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

HEC Paris MBA attracts a highly selective cohort of candidates, with an estimated average GRE score around 322. The school does not publish official breakdowns of GRE verbal and quantitative sections separately, but applicants are strongly encouraged to score at or above the 65th percentile on both sections to remain competitive. This guidance reflects HEC Paris's commitment to selecting candidates with strong analytical and communication abilities across the board. The estimated GRE range of 305 to 340 represents candidates who fall within and above the target percentile performance, showing the depth of talent that HEC Paris brings together in each MBA class.

What constitutes a good GRE score at HEC Paris is one that demonstrates genuine competence in both quantitative reasoning and verbal comprehension, not simply hitting a particular number. You should aim for a GRE score of at least 315 to position yourself as a credible candidate, with 320 to 330 being a strong target that puts you in the ballpark of admitted students. Scores below 305 begin to raise concerns about your preparation for the analytical rigor of the program, though they do not automatically disqualify you if other parts of your profile show exceptional strengths. The truth is that HEC Paris reviews hundreds of applications from around the world, and many applicants with strong GRE scores are not admitted because their work experience is unremarkable, their essays do not convey a compelling story, or their recommenders cannot attest to genuine leadership impact.

A good GRE score for HEC Paris is ultimately one that reflects your actual capacity to reason quantitatively and communicate clearly, not a gateway that guarantees admission. Scoring well on the GRE will absolutely not get you into HEC Paris by itself, no matter how impressive the numbers look. The school has admitted candidates with GRE scores around 310 to 315 when their professional trajectory was remarkable, their essays demonstrated self-awareness and ambition, and their recommenders painted a picture of someone with real leadership potential. Conversely, applicants with GRE scores in the 330 to 340 range have been rejected because they could not articulate why they wanted an MBA, their work experience seemed disconnected from their goals, or they did not present a compelling vision for how the program would advance their career.

HEC Paris is not test optional. You are required to submit either a GMAT or GRE score as part of your application unless you hold a top-ranked Master in Management degree, in which case you may qualify for a test waiver by contacting the admissions office directly. The school treats both the GMAT and GRE equally and does not favor one test over the other. HEC Paris accepts the GRE General Test and all of its formats, and your choice between GMAT and GRE should be based on which test you believe allows you to showcase your strengths most authentically. The test score requirement is non-negotiable and forms a core part of HEC Paris's holistic admissions review.

When HEC Paris evaluates your GRE score, the admissions committee places it within a broader context of your entire application and profile. Your GRE score is one data point that helps the school confirm you have the intellectual foundation to succeed in a rigorous, data-intensive MBA program, but it is definitely not the primary factor that determines whether you get admitted. HEC Paris looks at your undergraduate academic performance, your professional track record and the progression you have shown in your career, the quality of your essays, how your recommenders speak to your abilities and impact, and how well you articulate your post-MBA goals. A strong GRE score paired with thin work experience, generic essays, or weak recommendations will not move you toward admission. By contrast, a solid (not extraordinary) GRE score combined with a compelling professional narrative and clear career vision can absolutely result in an offer.

The school explicitly states that it takes a fully holistic approach to admissions, and this principle applies directly to how your GRE score is used in the decision process. Your GRE score tells the admissions committee you can handle the coursework, but it does not tell them whether you will be a leader in your cohort, contribute meaningfully to classroom discussions, or become a successful alumnus of the program. What truly differentiates candidates who get admitted is the combination of solid academic credentials (including a respectable GRE score), genuine professional accomplishments with concrete examples of leadership and impact, a well-developed understanding of why an MBA matters to you specifically, and strong letters of recommendation that verify your abilities and potential. You should invest as much time and energy into crafting your essays, working with your recommenders, and preparing for your interviews as you spend studying for the GRE, because admissions committees at schools like HEC Paris value these qualitative elements equally with your test scores.

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.