What Are The Desired Average GRE Scores By Schools For MBA Program 2024?

The GRE—everyone’s favourite rite of passage on the road to an MBA, right? In 2024, business schools are expecting applicants to land somewhere between 310 and 330. It sounds simple enough, but let’s be honest: a good GRE score is just one item on the long to-do list of getting admitted.

Here’s the truth: even if you hit a high score, that’s not the “golden buzzer” for admissions. Business schools are also digging into your work history, recommendations, and personal essays, weighing how well you’ll fit into their culture. So yes, aim for that top score, but remember, it’s only one part of the full equation.

How Important The GRE Scores Are In Your Application?

Your GRE score is definitely not the only thing that matters for your MBA application. Nope. Just a little number that barely has any influence over how the admissions committee views your ability to tackle the rigors of business school. Sure, you could score a 330 and, yeah, that might slightly boost your chances of impressing the admissions committee. But it’s not like business schools want to see how you handle both quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning, right? Oh wait… they do.

Don’t get me wrong, a good GRE score can absolutely help your application stand out. Business schools, especially in 2024, care about those high scores in the quantitative and verbal sections. It shows that you’ve got the brains to handle complex analytics and big-picture thinking.

Here are four reasons why your GRE score kinda matters, but not really—but, yeah, it totally does:

It’s a quick first filter

Admissions committees use the GRE score as a quick way to sift through applications. A strong quantitative and verbal reasoning score shows you can handle the academic side of an MBA program. But hey, no pressure! Just a little gatekeeper before they look at your work experience and personality.

It boosts your overall application

Sure, your letters of recommendation and essays matter, but a good GRE score can elevate your profile. Think of it as the shiny bow on an already well-wrapped gift. A high score, especially in the verbal and GRE quantitative sections, tells schools you’re serious about the program.

It shows your balance of skills

MBA programs love well-rounded candidates. Scoring well on both the quantitative and verbal sections tells business schools that you can balance numbers with critical thinking—exactly the kind of “you-can-do-it-all” signal they like to see. ETS knows this, which is why the test is designed to measure all-around competency.

It helps if you’re lacking elsewhere

Let’s say your work experience or GPA isn’t exactly knocking it out of the park. A solid GRE score can be your saving grace, showing the admissions committee that while your past might be meh, your test-day performance wasn’t. You’ve still got the chops to thrive in a rigorous MBA program.

What Are The Good GRE Scores Recommended By The Top Schools?

A good GRE score for top MBA programs in 2024 typically falls between 320 and 330. While this range is competitive, it’s realistic and achievable with focused and right GRE preparation. A strong score in both the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections, paired with decent GRE analytical writing, can significantly improve your chances of getting noticed by admissions committees.

However, keep in mind that your score is just one part of the application—schools are also evaluating your work experience, recommendations, and personal essays. So aim high, but don’t stress if you’re a few points shy.

10 Top Universities In The World That Accept GRE Scores For MBA Program

Many top MBA programs now accept GRE scores in addition to GMAT scores, giving prospective students more flexibility in applying. While each business school has its own GRE requirement, many top universities are looking for competitive scores across all sections—verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.

Here’s a table of 10 top universities that accept GRE scores for MBA programs:

University (QS Global MBA Ranking 2024)	Average GRE Score	Average Fees (USD)	Average Post-MBA Salary (USD)
1. Stanford Graduate School of Business	329	$77,000	$175,000
2. Harvard Business School	326	$73,440	$172,000
3. Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania)	324-330	$80,432	$170,000
4. MIT Sloan School of Management	324	$79,000	$170,000
5. INSEAD	323	$105,000	$186,000
6. London Business School	320-325	$113,000	$167,000
7. Chicago Booth School of Business	322-330	$77,841	$160,000
8. Columbia Business School	326	$77,376	$174,000
9. IE Business School	320	$87,000	$165,000
10. Duke University (Fuqua School of Business)	319-325	$71,750	$147,000

How To Improve Your GRE Scores To Make Them Impressive?

To make your GRE score stand out and boost your chances of getting into a top MBA program, you don’t just need a good score—you need a strategy.

Here are four expert tips to help you improve your GRE scores and make them truly impressive:

1. Focus on Your Weakest Section First

It’s easy to gravitate toward the sections you’re comfortable with, but to maximize your overall score, start by improving your weakest area, whether it’s verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, or the analytical writing section. A well-rounded score across all sections is what top business schools are looking for.

2. Take Full-Length Practice Tests Regularly

Experts recommend taking full-length, timed practice tests to simulate real test-day conditions. This helps build stamina and gives you a sense of your pacing across all GRE sections. Use the ScoreSelect option to focus on improving scores in specific sections, then retake the test as necessary to push your score higher.

3. Master the Art of Time Management

Each section of the GRE is timed, and managing that time effectively is crucial. For quantitative reasoning, learn to skip questions that are time-consuming and return to them later. In verbal reasoning, avoid spending too much time on difficult reading comprehension passages. Time management can turn a “good” GRE score into a great GRE score.

4. Review and Analyze Every Mistake

After every practice test, go back and review the mistakes you made in each section. Was it a misinterpretation of the question, a conceptual error, or just bad timing? Analyze your errors, and focus your prep on avoiding those same pitfalls during your next attempt. Learning from mistakes is key to a higher GRE score.

Conclusion

In 2024, a competitive GRE score can significantly improve your chances of securing a spot in a top MBA program, but it’s far from the only factor. While aiming for a strong score between 320 and 330 is a great start, business schools also want to see a well-rounded candidate with solid work experience, impactful recommendations, and a compelling personal narrative.

So, focus on sharpening all aspects of your application, and remember that even with a high GRE score, it’s the combination of your skills, personality, and experience that will truly make you stand out.

Elevate your GRE performance with Ambitio’s tailored strategies. Our preparation platform gives you a competitive edge, offering advanced insights into the GRE’s structure and scoring, alongside targeted practice to enhance your skills and confidence.

FAQs