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

Oxford Saïd MBA's most recent entering class has a median GMAT 10th Edition score of 690, making this program highly selective and competitive within the European MBA landscape. The school reports that competitive GMAT scores fall within the 650 to 740 range, which demonstrates the breadth of admitted candidates' test performance. The relatively wide 90-point spread between 650 and 740 reveals that while GMAT is important, Oxford places substantial emphasis on evaluating your complete candidacy rather than viewing test scores as the primary determinant of admission. For the GMAT Focus Edition, which approximately one third of incoming candidates submit, the median score of 635 is roughly equivalent to the 10th Edition median of 690 in terms of percentile ranking. This competitive profile places Oxford Saïd at the upper tier of global MBA programs, drawing talented professionals from 63 nationalities who bring diverse perspectives to the classroom.

A strong GMAT score for Oxford MBA typically falls between 680 and 720, though competitiveness varies significantly based on your overall application strength and professional background. You could receive an admit with a 650 GMAT if your work experience demonstrates exceptional impact and leadership, or face rejection with a 710 if your essays are unfocused or your professional story lacks clarity. Oxford does not officially specify a minimum GMAT score, but the school notes that scores below 595 on the Focus Edition (approximately 600 on the 10th Edition) will make your candidacy substantially weaker without extraordinary compensating factors elsewhere in your profile. The school has admitted students with scores as low as 580 and as high as 760, but these represent outliers at either end of the spectrum. If your score lands between 660 and 700, you are well-positioned within the typical admitted cohort and will not face disadvantage from your test performance.

When evaluating what constitutes a competitive GMAT score at Oxford, you should recognize that the 690 median represents a snapshot of last year's diverse class and not a universal threshold for success. A score in the 700 to 730 range puts you in excellent standing where admissions officers will view your test performance as demonstrating strong quantitative capability without concern. If you achieve a score above 740, your GMAT becomes a clear strength that may support your application, yet remember this advantage does not overcome weakness in other dimensions like work experience or unclear career goals. Similarly, a score between 660 and 700 remains quite competitive for Oxford and signals solid analytical ability, even though it sits slightly below the median. The practical minimum score for a realistic shot at admission is typically around 620 to 640, where you would need to compensate through distinctive professional achievements, compelling essays that tell a coherent story, strong recommendations from leaders who know your work, or unique international experience. Anything below 620 creates a considerable challenge, and you would need to demonstrate truly standout qualifications to overcome that deficit in this highly competitive applicant pool.

Oxford Saïd MBA is not test-optional and requires all applicants to submit either a GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, or GRE score as a mandatory component of your application. The school does not waive this requirement for any applicant regardless of academic background or professional experience level. Both the 10th Edition GMAT and the Focus Edition are equally accepted, and you may alternatively choose to submit a GRE if that exam better showcases your strengths. Oxford treats the GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition, and GRE equally in its evaluation process, so you should select the exam format on which you can achieve your strongest possible score while maintaining balanced section performance across quantitative and verbal reasoning.

Your GMAT score functions as one component within Oxford's holistic evaluation of your overall candidacy, not as a standalone predictor of admission success. The admissions committee reviews your entire profile, including your undergraduate academic record, your work experience (the average admitted student has six years of professional experience), professional accomplishments and demonstrated impact, your application essays which reveal your thinking and aspirations, recommendations from leaders who can speak to your potential, and your personal background which may bring unique perspectives. Oxford explicitly states that your GMAT score is one piece of a much larger puzzle, and a high test score cannot compensate for weak essays, limited professional experience, or unclear motivation for pursuing an MBA. The school uses your GMAT primarily to assess whether you have developed the quantitative reasoning and analytical problem-solving skills necessary to succeed in Oxford's rigorous curriculum spanning finance, analytics, and data-driven strategy courses. Your test score serves as evidence of academic readiness and intellectual horsepower, but it does not determine whether you will thrive in the classroom or contribute meaningfully to the Oxford community.

When evaluating your application, Oxford 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 730 GMAT but limited work experience, vague post-MBA goals, or generic application essays, the admissions committee will not overlook these significant shortcomings because of your strong test score. Conversely, if you have a 665 GMAT but a compelling career narrative demonstrating leadership and impact, strong recommendations from senior colleagues, and essays that articulate why you need an MBA at Oxford specifically to advance your goals, your application will receive favorable consideration. This reality explains why many applicants with scores in the 650 to 690 range gain admission, while some applicants with scores above 720 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 Oxford's demanding analytical coursework while your work experience, essays, and recommendations show why you will flourish in this one-year intensive program and add meaningful value to your classmates' learning experience.

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