How Much GMAT Score is Good to Secure Admission in an Ivy League Institution?

Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) is one of the widely accepted tests for  admission to top Business Schools. More than 2100 universities worldwide accept GMAT score for admission to their management programmes. Aptitude Scores are one aspect of the admission process, schools take a holistic view of all the elements in an application. Relatively other important factors other  than GMAT are Essay Questions, Academic Profile, Interview, Recommendations, Work Experience, etc.

Getting admitted to an Ivy League school is a multi step process where aspirants need to self assess their academic and professional profile and identify the business schools they want to target. Thorough research on their requirements and eligibility criteria is necessary. Further strategy should be refined preparation and arriving at good GMAT scores.

1. Selecting the Right Business School

Aspirants should do the required research to have a sound knowledge of the business schools. Identifying strengths and weaknesses in academic (grades and awards), professional (career growth) and personal dimensions (leadership and communication skills) is an initial step. Studying well the websites of targeted universities, rankings and selection parameters of past few years will give a fairly good idea of the entry barriers.

2. Test Scores (GMAT or GRE) + (TOEFL OR IELTS)

Management aptitude scores GMAT or GRE are essential to be submitted while applying to MBA programmes. English Proficiency Tests are a prerequisite for non native English candidates or when medium of instruction is not English. Average TOEFL score for MBA programs in top B schools is 100+. Whereas band score of 7 and above is required in IELTS to apply for top ranking management schools.

3. MBA Essay Questions and Letter of Recommendation(LoR)

Each school that candidates apply have their own set of essays that are expected to be written. Topics range from personality traits to general global issues.in addition to this, generally 2 LoR are demanded from candidates from individuals who are well aware of candidates abilities and can affirm the same. It can be a person from the workplace or from academic front. Higher the designation of the recommender the better it is.

Recommendations should contain aspects of the candidates that are not covered in statement of purpose or rest of the application. Stressing on qualities that are discussed in the essays written like leadership or commitment will be a boost.

4. Interview and Offer Letter

Admissions committee of top B schools are very much involved in the interview process of shortlisted candidates based on aptitude test. Candidate's resume and essays generally lead the questions asked but at times case studies, general knowledge issues or puzzles are asked.

If candidates are able to secure their seat, logistics come into play like student visa, finances and travel formalities. Some B Schools offer feedback to candidates not selected on what they felt about the application. These feedbacks should be considered seriously before taking any further decision.

GMAT Score Trend of Top Business Schools

GMAT scores are a tool used by Management Schools to filter out the best students. They are directly proportional to the rank and prestige B Schools sustain on. A high GMAT score is an initial step to have a speaking out loud MBA application. Acceptance rate in management schools increases with the increase in GMAT scores.

Candidates have to be aware of average GMAT scores and keep their targets 20 points above it to enhance their chances of admission. Tabulated below is the average GMAT score of some of top B Schools in the past few years:

Business School	2018	2017	2016	2015
The Wharton School	732	730	730	732
Harvard Business School	729	729	729	725
Columbia Business School	732	724	720	715
Yale school of management	724	727	725	721
Tuck School of Business	722	722	717	717
Stanford Graduate School of Business	732	737	737	733

1. Harvard Business School (Harvard University)

MBA application process for Harvard is one of the most competitive one with 9.9% acceptance rate for the batch of 2020. Candidates profile and GMAT scores should be appealing  to the admissions committee. Since 2016, average GMAT score has been 729. Considerable GMAT score for HBS range between 730 to 760. Scores beyond 760 gives applicants an edge over others and increases chances of interview invite.

In the year 2020, 24 Indians applied for Harvard MBA, out of which 5 received an interview invite with score from 720 to 770. Two Indian applicants received admission call with score 770 and 760. Good GMAT score for Indian applicant pool is 760 and above.

2. The Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania)

Ensuring admission to Wharton requires an impressive profile and a high GMAT score. For 2020 MBA admissions, acceptance rate was 19.2%.  From the year 2015 to 2018 average GMAT score required was 730-732. GMAT scores for Wharton fall in a wide range from 720 to 770, hence much depends on the overall profile of the candidate. But  scoring 750+ opens the chance of receiving an interview call and eventually making through.

In the year 2020, the number of Indian applicants were 26 out of which 5 received interview invite and 3  with scores of 760, 720 and 610 eventually got admission calls. To be on the safer side in the Indian applicant pool GMAT score above 760 will be required.

3. Columbia Business School (Columbia University)

Columbia demands excellent academic record and wide professional diversity from applicants. The acceptance rate for MBA is 16.5%. Scoring 740 and above in GMAT along with an outstanding profile can help candidates seek admission into the prestigious school.

Among the applications made from India to Columbia Business School for the class of 2021, 7 received admits with a score range of 720-760. 8 received interview invites with a score ranging between 720 to 770. A good GMAT score for Indians applying to Columbia Business School is 760 on average.

4. Yale School of Management (Yale University)

The acceptance rate of Yale School Of Management is 17.4%, which means proper preparation is the utmost requirement to get into this school. Good GMAT score sets apart the profile of any candidate. The average GMAT score for incoming classes has ranged between 719 to 727 since 2015. A score of 730+ can increase the chances of interview at Yale SOM.

Out of the applications made from India for the class of 2021, 4 got admitted with a score range of 720-780. Around 11 Indian applicants were invited for the interview who had scored between 720 to 770. For the class of 2020, 8 received an interview invite and 2 got admitted with the same score range. Considerable GMAT score for an Indian applicant is 720 and above.

5. Tuck Business School (Dartmouth College)

Tuck School Of Business is known for its rigorous curriculum with the aim of enabling its participants to be ready to face the real life challenges, hence, getting admission here is not a cakewalk. The acceptance rate is 23%, with an average GMAT score of 720+. Since 2015, scoring above 720 can get your chances of being selected. However, a score of 740 and above can anytime ensure a seat into the university.

As per the records of the Indian applicants for the class of 2021, 18 were called for the interview out of which 5 secured admission with a score ranging between 750 to 770. A good GMAT score for Indians applying to Tuck School Of Business is 750 and above.

6. Stanford Graduate School of Business (Stanford University)

Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, is one of the most prestigious B schools in the world. With acceptance rate of mere 5.7% makes the admission process highly competitive. In past 4 years average GMAT score requirement was between 732 to 737. Applicants in the scoring range of 710 to 770, an interview invite highly depends on other aspects of the candidates profile.

19 Indian applicants were there for the class of 2020 out of which 6 received interview invite and 2 were admitted with scores of 770 and 730. With such competitive pool, a score of 760+ is considered enough to make it to the interview list.

Importance of GMAT Score for Business School Admissions

GMAT score is an essential requirement to get into top business school but that is not the only requirement. Wharton schools dean Geoffrey Garnett in an interview stated “In a construct of many things, GMAT score is one part of the application. Students with liberal arts background and humanities major delve to take a course in statistics and economics that seem to be attractive. So, a multidimensional picture of the individual is looked upon while selection of the class is done.’

There is an increase in average GMAT score requirements over the years, signifying the relevance of the exam. But there are other prerequisites as well.

• GMAT scores test intellectual aptitude and are evidence of candidates ability to get through the MBA program. They account for 22% weightage in the application process measuring ambition level of the candidate.

• Intellectual aptitude of the candidates is tested as MBA programmes tend to be rigorous.  GMAT score is an essential parameter that gives idea about candidates readiness. Industriousness is a trait valued at B Schools and GMAT scores perfectly depict this. Academic capabilities are judged by previous academic records.

• Interpersonal and communication skills are an essential part of B-School curriculum. Assignments, projects, quizzes are teamwork and institutes expect individuals to be part of social activities. Parameters that test theses skills are resume and essay stories along with letter of recommendation and interview questions.

• Leadership abilities of the applicant are gauged to carry brand and legacy that the institutes carry. Resume and essay questions provide an insight to the leadership potential. Essay questions are churned around personality traits and ethics that an individual carries.

Since getting into one of the top business schools is a dream for many, a lot of homework is required to be performed to seek admission into the MBA program. Continuous work over academics right from higher secondary school is one of the basic requirements in order to grab a seat into the MBA Program abroad. A good academic history can pull out your application from the lot.

While applying for the MBA program, prior work experience can be helpful. Therefore, a good work record with references from previous employers can bring you in the limelight in the eyes of the admission board. Last but not the least, Letter of Recommendation (LOR) should be brought in from trusted sources as these prove to be a guarantee for you as a person and a professional in the future. All the best!