Copenhagen Business School MBA GRE: Average Scores, Ranges, and What You Need to Know

The Copenhagen MBA program reports an average combined GRE score of 320 from admitted candidates, with a stated minimum requirement of 300. These figures position Copenhagen Business School as a moderately competitive program within the European MBA landscape, requiring a solid but not exceptional test performance relative to top-tier US business schools. While the school maintains a strong emphasis on triple-accreditation (AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB) and global rankings around the top 25 in Europe, the GRE expectations reflect a more balanced approach to admissions compared to elite American MBA programs. The average class contains approximately 43 students with an average of 6.4 years of work experience and a strong international composition of 90 percent international students.

A good GRE score for Copenhagen Business School means understanding that you are applying to a one-year, Europe-based program that prioritizes professional maturity and international perspective as much as quantitative prowess. You should aim for a combined GRE score of at least 310-315 to position yourself as a competitive candidate, ideally targeting 320 or above to match or exceed the class average. A score below 300 falls below the official minimum and will almost certainly result in a rejected application, regardless of other strengths. The reality is that while CBS does not publish extensive data on GRE score distributions, the minimum 300 benchmark suggests that you need to demonstrate basic competency in both verbal and quantitative reasoning, particularly given that many Copenhagen MBA students bring significant work experience in consulting, healthcare, technology, and finance sectors.

What makes a strong GRE score for Copenhagen Business School is recognizing that a high test score alone will not secure your admission to this program. CBS explicitly states it seeks varied, well-rounded candidates and prides itself on building highly diversified classes, which means your test score is evaluated alongside your professional narrative, your international mindset, your motivation for the program, your leadership potential, and the strength of your recommendations. The admissions committee views your GRE score as evidence that you can handle the mathematical and analytical components of the MBA curriculum, but it is far from the primary factor that determines whether you receive an offer. If your GRE score is below 305, you should seriously consider retaking the exam, but you should also invest significant energy into strengthening your professional narrative, demonstrating why the Copenhagen MBA specifically aligns with your career trajectory, and securing compelling letters of recommendation from people who can speak to your impact and leadership abilities.

Copenhagen Business School MBA is not test optional. You are required to submit either a GMAT or GRE score as a mandatory component of your application. The school clearly states that a minimum GMAT score of 600 (or GMAT Focus Edition score of 555) or a combined GRE score of 300 is essential for admission consideration. Unlike some newer MBA programs that have moved toward test-optional policies, CBS maintains this requirement across all applicants and offers no waivers or exemptions. The school accepts both the traditional GRE General Test and has confirmed acceptance of GRE scores for several years, treating GRE and GMAT performances as equivalent measures of your quantitative and verbal abilities.

When Copenhagen Business School evaluates your GRE score, the admissions team uses it as part of a holistic assessment that examines your entire profile in context. Your test score confirms that you possess the foundational analytical and communication skills needed to succeed in a data-intensive MBA program, but it is only one component of what CBS considers when making admission decisions. The school explicitly looks at your undergraduate academics and the prestige of your institution, your professional trajectory and evidence of impact in your current or previous roles, your international background and cross-cultural perspective, how clearly you articulate your motivations for pursuing an MBA at this specific point in your career, and what your recommenders say about your leadership potential and ability to contribute to a diverse cohort. If you have a strong GRE score but your professional experience is early-stage or your career direction is unclear, if your essays do not convincingly explain why CBS is the right program for you, or if your recommenders cannot speak to meaningful examples of your leadership, your application will not move forward regardless of your test score.

The CBS MBA admissions process reflects the school's commitment to building a class of internationally diverse professionals who can drive sustainable business impact. A solid GRE score is a table-stakes requirement that demonstrates you can keep pace academically, but it does not distinguish you from other competitive applicants in Copenhagen's selective admissions pool. What actually sets apart admitted candidates is the combination of respectable academics (including a competitive GRE score), meaningful professional experience with concrete examples of leadership and measurable contributions, a well-reasoned articulation of why you need this one-year program at this moment in your career, and strong references from people who have directly observed your ability to lead teams, drive results, and navigate complex business challenges. You should invest as much time and thoughtfulness in crafting your application essays and preparing for your interviews as you do in preparing for the GRE, because both components carry substantial weight in how the admissions team evaluates your candidacy.

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.