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

SDA Bocconi's incoming MBA class has a reported average GMAT score of 665, which translates to an estimated GRE total of around 323.While SDA Bocconi does not officially publish average GRE scores, the school encourages candidates to aim for 158 to 160 in both Verbal and Quantitative sections. This means your target GRE score should fall in the 316 to 320 range overall, positioning you as a competitive candidate for this selective European MBA program with a low acceptance rate.

A good GRE score for SDA Bocconi sits comfortably at 160 or higher in both sections, ideally landing you in the 320 to 330 combined range. However, you should understand that scoring well on the GRE alone will not secure your admission to this program. The school emphasizes that your test score is just one piece of a much larger evaluation, and many accomplished applicants with strong GRE scores in the 160+ range are rejected because their overall profile does not align with what Bocconi is seeking. If your GRE score falls below 155 on either section, you will face an uphill battle in the admissions process, though this does not automatically disqualify you if other elements of your application are truly exceptional. The reality is that with such a competitive pool and only about 100 spots available for the full-time MBA each year, every application component matters enormously.

The challenge with aiming lower than 158 on either section is that you start at a disadvantage compared to other applicants, many of whom bring substantial work experience and already strong academic credentials from prestigious universities. A GRE score below 155 suggests potential gaps in your analytical reasoning or English proficiency, which raises questions about your readiness for Bocconi's accelerated one-year curriculum. You should seriously consider whether retaking the exam makes sense for your timeline and goals, but also recognize that your work experience, essays, and interview performance can carry significant weight if your test score is respectable but not outstanding. The school looks for evidence of leadership, impact in your professional role, and a genuine understanding of what you want to achieve through the MBA, and these factors often matter more than chasing an extra 5 to 10 points on your GRE.

SDA Bocconi requires all candidates to submit either a GMAT or GRE score as a mandatory part of the application. The school is not test optional, and this requirement applies uniformly to all applicants regardless of your professional background or academic achievements. In rare cases, you may be eligible to take the SDA Test instead, which is administered directly by the school and designed to assess quantitative, logical, and verbal reasoning skills. This alternative is occasionally offered to candidates whose previous test results do not meet expectations, but the standard expectation is that you submit either a recent GMAT or GRE score before your application can move forward in the evaluation process.

When the admissions committee reviews your GRE score, it is examined within a holistic assessment of your entire profile alongside your academic background, professional experience, essays, letters of reference, and interview performance. Your test score serves as confirmation that you possess the intellectual foundation to handle the quantitative and analytical demands of the program, but it is not the deciding factor in whether you receive an offer. A candidate with a 163 GRE who has delivered exceptional results in a consulting role, written compelling essays about their post-MBA goals, and earned strong references from senior leaders will be viewed very differently from a candidate with an identical test score but weaker professional achievements or less clarity about their motivation. The school explicitly states that it takes into account several equally important factors, and this means your test score is weighted alongside everything else you bring to the table.

The admissions committee is ultimately looking for people who will thrive in a fast-paced, one-year program and contribute meaningfully to a diverse cohort of 100+ students from 30+ countries. A high GRE score alone does not differentiate you in this competitive pool because many applicants achieve strong test results. What actually separates admitted candidates is the combination of solid academics and test scores, genuine leadership potential demonstrated through concrete examples in your professional experience, clarity about your post-MBA career direction, and strong letters of recommendation from people who can attest to your impact and growth potential. You should invest as much effort in crafting thoughtful essays and preparing for your interview as you do in GRE preparation, because these elements often determine whether you advance from the application stage and ultimately receive an admission decision.

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.