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

The Oxford MBA Class of 2025-26 shows median GRE scores of 160 in Verbal and 160 in Quantitative, creating a combined score of 320 that reflects a highly selective applicant pool. These medians position you in a competitive space where most admitted students demonstrate strong performance across both reasoning sections, though Oxford explicitly states there is no minimum score requirement. The school accepts all scores but has noted that scores of 160 on both Verbal and Quantitative are considered competitive for admission, which means you should understand how your score aligns with the broader cohort when planning your application strategy.

A good GRE score for Oxford MBA means understanding what truly matters at this institution, where the school does not play the numbers game in the way some other MBA programs do. You should aim for a GRE score of 160 or higher on both sections to position yourself as a credible candidate, but anything below 155 on either section should prompt a careful evaluation of whether retaking the exam makes sense for your profile. However, the critical insight is that Oxford explicitly states a high score does not guarantee admission, nor does a lower score disqualify you automatically. The school has admitted applicants with below-average GRE scores when their professional background, leadership trajectory, and overall application narrative were compelling, and it has rejected applicants with scores well above the median when their overall profile did not demonstrate readiness for the MBA or fit with the program's values.

What separates competitive applicants at Oxford is not primarily your test score but rather your ability to demonstrate leadership impact, international exposure, and a clear sense of purpose for pursuing an MBA. Oxford's application review process is explicitly holistic, meaning that your GRE score functions as one signal among many that you can handle quantitative and analytical material in a rigorous curriculum, not as a primary factor that determines your admission fate. The school looks at the totality of your professional experience, typically expecting candidates to have around six years of work experience with evidence of career progression and the ability to contribute meaningfully to classroom discussions. Your essays, recommender letters, and interview performance carry significant weight in the admissions decision, and a strong performance in these areas can absolutely overcome a moderately below-average test score if your professional story and academic foundation are solid.

Oxford MBA is not test optional, and no waivers are available under any circumstances. Every candidate applying to the Oxford MBA must submit either a valid GMAT or GRE score as part of the application, regardless of their work experience level, previous degrees, or other achievements. The school accepts the GRE General Test and requires all sections of the exam to be taken in order for the score to be considered valid. Scores must be no more than five years old on the application deadline date, and Oxford requires that you register the school on your ETS account so they can verify your results online using their institution code 0807. In the most recent cohort, 42% of students submitted GRE scores while 58% submitted GMAT scores, indicating that the GRE is a fully accepted pathway into the program with no disadvantage relative to the GMAT.

When Oxford's admissions committee evaluates your GRE score, they examine it within the context of your entire candidacy as part of a holistic review process that weighs many factors equally. Your test score demonstrates your readiness to handle the quantitative and analytical content of an MBA curriculum, but it is not the deciding factor in whether you receive an admission offer. The admissions committee explicitly looks for evidence of quantitative and analytical skills through your GRE results, yet they balance this assessment against your undergraduate academic performance, the grades you earned in relevant coursework, your professional trajectory, your demonstrated leadership, and how clearly you can articulate your post-MBA career vision. If you have a strong GRE score but your work experience is thin, your essays lack clarity about your goals, or your recommenders cannot speak to your impact and leadership, you will not be admitted to Oxford. Conversely, if your GRE score is solid but not exceptional, a compelling narrative about your professional achievements, international exposure, and how the Oxford MBA fits into your long-term strategy can advance your candidacy significantly.

The school emphasizes repeatedly that it takes a holistic approach to admissions, which means your GRE score is evaluated in the context of everything else you bring to the application. A high GRE score is a threshold that signals you can keep up academically with the rigorous MBA curriculum, but it does not separate strong applicants from weaker ones in Oxford's competitive pool of candidates. What actually differentiates admitted applicants is the combination of a solid foundation in academics including your test score, genuine and substantial professional experience with clear examples of leadership and measurable impact, strong recommendations from people who have directly observed your work, and essays that demonstrate intellectual curiosity and alignment with Oxford's values around social impact and purposeful leadership. You should invest as much time and energy in crafting your essays, securing thoughtful recommendations, and preparing for your interview as you spend preparing for the GRE, because the admissions committee places equal weight on all of these components when making final decisions.

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.