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

INSEAD's most recent MBA class shows GRE averages of 160 in Verbal and 163 in Quantitative, reflecting a highly competitive global applicant pool. These scores place you at approximately the 85th percentile in Verbal and 80th percentile in Quantitative, which signals that INSEAD attracts talented test-takers from around the world. While the school does not publish official score ranges, the averages indicate that admitted students typically cluster in the upper percentile bands for both sections. The relatively higher Quantitative average compared to Verbal aligns with INSEAD's emphasis on analytical rigor, given the fast-paced, one-year MBA curriculum demands strong quantitative reasoning skills.

A good GRE score for INSEAD means understanding that raw numbers do not guarantee admission to this school. You should aim for a score of 160 or above in both Verbal and Quantitative sections, which puts you in the range of admitted students and demonstrates academic readiness for the program. However, scoring below 155 on either section becomes a concern because it raises questions about whether you can handle INSEAD's intensive coursework, particularly in finance and analytics. That said, INSEAD has admitted candidates with lower scores when their overall profile is compelling (strong work experience in consulting or finance, international exposure, and clear career goals), so a score slightly below 160 is not automatically disqualifying if other elements of your application shine.

What truly matters is recognizing that INSEAD explicitly does not set a minimum GRE score cutoff, and the admissions committee does not lean primarily on your test score to decide your fate. Many applicants with GRE scores of 165 or higher are rejected each year because their professional stories lack impact, their essays do not articulate a compelling vision, or their recommenders cannot speak to their leadership potential. The school makes this clear by recommending you aim for the 80th percentile or higher in both sections, but it treats any score meeting that target as a baseline for academic readiness rather than a key differentiator. If your GRE falls between 155 and 160, you are not automatically out of contention (especially if you come from an underrepresented region or have a unique professional trajectory). However, if your score dips significantly below 155 on either section, you should seriously consider retaking the exam, because a very low quantitative score might genuinely undermine the admissions committee's confidence in your ability to keep pace.

INSEAD is not test optional. The GRE (or GMAT) is a mandatory requirement, and the school does not waive this requirement under any circumstances, regardless of how extensive your work experience or how strong your academic background may be. Your test score must be valid (taken within five years of your application deadline) and officially reported to INSEAD before your application can be reviewed. You cannot submit an application without a test score, making this a hard requirement that you cannot bypass.

When INSEAD evaluates your GRE score, the admissions committee examines it as one indicator of your ability to survive an intellectually demanding ten-month program, not as a primary factor that separates admitted candidates from rejected ones. Your test score confirms to the school that you can handle the quantitative material and keep up with classroom discussions, but it does not tell the committee whether you have the leadership potential, international mindset, or career clarity they want in their cohort. INSEAD explicitly states that it assesses your individual results in all test sections rather than focusing on your overall score, which means a balanced profile (for example, Verbal 158 and Quantitative 165) matters more than a lopsided one (Verbal 170 and Quantitative 150), even if the latter sounds higher. Your professional experience, especially in fields like consulting or finance, carries significant weight because it provides concrete evidence that you can apply analytical thinking to real business problems. Your essays, video interview responses, and recommendation letters reveal whether you have the leadership trajectory and global mindset the school values.

INSEAD frequently encounters applications where the GRE score is strong but the rest of the profile is scattered or unconvincing, and those candidates are declined. The inverse is also true: applicants with GRE scores in the 155-160 range succeed when their career progression demonstrates accelerating impact, their reasons for pursuing an MBA align clearly with their background, and their recommenders can articulate specific examples of their influence on others. Think of your GRE score as a necessary qualification that proves you belong in the classroom academically, but not as evidence that you will become a leader or contributor to the INSEAD cohort. Your job is to show through your essays, your CV, and your recommenders that you have the initiative, responsibility, and ability to inspire others in a diverse, fast-paced environment. If you invest equal effort in crafting a compelling narrative about your career journey and your aspirations for the MBA as you invest in test preparation, you position yourself to succeed even if your GRE score is slightly below the average.

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.