UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA GRE: Average Scores, Ranges, and What You Need to Know

UNC Kenan-Flagler's most recent MBA class reports an average GRE total score of 319, which reflects solid performance across both analytical sections, though the school does not break down separate verbal and quantitative averages in its official reporting. What makes this score notable is that only about 23% of the incoming class actually submitted GRE scores, meaning the vast majority of admitted students took the GMAT instead. This distribution is important context because the school's admissions committee tends to see and evaluate more GMAT scores than GRE scores, which means your GRE performance is being assessed within a smaller comparison group. The 319 GRE average places Kenan-Flagler in a competitive tier among top-50 MBA programs, though the school is not typically thought of as a hyper-competitive GRE-focused program the way some other elite schools are.

When thinking about what a good GRE score looks like for Kenan-Flagler, you should aim for a total score in the 310-330 range on the GRE to position yourself as a competitive candidate. The truth is that a strong GRE score alone will not secure your admission to this school, and many applicants with scores well above 330 have been rejected because their overall profile did not align with what Kenan-Flagler is seeking. If your GRE score falls below 305, you should seriously consider whether retaking the exam is the right move, but also recognize that the school offers test waivers for applicants with strong quantitative backgrounds, a 3.2 GPA or above in STEM or analytical fields, or five or more years of quantitative professional experience. Scores below 310 do begin to raise questions about your readiness for the analytical rigor of the MBA curriculum, which is one reason the admissions committee uses test scores as a screening mechanism early in the process.

UNC Kenan-Flagler is not test optional, and the school requires either a GMAT or GRE score from nearly all applicants to the Full-Time MBA program. However, the school does offer selective GMAT and GRE waivers for candidates who meet specific criteria, such as having completed STEM coursework with a 3.2 GPA or higher from a U.S. institution, holding an advanced degree in a quantitative field like a PhD or MS in STEM, demonstrating five or more years of professional experience in a quantitative or analytical role, or holding a CPA or CFA credential. Waivers are also granted to those who scored well on alternative standardized tests such as the Executive Assessment, PCAT, or MCAT. If you do not meet these waiver criteria, you will need to submit an official test score before the first day of the program, so plan accordingly if you are in the application process.

When Kenan-Flagler evaluates your GRE score, it is examined as one input within a comprehensive review of your entire candidacy, not as a primary determinant of admission. The admissions team explicitly states that standardized test scores are just one indicator of your potential ability to succeed in the program, and the committee considers your interview performance, essays, professional recommendations, work experience, academic achievements, and leadership potential with equal or greater weight. Your GRE score helps the committee confirm that you possess the analytical foundation necessary to manage the quantitative coursework in finance, statistics, economics, and data analytics, but it does not distinguish between strong applicants in a meaningful way. Two applicants with identical GRE scores of 325 may have vastly different chances of admission depending on their professional track record, the strength of their career narrative, and how well their goals align with what Kenan-Flagler offers.

The way Kenan-Flagler uses your GRE score in context is instructive for how you should think about test preparation. The school looks at your test score alongside your undergraduate transcript to gauge your quantitative preparation and intellectual capacity, but it also acknowledges that exceptional candidates can make a compelling case for admission even if their test score is not exceptional. Your work experience matters more at this school than at many other programs, and if you have spent five years building a track record of leadership, impact, and professional growth, a GRE score in the 305-315 range may be less of a barrier than you think. Conversely, if you are early in your career with two years of work experience, a GRE score below 315 will likely hurt your chances because the committee will struggle to see evidence of your potential outside of your academic credentials. The bottom line is that your GRE score is one of several lenses through which Kenan-Flagler assesses whether you can handle the rigor and pace of the MBA, but it is not the lens that determines whether you belong in the class.

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