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

SDA Bocconi's average GMAT score of 665 on the 10th Edition positions the school as a strong but more accessible option compared to top-tier European MBA programs like INSEAD (median 710) or LBS (median 710). The school does not officially publish detailed score ranges or distributions, which reflects its commitment to holistic admissions where work experience, professional accomplishments, and cultural fit matter as much as test scores. Admitted students have scored across a meaningful spectrum from around 620 to 710, demonstrating that SDA Bocconi welcomes well-rounded professionals who may not have scored above 700 but bring other compelling strengths to the program. What makes SDA Bocconi distinctive among Europe's elite MBA programs is that it balances academic rigor with pragmatism about test scores, recognizing that a 665 average can be achieved by candidates with diverse backgrounds and skill sets.

A competitive GMAT score for SDA Bocconi typically falls between 650 and 700, which keeps you well within the range of successful candidates from recent entering classes. You could receive an admission offer with a 640 GMAT if your professional experience, essays, and overall candidacy are exceptionally compelling, or face rejection with a 710 if your work experience is limited or your post-MBA goals lack clarity. There is no official minimum GMAT score cutoff at SDA Bocconi, but scoring above 650 on the 10th Edition is strongly recommended to remain competitive. Scores below 620 place you at a meaningful disadvantage unless you have other extraordinary strengths such as exceptional work experience in a prestigious role, an unusual international background, or clear evidence of leadership impact that clearly compensates for the lower test result.

When considering what qualifies as a truly competitive GMAT score at SDA Bocconi, you should understand that the 665 average encompasses an incoming class with 5.5 years of average work experience and significant geographic diversity across 40 countries. A score between 680 and 710 puts you in excellent standing and signals that your quantitative reasoning skills will not be questioned during admissions review, allowing evaluators to focus on your essays, professional narrative, and fit with the program. If you achieve a score above 710, your GMAT becomes a clear credential strength, but remember that this advantage does not overshadow other components of your application or guarantee admission. A score between 650 and 680 remains competitive for SDA Bocconi and indicates solid analytical ability, and many successful applicants fall within this range. The realistic minimum score to have a fair chance at admission is around 630 to 645, where you would need to demonstrate strong compensating factors such as 6 or more years of progressive career growth, evidence of leadership in your role, a compelling narrative about why you need an MBA now, and strong reference letters from professionals who can attest to your capabilities and potential.

SDA Bocconi is not test-optional and requires all applicants to submit a GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment score. The school makes GMAT and GRE equally acceptable testing options, and in rare cases, you may be permitted to take the internal SDA Test for a fee of 100 euros as an alternative to standardized tests. Candidates are encouraged to score above 650 on the GMAT 10th Edition and 595 on the GMAT Focus Edition, with equivalent performance expected for GRE submissions. The school does not waive test requirements for any applicant regardless of background or credentials, so you must plan to submit a valid test score as part of your application package.

Your GMAT score at SDA Bocconi functions as one component within the school's holistic evaluation of your complete profile, not as the primary determinant of admission success. The admissions committee reviews your work experience (average is 5.5 years), educational background (44 percent of the Class of 2026 holds economics degrees, while 28 percent studied engineering), professional accomplishments, essays that demonstrate alignment with the school's values of entrepreneurship and global mindset, professional recommendations, and your overall potential to contribute to the diverse cohort. SDA Bocconi explicitly emphasizes that strong GMAT scores cannot compensate for limited work experience, unfocused career goals, or essays that fail to articulate why this specific program makes sense for you at this moment in your career. Your test score primarily provides evidence that you possess the quantitative reasoning and problem-solving skills necessary to succeed in the program's rigorous curriculum. The school uses your GMAT results to confirm academic readiness, but it does not determine whether you will bring valuable perspectives to classroom discussions, contribute to your classmates' learning, or achieve the career outcomes the program enables.

When SDA Bocconi evaluates your application, admissions officers consider how your GMAT score fits within the broader context of your entire candidacy rather than treating it as an isolated achievement. If you submit a 720 GMAT but have only three years of work experience with minimal career progression, your above-average test score cannot offset concerns about your professional maturity and readiness for an MBA. Conversely, if you submit a 645 GMAT but demonstrate eight years of experience in a competitive industry, evidence of meaningful leadership impact, strong recommendations praising your analytical abilities, and compelling essays that explain why you are choosing this program now, SDA Bocconi will view your application favorably despite a below-average test score. This reality explains why many applicants with scores between 640 and 675 gain admission while some applicants with scores above 710 receive rejection letters. Your objective is to present yourself as a well-developed professional whose GMAT score provides additional confidence that you can handle Bocconi's quantitative coursework, while your work experience, recommendations, and essays demonstrate that you will thrive in the program and meaningfully contribute to your classmates' development throughout your time at the school.

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