Imperial College MBA GMAT: Average Scores, Ranges, and What You Need to Know

Imperial College Business School's MBA program has an average GMAT 10th Edition score of 666, positioning the program as highly competitive among European business schools. The current minimum requirement sits at a score of 600 for the 10th Edition, though the school also accepts the GMAT Focus Edition with a minimum overall score of 565. The 66-point gap between the minimum of 600 and the average of 666 demonstrates that while Imperial uses the GMAT as a meaningful assessment tool, exceptional applicants across a wide range of scores can and do gain admission to the program. Your GMAT score serves as one way for Imperial to evaluate your readiness for the program's demanding analytical curriculum, but it does not function as an automatic predictor of your admission success or failure.

A competitive GMAT score for Imperial's MBA program typically falls between 650 and 700, though this range varies considerably based on your complete profile. You could receive an admit with a 610 GMAT if your work experience is exceptional, your leadership achievements are compelling, and your essays demonstrate strategic clarity, or you could face rejection with a 710 if your professional background appears limited, your career narrative is unclear, or your application essays fail to show strong motivation for this particular program. There is no official hard minimum below which admission becomes impossible, but scores between 600 and 620 will require you to make up meaningful ground elsewhere in your candidacy. Most admitted students cluster in the 650 to 700 range, and if you land in this bracket, your test score will not be a barrier to consideration. Anything below 600 creates significant challenges unless you have a compelling reason to explain the lower score combined with extraordinary professional achievements or unique background experiences.

When assessing what counts as a strong GMAT score at Imperial, remember that the 666 average represents a diverse cohort of professionals with varied backgrounds, not a universal cutoff for viability. A score of 680 or above places you clearly in the competitive range and allows you to move forward confident that your GMAT will not hold back your application. If you achieve a score between 700 and 720, this becomes a genuine strength that signals solid quantitative capability and analytical rigor. However, reaching 700 or higher does not guarantee admission or make weak areas of your profile stronger. Conversely, a score between 630 and 660 is still considered reasonable, though it places you slightly below the median and means you will need to demonstrate particularly strong professional accomplishment or a compelling personal narrative to stand out. The realistic floor for competitive consideration is around 600 to 610, where you would need to present an exceptionally strong overall profile to overcome the lower test score, including clear evidence of career progression, proven leadership impact, and a genuine strategic fit with what Imperial offers.

Imperial College Business School is not test optional, and all applicants must submit either a GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, or GRE score as part of their application. The school does offer a limited number of GMAT waivers each cycle, but these are reserved for exceptional candidates who can demonstrate both outstanding academic performance and strong quantitative skills through their transcripts and professional background. You may apply for a waiver by submitting your academic transcripts and an up-to-date CV through Imperial's formal waiver form before you submit your MBA application. However, waivers are rare, and if your request is declined, you must submit a valid test score to complete your application. The school treats the GMAT 10th Edition, GMAT Focus Edition, and GRE equally, so you should choose the exam on which you can achieve your strongest possible score while maintaining balanced performance across all sections.

Your GMAT score functions as one input among many within Imperial's holistic evaluation process and is not used in isolation to make admission decisions. The admissions committee assesses your complete profile, including your work experience (the average is approximately six years), your academic background (minimum UK Second Class Honours or equivalent), your professional leadership and impact, your essays and personal statement, recommendations from your referees, and your alignment with Imperial's emphasis on technology and innovation. Imperial explicitly evaluates candidates holistically, meaning that a high GMAT score cannot compensate for weak essays, limited or unclear career goals, mediocre recommendations, or a professional background that does not demonstrate meaningful growth or impact. Your test score is reviewed as evidence of your analytical and quantitative readiness for the rigorous MBA curriculum, not as a standalone measure of your candidacy. The school recognizes that some highly accomplished professionals may not test at their highest potential while still possessing exceptional business acumen and professional capability.

When evaluating your application, Imperial considers how your GMAT score fits into the broader context of who you are as a leader and professional, rather than treating it as a self-contained metric. If you submit a 720 GMAT but your essays lack direction, your work experience shows no evidence of leadership development, and your references paint a picture of someone who is not collaborative, the admissions committee will not overlook these significant concerns because of your strong test score. Conversely, if you achieve a 640 GMAT but your career narrative reveals consistent progression into increasingly demanding roles, your essays articulate clear and well-researched reasons for pursuing an MBA at Imperial specifically, and your references speak to your impact and potential, you can still advance to the interview stage and compete effectively for admission. This is why you will find students admitted to Imperial with GMAT scores in the 620 to 650 range alongside rejections for applicants with scores above 700, because the test score is genuinely one component rather than a determinative factor. Your strategy should be to achieve a score that puts you in the competitive range (above 600, ideally 650 or higher), then invest serious effort into crafting a compelling application narrative that demonstrates why you are ready for an MBA now, why Imperial specifically aligns with your ambitions, and what unique perspectives and experiences you will bring to the classroom.

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.