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

CEIBS MBA's most recent incoming classes have reported an average GRE composite score of 329, with data from recent cohorts showing consistent averages around 325 to 329 across multiple years. This average places CEIBS in the competitive international MBA space, though it sits somewhat lower than many top-tier American and European programs that often average in the 330 plus range. While CEIBS does not publicly disclose the middle 80% range or breakdowns for Verbal and Quantitative sections, the school emphasizes that it evaluates all three test formats (GMAT, GRE, and its proprietary CEIBS Admission Test) equally when assessing your candidacy.

If you are aiming to be a competitive candidate at CEIBS, you should target a GRE score of 320 or above, with ideally pushing toward 330 plus if you want to strengthen this component of your application. A score below 310 begins to create a meaningful disadvantage in an already selective admissions process, though this alone will not automatically disqualify you if your work experience, essays, and interview performance are exceptionally strong. Keep in mind that CEIBS attracts many applicants from mainland China and the wider Asia-Pacific region who often bring significant professional credentials, so your test score serves as an important signal of academic readiness rather than as your primary competitive advantage.

The reality at CEIBS is that achieving a high GRE score does not guarantee admission, and conversely, scoring in the 300 to 320 range does not automatically eliminate you from consideration. The admissions committee states explicitly that they conduct a holistic review of your entire profile, which means your test score is weighed alongside your academic background, your professional track record, your essays, your recommendation letters, and your interview performance. Many applicants with GRE scores of 330 plus are rejected because their overall profile fails to demonstrate the management potential, cultural fit, and clarity of purpose that CEIBS seeks. If your GRE falls below 315, you should seriously consider whether retaking the exam makes sense for your timeline and circumstances, but you should simultaneously invest considerable effort into crafting compelling essays and securing strong recommender letters that bring your full story to life.

CEIBS MBA is not test optional. You are required to submit either a GMAT score, a GRE score, or a score from CEIBS's proprietary Admission Test in order to complete your application. The school treats all three test formats equally, so you have flexibility in choosing which exam to take, but you cannot skip the standardized test requirement entirely. If you find the GRE challenging, you have the option of taking the CEIBS Admission Test instead, which is free once you have submitted your MBA application form and covers similar content to the GMAT's Verbal and Quantitative sections.

When CEIBS evaluates your GRE score, the admissions committee views it as evidence that you possess the analytical foundation necessary to succeed in a rigorous, internationally-focused MBA curriculum. Your test score serves as one data point confirming your ability to handle quantitative problem solving and verbal reasoning, but it is not the factor that determines whether you earn admission to the school. CEIBS is equally interested in understanding your career trajectory, your leadership experiences, your motivation for pursuing an MBA in Shanghai specifically, and what unique perspectives you will bring to a cohort of roughly 120 students from multiple countries. If you have a solid GRE score but a weak professional narrative or unclear post-MBA goals, the admissions committee will not find you compelling. Conversely, if your test score is slightly below the average but your professional achievements are impressive and your vision for using the MBA is clear, you can still be admitted.

The school emphasizes in its application materials that it takes a holistic approach to admissions evaluation, meaning your GRE score is reviewed in context with everything else in your candidacy file. A high GRE score does not compensate for weak essays, lack of meaningful work experience, or poor performance in your interview, all of which are required for admission. You should invest equal energy in preparing for the interview as you do in studying for the GRE, because that conversation with the admissions team will often be the decisive moment where your potential becomes clear. Focus on developing a coherent narrative about why you want to study in Shanghai, what you aim to accomplish in your career, and how your background positions you to contribute meaningfully to the CEIBS 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.