Copenhagen Business School MBA GMAT: Average Scores, Ranges, and What You Need to Know

Copenhagen Business School's most recent entering classes have an average GMAT 10th Edition score of 655, with a minimum requirement of 600, placing the school among the stronger European MBA programs. The estimated middle 80% range spans from 600 to 710, which shows reasonable diversity in the admitted class while maintaining a competitive academic profile. The 110-point range at CBS reveals that GMAT is just one factor in the admissions equation, and you can gain entry with a score below the average if other elements of your application demonstrate strong potential. For the GMAT Focus Edition, CBS requires a minimum score of 555, with the class average estimated around 610 based on the concordance conversion from the 10th Edition. This score profile positions Copenhagen Business School as a selective and competitive European program that values diverse backgrounds alongside solid quantitative preparation.

A competitive GMAT score for CBS typically falls between 630 and 680, though competitiveness depends significantly on your overall candidacy and professional background. You could receive an admission offer with a 610 GMAT if the rest of your profile is exceptionally strong, or face rejection with a 680 if your essays lack clarity, work experience feels limited, or recommendations do not convey your leadership potential. The minimum viable GMAT score at CBS is 600 for the 10th Edition (or 555 for Focus Edition), and scoring below this threshold will make admission unlikely unless you present extraordinary professional achievements or unique circumstances that set you apart. If your GMAT score lands in the 620 to 655 range, you are solidly within the typical profile and your test performance will not be a concern during the admissions review. Scores below 620 require that you demonstrate meaningful impact in your career, compelling reasons for pursuing an MBA at CBS, or personal achievements that show you are ready for the program's rigorous curriculum regardless of test performance.

When thinking about what qualifies as a strong GMAT score at Copenhagen Business School, you should recognize that the 655 average represents admitted students with diverse professional backgrounds and international experiences, not a universal admissions threshold. A score in the 650 to 700 range puts you in excellent standing and means your GMAT performance will not raise concerns when the admissions committee reviews your complete file. If you score above 700, your test result becomes a clear strength and demonstrates strong quantitative reasoning ability, but remember this advantage alone will not carry a weak application forward. Similarly, a score between 620 and 650 is competitive for CBS and signals solid analytical capability, even though it sits near or slightly below the average. The practical floor for a realistic shot at admission is typically around 600 to 610, where you would need to compensate through exceptional work experience, compelling storytelling in your essays, strong recommendations from professional contacts, or distinctive personal qualities that differentiate you from other applicants. Anything below 600 creates a challenging situation, and you would need to demonstrate truly outstanding professional accomplishments or unique international perspectives to overcome that deficit in a selective applicant pool.

Copenhagen Business School is not test-optional and requires all applicants to submit either a GMAT (10th Edition), GMAT Focus Edition, or GRE score as part of the application process. The school does not waive this testing requirement for any applicants and treats the GMAT 10th Edition, GMAT Focus Edition, and GRE as equally valid options for demonstrating quantitative and analytical readiness. You should choose whichever exam allows you to showcase your strongest performance while maintaining balanced section scores. CBS reviews your test results as part of the holistic evaluation, and the admissions team will consider your percentile ranking alongside your total score when assessing your quantitative preparation for the program.

Your GMAT score functions as one input within CBS's holistic evaluation of your complete candidacy rather than serving as a standalone predictor of admission success. The admissions committee reviews your entire profile, including your undergraduate academic performance, professional work experience (average is six to seven years), demonstrated leadership impact, application essays, professional recommendations, and your motivation for studying at CBS specifically. CBS explicitly states that GMAT scores are evaluated alongside work experience, academics, motivation, and other factors, and a high test score cannot compensate for generic essays, limited professional experience, or unclear post-MBA career vision. The school uses your GMAT primarily to confirm that you possess the quantitative reasoning and analytical problem-solving capabilities necessary to succeed in CBS's demanding curriculum. Your test score serves as evidence of academic readiness, but it does not determine whether you will thrive in the classroom environment or contribute meaningfully to the diverse international community CBS is building.

When evaluating your application, CBS considers how your GMAT score fits within the broader context of everything else you bring to the program rather than treating it as an isolated metric. If you have a 700 GMAT but your essays lack authentic storytelling, your recommendations seem generic, or you cannot articulate why CBS specifically fits your career goals, the admissions committee will not overlook these shortcomings because of your high test score. Conversely, if you have a 620 GMAT but can demonstrate significant leadership impact in your professional career, clear reasons for pursuing an MBA at this point in your journey, strong recommendations that speak to your capabilities, and essays that show you have researched Copenhagen and understand what CBS offers, then your application will receive serious consideration. This dynamic explains why many applicants with scores slightly below or at the average (like 645 to 665) gain admission, while applicants with scores above 700 receive rejection letters. Your goal is to present yourself as a well-rounded candidate whose GMAT score demonstrates sufficient quantitative capability while your professional background, essays, and recommendations show why you will flourish at CBS and contribute meaningfully to your cohort's learning experience and international perspective.

AdmitStudio users who find success at top MBA programs tend to approach their applications as a clear, cohesive professional story, not a checklist of prestigious roles, promotions, or achievements. Rather than trying to impress admissions committees with everything they have done, they focus on explaining why they made key career decisions, what they learned from those experiences, and how those lessons shaped their short- and long-term goals. Their essays help admissions officers quickly understand the applicant’s career trajectory, leadership potential, and sense of purpose within just a few minutes of review.

AdmitStudio users who are successful also use their essays to connect and reinforce the rest of the application, not repeat it. The essays highlight a few core themes, such as leadership, impact, self-awareness, and growth, while the résumé, recommendations, and short answers quietly support those same themes with concrete evidence. By aligning every part of the application around a consistent narrative, these applicants stand out not because they try to appear perfect, but because they are intentional, reflective, and clear about who they are and where they are going. Admissions officers come away with a strong sense of how the applicant will contribute to classroom discussions, team-based learning, and the broader MBA community.