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

Berkeley Haas attracts applicants with exceptionally strong GRE scores, with the median GRE Verbal score of 161 and Quantitative score of 162 reflecting a highly qualified incoming class. The middle 80% range for both sections (Verbal 155-167, Quantitative 155-169) demonstrates that Haas admits a spectrum of candidates, though the concentration of scores in the upper ranges shows the competitive nature of the program. With a low acceptance rate and an incoming class that averaged 5.6 years of work experience, you are competing against professionals with both strong academics and meaningful career accomplishments, making your GRE performance an important part of your overall profile.

For Berkeley Haas, a good GRE score means approaching the median of 161 Verbal and 162 Quantitative, though it is critical to understand that scoring at or above these levels does not guarantee admission. You should target a GRE score of at least 158 on both Verbal and Quantitative to be in a credible range for Haas, but realize that the strongest applications will feature scores closer to 160 or higher on each section. A score below 155 on either section will put you below the middle 80% range and may prompt concerns about your quantitative readiness for Haas's analytical curriculum, though a genuinely compelling application with strong work experience, essays, and recommendations could potentially offset a lower test score.

What separates admitted candidates at Haas is not the GRE score alone but rather how that score fits into a broader narrative of leadership and impact. Many applicants arrive at Haas with GRE scores in the 160-168 range on both sections, yet a significant portion of them are rejected because their professional stories do not demonstrate the innovation, problem-solving ability, or leadership potential that the school seeks. Haas explicitly states that it takes a holistic approach to admissions, meaning your test score is one input among many and is not the primary driver of the admissions decision. The admissions committee examines your undergraduate GPA, the rigor and content of your work experience, how clearly you articulate your career goals, the alignment of those goals with what Haas offers, and whether you embody the school's Defining Leadership Principles like "Question the Status Quo" or "Confidence Without Attitude."

Berkeley Haas is not test optional. You are required to submit either a GRE or GMAT score as part of your application unless you qualify for a test waiver under specific circumstances (such as current or former UC Berkeley undergraduates or military service members). The school treats the GRE and GMAT equally with no stated preference for either exam, so you should choose the test on which you believe you can perform better. There is no minimum acceptable score published by the school, but the expectation is clear from the profile data that you will submit a score in the competitive range.

When Haas evaluates your GRE score, the admissions committee places it within the broader context of your candidacy rather than treating it as a standalone predictor of success. Your test score serves as evidence that you possess the analytical and verbal skills needed to engage with Haas's quantitative coursework and case discussions, but it does not determine whether you will be admitted. The school recognizes that some outstanding candidates may have taken the GRE years ago with a middling result, or that a candidate with a 155 Quantitative score but a background in engineering and a strong track record of technical project leadership might demonstrate sufficient quantitative capability. Haas even offers a free Quantitative Readiness Course to help applicants strengthen their quantitative foundation if they are concerned about their test performance. What matters most is the totality of who you are as a professional and as a person.

The GRE score is truly just one component of a Haas MBA application that is evaluated holistically. A GRE score at or above the median does not make you an attractive admit if your work experience is underdeveloped, your essays lack depth or fail to articulate a coherent post-MBA vision, or your recommenders cannot speak convincingly about your leadership potential and impact. Conversely, a GRE score slightly below the median may be overlooked if your professional achievements are exceptional, your narrative is compelling, your reasons for attending Haas are authentic and well-articulated, and your recommenders provide strong endorsements. You should invest substantial time and effort in crafting thoughtful essays that address Haas's Defining Leadership Principles, selecting recommenders who know your work and can speak to your growth, and preparing thoroughly for your interview, which is by invitation only and plays a significant role in the admissions decision.

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.