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

Northwestern Kellogg's Class of 2027 posted an average GMAT 10th Edition score of 733, with the range of admitted students ranging from 680 to 770, placing the school firmly among the most selective MBA programs in the country. The 90-point spread of the range reveals that admissions officers consider your entire profile rather than fixating on test scores alone. The GMAT range demonstrates that you could gain admission with a 680 if your overall candidacy is exceptional, or face rejection with a 760 if other components of your application fall short of Kellogg's standards. For applicants submitting the GMAT Focus Edition, the average is 687, with range of admitted students ranging from 515 to 775. This score profile places Kellogg among the most competitive business schools globally, requiring you to bring much more than just strong numbers to stand out in an already accomplished applicant pool.

A competitive GMAT score for Kellogg typically ranges from 710 to 750 on the 10th Edition, positioning you well within the admitted class profile. You could receive an acceptance with a 700 if the rest of your candidacy is exceptionally strong, featuring impressive work experience and compelling essays, or face rejection with a 745 if your professional background is ordinary and your storytelling is weak. There is no official minimum GMAT requirement at Kellogg, but scores below 640 create substantial headwinds that you would need to overcome through truly exceptional strengths elsewhere. Most successful applicants score somewhere in the 700 to 750 range, and this represents a solid baseline for having a realistic shot at admission. If your score falls below 700, you should expect to demonstrate compensating strengths such as remarkable career trajectory, strong recommendations, and essays that reveal deep self awareness and genuine passion for the program.

When evaluating what qualifies as a strong score at Kellogg, remember that the 733 average represents only one snapshot of admitted students who bring diverse backgrounds and experiences to campus. A score between 720 and 750 puts you in very solid standing and means admissions officers will not be concerned about your quantitative reasoning ability. If you achieve above 750, your GMAT becomes a clear strength, but this elevated score does not grant you immunity from having thoughtful essays or meaningful work accomplishments. Similarly, a score between 700 and 720 remains highly competitive for Kellogg and demonstrates solid problem solving ability, even though it sits below the median. The realistic floor for a viable application is typically around 680 to 690, where you would need to compensate through standout professional achievements, authentic storytelling, strong recommendations, or a background that brings unique perspective to Kellogg's collaborative community. Below 680, you face an uphill climb and would need truly extraordinary circumstances or accomplishments to overcome the lower test performance in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Kellogg is not test-optional and requires all applicants to submit either a GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, or GRE score as part of the application. The school does not grant any exceptions or waivers from this requirement for any applicant, regardless of background or circumstances. Both the 10th Edition GMAT and the Focus Edition are treated equally in the admissions review, and you may also choose to submit a GRE in place of the GMAT. Kellogg explicitly states that there is no preference between these testing options, so you should select the exam on which you can achieve your strongest possible score while maintaining balanced performance across all sections.

Your GMAT score functions as one component within Kellogg's holistic evaluation of your entire application rather than serving as a primary admissions driver. The admissions committee reviews your undergraduate GPA (average admitted class GPA is 3.68), work experience (average is 5.1 years), professional accomplishments, application essays, letters of recommendation, leadership potential, and personal background to form a comprehensive picture of who you are. Kellogg makes clear that your GMAT score represents just one element of their decision, and a high test score cannot salvage weak essays, limited work experience, or an unclear career direction. The school uses your GMAT primarily as evidence that you possess the quantitative reasoning and analytical problem-solving skills necessary to succeed in Kellogg's rigorous and numbers-heavy curriculum. Your test score communicates academic readiness, but it does not indicate whether you will thrive in classroom collaboration, add value to team projects, or demonstrate the leadership potential that Kellogg seeks.

When Kellogg evaluates your application, admissions officers examine how your GMAT score fits within the broader context of everything else you bring to the program rather than treating it as an isolated statistic. If you achieve a 760 GMAT but bring only three years of work experience, submit generic essays that could apply to any business school, and receive lukewarm recommendations, the admissions committee will not overlook these weaknesses because of your strong test score. Conversely, if you submit a 710 GMAT but demonstrate meaningful career progression, tell a compelling story about why an MBA is essential at this specific moment in your career, earn glowing recommendations, and show genuine knowledge of Kellogg's culture, the admissions team will view your application favorably. This reality explains why many applicants with scores slightly below the average, such as 710 to 720, gain admission, while other applicants with scores significantly above 750 receive rejection letters. Your goal is to present yourself as a complete candidate whose GMAT score demonstrates intellectual capability to handle Kellogg's analytical coursework while your work experience, essays, recommendations, and interview reveal why you will flourish in a collaborative learning environment and contribute meaningfully to your classmates' growth.

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.