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

Wharton's most recent entering class (Class of 2027) has an average GMAT 10th Edition score of 735, placing the school among the most selective MBA programs in the world. The middle 80% range spans from 680 to 770, reflecting that Wharton admits talented students across a meaningful spectrum of test scores. The 90-point spread in Wharton's GMAT range demonstrates that your test score is one piece of a much larger evaluation, and a strong overall profile can carry you even if your GMAT falls slightly below the median. For applicants who submit the GMAT Focus Edition, the average sits at 676, with a range of approximately 620 to 725. Wharton's position at the top of the M7 business schools hierarchy means you are competing against candidates from around the world who represent exceptional professional achievements, leadership experience, and academic excellence, making this one of the most competitive MBA programs globally.

For Wharton, a competitive GMAT score typically lands between 710 and 750, though competitiveness depends on your full candidacy and background. You could receive an admit with a 700 GMAT if your work experience is particularly distinguished or your background brings unique perspectives to the class, while a 750 applicant might face rejection if essays lack clarity about MBA goals or recommendations suggest limited impact in your current role. There is no official minimum GMAT score at Wharton, but scores below 680 create substantial headwind in an admissions process where the middle 80% of admitted students fall well above this threshold. Wharton has admitted students with scores as low as 630 in recent years, but these represent exceptional cases where other elements of the profile more than compensated for the lower test score. If your GMAT lands in the 710 to 735 range, you are solidly within the typical profile and your test score will not be a barrier to consideration.

When evaluating what constitutes a strong GMAT score at Wharton, recognize that the 735 average represents a highly accomplished group of admitted students, not a universal threshold for success. A score between 720 and 750 positions you very well and signals to admissions officers that you have strong quantitative reasoning skills without the test becoming a major differentiator in your application review. Scoring above 750 is excellent and removes any concern about your analytical capability, but this advantage does not extend to other components of your application such as essays, work experience, or recommendations. A score between 700 and 720 remains quite competitive for Wharton, especially if you bring other strengths like significant leadership track record, international experience, or a compelling career transition story. The realistic minimum score for a serious shot at admission is around 680 to 690, where you must demonstrate extraordinary professional achievements, unique cultural background, or other distinctive qualities that show you will contribute meaningfully to the Wharton community. Any score below 680 puts you at a significant disadvantage and would require truly exceptional circumstances to overcome the deficit in a highly competitive applicant pool where most admitted students score considerably higher.

Wharton is not test-optional and requires all applicants to submit either a GMAT (10th Edition or Focus Edition), GRE, or Executive Assessment score. Approximately 60% of applicants submit GMAT scores while roughly 40% submit GRE scores, and Wharton explicitly states there is no preference between the two tests. Both the legacy GMAT and the Focus Edition are equally accepted and evaluated, and you should choose whichever exam allows you to perform at your highest level. Wharton does not offer waivers from the testing requirement for any applicant, making standardized test scores a mandatory component of your application.

Your GMAT score serves as one component of Wharton's holistic evaluation of your complete candidacy, functioning as evidence of quantitative reasoning ability rather than as a predictor of admission success on its own. The admissions committee reviews your entire profile including your undergraduate GPA (average for admitted students is 3.68), professional work experience (average is five years), demonstrated leadership and impact, application essays, professional recommendations, career goals clarity, and the perspectives and backgrounds you bring to the classroom. Wharton uses your GMAT primarily to verify that you have the analytical foundation to succeed in the program's rigorous curriculum, not as a threshold that differentiates qualified from unqualified candidates. Your test score represents academic readiness, but it does not indicate whether you will thrive in team-based learning, whether your career goals align with Wharton's strengths, or whether you will become a valued member of the Wharton community. The school explicitly operates under a "read to admit" philosophy, meaning admissions officers evaluate applications in the light most favorable to you and consider your GMAT alongside percentiles and context.

When Wharton evaluates your application, your GMAT score sits within the broader context of who you are and what you will contribute to the program rather than standing alone as a metric. If you have a 755 GMAT but your essays feel generic, your recommendations lack specific examples of your impact, and your career goals lack clarity, the admissions committee will not overlook these weaknesses because of your strong test score. Conversely, if your GMAT sits at 705 but you have demonstrated exceptional career progression, earned strong recommendations that highlight your influence on teams, crafted compelling essays that show genuine reflection about your MBA goals, and bring a perspective underrepresented in MBA classes, Wharton will view your application very favorably. This reality explains why many applicants with scores slightly below the 735 average (such as 710 to 720) gain admission, while applicants with scores above 750 sometimes receive rejection letters. Your objective is to present yourself as a complete candidate whose GMAT score demonstrates you have the analytical capability to handle Wharton's case method and quantitative courses while your other application materials show why you are ready for an MBA at this specific point in your career and what unique value you will bring to your peers and to the broader Wharton community.

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.