When applying to graduate school, one of the most daunting tasks can be taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the GMAT. This standardized test is often used as a measure of a student's potential for success in a graduate program. However, many students wonder what score they need to achieve in order to be considered a strong candidate for admission.
The truth is that there is no minimum GRE score required by most schools. Each institution has its own unique set of admission criteria, and GRE scores are just one of the many factors considered. Schools will also look at your undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and relevant experience. So while the GRE is important, it is not the only thing that matters.
That being said, looking at the range of GRE scores for accepted applicants can give you a good idea of what scores are considered competitive. Most schools publish the range of GRE scores for their admitted students, and this can be a helpful benchmark to determine whether your scores are in the ballpark.
For example, if a school's published range of GRE scores for admitted students is 150-165 for the verbal section and 155-170 for the quantitative section, then you know that scoring within or above this range will put you in a strong position. Similarly, if the school states that the accepted applicants have a minimum 80% range of scores, it can be a good benchmark to set a minimum for a standout application.
The recommended minimum GRE score for the verbal section for MBA in USA are:
University of Pennsylvania: Wharton - 162
Harvard Business School - 163
Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management - 162
Stanford Graduate School of Business - 164
University of Chicago: Booth - 163
Yale School of Management - 164
New York University: Stern - 162
University of California at Berkeley: Haas - 161
Dartmouth College: Tuck - 162
University of Michigan: Ross - 160
The recommended minimum GRE score for the quantitative section for MBA in USA are:
University of Pennsylvania: Wharton - 162
Harvard Business School - 163
Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management - 163
Stanford Graduate School of Business - 163
University of Chicago: Booth - 164
Yale School of Management - 166
New York University: Stern - 163
University of California at Berkeley: Haas - 163
Dartmouth College: Tuck - 162
University of Michigan: Ross - 160
It's important to keep in mind that GRE scores are just one piece of the puzzle. Even if your scores fall below the published range for a school, you may still have a strong application if you have other strengths such as relevant experience or exceptional letters of recommendation.
In conclusion, while there is no specific minimum GRE score required by most schools, looking at the published range of scores for accepted applicants can be a helpful benchmark to determine what scores are considered competitive. However, it's important to remember that GRE scores are just one piece of the puzzle, and a strong application will have many other factors in addition to high test scores. A thorough profile evaluation is important in evaluating the steps forward to preparing a strong application strategy. Contact an MBA admission consultant at GOALisB to discuss your profile.