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

Indian School of Business's most recent entering class (Class of 2026) has an average GMAT 10th Edition score of 720, though some data sources report 683 for the most recent cohort. The 10th Edition range spans from 640 to 780 for admitted students, demonstrating considerable variation in test scores across the class. The wide spread of nearly 140 points between the lowest and highest GMAT scores shows that ISB does not rely solely on test performance to make admission decisions, and competitive candidates enter with scores throughout this entire spectrum. For the GMAT Focus Edition, the estimated average is around 669, which reflects the percentile equivalency of the 10th Edition average. This score profile places Indian School of Business among India's most selective and globally competitive MBA programs, attracting world-class talent from across diverse professional backgrounds.

A competitive GMAT score for ISB typically falls between 700 and 740, though the path to admission becomes increasingly realistic once you reach 680 and above. You could gain admission to ISB with a 680 GMAT if your overall profile demonstrates strong leadership potential, meaningful work experience, and a compelling vision for your MBA, while applicants with 750+ scores have been rejected due to other weaknesses in their candidacy. ISB has no official minimum GMAT score requirement, yet historical data shows that candidates below 680 face a significantly steeper climb unless they possess truly exceptional achievements outside the test. The school has admitted candidates with scores as low as 610, but these represent rare outliers who compensated with extraordinary professional accomplishments or distinctive backgrounds. If your score lands between 680 and 700, you remain competitive, though you will need the rest of your application to be particularly strong. Anything below 650 creates a serious uphill battle, and you would need to demonstrate exceptional work experience, stellar academic credentials, or unique leadership impact to overcome that deficit in a highly competitive applicant pool.

When thinking about what qualifies as a strong GMAT score at ISB, you should recognize that the 720 average represents a snapshot of an admitted class with diverse professional experiences and backgrounds, not a universal threshold for acceptance. A score in the 710 to 740 range puts you in excellent standing and signals to the admissions committee that you possess solid quantitative reasoning and analytical capabilities needed for rigorous MBA coursework. Scoring above 740 is certainly an advantage, but it does not guarantee admission or give you special consideration beyond demonstrating academic readiness. Similarly, a score between 690 and 710 is still very competitive for ISB and shows respectable analytical ability, even though it sits slightly below the median. The sweet spot for reducing uncertainty around the GMAT component of your application appears to be 700 and above, where you can devote your remaining energy to strengthening other dimensions of your candidacy such as your essays, recommendations, and interview performance.

Indian School of Business is not test-optional and requires all applicants to the PGP program to submit either a GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, or GRE score from a test center. The school does not accept scores from online or at-home test formats and only recognizes test-center-based scores for the main PGP program. Both the 10th Edition GMAT and the Focus Edition are equally valued by the admissions committee, and you may also choose to submit a GRE instead of the GMAT if you prefer. ISB treats these three testing options equally in its evaluation process, so your strategy should be to select the exam format on which you can achieve your strongest possible score while maintaining balanced performance across all sections.

Your GMAT score functions as a necessary component within ISB's holistic evaluation of your complete candidacy, but it operates as one piece of a much larger puzzle. The admissions committee reviews your entire profile, including your undergraduate academic performance, the quality and impact of your work experience (the average admitted student has about four to five years), your professional accomplishments, application essays, recommendations, leadership potential, and personal background. ISB explicitly states that the GMAT score is one element among many in their evaluation framework, and a high test score cannot compensate for weak essays, underdeveloped career goals, limited work experience, or mediocre recommendations. The school uses your GMAT primarily to assess whether you have developed the quantitative reasoning and analytical problem-solving capabilities necessary to succeed in ISB's intensive one-year curriculum. Your test score serves as evidence of academic readiness and intellectual capability, but it does not determine whether you will thrive in the classroom environment or become an engaged member of the ISB community.

When evaluating your application, ISB considers how your GMAT score fits within the context of everything else you bring to the program rather than treating it as an isolated metric. If you have a 750 GMAT but limited work experience, weak recommendations, or generic application essays that fail to articulate a clear career vision, the admissions committee will not overlook these shortcomings because of your high test score. Conversely, if you have a 690 GMAT but a compelling career narrative, demonstrated leadership impact in your role, strong recommendations that speak to your potential, and essays that reveal why you specifically need an MBA at ISB at this point in your career trajectory, ISB will view your application favorably. This reality explains why many applicants with scores slightly below the average (like 700 to 710) gain admission, while applicants with scores above 750 receive rejection letters. Your goal is to present yourself as a well-rounded professional whose GMAT score demonstrates that you have the intellectual capability to handle ISB's analytical coursework while your other application materials show why you will flourish in the program and add meaningful value to your cohort's learning experience.

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