Questrom MBA GRE: Average Scores, Ranges, and What You Need to Know
Questrom GRE at a glance
Average GRE Quantitative
161
GRE Quantitative Score Range
152-167 (middle 80%)
Average GRE Total
318
GRE Total Score Range
307-327 (middle 80%)
Boston University Questrom's Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 shows competitive GRE performance with an average Quantitative score of 161 and a total GRE average of 318. These scores place Questrom in a moderately competitive tier among MBA programs, though the school accepts a broader range of candidates than ultra-elite programs. The middle 80% range for Quantitative spans from 152 to 167, while the total score range extends from 307 to 327, reflecting a diverse incoming class of approximately 117 students with varied test backgrounds.
What is a good GRE score for Questrom?
A strong GRE score at Questrom positions you as a competitive candidate, though what "strong" means at this school differs from top-5 programs. You should aim for a GRE score in the 155-165 range on the Quantitative section to be well-positioned relative to incoming classmates. Scores below 150 on Quantitative begin to put you at a disadvantage and will raise questions about your ability to handle the quantitative rigor of the curriculum. However, unlike some of the most selective schools, Questrom does not use test scores as a hard cutoff, meaning a lower score does not automatically eliminate you if the rest of your profile is exceptionally strong.
What makes a good GRE score at Questrom is fundamentally different from what it means at more elite schools: here, a solid test score signals that you can handle the coursework, but it alone will not get you admitted. The school explicitly states it conducts a holistic review, and the assistant dean of graduate admissions has confirmed that strong test scores are just one piece of a much larger puzzle. If you score in the 160-165 range but your professional story lacks clear progression, your essays are generic, and your recommenders offer lukewarm endorsements, you will likely face rejection. Conversely, a candidate with a 153 Quantitative score who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, clear career direction, and compelling motivation for the MBA may well be accepted. This does not mean test scores are unimportant, but rather that they are a threshold component rather than a primary differentiator.
Is Questrom test optional?
Boston University Questrom's Full-Time MBA program requires either a GMAT or GRE score. While the school does permit GMAT/GRE waivers in limited cases where applicants meet specific criteria around academic performance and professional background, these waivers are discretionary and rarely granted. You should assume that submitting a test score is mandatory for your application. The school makes clear that strong test performance can enhance your scholarship prospects and demonstrates your analytical readiness for the data-driven curriculum, but the absence of a test score through a waiver does not hurt your candidacy if your other credentials are sufficiently compelling.
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When Questrom evaluates your GRE score, it functions as evidence of your analytical capability alongside your undergraduate transcript and professional track record. The admissions committee uses your test score to confirm you possess the quantitative foundation to succeed in Questrom's data-focused curriculum, but it explicitly stated that the GRE is only one factor among many in the decision-making process. Your work experience, leadership examples, essay quality, recommendation letters, and demonstrated fit with the school matter equally if not more. A candidate with a 318 GRE but a thin resume and generic essays sits in a much weaker position than someone with a 310 GRE who can articulate a compelling post-MBA career vision and provides evidence of meaningful professional impact.
The school emphasizes that what separates admitted candidates is the complete package, not any single metric. A high GRE score demonstrates you can handle the academics, but it does not demonstrate why the admissions committee should choose you over hundreds of other applicants with similar test scores. You must showcase progression in your professional experience, articulate clear and achievable post-MBA goals, communicate genuine enthusiasm for Questrom's mission and culture, and present strong letters of recommendation that attest to your leadership potential and interpersonal skills. Time spent refining your essays, building relationships with recommenders, and crafting a coherent narrative around your career journey will likely yield better returns than marginal gains on test prep, though of course both matter in the overall equation.
What Successful MBA Applicants Do Differently
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.
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