Avg GRE score breakdown for top MBA

hello, A friend of mine is interested in applying to top 5 MBA program via GRE. Don't ask me why not just GMAT because that's a whole another story. Her overall profile is solid, but I don't really want to go into that discussion. Since GRE is still relatively a new phenomenon for Bschool applications, I was wondering what is the average/acceptable score breakdown to get into top bschool (ie. Harvard, Stanford). I understand bschool application is lot more than just standardized scoring, but I am just looking for a ball park figure on GRE scores.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks people!

10 Comments
 

Too new, so there are no published stats yet. There is a conversion tool available from ETS but you can't really say that the GRE equivalent of a 700 GMAT is looked upon the same as an actual 700 GMAT, until we have some numbers from the schools.

BusinessWeek, in a recent article, discussed how those submitting GRE have faired in admissions (not well) and how prevalent it has become (not very).

 
judownedIf your "friend" can't spend five minutes on google finding this information I wouldn't worry about a top 5 school.

I am not looking for your retarded comments. As mentioned, GRE is still a relatively new phenomenon, so there isn't much on it. I'm asking on forums because perhaps people with some experience with MBA via GRE can share their input. Anyways, I'm sure my friend is doing her research as well. I thought I could help out as well.

 
Best Response
tzn007 I am not looking for your retarded comments.
HI. FRIENDLY TROLL/BOFH HERE. FOR THE GREs, I RECOMMEND A MAXIMUM SCORE OF 600 ON THE QUANT SECTION, A MAX SCORE OF 600 ON THE VERBAL SECTION AND A MAX SCORE OF 3.5 ON THE WRITING SECTION. GO TOO MUCH HIGHER AND SCHOOLS LIKE HARVARD AND STANFORD WILL GET INTIMIDATED BY YOUR INTELLIGENCE; YOU WANT TO SHOW THEM THAT YOU CAN COME DOWN TO THEIR LEVEL. FOCUS ON WRITING A WELL-THOUGHT-OUT ESSAY, BUT THEN CORRECT IT BY INSERTING INANE COMMENTS AND RANDOM MISPELLINGS. MAYBE WHILE YOU ARE WORKING ON YOUR ESSAY ON HISTORICAL FIGURES, YOU COULD INSERT AN QUESTION WITH AN OBVIOUS ANSWER, LIKE "WHY DO PEOPLE ASK FOR STUFF ON FORUMS THAT THEY COULD GOOGLE INSTEAD?" ONE OTHER HELPFUL MOVE IS, AFTER TIME IS CALLED, WRITE THE LETTERS G-R-E ACROSS YOUR ANSWER SECTION. ETS AWARDS BONUS POINTS FOR THIS LITTLE-KNOWN TRICK. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT BY A PROCTOR FOR WRITING THAT ON YOUR EXAM AFTER TIME IS CALLED, THEY GIVE EVEN MORE!

//End troll mode.

In all seriousness, Google is your friend for GMAT conversions and the Harvard website is your friend for GMAT ranges. In other words, I'd recommend going for a 790 on the Quant section, a 700 on the Verbal, and a 5 on the writing. This is what I think would the median person who gets hired into an investment bank to be able to score on the exam. Naturally, the GRE is merely one component of the application and is really just a check-box. Much more important check-boxes include references, essays, and industry experience.

 
tentophttp://www.happyschoolsblog.com/average-gre-score-harvard-business-scho…

Average GRE quant score:767; Average GRE verbal:679

I don't know how accurate these stats are, but hope this helps. Maybe someone applying to MBA through GRE can provide a better perspective.

That seems low. Median GRE score in Chicago's Fin. Math program is 800 Q. Maybe a good comparison for GRE scores are the financial engineering programs; maybe insert a bit of a handicap for the quant section and a bit of a stronger requirement for the AWA. Bear in mind that 6% of the population gets an 800 on the GRE; at your typical I-bank population of qualified candidates for Wharton/Harvard, this figure probably balloons to 40%+.

QuantNet.com has an application tracker that often includes GRE scores and applicant profiles for MFE programs that have a bit of a heavier focus on test scores and academics than an MBA. Might be one place to start:

http://www.quantnet.com/tracker/

 
IlliniProgrammer][quote=tentophttp://www.happyschoolsblog.com/average-gre-score-harvard-business-scho…

Average GRE quant score:767; Average GRE verbal:679

I don't know how accurate these stats are, but hope this helps. Maybe someone applying to MBA through GRE can provide a better perspective.

That seems low. Median GRE score in Chicago's Fin. Math program is 800 Q. Maybe a good comparison for GRE scores are the financial engineering programs; maybe insert a bit of a handicap for the quant section and a bit of a stronger requirement for the AWA. Bear in mind that 6% of the population gets an 800 on the GRE; at your typical I-bank population of qualified candidates for Wharton/Harvard, this figure probably balloons to 40%+.

QuantNet.com has an application tracker that often includes GRE scores and applicant profiles for MFE programs that have a bit of a heavier focus on test scores and academics than an MBA. Might be one place to start:

http://www.quantnet.com/tracker/[/quote]

Were talking MBA not MFIn.

UCHicago's program is all Math, in fact you have to take the Math GRE in order to even apply, which is Calc, topology, game theory, diff eq....blah blah....hence why the people taking the regular GRE...which for some reason you also have to take, have such high scores (800). Most of them are math/physics/engineering majors.

You don't need higher than 750 quant for a top 5 business school....but doing better than that will only give you a better shot at getting in...so shoot for a perfect score.

 
CartwrightUsing the converter provided by the ETS, that GRE would be the equivalent of a 730. HBS median is 720 so maybe that's accurate; but again, just because it is 'equivalent' to a 730, doesn't mean the adcom views it as such.

730 on quant?? that seems a bit low for HBS. But could be.

Average GRE quant score:767; Average GRE verbal:679

The stat provided by tentop seems possible. Any takers??

 

Quos quidem aut ex exercitationem et maxime vitae. Possimus ut impedit sunt aperiam voluptates perferendis totam voluptas. Ducimus reprehenderit cum quasi quam sit. Voluptatem quo in laboriosam autem placeat.

Voluptas ut voluptates perferendis. Non hic repellendus porro repellat minus neque et aperiam. Natus consectetur provident doloribus ullam. Debitis quia doloribus cupiditate adipisci ducimus aut. Voluptas labore ea qui assumenda perferendis inventore temporibus ab. Odit labore laudantium atque. Voluptatibus laudantium architecto vel eum minus explicabo.

Dicta ut sapiente repudiandae ea commodi. Omnis alias eos est sed odio rerum. Voluptatem provident et vitae dolorem. Fuga ullam delectus reiciendis architecto consequatur perspiciatis sapiente dolorem. Aspernatur ut sit dignissimos voluptatibus delectus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (68) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”