GMAT Score: This remains the single most important factor that determines the college selection. Generally, applicants go by the average MBA scores indicated by each college. However, it is important to go a bit deeper into the class profiles or independent ranking websites to determine the range of GMAT scores for the mid-50% of successful applicants. Typically, if the average GMAT is, say, 680, then the mid-50% could be 650 – 700 or the mid-80% around 640 – 740. Thus, if an applicant has, say, 670, he/she need not feel ineligible to apply. While applying to good colleges (ranked by FT), I would recommend a minimum score of 680 and to other colleges in the US / world a score of at least 650. These scores can be considered competitive. Of course, no GMAT score can be considered in isolation and other factors discussed below do matter a lot.

While the average GMAT score published by universities/colleges is an absolute score, the range of GMAT scores discussed above gives a better idea of the qualitative aspects of the application. One must reflect on why some candidates with a GMAT score that is nearer the lower end of the range are selected, whereas candidates with scores above the average GMAT score or even near the top end of the range are not selected? It is obvious that these candidates had something that appealed to the admission committee. This could be the length of work experience or, more importantly, the industry/sector in which the applicant has been working. Typically, engineers perform well on the GMAT and thus achieve high scores. However, an MBA program thrives on diversity. Therefore, the admissions committee would consider an application from a historically underrepresented industry /sector perhaps a bit more favourably and settle for a lower GMAT score if all other aspects of the application are satisfactory. Sectors like banking /consulting typically see a third of the applications. Thus, the admissions committee might select candidates with higher GMAT scores from these sectors, as the competition within these sectors is likely to be intense. Since most MBA programs operate on a cohort system, it is necessary for selectors to maintain diversity, as all cohorts should be equally balanced. Therefore, they strive to balance the intake to prevent any particular class from being tilted towards a specific industry or sector.

I have seen candidates with as high as 760 on the GMAT not getting selected due to the length of work experience not being sufficient or below the class average. Top MBA programs typically require a minimum of 5 years of work experience. Although the college websites mention that a minimum of 2 or 3 years of work experience is required to apply, it is essential to understand that pre-MBA work experience plays a significant role in securing post-MBA employment. Colleges / Universities in the US are not recruiting grounds for entry-level positions. MBA graduates from these colleges are typically absorbed in middle-level positions, and hence, previous work experience plays a major role. This would hold true even if the applicant is seeking a career change after completing their MBA.

Amar Mainkar
Head of Counselling
CLEAR PERCEPTIONS