Q- What GRE percentiles are competitive for MBA programs?
A- We’re often asked about whether the GRE score is welcome by top MBA programs. The answer is exactly what the MBA program application websites convey: the GRE is accepted and welcome and there’s no downside to submitting the GRE score.
But here is the fineprint: MBA programs will expect a higher GRE score percentile because the test is known to be easier quantitatively. We encourage our clients to aim higher on a percentile basis, relative to the quant percentile on the GMAT.
Opting to submit the GRE instead of the GMAT doesn’t mean that any GRE score is acceptable. The GRE score itself, especially the quantitative score, matters and that’s not to be ignored.
Below are percentiles associated with scales scores for verbal and quantitative. Without accounting for an applicant’s career path and education foundation, we generally like to see 70% minimum or higher if the goal is to increase admit chance for top MBA programs. Your GRE Analytical Writing section is NOT factored into your total GRE score.
GRE PERCENTILES: VERBAL AND QUANT
| Verbal Score | Verbal Percentile | Quantitative Score | Quantitative Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 170 | 99 | 170 | 94 |
| 169 | 99 | 169 | 91 |
| 168 | 98 | 168 | 87 |
| 167 | 97 | 167 | 83 |
| 166 | 96 | 166 | 80 |
| 165 | 95 | 165 | 76 |
| 164 | 94 | 164 | 73 |
| 163 | 92 | 163 | 70 |
| 162 | 89 | 162 | 68 |
| 161 | 87 | 161 | 65 |
| 160 | 84 | 160 | 61 |
| 159 | 81 | 159 | 58 |
| 158 | 77 | 158 | 55 |
| 157 | 73 | 157 | 52 |
| 156 | 70 | 156 | 49 |
| 155 | 65 | 155 | 46 |
| 154 | 60 | 154 | 42 |
| 153 | 56 | 153 | 39 |
| 152 | 50 | 152 | 36 |
| 151 | 46 | 151 | 33 |
| 150 | 41 | 150 | 30 |
| 149 | 36 | 149 | 27 |
| 148 | 32 | 148 | 24 |
| 147 | 29 | 147 | 21 |
| 146 | 25 | 146 | 18 |
| 145 | 22 | 145 | 15 |
| 144 | 19 | 144 | 13 |
| 143 | 17 | 143 | 11 |
| 142 | 15 | 142 | 9 |
Q- What do the GRE percentiles mean?
A- The percentiles represent the number of test takers who scored below the select scaled score between 2017 and 2020.
Q- But, why can’t I just aim for the average reported GRE score that is listed on the MBA program website?
A- The reported GRE scores on the MBA program websites aren’t entirely reflective for any given applicant because they are averages. They reflect only a fraction of the admitted class. These averages are not adjusted by crucial variables such as demographic, function, industry, career path, college caliber, or the extent of quantitative exposure.
There are always low GRE score applicants accepted each year. We encourage our clients to put their best foot forward– aim for the best possible score.
In our work at SBC, we see perfect or near perfect GRE scores at least several times on a weekly basis. So, we see the range of scores as reflected in the chart above to be accurate relative to our inquiry and client pool. MBA programs are seeing a similar range of test scores.
Q- What are examples of good GRE scores for a school like HBS?
Here is a sampling of GRE scores from our HBS admits from the current season to demonstrate the range:
| V161, Q167 | V160, Q163 |
| V160, Q159 | V168, Q166 |
| V166, Q170 | V170, Q170 |
| V169, Q164 | V165, Q165 |
Q- What about the GMAT Focus Editing?
A- Our latest intel on test prep for the GMAT Focus Edition here:
Here are additional helpful test prep articles:
Test retaking, reporting, cancellations and online test options
GMAT vs GRE: What’s the right strategy?
Should I take the GMAT or opt for a test waiver?