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

London Business School has an average GMAT Focus Edition score of 645, placing the program in the upper-middle tier of global MBA schools. The typical class range spans from 555 to 805, which is considerably broader than many peer institutions and reflects LBS's holistic approach to evaluating candidates. The 250-point spread in LBS's GMAT range demonstrates that test scores alone do not drive admission decisions, and qualified applicants across a wide band of scores gain entry to the program. Approximately 75% of the incoming class submitted GMAT scores, while 25% chose to submit GRE results instead, signaling that LBS truly treats both assessments equally in the review process.

A competitive GMAT score for London Business School typically ranges between 690 and 730, though competitiveness depends heavily on the overall strength of your application and your demographic profile. You could receive an admission offer with a 680 if your work experience, career narrative, and essays are exceptionally compelling, or face rejection with a 720 if other elements of your candidacy reveal significant weaknesses. LBS does not impose an official minimum GMAT threshold, but the school states that it will typically accept scores around 555 and above. However, scores below 620 will place you at a meaningful disadvantage and require you to demonstrate exceptional professional achievements or a unique background that offsets the lower test performance. If your GMAT score falls in the 700 to 720 range, you are well-positioned competitively, and the admissions committee will view your test result as a clear strength that removes any concern about your analytical ability.

When thinking about what qualifies as a strong GMAT score at LBS, you should recognize that the 702 average represents admitted students with diverse backgrounds, work experiences, and demographic profiles, not a universal threshold for success. A score in the 710 to 750 range positions you well and signals that your GMAT performance will not be a concern or limiting factor in the admissions review. If you achieve a score above 750, your test result becomes a genuine strength that reinforces your candidacy, but this advantage will not overcome weaknesses elsewhere in your application. Similarly, a score between 680 and 700 is still competitive for LBS and demonstrates solid quantitative reasoning, even though it sits below the average. The realistic minimum viable score for a credible shot at admission is typically around 620 to 640, where you would need to compensate through exceptional work experience, a compelling career narrative, strong recommendations, and thoughtful essays that convey why LBS is the right program for you at this particular moment in your career. Anything below 620 creates a steep uphill battle, and you would need to bring truly extraordinary professional credentials or unique personal circumstances to overcome that deficit in an increasingly competitive admissions landscape.

London Business School is not test-optional and requires all applicants to submit either a GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, or GRE score before the application deadline for the round in which you apply. The school treats GMAT and GRE scores equally, meaning you should take the test on which you can achieve your strongest possible performance without any concern that one exam will disadvantage you compared to the other. LBS also offers limited GMAT and GRE waivers for exceptional candidates, including those who hold a CFA Level II or above certification, which automatically qualifies you for a waiver without additional application. If you do not hold a CFA qualification but believe you have a strong quantitative background demonstrated through your academic credentials, professional experience, or specialized certifications, you may request consideration for a waiver by submitting your CV, academic transcripts, and a brief statement explaining your quantitative skills to the admissions team.

Your GMAT score functions as one component within LBS's comprehensive evaluation of your entire candidacy, not as a standalone predictor of admission success. The admissions committee reviews your complete profile, including your undergraduate and graduate academic performance, work experience and career progression, professional accomplishments and impact, application essays and short answers, professional recommendations, and leadership potential. LBS explicitly states that your GMAT score is just one element of your overall application, and a high test score cannot compensate for weak essays, limited or unfocused work experience, or unclear post-MBA goals. The school uses your GMAT primarily to assess whether you possess the quantitative reasoning and analytical problem-solving capabilities necessary to succeed in LBS's demanding curriculum. Your test score serves as evidence of academic readiness, but it tells the admissions committee nothing about whether you will contribute meaningfully to classroom discussions, collaborate effectively with peers from 65 different countries, or ultimately achieve your career ambitions.

When evaluating your application, LBS 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 data point. If you have a 760 GMAT but only three years of work experience without clear evidence of leadership impact, or if your application essays reveal that you have not genuinely considered why LBS specifically is the right program for you, the admissions committee will not overlook these shortcomings because of your high test score. Conversely, if you have a 710 GMAT but a compelling narrative about building a successful startup, strong recommendations that testify to your leadership and interpersonal impact, and essays that demonstrate deep alignment with LBS's values and program strengths, you will be viewed favorably despite scoring slightly below the median. This dynamic explains why many applicants with scores in the 680 to 710 range gain admission, while applicants with scores above 750 receive rejection letters. Your goal is to present yourself as a well-rounded candidate whose GMAT score demonstrates that you have the intellectual foundation to handle LBS's rigorous quantitative coursework while your other application materials show why you will thrive in an intensely collaborative, global environment and make meaningful contributions to the LBS community and your classmates' learning experience.

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