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

NYU Stern's most recent entering class (Class of 2027) achieved an average GMAT 10th Edition score of 737, positioning the school among the most selective MBA programs in the country. The middle 80% range of 690 to 760 demonstrates meaningful diversity in the admitted class despite the competitive profile. The 70-point spread in Stern's GMAT range reveals that test scores alone do not determine admission outcomes, and qualified applicants across a broad spectrum of scores successfully gain entry to the program. For the GMAT Focus Edition, approximately 682 median with a range of 645 to 725, you can see how the newer test format produces lower absolute scores but maintains similar competitive positioning. This score profile places Stern alongside other elite business schools, making it one of the most competitive MBA programs globally.

A highly competitive GMAT score for Stern typically falls between 720 and 750, though your overall candidacy profile significantly influences what score becomes necessary for your specific situation. You could receive an admission offer with a 710 GMAT if your professional experience, leadership track record, and application essays are exceptionally compelling, or face rejection with a 745 GMAT if other dimensions of your candidacy fall short of expectations. There is no official minimum GMAT score requirement at Stern, but scores below 690 create substantial headwinds that demand extraordinary compensating strengths elsewhere in your application. Stern has admitted students with scores as low as 600 and as high as 780, but these represent rare exceptions. If your score lands in the 720 to 740 range, you are solidly within the typical profile and your test performance is unlikely to be a concern when admissions officers evaluate your file. Scores below 710 require that you bring demonstrable professional accomplishments, clear career direction, or a distinctive personal background that persuades the admissions team you will thrive in Stern's rigorous curriculum regardless of your test performance.

When assessing what constitutes a strong GMAT score at Stern, recognize that the 737 average represents a snapshot of admitted students with highly varied backgrounds and experiences, not a universal threshold for success. A score in the 730 to 760 range positions you excellently and means your GMAT will not raise concerns during the review process. If you achieve 760 or higher, your test score becomes a clear strength that demonstrates strong quantitative reasoning ability, though this advantage does not guarantee admission or amplify your chances for scholarships. Similarly, a score between 710 and 730 remains very competitive for Stern and signals solid analytical preparation, even though it sits slightly below the median. The minimum realistic score for a genuine shot at admission typically hovers around 680 to 690, where you would need to compensate significantly through exceptional professional credentials, distinctive essays that articulate your vision, strong recommendations that highlight your potential, or personal experiences that set you apart from other applicants. Anything below 680 creates a steep challenge, and you would need to demonstrate truly remarkable professional achievements or unique perspectives to overcome that deficit in a highly selective applicant pool.

NYU Stern requires all applicants to submit standardized test scores and does not operate as a test-optional program, though the school does offer test waivers for specific candidates. You must submit either a GMAT (10th edition or Focus Edition), GRE, Executive Assessment, LSAT, MCAT, or DAT score with your application, unless you qualify for one of Stern's designated test waivers. The available waivers include a Business Major waiver for those with an undergraduate business degree and 3.20 or higher GPA, an NYU waiver for NYU undergraduates with a 3.20 or higher GPA, and a military waiver for active duty service members and veterans. Roughly 6 to 13 percent of applicants receive approved test waivers in recent cycles, making waiver approval relatively selective. If you do not qualify for a waiver, you must complete and submit official test scores within five years of your application date.

Your GMAT score operates as one meaningful component within Stern's holistic evaluation of your complete application rather than as a standalone predictor of admission success. The admissions committee evaluates your academic preparation (undergraduate GPA averaging 3.64), professional experience (average 5.1 years), leadership potential, essays that demonstrate your authentic fit with Stern's mission, EQ (emotional intelligence) endorsements from current or former supervisors, and your personal characteristics that suggest you will contribute to the Stern community. Stern explicitly employs a holistic admissions philosophy where your GMAT score serves as evidence of academic readiness but does not determine whether you possess the professional maturity, leadership presence, or interpersonal skills necessary to succeed in their MBA program. The school values what admissions leaders call "IQ plus EQ," meaning they want students who combine intellectual horsepower with emotional intelligence and the ability to lead and collaborate effectively. Your test score simply demonstrates that you have the quantitative reasoning and analytical foundation needed for Stern's demanding MBA coursework, which includes rigorous courses in finance, statistics, economics, and corporate valuation.

When evaluating your full candidacy, Stern considers how your GMAT score fits within the context of your complete profile rather than treating it as an isolated metric that drives admission decisions. If you submit a 755 GMAT but have minimal work experience, unclear career goals, weak recommendations, or generic essays that do not convey your personality and vision, the admissions committee will not overlook these shortcomings because of your exceptional test score. Conversely, if you have a 715 GMAT but demonstrate a compelling five-year progression in consulting with increasing leadership responsibility, thoughtful essays that explain why Stern specifically aligns with your ambitions, glowing recommendations that detail your impact on teams and organizations, and evidence of personal resilience or unique perspective, Stern will view your candidacy favorably. This reality explains why applicants with scores slightly below the average (like 705 to 720) gain admission, while applicants with scores well above 750 receive rejection letters. Your best strategy is to present yourself as a well-rounded candidate whose GMAT demonstrates you possess the intellectual capability to handle Stern's analytical coursework while your professional achievements, essays, and recommendations show why you will make a meaningful contribution to the Stern community and benefit significantly from the MBA experience.

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.

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