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

Cornell Johnson's MBA program average GRE scores is estimated to be 160 on both the Verbal and Quantitative sections for admitted students, placing the school in a competitive tier among top business schools across the country. While Cornell does not formally publish GRE ranges in the same way it does GMAT data (the middle 80% GMAT range is 660-740), the equivalencies between GMAT and GRE suggest that a competitive GRE score at Johnson is in the 155-165 range per section. Keep in mind that these numbers represent the admitted pool, not the applicant pool, so there will be admitted students above and below these ranges depending on the strength of their overall profile.

A good GRE score for Cornell Johnson means understanding what "competitive" actually means at an Ivy League school with a 28% acceptance rate. You should be targeting a score of 158 or above on both Quantitative and Verbal sections to position yourself as a credible candidate who can handle Johnson's rigorous coursework. Scores below 155 on either section raise questions about your analytical readiness, though they do not automatically disqualify you if your overall profile is exceptionally strong. The reality is that Cornell attracts applicants with outstanding academics, relevant work experience, and often advanced professional credentials, so a GRE score alone, even a strong one, will not guarantee your admission to Johnson.

What matters most at Cornell Johnson is recognizing that your GRE score functions as a threshold indicator rather than a primary differentiator in the admissions process. Many applicants with GRE scores of 162-165 are rejected because their work experience narrative, professional impact, or stated career goals do not convince the admissions committee they will thrive in Johnson's collaborative environment or contribute meaningfully to the class. If you score below 155 on either section, you should seriously consider retaking the exam, but you should simultaneously strengthen other parts of your application by developing a clear post-MBA career vision and working with recommenders who can speak authentically to your leadership potential and analytical capabilities. Johnson views your test score as one piece of evidence that you possess the intellectual foundation to succeed, not as the primary factor determining your admission outcome.

Cornell Johnson is not test optional. You are required to submit either a GMAT or GRE score as part of your application, though the school does offer test waivers for applicants who meet specific criteria. These waivers are available to candidates with a STEM, business, or analytical undergraduate or graduate degree (with a 3.0 GPA or equivalent), those holding CPA or CFA certifications, or those with post-undergraduate, full-time work experience in analytical or quantitative functions. Johnson explicitly states there is no negative bias toward waiver recipients, and waiver decisions are typically communicated within 5-7 business days of application submission. If your waiver is not approved, your application remains incomplete until you submit a test score.

When Johnson reviews your GRE score, the admissions committee situates it within a comprehensive, holistic assessment of your entire profile. Your score helps Johnson confirm that you have the intellectual foundation to succeed in a quantitatively demanding MBA curriculum, but it is not the deciding factor in whether you receive an admission offer. The school explicitly states it takes a holistic approach, reviewing a wide array of quantitative and qualitative data to determine who belongs in the class. Johnson considers your undergraduate GPA, your professional trajectory and demonstrated impact, your leadership potential, your career goals and how Johnson fits into your vision, and what your recommenders can authentically say about your capabilities. If you have a strong GRE score but your work experience is thin, your essays lack focus, or your recommenders cannot point to concrete examples of your leadership, you will not be admitted.

Cornell Johnson's approach to GRE scores reflects the school's belief that admissions decisions should depend on the whole person, not just numbers. A high GRE score signals that you can keep pace with the academic material, but it does not separate competitive applicants from weaker ones in Johnson's selective pool. What actually distinguishes admitted candidates is the combination of solid academics (including your test score), genuine professional experience with clear examples of leadership and impact, a well-articulated post-MBA career vision, and letters of recommendation that verify your abilities and potential. You should invest as much time crafting your essays, understanding why Johnson specifically fits your goals, and securing strong recommendations as you spend preparing for the GRE, because both are equally important to Johnson's decision makers. The school is looking for people who will thrive in its tight-knit, collaborative community and go on to make meaningful contributions in their fields, and your test score is just one way Johnson assesses whether you have what it takes.

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