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

The Darden MBA program attracts candidates with strong GRE performance across all sections, with an average combined score of 322. These averages place Darden among the top MBA programs in the country, where test performance demonstrates your foundational readiness for rigorous analytical coursework and clear communication in a competitive, case-based learning environment. The middle 80% score range of 311-335 on the GRE combined test shows that Darden welcomes a range of test-takers while maintaining high standards for academic preparation, and for individual sections, successful candidates typically score between 156 and 168 on Verbal and between 155 and 167 on Quantitative.

To position yourself as a competitive candidate at Darden, you should aim for a GRE combined score of 320 or higher, which places you at or above the class average. A score in the 320-330 range on the combined GRE puts you squarely in the middle of successful Darden applicants and demonstrates that you can handle the school's quantitative demands with confidence. If your GRE score falls below 305, you may face challenges in the admissions process unless other elements of your application, such as a strong professional track record, compelling narrative, or exceptional letters of recommendation, substantially strengthen your candidacy. That said, Darden explicitly emphasizes that it takes a holistic approach, meaning a slightly below-average test score does not automatically disqualify you if your overall profile is impressive, but understand that you will be working against the odds without a strong score to support your other credentials.

A good GRE score at Darden is one that convinces the admissions committee you possess the intellectual horsepower to succeed in the program, but scoring well on the GRE alone will not secure your admission to this school. Many applicants with GRE scores in the 325-330 range are rejected because their professional experience lacks depth, their career vision is unclear, or their essays fail to make a compelling case for why they belong at Darden specifically. Darden reviews your test score as one data point in a comprehensive evaluation of who you are as a person and professional, not as a primary driver of admission decisions. The school emphasizes that standardized tests are just one piece of a much broader, holistic assessment, and admissions officers are equally concerned with the quality of your leadership narrative, the strength of your recommender letters, and how well you articulate your post-MBA goals.

Darden's Full-Time MBA program requires a standardized test score for admission. You must submit either a GRE or GMAT (along with the Executive Assessment, MCAT, or LSAT if you prefer) as part of your application unless you qualify for a test waiver. Darden does offer selective test waivers to candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic or professional credentials, such as those with strong undergraduate performance in analytical coursework, advanced degrees in quantitative fields, or significant work experience in quantitative roles (such as finance, engineering, or data science). However, these waivers are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the school does not automatically grant them, meaning you should plan to take and submit a standardized test score unless you have a very specific reason to believe you would qualify for an exemption.

When evaluating your application, Darden uses your GRE score to verify that you can handle the intellectual rigor of the MBA curriculum and keep pace with your peers in a data-driven, case-based classroom. Your test score serves as a checkpoint that confirms your analytical foundation, but it does not distinguish strong applicants from weaker ones in a competitive applicant pool where most people score well. The admissions committee looks at your test score alongside your undergraduate academic performance, the quality and depth of your professional experience, your demonstrated leadership and impact in your career, your reasons for pursuing an MBA now, and how well you explain why Darden specifically aligns with your ambitions. If you have a solid GRE score but your work experience is narrow, your essays lack focus, or your recommenders cannot speak to your leadership abilities, the committee will not offer admission. On the flip side, if your GRE score is slightly below the average but your professional narrative is compelling, your leadership trajectory is clear, and your recommenders enthusiastically endorse your potential, you still have a genuine path to admission.

Darden has made it clear through its holistic admissions philosophy that your GRE score is necessary but not sufficient for acceptance. A strong test score opens the door by demonstrating you possess baseline analytical competence, but what actually moves you toward an offer is the totality of your application, including your essays, your recommender letters, your interview performance, and your demonstrated ability to contribute meaningfully to the Darden community. You should prepare thoroughly for the GRE and aim for a score that meets or exceeds the class average, but do not make the mistake of thinking a high GRE score alone will carry you to admission. Instead, invest equal energy in crafting thoughtful essays that reveal your authentic self, securing recommender letters from people who can speak to your impact and potential, and developing a clear, compelling narrative about your career goals and why Darden is the right place for you to achieve them. The admissions committee wants to admit future leaders, not just test-takers, and that distinction should shape how you approach every element of your application.

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.