| Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... |
Harvard Business School (HBS) boasts one of the most prestigious MBA programs in the world. It’s no surprise that MBA admissions at Harvard are also among the most competitive. In fact, HBS’s acceptance rate is the second-lowest in the United States (Stanford GSB’s is the lowest). For the Class of 2026, HBS accepted just 9.4% of applicants. Given this highly competitive nature of business school admissions at top MBA programs, earning a high Harvard MBA GMAT score can be an important way to put some extra “shine” on your MBA application and get the HBS admissions committee to take notice.
The question is, how high do you need to score to put yourself at the head of the pack? In this article, we’ll take a look at the GMAT scores of students accepted to Harvard’s MBA program. We’ll also look at some criteria for determining what score you need to be competitive.
Earning a high GMAT score can be an important way to put some extra ‘shine’ on your MBA application and get the HBS admissions committee to take notice.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- The ABCs of HBS
- Harvard MBA GMAT Scores
- Balancing Your GMAT Score With Other Factors
- Setting Your Score Goal for HBS
- The “Safe Bet” Strategy
- Summary
- What’s Next?
First, let’s take a look at some key facts about Harvard’s MBA program to keep in mind when setting your GMAT score goal.
The ABCs of HBS
A renowned M7 school, Harvard Business School offers a two-year, full-time MBA program that has consistently ranked in the top 10 U.S. business schools and on numerous occasions has ranked at #1. In 2025, U.S. News ranked HBS #6 on its trusted list of the Best Business Schools. So, it’s no surprise that HBS’s acceptance rate has hovered in the 10-13% range for years. This is significantly lower than the average rate for the top 10 MBA programs, which was about 20.5% in fall 2025.
Case in point: Of the 9,856 MBA hopefuls who applied to HBS, the school accepted just 1,100 to the MBA Class of 2026. Of those 1,100 accepted students, 930 chose to enroll, or just over 85%.
So, clearly, a seat in Harvard’s MBA class is both very sought-after and challenging to secure. If you’re planning to apply to HBS, your competition will be an elite crop of future leaders. Let’s take a closer look at what that competition may look like. Let’s start with the GMAT scores of accepted students in recent years.
KEY FACT:
Harvard Business School received 9,856 applications and accepted just 1,100 of those applicants, enrolling 930 students in its MBA Class of 2026.
Harvard MBA GMAT Scores
Historical Scores 2022-2026
In addition to its consistently low acceptance rate, Harvard Business School reports impressively high median GMAT scores among its accepted students. These scores have remained remarkably steady over the past 5 years. Let’s take a look at those numbers.
Harvard MBA GMAT Scores: A 5-Year View
| Class of … | Median GMAT Score |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 740 |
| 2025 | 740 |
| 2024 | 730 |
| 2023 | 730 |
| 2022 | 730 |
Sensing a pattern here? If you didn’t know any better, you might think 730/740 was the historical magic number to gain acceptance to Harvard’s MBA program. Of course, admissions decisions aren’t that cut and dried, particularly at business schools as selective as Harvard. There are plenty of other factors that MBA admissions committees consider when evaluating candidates. They want to create a diverse body of students with a range of interests and skills. The test scores of HBS’s Class of 2026 give evidence to this concern. Those scores may not look very “diverse” on their face, but remember, 740 is just a median, albeit one in the 97th percentile of all GMAT test-takers.
KEY FACT:
Harvard Business School’s historical median GMAT score has been consistent.
Let’s take a look at how HBS’s most recent incoming class performed on the GMAT.
GMAT Score Detail for the Class of 2026
Harvard MBA GMAT Scores: Class of 2026
| GMAT Total Score Range | 540-790 (Median: 740) |
| GMAT Quant Score Range | 35-51 (Median: 49) |
| GMAT Verbal Score Range | 27-51 (Median: 42) |
As you can see, although the median GMAT score of Harvard’s MBA Class of 2026 was 740, those students’ scores actually ranged from a low of 540 to a high of 790. A range like that is not unusual for a top business school. So, what explains that 250-point swing? Furthermore, what explains low scores in the 74th percentile of all test-takers for Quant and the 47th percentile of test-takers for Verbal?
Clearly, some students were exceptional enough in other areas of their applications to earn a seat at Harvard’s prestigious MBA program despite GMAT scores that fell well below the median of accepted students.
What all of this data tells us is that simply pegging your score goal to the median is not necessarily a recipe for success when applying to Harvard Business School.
KEY FACT:
There is great variation in the GMAT scores of students admitted to HBS’s Class of 2026.
The GRE’s Role in HBS Admissions
Note that, in recent years, HBS has accepted an increasing number of students who submit GRE scores instead of GMAT scores. (Harvard states that it has no preference between the GMAT and the GRE. Applicants should take whichever test suits them best.) The test scores above are representative of just 63% of the Class of 2026 The other 41% submitted GRE scores, up from just 12% in the Class of 2019. And, although the Class of 2026’s median GRE scores are impressively high (163 in both Quant and Verbal), the GRE score ranges show a considerable point swing (146-170 for Quant and 145-170 for Verbal), just as the GMAT score ranges do.
KEY FACT:
Admissions decisions aren’t as cut and dried as simply hitting a median or average GMAT score, particularly at business schools as selective as Harvard.
As I already alluded to, there are numerous factors that admissions committees weigh when deciding who will make the cut. Let’s discuss those now.
Balancing Your GMAT Score With Other Factors
Undoubtedly, impressive test scores can only help when you’re applying to a top-ranked school such as Harvard. But business schools evaluate applicants holistically rather than admit applicants based on any one factor in isolation.
For one, business schools want to create a dynamic environment for their students, one that reflects the real world. So, admissions committees at top schools seek high-caliber students with a diverse array of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
Diversity
Take HBS’s Class of 2026, for instance, which reflects an increasingly diverse American workforce. International students make up 35% of the Class of 2026, and ethnic minorities make up 47% of the class, using federal reporting standards. The percentage of women in Harvard’s MBA program has held steady from the Class of 2025 at 45%, and it is greater than the 41% of the Class of 2020.
In other words, candidates from underrepresented groups may bring value to the program in ways other than an exceptional quantitative aptitude, for example, and those unique qualities could balance out a lower GMAT score in the eyes of admissions.
KEY FACT:
A diverse student population is desirable at Harvard Business School.
GPA and Work Experience
Of course, while HBS seeks to create a diverse and dynamic student body, it also wants a successful one. With that in mind, you won’t be shocked to learn that the Class of 2026’s average GPA of 3.69 is no less impressive than its median GMAT scores or that these future leaders had an average of 5 years of work experience, which is slightly lower than that reported by other M7 schools.
So, the bar is undoubtedly high at HBS. However, where you land in other areas of your applicant profile will affect “how high you need to jump” when it comes to your GMAT score.
Perhaps the accepted students who scored at the lower end of the GMAT range had higher-than-average GPAs and advanced degrees, or impressive careers. Perhaps they had stellar recommendations and came from underrepresented industries. For example, the top 3 industries the Class of 2026 hailed from were consulting (18%), venture capital and private equity (16%), and technology (12%) — a makeup very similar to that of other MBA programs at top schools. Applicants from industries that are less common in the MBA world — health care, biotech, or nonprofit and government — are naturally going to stand out in a sea of similar candidates, even before the admissions committer considers other data points.
KEY FACT:
Students with work backgrounds in other than consulting, venture capital, and technology will stand out in the candidate pool.
Your GMAT Score Is Not Viewed in a Vacuum
The point is, your GMAT is just one factor among many, so determining what score you’ll need is a matter of not only looking at median or average GMAT scores but also carefully evaluating your strengths and weaknesses in other areas.
Furthermore, a high GMAT score, on its own, isn’t a guarantee that you’ll gain acceptance or be competitive at HBS. Particularly if your GPA is lower than the average and your work experience is lacking, an impressive GMAT score may not be enough to get your foot in the door.
Nevertheless, when applying to a school as competitive as HBS, you don’t want to give admissions a reason to pass you over. Moreover, a GMAT score at the higher end of the class range could be the “gold star” you need on your application.
TTP PRO TIP:
Determining what GMAT score you’ll need for HBS involves not only looking at class medians but also carefully evaluating your strengths and weaknesses in other areas of your applicant profile.
So, is 740 the “magic number” for you? Should you aim higher? Let’s investigate.
Setting Your Score Goal for HBS
All else equal, a good GMAT score is generally one that is equal to your target school’s median or average score. However, as we’ve just discussed, all applicants are different, so what constitutes a competitive GMAT score for Harvard varies from applicant to applicant, not only because factors such as GPA and work experience are weighed, but also because HBS looks to form a diverse profile for its incoming class.
The upshot is that your direct competition is other applicants whose profiles are similar to yours. Furthermore, if “the pool you’re swimming in” is particularly deep, you’ll need a higher GMAT score to float to the top. For example, let’s say your applicant profile falls mostly within the averages at HBS. Perhaps you’re a white male with 4.5 years of work experience in venture capital and an undergraduate degree in business, with a GPA of 3.8. In that case, a GMAT score that is well above the Harvard median of 740 may be necessary. To rise to the top of a sea of similar applicants, you may need a score of 760 or 770.
On the other hand, let’s say you’re an international student with an undergraduate degree in the social sciences. Your GPA is 4.0, and you have 6 years of high-level work experience in the government sector. In that case, the pool you’re wading in will be a bit smaller. You might feel comfortable applying with a GMAT score that falls at or below the Harvard median, perhaps a score of 700 or 710. You may, in fact, be a highly desirable candidate, in light of your overall profile.
Your direct competition is other applicants whose profiles are similar to yours.
Uniqueness Must Be Matched with the Ability to Excel Academically
Another thing to keep in mind is that “unique” data points in your profile are not automatically an advantage. Remember, admissions doesn’t just care about creating a diverse class. They want to find students who will excel in the program. Thus, your application must demonstrate that you have the skills and proficiencies necessary to be successful in graduate-level business classes.
For example, perhaps you majored in humanities in college, and your work experience is in media. In those respects, your applicant profile would be pretty uncommon — only 5% of HBS’s Class of 2026 earned an undergraduate degree in arts/humanities, and only 4% came from the media/entertainment/travel sector. Can you assume that you’ll be competitive applying with a GMAT score of 650? Not quite. While your unique background could be an advantage, it could be a disadvantage if, for example, you don’t have many quant-specific courses in your background, or your performance in those courses was lackluster.
In a case like that, shooting for a Quant score that is at the upper end of Harvard’s range, say a score of 50 or 51, could be a smart play. That score would show that you are able to handle rigorous, graduate-level classes focused on quant-heavy subjects.
Think about it: admissions would probably expect that a person with a background in humanities and work experience in media would score high on GMAT Verbal. But scoring high on GMAT Quant? Doing so could not only help “balance the scales” but also really make your application stand out. Then, you might really have an edge. You would be showcasing strong quantitative skills and uniquely multifaceted verbal abilities.
TTP PRO TIP:
Enhance your non-traditional background with scores that indicate you can excel academically.
If You’re Not in an Underrepresented Group
Speaking of which, let’s say you have a very strong background in Quant, but you’re also in a very overrepresented group in just about every respect — academically, professionally, and personally. In that case, a GMAT Verbal score at the high end of Harvard’s range could really make your application stand out. Of course, people in groups that are overrepresented in MBA applicant pools typically need to earn higher GMAT scores overall to stand out among their peers.
The point is, when determining what your GMAT score goal should be for HBS, you need to consider not only how you stack up next to the “average” Harvard MBA student, but also what your academic and professional backgrounds say about your strengths and weaknesses. Although there is no GMAT score or set of scores that can guarantee your entry into Harvard (or any other school), you can use your GMAT performance to help fill “gaps” in your profile and give yourself the best possible chance at admittance. With that in mind, you should evaluate your strengths and weaknesses to determine minimum score goals for your individual section scores and your total score.
TTP PRO TIP:
If you’re in an overrepresented group, a GMAT score that beats the Harvard median may be necessary to help you stand out among a sea of similar applicants.
The “Safe Bet” Strategy
Unfortunately, there is no straightforward calculation for figuring out whether you’ll be accepted to Harvard with a particular GMAT score. For one, while we know some general trends, it’s impossible to know exactly how stiff your competition will be or how large the applicant pool will be from year to year.
What we do know for sure is that Harvard Business School accepts a very small proportion of applicants, and its student body is both impressive and diverse. So, although there is no way to calculate precisely how much of a factor your GMAT score will be when admissions evaluates your candidacy, you may as well do everything in your power to make your admission as much of a “safe bet” as possible.
When it comes to the GMAT, your “safe bet” strategy will be different depending on your general profile. If you come from an overrepresented group or industry, a good “safe bet” strategy is to aim for a GMAT score that beats the Harvard median. If, on the other hand, you come from an underrepresented group or industry, a good “safe bet” strategy is to aim for a GMAT score that at least meets the Harvard median.
Additionally, if your GPA or work experience is notably below the average for the current Harvard MBA class, consider aiming for a GMAT score that hits near the top end of the HBS’s score range.
TTP PRO TIP:
If you come from an overrepresented group or industry, aim for a GMAT score that beats the Harvard median. If you come from an underrepresented group or industry, aim for a GMAT score that at least meets the median.
You Can Make Your GMAT Score a Bright Spot
Luckily, a good GMAT score is one aspect of your profile that is entirely within your control. If you work hard, have a smart study plan, and don’t give up until you reach your goal, your score can be a bright spot on your application. Particularly if you need to offset weak points in your application or distinguish yourself among a sea of candidates with similar profiles, a GMAT score that surpasses the norm could be an integral part of convincing HBS admissions that you have what it takes to succeed at Harvard.
TTP PRO TIP:
Use the “safe bet” strategy to determine your GMAT score goal.
Summary
Harvard Business School is one of the most highly-regarded in the world. We would expect it to be one of the most exclusive schools as well, and it is, with an acceptance rate of only 9.4%.
The median GMAT score of accepted students for the Class of 2026 was 740, keeping in line with the Class of 2025’s median scores. However, the GMAT score range of these students was 540-790.
It is more than just your GMAT score that may affect your chances of being accepted. HBS is committed to having a diverse group of students in its program.
If you are from underrepresented groups (Latinx, humanities background, or military, for example), you may bring unique perspectives and make important contributions to the program. Your background and experiences might offset a less-than-average GMAT score.
If you come from an overrepresented group (e.g., white male with finance work experience and a high GPA), you might need to score above the median GMAT score.
Your GMAT score is only one of many attributes that the admissions committee looks at when your application is being evaluated. Make sure that it is indicative of your having what it takes to succeed at Harvard.
What’s Next?
Need some GMAT study strategies for earning an impressive score? This guide to scoring 705+ on the GMAT can help.
