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

ESSEC Global MBA does not publish specific GRE score data for its admitted students, which makes precise benchmarking difficult. However, you can estimate the expected GRE average by converting ESSEC's published GMAT Focus Edition average of 615 to its GRE equivalent, which translates to approximately 322 combined score. This estimated conversion suggests that ESSEC's average GRE score is approximately 322. Since ESSEC treats both tests equally in its admissions process, this estimated GRE of 322 gives you a realistic target if you are choosing the GRE as your test of choice for this boutique 12-month program.

A good GRE score for ESSEC means aiming toward that converted 322 score, which reflects the school's overall talent level. You should target a combined GRE score of 320 or higher to be considered competitive, with ideally 160 or higher on both Verbal and Quantitative. Scores below 310 on the GRE will make your candidacy significantly more challenging, though not impossible if your professional experience, leadership narrative, and recommendations are exceptional. Remember that many applicants with GRE scores well above 320 are rejected because their overall profile does not align with what ESSEC is seeking. The school looks for high-potential professionals with clear career vision and international experience, and a strong test score cannot compensate for weak work experience or unfocused essays.

Understanding the floor for your GRE score at ESSEC is equally important as understanding the target. Any GRE score below 305 combined puts you at a significant disadvantage, and you would need truly outstanding professional credentials and a compelling narrative to overcome this deficit. The school's preference for a 322 equivalent is not arbitrary, it reflects the analytical demands of the curriculum and the caliber of your peers in the program. If you are falling short of the 310 threshold after multiple attempts, you should seriously consider whether retaking the test makes strategic sense for your timeline, or whether strengthening other components of your application might be a better use of your energy. ESSEC will not penalize you for a single moderate GRE score if the rest of your profile is stellar, but the school also will not carry you through the admissions process on the basis of professional experience alone. Think of your GRE as establishing a floor of analytical capability that allows the admissions committee to focus on evaluating your leadership potential, career readiness, and fit with the program's values.

ESSEC Global MBA is not test optional. You are required to submit an official GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, or TAGE-MAGE score with your application. The school does allow you to apply before submitting your score through a test waiver during the application process, but you must eventually provide official test results to be fully enrolled and eligible for scholarship consideration. ESSEC treats all test formats equally and does not favor the GMAT over the GRE or vice versa, meaning your GRE submission carries the same weight as a GMAT score in the admissions decision.

When ESSEC evaluates your GRE score, the admissions committee uses it to confirm that you possess the quantitative and verbal reasoning foundation to succeed in a demanding international MBA curriculum. Your test score is one piece of evidence that you can handle the analytical rigor of core courses like data science and financial management, but it is not the decisive factor in whether you gain admission. ESSEC operates from a holistic admissions philosophy, meaning your professional background, the quality of your work experience, your leadership demonstrations, your clarity about post-MBA goals, and your recommenders' assessments all matter as much as (if not more than) your test score. With a highly selective admissions process and a small cohort of approximately 120 students, you are competing against accomplished mid-career professionals from around the world. A competitive GRE score opens the door, but your professional narrative, your fit with ESSEC's focus on sustainability and digital leadership, and your potential to contribute to the class are what move you forward.

A high GRE score alone will not secure your admission to ESSEC, and this is an important reality to understand as you prepare your application. The school explicitly states that it evaluates candidates holistically, and many applicants with GRE scores at or above 325 are not admitted because their overall profile does not demonstrate the leadership impact and professional momentum that ESSEC seeks. Your test score establishes that you can think analytically and communicate effectively, but what truly differentiates admitted candidates is the combination of a solid test performance, compelling professional achievements with evidence of leadership, a coherent narrative about why you need an MBA at this specific moment in your career, and strong endorsements from people who have worked closely with you. You should invest significant time in crafting thoughtful essays, working with your recommenders to ensure they provide specific examples of your impact, and clearly articulating how an MBA from ESSEC will accelerate your path to your post-MBA role. These elements, paired with a GRE score in the competitive range, create an application that ESSEC's admissions team will take seriously.

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