Average GMAT Score for Top Business Schools
The average GMAT score is one of the most important benchmarks used by business schools to assess an applicant’s readiness for graduate management education. The GMAT is a standardized exam accepted by over 6,000 institutions worldwide for MBA programs, business master’s degrees, and other related graduate programs.
A strong GMAT score not only improves your chances of admission but also increases your eligibility for scholarships, fellowships, and post-MBA career opportunities. Since the introduction of the GMAT Focus edition, understanding how the average GMAT score is calculated and interpreted has become even more important for applicants targeting top business schools in 2026.
Average GMAT Score in the U.S. (Latest Data)
The average GMAT score in the U.S. in 2024 was 622, which appears lower than the 654 average recorded in 2023. However, this decline reflects a major change in the exam format, not a drop in the quality of candidates.
In early 2024, the traditional GMAT (10th Edition) was officially retired and replaced by the GMAT Focus Edition, which follows a new scoring scale. As a result, scores from the old as well as the new versions are not directly comparable.
A score of 625 on the GMAT Focus Edition roughly equates to a 680 on the legacy GMAT, which indicates the performance levels have improved year over year.
Average GMAT Scores for Top MBA Programs (Class of 2026)
The average GMAT score at top MBA programs is mostly above the 90th percentile. These scores represent class averages or medians, which means applicants can still be admitted with scores slightly below or above the listed figures.
Top MBA Programs and Average GMAT Scores
| MBA Program | University | Average GMAT Score* |
| MBA | Harvard University | 740 |
| MBA | Stanford University | 738 |
| MBA | New York University (Stern) | 733 |
| MBA | Northwestern University (Kellogg) | 733 |
| MBA | University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | 732 |
| MBA | Columbia University | 732 |
| MBA | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) | 730 |
| MBA | University of California, Berkeley (Haas) | 730 |
| MBA | Yale University (School of Management) | 730 |
| MBA | University of Chicago (Booth) | 729 |
| MBA | Dartmouth College (Tuck) | 727 |
| MBA | University of Virginia (Darden) | 718 |
Average GMAT Scores for Other Popular MBA Programs
Popular MBA Programs and Average GMAT Scores
| MBA Program | University | Average GMAT Score |
| MBA | Cornell University (SC Johnson)* | 710 |
| MBA | Emory University (Goizueta) | 705 |
| MBA | Georgetown University (McDonough) | 700 (≈ 625 GMAT Focus) |
| MBA | Rice University (Jones) | 698 |
| MBA | Duke University (Fuqua) | 680–770 (Middle 80% range) |
A Changing GMAT: What Applicants Must Know
The global business school admissions ecosystem has been evolving- and the GMAT has evolved with it. In early 2024, the GMAT Focus Edition officially came to be replaced by GMAT Focus Edition.Â
This redesign reflects a broader shift towards a more skill-based evaluation, which focus on real-world data interpretation, logical reasoning as well decision making rather than test endurance.
GMAT Focus Edition Structure
| Section | Focus Area | Duration |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Problem-solving, data sufficiency | 45 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | Reading comprehension, critical reasoning | 45 minutes |
| Data Insights | Data interpretation, analytics, logic | 45 minutes |
GMAT Focus Edition Score Percentiles (2019-2024)
| GMAT Focus Score | Percentile |
| 805 | 100% |
| 750 | 99% |
| 705 | 98.2% |
| 655 | 91.3% |
| 605 | 71.7% |
| 555 | 49% |
| 505 | 27.6% |
| 455 | 15.1% |
| 405 | 6.7% |
| 355 | 3% |
| 305 | 1% |
| 255 | 0.3% |
| 200 | 0.1% |
How Many People Take the GMAT?
| Year | Worldwide | United States |
| 2019 | 225,621 | 63,945 |
| 2020 | 173,176 | 45,648 |
| 2021 | 156,453 | 38,509 |
| 2022 | 124,112 | 24,789 |
| 2023 | 108,851 | 21,657 |
| 2024 | 115,286 | 23,299 |
GMAT vs GRE: Which Should You Take?
While most MBA programs accept both the GMAT and the GRE, the GMAT remains one of the most popular tests at elite schools.
Test Submission Trends (Class of 2026)
| School | GMAT Submitters | GRE Submitters |
| Harvard Business School | 63% | 41% |
| Chicago Booth | 56% | 38% |
| Stanford GSB | 58% | 42% |
Key Differences
| Aspect | GMAT | GRE |
| Quantitative Section | More challenging | Moderate |
| Verbal Section | Logic-based | Vocabulary-heavy |
| Preferred For | MBA & Business | Non-business graduate programs |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GMAT Focus Edition?
The GMAT Focus Edition is the redesigned GMAT launched in 2024, featuring shorter duration, three sections, no essay, and greater emphasis on data-driven decision-making skills.
Is the traditional GMAT still available?
No, the traditional GMAT was officially discontinued in early 2024. The GMAT Focus Edition is now the only GMAT version accepted by business schools worldwide.
What sections are included in the GMAT Focus Edition
The GMAT Focus Edition includes Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights sections, each lasting 45 minutes, with no analytical writing section.
Is the GMAT Focus Edition easier than the old GMAT?
While shorter and more focused, the GMAT Focus Edition is not easier. Percentile data shows that achieving top scores is more competitive than in the previous format.
Do top MBA programs still require GMAT scores?
Many top MBA programs still require or strongly encourage GMAT scores, although test-optional policies are increasing, especially for executive and online MBA programs.
How do GMAT Focus scores compare to old GMAT scores?
GMAT Focus scores are measured on a new scale. For example, a 655 Focus score places candidates in the top 10%, reflecting higher competitiveness than earlier GMAT percentiles.
Should applicants choose the GMAT or GRE for MBA admissions?
Both tests are accepted, but data show most admits to elite MBA programs still submit GMAT scores, especially for quantitatively rigorous schools.
Is a writing assessment required with the GMAT Focus Edition?
Some schools, like Harvard Business School, require a separate GMAC Business Writing Assessment if applicants submit only GMAT Focus scores.
