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6 September 2025

10 minutes read

GMAT Cut Off for Top MBA Colleges in the World for Indian Students

Dirghayu Kaushik
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Dirghayu Kaushik

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Founder & CEO

Dirghayu Kaushik is the co-founder and CEO of Ambitio. He started this platform because he’s been in your shoes—navigating confusing websites, second-guessing college choices, and trying to make sense of what actually matters in an application. A graduate of IIT BHU, Dirghayu combines personal experience with data-backed guidance to help students apply smarter. Whether it’s choosing the right course, building a standout profile, or writing essays that don’t feel forced, his mission is simple: to make getting into your dream university less overwhelming, and a little more honest.

3 September 2024

10 minutes read

Key Takeaways

  • GMAT cut off varies by university, with elite schools often expecting higher scores significantly above the 700 mark.
  • GMAT cut off plays a crucial role in postgraduate admissions, alongside GPA, transcripts, and work experience.
  • GMAT cut off requirements may differ each year based on applicant pool strength and program competitiveness.

In order to accurately judge the student, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is an essential standardized exam to help MBA hopefuls by measuring analytical, reading, verbal, and quantitative skills. Setting the necessary GMAT cut off to get accepted into the college of your dreams is not an easy task.

The high standards top business schools set means that only the best prepared and strategized students succeed. It is crucial to have our preparation in place, to study with discipline, and to perform well to meet the competitive cut offs.

Getting to the GMAT cut off is a very big deal, giving rise to significant business opportunities and allowing students to progress in their pursuing their career aspirations.

What is Average GMAT Cutoff for Top MBA Colleges Accepting GMAT Scores?

As stated, GMAT cut offs mean the minimum score accepted for MBA admission by the business school. The cut off required varies significantly by school, with top business schools having cut off requirements that are much higher.

The average score that leading business programs are willing to accept is typically between 600 and 700. Follow GMAT beginners guide to ace the exam with a high score.

gmat cut off 1

While you must at least meet the minimum score required to be considered for admission, achieving a cut off significantly above the minimum is something every candidate should aspire to, as it greatly improves admission chances of being admitted.

Cut offs matter as each school sets its cut off and standards for admission based on the competition of their applicants and/or the academic standards for the school. Clearly identifying the cut off for different admission schools is important so that candidates can confine their preparation toward that cut off range.

Factors Determining the GMAT Exam Cut Offs at Top Colleges 

Business schools all have GMAT cut offs that are typically higher than other schools, because they have more competition and there are candidates applying who have higher goals and accomplishments.

Here are a few factors that play a role in determining your GMAT cut off.

School Prestige and Ranking

The reasoning is the individuals applying to programs and the quality of the GMAT scores have increased across the board. Top schools often start out with higher GMAT cut offs as they often report the highest average GMAT scores as well. Get your GMAT profile evaluated before applying for any business school.

Applicant Pool

Another huge factor in cut off’s is based on applicants alone. If everyone is a strong candidate with high GMAT scores, an applicant pool demands a higher GMAT cut off to distinguish between applicants. If an applicant pool happens to weaken, it is possible that even a GMAT cut off could be lowered depending on the applicant pool. 

Program Specific Requirements

Each different MBA program (even from the same school) can and usually does have different GMAT cut off ranges. Especially if the MBA program is specialized and depends on what skills candidates have in a program, those programs are going to require different cut off scores.

An MBA in finance program is going to expect higher quantitative scores compared to an MBA in general management or management related program.  

Previous Year’s Scores

Many schools look to past years’ average GMAT score cut from prior admissions cycle to inform their current cut. Historical cut-off data also helps ensure consistency and that the school’s academic standard is maintained in the admitted class. Looking at historical trends also helps schools set good goals to be competitive.

Balance of Class Profile

Business schools try to create a balanced class profile. Often schools consider admitting more students with GMAT batching through adjusting their GMAT cut off to balance the class profile across GMAT score ranges. Enrolling a diverse cohort that includes a range of GMAT scores, backgrounds, and experiences in is valuable to the overall learning environment.

Strategic Goals

Depending on the need, some schools implement GMAT cuts based on targeted strategical goals. This could be based on their school’s ranking, encouraging the intake of international candidates, or diversity for example. In these few situations, the minimum GMAT score schools require may vary based on their admission goals.

While candidates with a high GMAT percentile may have a greater likelihood of being admitted to a school if they are above the school’s cut-off, other key factors play a role in determining schools decision including work experience, academic background, and personal essays.

Average GMAT Scores across top Universities in the World and Top B Schools in India

The GMAT score ranges of these top business schools show the competitive nature of the respective admission to their programs. But, how to score a 750 in the GMAT or sometimes even 800. The minimum GMAT score required by each of these schools is important to identify and recognise it as the lowest score an applicant can achieve.

gmat cut off 2

Once you score at or above the GMAT cut off for each of the MBA program at each of these business school’s, you are able to apply to their MBA programs. 

Top Business SchoolsGMAT Score RangeMinimum Score Required
Harvard Business School700-760700
Stanford Graduate School of Business730-770730
Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania)720-770720
INSEAD680-750680
London Business School700-750700
MIT Sloan School of Management710-760710
Booth School of Business (University of Chicago)710-760710
Kellogg School of Management (North-western University)700-760700
Columbia Business School700-760700
Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley)700-750700

Expected GMAT Cut Off 2024 for Top MBA Schools in the USA

To gain entry into the top MBA colleges in the USA, you will require a good GMAT score. Colleges set high standards when looking for admissions to their MBA courses. Each applicant needs to demonstrate their utility to the College in terms of GMAT score and are based on the criteria of the individual colleges.

These score show just how competitive the programs are and the always the quality of students who apply, and even more important, gain entry into programs. Understand the importance of GMAT and carefully structure your study plan to meet your dream school cut off.

Top MBA Colleges in the USAGMAT Score RangeGMAT Cut OffMBA Specializations Offered
Harvard Business School700-760730General Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Healthcare
Stanford Graduate School of Business730-770740Finance, Marketing, Operations, Social Innovation
Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania)720-770730Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Management
MIT Sloan School of Management710-760720Finance, Entrepreneurship, Operations, Technology
Booth School of Business (University of Chicago)710-760720Finance, Marketing, Economics, Strategic Management
Kellogg School of Management (North-western University)700-760720Marketing, Finance, Strategy, Healthcare
Columbia Business School700-760720Finance, Marketing, Management, Real Estate
Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley)700-750710Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Technology
Tuck School of Business (Dartmouth)710-750710General Management, Consulting, Finance
Yale School of Management710-760720Asset Management, Sustainability, Healthcare, Finance

GMAT Cutoff for Top B Schools in the UK

The top European business schools in the UK like their USA counterparts have stipulated GMAT cutoffs for gaining admittance into their MBA programs. These schools need to have evidence of a competitive GMAT score achieved by applicants or prospective students.

gmat cut off 3

These cutoff scores indicate the surveys of admittance students or accepted applicants and provide a pretense for the expected and typically the minimum and maximum GMAT scores of acceptable mileage on the cutoff scores for their applicants.

Top Universities and Colleges in the UKGMAT Score RangeGMAT Cut Off 2024
London Business School700-750720
University of Cambridge 680-740700
University of Oxford 680-730690
Imperial College Business School650-720680
Warwick Business School650-710670
Manchester Business School600-700650
Cranfield School of Management600-700650
Cass Business School (City, University of London)600-700650
University of Edinburgh Business School600-700650
Alliance Manchester Business School600-700650

GMAT Cutoff Score for Canada B-Schools

To get into great colleges in Canada for their MBA programs, each student needs to once again meet and exceed the GMAT cutoff established by the College in question.

gmat cut off 4

The cut off and subsequently each and every one of the GMAT assessments shows how competitive the MBA programs are in Canada and finding a minimal GMAT score to ensure admission is one of the numerous guidelines implemented for entry into their programs.

Top Universities in CanadaGMAT Score RangeGMAT Cut Off 2024
University of Toronto (Rotman)670-740700
University of British Columbia (Sauder)650-720680
McGill University (Desautels)650-720680
Western University (Ivey)630-710660
York University (Schulich)650-720670
Queen’s University (Smith)640-710650
University of Alberta620-700640
University of Calgary (Haskayne)600-680620
Concordia University (John Molson)600-680620
University of Ottawa (Telfer)600-680620

GMAT Cut Offs 2024 for Australia

When applying to top universities in Australia, applicants need to meet the GMAT cut off for admission set by the institution. Future applicants should carefully prepare to meet the GMAT cut off for 2024 based on the institution specific requirements.

Top Universities in AustraliaGMAT Score RangeGMAT Cut Off 2024
Melbourne Business School (University of Melbourne)650-720680
Australian Graduate School of Management (UNSW)650-710670
Monash University600-680620
University of Queensland (UQ Business School)600-700650
University of Sydney Business School600-700650
Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM)600-680620
University of Western Australia (UWA Business School)600-680620
University of Adelaide (Adelaide Business School)600-680620
Griffith University (Griffith Business School)550-650600
University of Technology Sydney (UTS Business School)600-680620

Factors Affecting the GMAT Cut off Scores for Business Schools and Top MBA Colleges in World

Above all, understand the benefits of GMAT exam. The cut off is the minimum GMAT score in order to be accepted into the program, however getting a score above cut off means you will have a better chance of being accepted into the program.

Below are some of the reasons why the GMAT cut offs vary by institution:

School Prestige and Ranking

The prestige and reputation of the business school will influence their required GMAT cut off. For example, the top-ranked schools usually demand a higher GMAT cut off as they are trying to attract the best applicants. The higher ranked business schools will generally have applicants with the highest GMAT average scores because they have a stronger applicant pool.

Applicant Pool Quality

The quality of the applicant pool in a given year will directly influence the GMAT cut off. If the pool of applicants is strong with many candidates obtaining high GMAT scores, this will likely mean that the cut off score will be higher. Conversely, if the applicant pool is weak, low scores can mean much lower cut off GMAT scores for admission, possibly even acceptable scores in the 400s.

Program Specific Requirements

Different master’s programs with the same school may have different GMAT cut-off restrictions. Specialized programs can emphasize some skills represented in GMAT scores and therefore, can allow for different cut off levels.

For example, an MBA with a finance focus, may ask for higher quantitative scores. Be aware of the GMAT college application deadlines and apply early to get into your dream college.

Historical Data and Trends

Business schools accepting the GMAT regularly analyze historical data and trends when setting their GMAT cutoff. They will use past years highest GMAT average data to help establish their GMAT cutoff, making it easier for schools to develop some orders of past precedent, and being more careful on current cut-off.

Strategic Goals and Diversity

Strategic goals such as ranking improvement goals or diversity initiatives can change GMAT cut off requirement. Schools strategic goals can include attracting diverse candidates, and based on that, a GMAT cut-off may be loosened to attract a wider range of backgrounds.

How to Improve your GMAT Score 2024 for Top Colleges in India and Abroad?

Enhancing your GMAT score in 2024 will require strategic and rigorous preparation.

Here are the basics that will improve your overall performance in the GMAT:

Understand the Test Format

You should familiarize yourself with the GMAT exam format , question types, and timing. This is important because knowing what you are getting into will help ease your test day anxiety and will allow you to maximize your efficiency on test day.ring the test.

Develop a Study Plan

You will want to establish a study schedule that is all inclusive of the GMAT sections. And you will want to be sure you spend more time on your weaker areas. But you also want to continue to practice your strengths consistently. And remember that you can always review and update your study plan along the way.

Utilize Quality Resources

You will want to invest in some quality GMAT preparation materials like GMAT books, online courses, and practice tests. There is a lot of junk resources out there. So, only look for quality resources that will help you learn about the exam format and strategies for different question type.

Practice Regularly

Consistent practice is vital. To simulate an actual exam environment, you should take full-length practice tests. This will allow you to build the necessary stamina to endure test day and learn how to manage your time. And do your best to understand your mistakes and learn from them.

Focus on Weak Areas

Now that you have a better understanding of the GMAT exam structure and study materials available, you should be able to focus on the areas where you are weak. For example, if your GMAT score is 550-600, you will want to focus on the sections where you lost points and learn how to improve those specific areas in order to lift your score.

Consider Retaking the GMAT Exam

If you initially fall short of your target score, for example a total GMAT score of 690, take the GMAT again. Retaking the GMAT allows you to implement what you learned and hopefully score higher and get admission to top B-schools. Follow necessary GMAT retake strategy steps to ace the exam.

Seek Professional Help

Taking a GMAT preparation course, or employing a tutor provides customized work, and set up study plans. Knowing that you have expert guidance can significantly improve you study and preparation.

Stay Consistent and Positive

Dedication, consistent effort and a positive attitude are vital. Stay focused, develop a regular routine, be proactive and focused on what is likely to improve.

You should get a competitive score through proper overall GMAT preparation, and this should make you more of a viable candidate for admission to MBA schools. 

 Conclusion

To get to the top universities, you should obtain a higher score than the total maximum GMAT cutoffs required. This will take some diligent study habits and efforts, as well as the right study techniques to get the higher score and meet the GMAT cutoff. With the right resources and planning and drilling the poor sections, you will find that improvement becomes easy and obvious.

A high GMAT and GRE score will definitely increase your chances of getting into some of the top business school in the world, and therefore will be a key component to obtaining those stepping stones you need in your mid-long career ladder within the world of business.

Hear the E-GMAT success stories of candidates who have been admitted to their dream colleges. This will help you stay motivated in your preparation journey.

Maximize your GMAT potential and aim for the top with Ambitio’s comprehensive prep tools. Our approach focuses on enhancing your strengths and addressing your weaknesses, providing you with the skills and confidence needed to score higher and reach your MBA goals.

FAQs

Can a high GMAT cut off score compensate for a lower GPA in MBA applications?

A high GMAT cut off score can help offset a lower GPA by demonstrating your academic capability and readiness for the rigorous MBA coursework.

How important is the GMAT cut off score in the overall MBA application?

The GMAT score is a crucial component but not the sole factor in MBA admissions; schools also consider professional experience, leadership qualities, academic history, and personal essays.

How often do GMAT cut-off scores change?

GMAT cut-off scores can change annually based on the applicant pool’s competitiveness and the school’s admissions strategy.

Do GMAT cut-off scores vary by country?

Yes, GMAT cut-off scores can vary significantly by country and institution, with US and UK schools typically having higher cut-offs compared to some other regions.

Can I get into a top MBA program with a GMAT score below the cut-off?

While challenging, it’s possible to get into top programs with a score below the cut-off if you have a strong overall application, including work experience, essays, and recommendations.

Which MBA colleges have the highest GMAT cut-off scores?

Schools like Stanford, Harvard, Wharton, and MIT Sloan are known for having some of the highest GMAT cut-off scores, often above 720.

What is the GMAT cut off for top universities?

The GMAT cut off for top universities usually ranges between 600 and 740, depending on the institution, course, and competition level. Meeting the GMAT cut off is essential for gaining admission into competitive postgraduate programs.

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