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Last Updated on August 16, 2023
If you’re interested in applying to top 20 full-time MBA programs, you may be looking at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. The UT Austin McCombs MBA program was ranked #18 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 list of the Best Business Schools and #1 full-time MBA program in Texas.
KEY FACT:
The UT Austin McCombs MBA program was ranked #18 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 list of the Best Business Schools.
Of course, to be competitive at a respected school such as McCombs, you’ll want to do everything in your power to make your application stand out, including having a great GMAT score. So, what exactly is a great GMAT score for UT Austin?
In this article, we’ll look at McCombs MBA GMAT score averages and answer some important questions about McCombs MBA admissions, including whether the GMAT is required, whether it’s better to submit a GMAT or GRE score, and what the McCombs acceptance rate is. I’ll also provide you with a simple strategy for setting your target GMAT score UT Austin.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- Does UT Austin’s MBA Program Require GMAT Scores?
- Is the GMAT or GRE Better for UT Austin’s MBA Program?
- How Hard Is It to Get Into UT Austin’s MBA Program?
- McCombs MBA GMAT Scores: Class of 2019-2023
- What GMAT Score Do I Need for UT Austin’s MBA Program?
- In Conclusion
- What’s Next?
Let’s start by reviewing McCombs’ GMAT requirements.
Does UT Austin’s MBA Program Require GMAT Scores?
Prospective McCombs MBA students are allowed to submit either a GMAT score or a GRE score for admission to the full-time program. McCombs does waive the GMAT/GRE requirement in a few, specific circumstances (for instance, if you submit an Executive Assessment score instead). You may even be allowed to submit a score that is more than 5 years old. That said, you should absolutely communicate with the admissions office directly if you’d like to pursue a waiver. Don’t assume that you will qualify or that you can submit an expired score. Get confirmation from an admissions officer!
KEY FACT:
Prospective McCombs MBA students can submit either a GMAT score or a GRE score when applying to the full-time program.
Of course, having the choice between either the GMAT or the GRE begs the question, which test is better for UT Austin’s MBA program?
Is the GMAT or GRE Better for UT Austin’s MBA Program?
In regard to the submission of GMAT or GRE scores, McCombs states, “The MBA Admissions Committee does not have a preference on which test you take.”
I am of the opinion that when a program makes such a statement, you can take the program at its word. There is no reason to believe that McCombs would solicit data from MBA applicants that it does not actually find valuable. However, if you still feel concerned that taking a certain test will put you at a disadvantage, don’t hesitate to reach out to the folks at admissions to get confirmation that they treat both tests equally. It’s worth the email or phone call if it puts your mind at ease.
Now, if you’re unsure which test would be more suited to your strengths and skills, the best thing you can do is sit for a full-length official practice exam of each, so you can see which test you perform better on.
KEY FACT:
McCombs states that it has no preference between the GMAT and GRE.
So, we know what McCombs’ testing requirements are, but what about how competitive the admissions process is? Let’s take a look.
How Hard Is It to Get Into UT Austin’s MBA Program?
One of the first questions students interested in applying to UT Austin McCombs ask is, “How competitive is the UT Austin MBA program?” Let’s take a look at the McCombs School of Business acceptance rate over the past few years.
McCombs MBA Acceptance Rate: Class of 2020-2023
So, based on the data above (and barring anything truly unforeseen), it would be reasonable to expect that the acceptance rate at McCombs will be in the mid to upper 30s as we head into 2024 and beyond.
KEY FACT:
In the past few years, the percentage of accepted MBA applicants at McCombs has ranged from the mid to upper 30s.
Now that we know how competitive McCombs MBA admissions are, let’s take a look at the types of GMAT scores admitted students have.
McCombs MBA GMAT Scores: Class of 2019-2023
The average GMAT scores of McCombs MBA students have inched up over the years, with the McCombs’ class of 2023 hitting a record-high GMAT average of 708. Below are the average GMAT scores of McCombs MBA students in the full-time MBA program in the past 5 class years.
Now, going by the numbers above, can you simply conclude that a GMAT score of, say, 700-710 will make you a shoo-in at McCombs? Not quite. Case in point: we also know that the class of 2023 has a middle 80% GMAT score range of 650-740. The middle 80%, or “mid-80%,” means that 80% of the class scored in that range, 10% of the class scored below that range, and 10% of the class scored above that range.
So, some applicants clearly were impressive enough to earn a seat at McCombs with a GMAT score that was lower than the school average. Others perhaps needed higher scores to earn a seat. How, then, can you determine where in the range you need to fall? Let’s discuss.
KEY FACT:
The average GMAT score of McCombs MBA students in the class of 2023 is 708, the school’s highest average yet.
What GMAT Score Do I Need for UT Austin’s MBA Program?
Generally speaking, a good GMAT score for an MBA program is one that is equal to the average GMAT score of admitted students.
However, as we can see, accepted MBA students at McCombs have a pretty wide range of GMAT scores. In fact, such a range is not at all unusual for MBA programs in general. So, what explains the variance?
Well, while test scores are undoubtedly an important part of an MBA applicant’s profile, they are just one part. Admissions committees weigh numerous factors when considering applicants, from academic background and GPA to work experience and letters of recommendation — not to mention application essays and personal background.
So, you too must weigh all of these different factors when determining what GMAT score will make you a competitive applicant to a program. Specifically, you should research the program’s most recent class profile to see how you stack up against admitted students in the areas mentioned above. Let’s look at some examples of the data you should weigh.
Analyzing Class Profile Data to Set Your Score Goal
When setting your GMAT score goal, you will certainly want to consider the McCombs average GPA and work experience. For instance, the McCombs class of 2023 has an average undergraduate GPA of 3.48 and an average of 5.5 years of work experience. How do your GPA and work experience stack up against those averages? If, for example, your GPA is 3.4 and you have only 2.5 years of work experience, shooting for a GMAT score that beats the class average may be a good idea. On the other hand, let’s say you have a GPA of 3.7 and an impressive 6-year work history. In that case, you may be perfectly comfortable aiming for a GMAT score of 700 or 710, right around the average.
You should also consider where you fit into the demographics of McCombs students. For example, people in groups that are typically overrepresented in MBA applicant pools generally need to earn higher GMAT scores than applicants with more unique backgrounds do. Think about it: if you are part of an overrepresented group, then there are probably going to be many applicants whose profiles look very similar to yours. In that case, having a GMAT score that hits the average isn’t going to make your application stand out. However, earning a higher-than-average GMAT score could help you get noticed among a sea of similar applicants.
In general, the GMAT can be a powerful opportunity to compensate for any weak points in your applicant profile and stand out among your peers. So, consider the McCombs GMAT average a starting point, not an automatic goal. Then, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your profile compared to the McCombs MBA class profile, and adjust your score goal up or down from there.
TTP PRO TIP:
Consider the McCombs GMAT average a starting point, not an automatic goal.
In Conclusion
Remember, although GMAT scores are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to evaluating MBA applications, you never want your score to be a reason admissions thinks twice about your candidacy. Rather, your GMAT can help you balance out any shaky aspects of your applicant profile.
Additionally, keep in mind the following general rules of thumb:
- If you’re in an overrepresented group, a smart strategy would be to aim for a GMAT score that beats the McComb class average.
- If you’re in multiple overrepresented groups, you may want to aim for a score that nears the top end of mid-80% GMAT range (or possibly surpasses it, depending on the other aspects of your application).
- If you’re in an underrepresented group, a safe bet would be to aim for a GMAT score that at least hits the McComb class average.
- If your applicant profile is fairly unique or impressive in multiple respects, you may feel comfortable with a GMAT score below the class average. (Of course, only you can make that call — just make sure you’re viewing your application with an objective eye.)
TTP PRO TIP:
If you’re in an overrepresented group, aim for a GMAT score that beats the McComb average. If you’re in an underrepresented group, aim for a GMAT score that at least hits the average.
What’s Next?
Thinking of applying to other programs like the UT Austin McCombs MBA program? Check out this guide to GMAT scores needed for business school.
Then take your GMAT prep to the next level with a 5-day, full-access trial of the TTP GMAT Course for just $1. With personalized study plans and live, expert support, we’re here to help you reach your GMAT goal!
