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

Imperial College Business School does not publish detailed average GRE scores for recent entering classes, which makes it challenging to pinpoint exact benchmarks. However, the school officially recommends a minimum GRE score of 156 in the Verbal section and 158 in the Quantitative section for competitive applicants. What is clear is that Imperial is highly selective with an acceptance rate of approximately 15%, meaning you are competing against an exceptionally strong applicant pool where an average GRE score of approximately 323 is what you need to match in order to be in the middle of the admitted class. This score is equivalent to a GMAT score of approximately 666 on the 10th edition, which gives you a tangible benchmark for understanding the caliber of candidates the school admits.

When thinking about what constitutes a good GRE score for Imperial, you should aim to reach or exceed the average of 323 to position yourself as a competitive candidate in the middle of the admitted cohort. Scoring significantly below the recommended minimums (below 152 on either section) or aiming for a combined score well below 310 will put you at a real disadvantage because Imperial explicitly names these guidelines, and falling short raises serious questions about your readiness for the program's quantitatively rigorous curriculum. That said, a combined score in the 310-330 range positions you within the competitive band, though you will still need stellar work experience, compelling essays, and strong recommendations to move forward in the process.

The critical thing to understand about Imperial's GRE requirement is that a score meeting or even exceeding the average of 323 does not get you admitted. You could achieve a combined GRE score of 330 or higher and still be rejected if your professional background lacks clear leadership impact, your career narrative is muddled, or your recommenders cannot speak credibly to your ability to contribute to the class. Imperial views the GRE as a threshold requirement that confirms you can handle the academic demands, not as a differentiator that moves you forward in the competitive pool. Thousands of applicants achieve or exceed the average GRE score every year, so your test performance is simply meeting expectations, not the factor that separates you from the rest.

Imperial College Business School is not test optional. You are required to submit either a valid GMAT or GRE score as part of your application to the Full-Time MBA program. In very limited circumstances, the school grants waivers to exceptional candidates who can demonstrate outstanding quantitative strength through their academic record and professional background, but these waivers are scarce and reserved only for applicants with genuinely exceptional profiles. For the vast majority of applicants, submitting a competitive test score is mandatory to even be considered for admission.

Imperial evaluates your GRE score as one component within a holistic admissions review that weighs your entire profile together. The school uses your test score to verify that you possess the analytical foundation to succeed in its academically demanding curriculum, but the score alone does not determine whether you receive an offer. Your undergraduate academic record, your professional experience and demonstrated leadership, the quality of your two professional references, your essays explaining your motivation for the MBA and career aspirations, and your performance in the interview all carry substantial weight. If you have a strong GRE but a thin CV with limited evidence of impact, weak essays, or references that do not vouch for your ability to lead, you will not be admitted.

The broader truth about how Imperial uses the GRE is that the test is evaluated in the context of your total candidacy, not in isolation. A competitive GRE score signals academic capability but does not compensate for weakness in other areas like limited work experience, unclear career vision, or inability to articulate why Imperial specifically is the right next step in your journey. Conversely, if your GRE is solid (meeting or slightly exceeding the recommended minimums) but your professional narrative is compelling, you have demonstrated leadership in high-stakes situations, and your recommenders enthusiastically endorse your potential, you can absolutely move through the admissions process successfully. Imperial's emphasis on a one-year intensive program for experienced professionals means the school is selecting for people who have already proven themselves in the workplace, not simply people who can score well on a test.

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