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Last Updated on November 2, 2023
Harvard Business School (HBS) boasts one of the most prestigious MBA programs in the world, so 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); in fall 2019, HBS accepted just 11.5% of applicants.
Given the highly competitive nature of business school admissions at Harvard (and top MBA programs in general), 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.
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 and some criteria for determining what score you need to be competitive.
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.
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.
- 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
Acceptance Rates, Rankings, and Data for Harvard Business School
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 2021, 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 10-12% range for years, significantly lower than the average rate for the top 10 MBA programs, which was 17.4% in fall 2019.
Case in point: Of the 9,304 MBA hopefuls who applied to HBS in the 2019-2020 academic year, just 859 were accepted to the MBA Class of 2022. (HBS’s typical class size is around 930, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, HBS offered the option to defer to all incoming Class of 2022 students.) Of those 859 accepted students, 732 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, starting with the GMAT scores of accepted students in recent years.
KEY FACT:
Harvard Business School received 9,304 applications in the 2019-2020 academic year and accepted just 859 of those applicants to its MBA Class of 2022.
Harvard MBA GMAT Scores
In addition to its consistently low acceptance rate, Harvard Business School reports impressively high median GMAT scores among its accepted students, scores that 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 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 730 |
| 2021 | 730 |
| 2020 | 730 |
| 2019 | 730 |
| 2018 | 729 |
Sensing a pattern here? If you didn’t know any better, you might think 730 was the 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, in large part because they want to create a diverse body of students with a range of interests and skills. This concern is actually evidenced in the test scores of HBS’s Class of 2022; those scores may not look very “diverse” on their face, but remember, 730 is just a median — albeit one in the 96th percentile of all GMAT test-takers.
Let’s take a look at how HBS’s most recent incoming class performed on the GMAT.
As you can see, although the median GMAT score of Harvard’s MBA Class of 2022 was 730, those students’ scores actually ranged from a low of 620 to a high of 790 — and a range like that is not unusual for a top business school. So, what explains that 170-point swing? Furthermore, what explains lows in the 36th percentile of all test-takers for Quant and the 46th 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.
It should be noted also that, in recent years, HBS has been accepting 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 and that applicants should take whichever test suits them best.) The test scores above are representative of just 78% of the Class of 2022; the other 22% submitted GRE scores, up from just 12% in the Class of 2019. And, although the Class of 2022’s median GRE scores are impressively high (163 in both Quant and Verbal), the GRE score ranges show a considerable point swing (145-170 for Quant and 148-170 for Verbal), just as the GMAT score ranges do.
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. 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.
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.
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.
Take HBS’s Class of 2022, for instance, which reflects an increasingly diverse American workforce: international students make up 33% of the Class of 2022, and ethnic minorities make up 45% of the class, a significant increase from the 27% in the Class of 2021. The number of women in Harvard’s MBA program also is on an upswing; the Class of 2022 is 44% women, up from 43% of the Class of 2021 and 41% of the Class of 2020.
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 2022’s average GPA of 3.70 is no less impressive than its median GMAT scores or that these future leaders had an average of 4.7 years of work experience, which is similar to that reported by other M7 schools.
So, the bar is undoubtedly set 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 and certifications such as CPA/CA/CFA. Perhaps they had stellar recommendations and came from underrepresented industries. For example, the top 3 industries the Class of 2022 hailed from were venture capital and private equity (at 16%), consulting (at 15%), and technology (at 13%) — a makeup very similar to that of other MBA programs at top schools. So, we can infer that many people in the applicant pool had backgrounds in those industries. Applicants from industries that are less common in the MBA world — health care and biotech, for instance, or nonprofit and government — are naturally going to stand out in a sea of similar candidates, even before other data points are considered.
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.
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 even 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 on 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 730 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 may need a higher GMAT score in order 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 730 may be necessary for you to rise to the top of a sea of similar applicants, perhaps 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, a GPA of 4.0, and 6 years of high-level work experience in a government sector. In that case, the pool you’re wading in will be a bit smaller, so you may feel comfortable applying with a GMAT score that falls at or below the Harvard average, 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.
Another thing to keep in mind is that “unique” data points in your profile are not automatically, or entirely, an advantage. Remember, admissions doesn’t just care about creating a diverse class; they want to find students who will excel in the program. In other words, your application has to demonstrate that you have the skills and proficiencies necessary to be successful in graduate-level business classes with other highly skilled and knowledgeable future MBAs.
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 4% of HBS’s Class of 2022 earned an undergraduate degree in arts/humanities and only 5% came from the media/entertainment/travel sector.
Now, are those unique data points good reason to assume that you’ll be competitive applying with a GMAT score of 650? Not quite. While your unique background could be an advantage to your candidacy, it could be a disadvantage if, for example, you don’t have many quant-specific courses in your academic history, or your performance in those courses was lacking.
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 help alleviate any worries admissions might have that you wouldn’t be able to handle rigorous, graduate-level classes focused on subjects such as finance, economics, and statistical analysis.
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 scale” but also really make your application stand out. Then (assuming no other glaring weaknesses) you might really have an edge, because you would be showcasing strong quantitative skills and uniquely multifaceted verbal abilities.
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 in order 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 background says about your strengths and weaknesses.
Although there is no GMAT score or set of scores that can guarantee your entry in 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 certain 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.
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:
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.
Need some GMAT study strategies for earning an impressive score? This guide to scoring 700+ on the GMAT can help.
Looking for information on how the release of the new GMAT version affects scoring? This guide to the GMAT Focus Edition has answers.
