Cambridge MBA GRE: Average Scores, Ranges, and What You Need to Know

The Cambridge MBA incoming class demonstrates notably strong quantitative performance with an average GRE quantitative score of 163 paired with a solid verbal average of 158, reflecting the program's analytical demands and need for clear communication. This profile positions Cambridge among Europe's most selective MBA programs, with quantitative expectations that rival many top U.S. institutions despite the school's global focus. The emphasis on a strong quantitative average of 163 reflects Cambridge's expectation that students can handle the rigorous, data-driven curriculum compressed into an intensive twelve-month period. The school explicitly states that it values balanced percentile scores across both sections, meaning your profile should demonstrate strength in both areas rather than reliance on one exceptional section to compensate for weakness in another.

Understanding what constitutes a good GRE score for Cambridge means recognizing that you need to aim for the range where admitted students typically land, which is around 156-165 on verbal and 160-170 on quantitative based on the averages you are competing against. You should target a score of at least 155 on verbal and 160 on quantitative to position yourself as a viable candidate. Scores that fall significantly below 150 on verbal or below 155 on quantitative raise legitimate questions about whether you can keep pace with Cambridge's intellectual rigor and contribute meaningfully to class discussions that blend strategic thinking with analytical depth. Remember that Cambridge has roughly a 30% acceptance rate, so you are competing against candidates with exceptional academic backgrounds, an average of six years of professional experience, and often advanced skills in finance, consulting, technology, or entrepreneurship. A strong GRE score helps, but it is only one component of what makes you competitive.

A good GRE score for Cambridge is one that matches or exceeds the program's demonstrated profile, yet here is what truly matters: achieving a GRE score of 163 quantitative and 158 verbal will not guarantee your admission to this school. Many applicants submit GRE scores that meet or exceed these averages and receive rejection letters because their overall profile does not convince the admissions committee they will add value to the class or thrive in the program's intense environment. Cambridge uses your test score as evidence that you possess the analytical and verbal skills required to survive the curriculum, not as a factor that independently moves you toward acceptance. If your GRE score falls meaningfully below the 155-160 range on either section, you should strongly consider retaking the exam to avoid being screened out before your application is fully evaluated. However, you should simultaneously recognize that if your professional impact is limited, your recommender letters do not speak to genuine leadership, or your essays lack clarity about why you need this MBA, a slightly higher test score will not overcome those weaknesses.

The Cambridge MBA is not test optional. Cambridge Judge Business School requires all applicants to submit either a GMAT (classic or Focus Edition format), a GRE score, or the GMAT Focus Edition as part of the application, with no exceptions and no waivers offered to any candidate. The school explicitly states that it cannot review your application until you have provided an official test score report, and you must make your score report available for online verification. Both the GMAT and GRE are treated with complete equality in the evaluation process, meaning the admissions team has absolutely no preference for one exam over the other. Your score must fall within the five year validity window established by the testing agencies at the time you submit your application.

When Cambridge evaluates your GRE score, the admissions committee examines it within the context of your entire candidacy and potential to thrive in this demanding one-year program. Your test score provides concrete evidence that you can handle quantitative reasoning, data analysis, and complex verbal communication in English, but it is just one input in a much broader evaluation that includes your work experience, professional achievements, leadership demonstrated through your recommender's eyes, and your articulation of why Cambridge specifically is the right next step. The admissions team looks at your undergraduate transcript and institution, your professional trajectory and the impact you have had in your roles, what your former supervisor or manager can say about your capabilities and work ethic, your essays and how clearly you articulate your post-MBA vision, and how well you explain your motivation for pursuing an MBA at Cambridge rather than elsewhere. If you have a competitive GRE score but your work experience is only slightly above the two-year minimum, your recommender letter is generic, or your essays read as though they could apply to any MBA program, you will not move forward. Conversely, if your GRE score is solid but not remarkable, and your professional story demonstrates clear impact, measurable leadership growth, and a well-researched vision for your MBA and beyond, you can absolutely receive an offer.

Cambridge's commitment to holistic admissions means your GRE score is evaluated in context with everything else about who you are and what you bring to the classroom. A GRE quantitative score of 163 or higher is a credential that signals you can keep up with the analytical side of the curriculum, but it does not set you apart from other strong applicants in Cambridge's competitive pool. What actually differentiates admitted candidates is the combination of solid academics and a competitive test score, genuinely impressive professional achievements that your recommender can verify, clear evidence of leadership and impact in your roles, a thoughtful and specific articulation of your career vision before and after the MBA, and essays that demonstrate you have done real research into Cambridge and understand why this particular program fits your goals. You should invest as much time and energy into developing your professional narrative, working closely with your recommender to ensure they understand your key strengths, and crafting essays that reveal genuine insight into your ambitions as you do in preparing for the GRE, because the admissions committee cares equally about all these elements.

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.