What Is a Good GMAT Score?

If you're applying to business school, one question is almost guaranteed to pop into your mind (and maybe keep you up at night):

“Is my GMAT score good enough for my top target schools?”

It’s a fair question—after all, GMAT scores are one of the most visible and most talked-about elements of an MBA application. And with average scores at top programs trending high, it can feel like the test holds disproportionate weight in shaping your admissions outcomes.

But here’s the truth: a good GMAT score is one that strengthens your application, not defines it.

And as you’ll see in the chart below, even the most selective schools admit students with a wide range of scores.

Let’s break down what “good” really means when it comes to the GMAT—using real data from class entering in 2026.

Understanding GMAT Score Ranges at Top MBA Programs

The graphic above shows the GMAT score ranges for the incoming classes at a selection of top MBA programs, so you can—at a glance—see where your GMAT score fits in the mix.   

The gray bars show the “middle 80%” scores ranging from the 10th percentile score to the 90th percentile score for each program. The blue dots mark the average or median score for the incoming class, and the red and green triangles mark the low and high GMAT scores respectively.  

A few things stand out immediately:

• The median scores at 11of the16 schools, including Stanford GSB, Harvard, Wharton, and the rest of the M7 cluster around 730–740.

• The range defining the middle 80% percentile scores is quite large, averaging 130 points across the M7.

• But most importantly? The low ends of these ranges dip far below the medians. Six of the M7 schools admitted the lowest “Low GMAT” scores on the chart (lowest score data wasn’t available from MIT Sloan.)

This data tells a powerful story:

Top programs admit students well below their published averages. Every year.
These candidates clearly had something compelling in their applications that made them stand out beyond the test score.

So if you’re wondering whether a 655, 675, or 695 automatically takes you out of the running at a highly selective school—the answer is no. Your score is context, not destiny.

NOTE: You may notice that your GMAT score ends in a “5” while most scores in the chart end in a “0”. This is because the GMAT was replaced with a new version starting in February 2024. The “classic” GMAT used a scoring format that always ended in a “0” while the new GMAT uses a scoring format that always ends in a “5.” For this year’s class profiles, it appears that the MBA programs are still reporting scores in the “classic” format. This is merely a technicality; It doesn’t materially change how you can use the chart to infer where you stand relative to recent students.

So… What Is a Good GMAT Score?

A good GMAT score depends on three factors:

1. Your Target Schools

If you're aiming for:

• M7 programs: 715+ places you around or above the class median, while 680–710 can still be viable depending on your profile.

• Top 20 programs: 685–715 is generally competitive.

• Top 50 programs: 645–685 is strong.

But remember: ranges are wide. Schools admit people well below and above these numbers every year.

2. Your Academic Background

Admissions committees look at the GMAT to help answer one key question:

“Can this candidate handle the academic rigor of the program?”

Your test score is one signal—but not the only one.  As a signal of your ability to handle academic rigor, your transcript remains first and foremost.  Adcoms will consider both signals as they look for clues to answer their key question. 

For example:

• A 655 GMAT paired with an engineering degree and A’s in calculus sends a different message than a 655 with a humanities background and no quant coursework.

• Conversely, a standout GMAT Quant score may alleviate concerns about someone with a weaker quantitative experience in their transcript.

3. The Rest of Your Narrative

This is where the chart becomes especially encouraging. Strong non-academic “proof points” can serve to offset some of the concerns raised by a “lower” GMAT score: 

• Leadership achievements

• Exceptional career progression

• Entrepreneurial ventures

• Global experience

• Impactful community involvement

• A unique personal story

• Industry expertise the school wants in its class mix

In other words, while you must convince admissions committees you can handle the academic rigors of their MBA program, they will evaluate you holistically. 

The stronger and more distinctive your narrative, the less pressure you need to place on achieving a perfect GMAT score.

Admissions offices aim to build strong cohorts, not statistical leaderboards.

Why Schools Admit Students With Scores Below Their Averages

Take another look at the left-hand side of the chart: the low ends of the ranges.

Some of the world’s most selective MBA programs have admitted students with GMAT scores 100+ points below their median.

Why?

Because those candidates likely had something else very compelling in their narratives, such as:

• Exceptional leadership potential

• Unique contributions to class diversity

• Remarkable professional accomplishments

• A powerful personal story

• Clear evidence they could succeed academically

This is one of the biggest misunderstandings about MBA admissions:

The GMAT is not a cutoff. It’s a data point.

If you bring something extraordinary to the class—something that aligns with the school’s values and priorities—admissions committees take notice.

Can You Overcome a Low GMAT Score? Absolutely.

If your score is lower than you hoped, you have three levers to strengthen your candidacy:

1. Strengthen Your Quant Profile

Schools want reassurance that you'll thrive academically. You can demonstrate that through:

• A high Quant score (even with a lower overall GMAT)

• Quant-heavy coursework (e.g., statistics, accounting, econometrics)

• MBA Math or HBS Credentials of Readiness (CORe)

• Certifications like CFA or CPA

• Data analytics or quantitative responsibilities at work

2. Tell a Memorable Narrative

A high GMAT score won’t get you admitted—but a powerful, distinctive story might.

Focus on:

• Your impact

• Your values

• Your leadership

• Your vision for your future career

• Your ability to enrich the cohort

A compelling narrative can transform your application from “qualified” to “unforgettable.”

3. Show Excellence in Other Pillars of the Application

Such as:

• Outstanding letters of recommendation

• Thoughtful essays that speak to your critical reasoning skills.

• A polished résumé that highlights accomplishments that convey those academic proof points, such as creating business models that use quant concepts

• Demonstrated fit with the program’s culture and strengths. For case study method, for instance, show how you contribute to group discussion at work.

Admissions is holistic—not reductionist. Make it easy for the admissions committee to understand the full picture of who you are and what you have to offer the cohort.

So, Is Your GMAT Score “Good Enough”?

Here’s the best way to answer the question:

• Compare your score to the ranges—not just the average—of your target schools.

• Consider your score in the context of your academic and professional background.

• Be honest with yourself about the strength of your narrative.

• Remember that your score is only one piece of the puzzle.

• What other proof points can you offer? Schools use GMAT to predict academic success the first year of the program. What else do you have to show for that?

Most importantly:

• The GMAT can help your application, but it won’t carry it.

• A compelling narrative can get you admitted even with a below-average score.

If you’re uncertain about where your score leaves you—or how to build the kind of story that makes admissions officers lean in—I’d love to help.

If you took the GRE instead of the GMAT, check out this related post: What Is a Good GRE Score?