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

Georgetown McDonough's Full-Time MBA Class entering in 2025 demonstrates solid performance from GRE test takers, with an average combined GRE score of 318. The middle 80% range of 307 to 329 on the combined score shows that McDonough attracts capable candidates, but this school is moderately competitive compared to top-tier programs like Harvard or Stanford. These scores are respectable and reflect a program that values strong fundamentals without demanding the absolute highest test performance in the business school market. Around 37 to 44% of McDonough's admitted applicants submitted GRE scores rather than the GMAT, indicating that the school genuinely accepts both tests as equally valid measures of your readiness.

When you target a GRE score for Georgetown McDonough, you should aim for at least 305 to 310 on the combined score to position yourself as a credible candidate, with a sweet spot between 315 and 325 if you want to be truly competitive. Scores in the 305 to 328 range demonstrate to the admissions committee that you possess the analytical foundation needed for McDonough's finance, statistics, and quantitative courses. If your GRE score falls below 305, you will need to compensate with exceptionally strong work experience, especially in quantitative fields like data science, financial analysis, or engineering, or with a very high undergraduate GPA in rigorous coursework. Conversely, a GRE score in the 315 to 328 range puts you in solid standing academically, though this alone will not secure your admission because the school evaluates every aspect of your candidacy.

A good GRE score for McDonough is one that clears the academic threshold and shows you can handle the MBA curriculum, but here is what truly matters: scoring well on the GRE is not the primary differentiator that gets you admitted. Many applicants with GRE scores of 320 to 328 are rejected because their professional experience is not compelling, their essays do not articulate a clear vision, or their recommenders cannot attest to meaningful leadership impact. McDonough views your GRE score as a confirmation that you have the intellectual horsepower to succeed in a quantitatively rigorous program, not as the deciding factor in your admissions outcome. If your GRE is below 300 combined, you should seriously consider retaking the exam, but you should also reflect on whether your work background, your MBA goals, and your overall narrative are sufficiently strong to overcome a slightly lower test score.

Georgetown McDonough is not test optional for the Full-Time MBA program. You are required to submit either a GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment score as part of your application unless you qualify for a test waiver. Waivers are available for Full-Time MBA applicants who meet specific criteria, such as holding an undergraduate or graduate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.1 or higher in quantitative fields like business, science, engineering, technology, or mathematics, or demonstrating significant quantitative work experience or relevant certifications like the CPA or CFA. If you do not meet the waiver criteria and have valid test scores, you must submit them to complete your application. The school explicitly states that the test is one component that helps assess your quantitative aptitude and readiness for MBA-level coursework.

When McDonough's admissions committee reviews your GRE score, it evaluates the number alongside your entire application to understand your academic readiness and fit for the program. Your test score helps the school confirm that you can handle quantitative subjects like financial modeling, statistics, and analytical courses, but it is just one piece of evidence among many that inform the decision. McDonough looks closely at your undergraduate academic record and the rigor of your degree major, your professional trajectory and demonstrated leadership in your roles, your work experience (the average incoming student has 5.5 years), and how clearly you explain your post-MBA career goals. If you have a strong GRE score but your work history shows limited impact or your essays lack focus, you will not be admitted. Conversely, if your GRE score is respectable but not outstanding, a compelling narrative about your career ambitions combined with strong professional references can move you forward in the process.

The school explicitly states that it employs a holistic review process, meaning your GRE score is evaluated within the context of everything else you bring to the table. A GRE score in the 315 to 328 range is a credential that signals academic capability, but it does not separate strong applicants from weaker ones in McDonough's applicant pool. What actually sets admitted candidates apart is the combination of solid academics (including an acceptable GRE score), meaningful professional achievements with concrete examples of leadership and impact, a well-developed post-MBA career vision that makes clear why you need an MBA, and strong letters of recommendation from supervisors or professors who can speak to your abilities. You should invest significant time in crafting authentic essays and working closely with your recommenders to develop strong letters, because these components are just as important as your test score in determining your outcome at McDonough.

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.