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

NUS MBA attracts a competitive class with solid performance across the GRE sections, showing an average Quantitative score of 165 and an average Verbal score of 157, which translates to an average total GRE score of approximately 322. This profile places NUS MBA among Asia's most selective MBA programs, where you need to demonstrate strong analytical capabilities to be taken seriously in the admissions process. The quantitative emphasis reflects the school's focus on data-driven decision making and financial analysis, which are core to the curriculum. Most of the admitted students show stronger quant performance relative to verbal, a pattern that is typical for MBA applicants from technical and finance backgrounds in Asia.

Understanding what constitutes a competitive GRE score at NUS MBA means recognizing that you should target the 160-167 range on Quantitative and 155-165 on Verbal to position yourself as a credible candidate. Scores below 150 on either section, particularly on Quantitative, will create a significant disadvantage that you will need to overcome with exceptional strengths elsewhere in your application. If your Quantitative score falls below 155, the admissions committee will likely question whether you can handle the mathematical rigor of the program, even if your professional background is strong. A Verbal score below 150 raises concerns about your ability to participate effectively in classroom discussions and communicate your ideas clearly in a diverse, international cohort.

A strong GRE score at NUS MBA is important, but scoring well on the test alone will not secure your admission to the program. Many applicants submit GRE scores in the 165-170 range on Quantitative and still face rejection because their overall profile fails to convince the committee they will thrive in the MBA experience or contribute meaningfully to class discussions. NUS views your GRE score as evidence that you possess the foundational analytical skills needed for the curriculum, not as a primary factor that determines whether you receive an offer. If your GRE falls below 150 on either section, you should seriously consider retaking the exam, especially if your undergraduate academic record is also modest. However, if your score is in the 155-160 range on either section, a compelling professional story, clear career objectives, and strong recommendations can still move you forward in the process, provided the rest of your application is solid.

NUS MBA is not test optional for full-time MBA applicants. You must submit a GRE or GMAT score as a mandatory requirement of your application, regardless of how many years of work experience you have. The only exception to this rule is for part-time MBA applicants who have accumulated more than 8 years of full-time work experience, who may request a test waiver subject to exceptional circumstances including a strong academic background, proven professional achievements, and excellent performance at the admissions interview. For full-time applicants, there is no flexibility around this requirement, and submitting your test score is non-negotiable.

When NUS MBA reviews your GRE score, the admissions committee examines it as one component within your complete application profile. Your test score helps the school confirm that you have the quantitative foundation to survive the quantitative modules and analytical coursework, but it is not the deciding factor in whether you receive an admission offer. The committee also evaluates your undergraduate academic transcripts, the strength of your professional work experience and the impact you have made in your current and previous roles, your leadership potential and whether you have demonstrated the ability to influence others, and most importantly, your career vision and how clearly you can articulate why an MBA from NUS specifically will accelerate your goals. If your GRE score is strong but your work experience shows limited responsibility, your essays lack focus, or your recommenders cannot speak to your influence and achievements, you will not be admitted. Conversely, if your GRE is respectable but not outstanding, strong evidence of career progression, demonstrated leadership, and a compelling narrative about your motivations can help you advance in the selection process.

NUS MBA explicitly states that it takes a holistic approach to admissions, which means your GRE score is evaluated within the context of everything else you contribute to the application. A high GRE score establishes that you meet the intellectual baseline for the program, but it does not distinguish strong applicants from weaker ones in NUS's competitive applicant pool. What actually separates admitted candidates is the combination of solid academics (which your test score confirms), genuine professional experience with clear examples of leadership and measurable business impact, a well-articulated vision for your post-MBA career and how you plan to achieve it, and credible letters of recommendation that verify your actual capabilities as a professional and leader. You should invest as much effort in crafting compelling essays and selecting recommenders who know your strengths well as you invest in GRE preparation, because both are equally critical to how NUS's admissions officers view your candidacy.

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.