Yale SOM | – | 740 |
| Stanford GSB | 738 | – |
| NYU Stern | 737 | – |
| Chicago Booth School Of Business | 736 | 740 |
| U Penn – Wharton | 735 | – |
| Columbia Business School | 734 | – |
| Northwestern Kellogg | 733 | – |
| Michigan Ross | 731 | – |
| Harvard | – | 730 |
| Berkeley Haas | – | 730 |
| Dartmouth Tuck | 727 | – |
| Virginia Darden | 725 | 730 |
Those leading with a high GMAT score averages include the top elite M7 schools including Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School, Wharton School, Columbia Business School, Booth School of Business, Kellogg School of Management, Ivy League brand names including Tuck School of business, Yale SOM as well as reputed schools like NYU Stern School of Business, Ross School of business, Haas School of business, Darden School of business.
One point to note is that USC Marshall School Of Business reported the highest average GMAT score of 742 in 2025 , however in this article, we’ve covered only the top 20 US schools.
Here’s the detailed data on average GMAT scores across a five-year period for all the above schools.
Yale School Of Management
| Graduating MBA Class | GMAT score range | Median GMAT – 10th Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 691-760 (Middle 80%) | 740 |
| Class of 2026 | 700-760 (Middle 80%) | 730 |
| Class of 2025 | 580-780 | 720 |
| Class of 2024 | 630-780 | 725 |
| Class of 2023 | 640-780 | 730 |
Average GMAT Focus Score: 675
GMAT Focus Middle 80% Range: 638-715
Stanford Graduate School of Business
| Graduating MBA Class | GMAT score range | Average GMAT – 10th Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 540-780 | 738 |
| Class of 2026 | 560-790 | 738 |
| Class of 2025 | 630-790 | 738 |
| Class of 2024 | 630-790 | 737 |
| Class of 2023 | 610-790 | 738 |
Average GMAT Focus Score: 639
GMAT Focus Range: 615-785
NYU Stern School Of business
| Graduating MBA Class | GMAT score range | Average GMAT – 10th Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 660-770 | 737 |
| Class of 2026 | 650-780 | 733 |
| Class of 2025 | 650-780 | 732 |
| Class of 2024 | 640-800 | 733 |
| Class of 2023 | 620-770 | 729 |
Average GMAT Focus Score: 682
GMAT Focus 80% Range: 645-725
GMAT Focus 100% Range: 595-775
Also read: Average GMAT scores for top MBA programs in the world
University of Chicago – Booth School Of Business
| Graduating MBA Class | GMAT score range | Average GMAT – 10th Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 690-770 | 736 |
| Class of 2026 | 590-780 | 729 |
| Class of 2025 | 600-780 | 728 |
| Class of 2024 | 600-780 | 729 |
| Class of 2023 | 590-790 | 732 |
Average GMAT Focus Score: 670
GMAT Focus Range: 615-725
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
| Graduating MBA Class | GMAT score range | Average GMAT – 10th Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | NA | 735 |
| Class of 2026 | NA | 732 |
| Class of 2025 | NA | 728 |
| Class of 2024 | 530-790 | 733 |
| Class of 2023 | NA | 733 |
Average GMAT Focus Score: 676
Columbia Business School
| Graduating MBA Class | GMAT score range | Average GMAT – 10th Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 610-780 | 734 |
| Class of 2026 | 600-780 | 732 |
| Class of 2025 | 610-790 | 730 |
| Class of 2024 | 550-780 | 729 |
| Class of 2023 | 540-780 | 729 |
Average GMAT Focus Score: 639
GMAT Focus Range: 615-805
Northwestern University – Kellogg School Of Management
| Graduating MBA Class | GMAT score range | Average GMAT – 10th Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 680-770 | 733 |
| Class of 2026 | 640-780 | 733 |
| Class of 2025 | 620-780 | 731 |
| Class of 2024 | 620-780 | 729 |
| Class of 2023 | 630-780 | 727 |
Average GMAT Focus Score: 687
GMAT Focus Range: 515-775
Also read: Average GMAT score trends for top schools in the world
University of Michigan – Ross School Of Business
| Graduating MBA Class | GMAT score range (Middle 80%) | Average GMAT – 10th Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 700-770 | 731 |
| Class of 2026 | 690-760 | 728 |
| Class of 2025 | 670-760 | 719 |
| Class of 2024 | 680-760 | 720 |
| Class of 2023 | 690-760 | 722 |
Average GMAT Focus Score: 681
GMAT Focus Middle 80% Range: 635-725
Harvard Business School
| Graduating MBA Class | GMAT score range | Median GMAT – 10th Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 690-770 (Middle 80%) | 730 |
| Class of 2026 | 540-790 | 740 |
| Class of 2025 | 500-790 | 740 |
| Class of 2024 | 540-790 | 730 |
| Class of 2023 | 590-790 | 730 |
Average GMAT Focus Score: 685
GMAT Focus Middle 80% Range: 645-735
UC Berkeley – Haas School Of Business
| Graduating MBA Class | GMAT score range (Middle 80%) | Median GMAT – 10th Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 669-767 | 730 |
| Class of 2026 | 690-750 | 730 |
| Class of 2025 | 680-770 | 733 |
| Class of 2024 | 700-760 | 729 |
| Class of 2023 | 690-760 | 726 |
Median GMAT Focus Score: 675
GMAT Focus Range: 637-725
Dartmouth Tuck School Of Business
| Graduating MBA Class | GMAT score range | Average GMAT – 10th Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 690-770 | 727 |
| Class of 2026 | 650-780 | 727 |
| Class of 2025 | 630-800 | 726 |
| Class of 2024 | 610-790 | 726 |
| Class of 2023 | 600-780 | 724 |
Average GMAT Focus Score: 671
GMAT Focus Range: 595-775
University of Virginia – Darden School Of Business
| Graduating MBA Class | GMAT score range – middle 80% | Average GMAT –10th Edition | Median GMAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 690-750 | 725 | 730 |
| Class of 2026 | 680-760 | 718 | 720 |
| Class of 2025 | 680-750 | 716 | – |
| Class of 2024 | 680-760 | 718 | – |
| Class of 2023 | 680-750 | 716 | – |
Average GMAT Focus Score: 671
Median GMAT Focus Score: 665
GMAT Focus Range: 626-715
For fall 2024, the average GMAT score was about 663, according to U.S. News, based on a survey involving 86 US schools. However, the GMAT average was much higher at 723, across the 20 programs reporting the highest scores.
If your GMAT score is lower than what you expected, you can make another attempt at the GMAT. In fact, for the GMAT Focus Edition, there are no lifetime limits to the number of retakes.
Again, you should not lose sight of the big picture. In addition to the GMAT, also spend time to craft out impactful MBA essays which play a crucial role in building a well-rounded application.
Our team at MBA Crystal Ball has helped thousands of applicants get into the globally reputed top MBA programs. Reach out to us at info@mbacrystalball.com if you are looking for application help.
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