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

Indiana Kelley's Full-Time MBA Class demonstrates solid GRE performance across both sections, with an average GRE Quantitative score of 161 and an average GRE Verbal score of 158, producing a combined total average of 319. These scores reflect a competitive but approachable profile compared to the most elite MBA programs in the country, positioning Kelley as a top-tier school that welcomes accomplished professionals without requiring exceptionally high test performance. The balanced nature of these averages, with Quantitative slightly stronger than Verbal, aligns with Kelley's emphasis on analytical rigor while recognizing that strong communicators with slightly lower verbal scores can still succeed in the program.

A good GRE score for Indiana Kelley means understanding what level of test performance strengthens your candidacy while recognizing that the GRE alone will not determine your admission outcome. You should aim for a combined GRE score of at least 315 to 320 to position yourself as a competitive candidate, with particular strength in the Quantitative section given Kelley's emphasis on data analytics and business modeling. If your combined score falls in the 310 to 315 range, you are not at a significant disadvantage, especially if your professional experience, essays, and recommendations are compelling. Scores below 310 combined may raise questions about your readiness for Kelley's quantitative curriculum, though exceptional work experience or a particularly strong professional profile can sometimes offset this concern.

Here is the most important truth about GRE scores at Kelley: a strong test score does not guarantee admission, and conversely, a score slightly below the average does not automatically disqualify you. Many applicants with GRE scores at or above the 319 average are rejected because their professional narrative is unclear, their essays do not convey genuine motivation for the program, or their recommenders cannot speak convincingly to their impact and leadership potential. Kelley explicitly views your test score as just one piece of evidence that you can handle the quantitative aspects of the MBA curriculum, not as a primary factor that drives the admissions decision. If your GRE is significantly below 310 combined, you should seriously consider retaking the exam, but you should also invest substantial effort in crafting a compelling story about your career trajectory, your post-MBA goals, and your fit with Kelley's collaborative culture. Your essays and recommendations should demonstrate that you bring valuable perspectives and real-world experience to the classroom community.

Indiana Kelley typically requires either a GMAT or GRE score as part of your application. The school does offer a limited number of test waivers for applicants who demonstrate strong academic credentials through undergraduate and graduate work, evidence of quantitative or analytical skill from professional experience, and clear career progression with demonstrated leadership. However, test waivers are granted on a selective basis, and most applicants are expected to submit a valid test score. The school accepts the GRE General Test, the GMAT Classic, and the GMAT Focus Edition, and all formats are treated equally in the admissions review process.

When Kelley evaluates your GRE score, the admissions committee places it within the context of your entire application profile, not as a standalone metric that determines your fate. Your test score provides the school with confidence that you have the analytical foundation to succeed in a quantitative MBA program covering financial analysis, statistics, and business analytics, but it is not the deciding factor in whether you receive an admission offer. Kelley examines your professional background, your demonstrated leadership, your career trajectory, your essays, your letters of recommendation, and your fit with the school's culture of collaboration and social impact. A candidate with a solid GRE score at or above the 319 average but limited professional experience or a vague career vision may struggle in the admissions process. A candidate with a respectable GRE score combined with five years of meaningful work experience, clear examples of leadership impact, and thoughtful essays about their post-MBA goals will move forward more easily.

The admissions committee operates from a holistic review process, which means your GRE score is evaluated alongside everything else you contribute to the Kelley community. A high GRE score signals that you can keep pace academically, but it does not separate strong applicants from weaker ones in the competitive Kelley applicant pool. What truly differentiates successful candidates is the combination of solid academics (including your test score), meaningful professional accomplishments with evidence of impact and leadership, a well-reasoned explanation of why you need an MBA and what you plan to do with the degree, and strong letters of recommendation from people who have worked with you closely and can speak to your potential. You should invest as much time in your essays and cultivating relationships with your recommenders as you spend preparing for the GRE, because both are equally important to Kelley's decision makers.

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.