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Last Updated on November 23, 2023
The MIT Sloan School of Management has one of the top MBA programs in the world — and one of the most popular among MBA hopefuls. Among fellow M7 schools, MIT Sloan saw the biggest jump in applications to its full-time MBA program during the 2019-2020 application period, with a 22.1% increase in MBA applicants. (Wharton came in a close second, with a 21% increase.)
With so many future leaders vying for a seat at the table at Sloan, applicants need to do everything they can to stand out among the pack, so having an impressive GMAT score can be an important way to get noticed.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the median and middle 80% of GMAT scores of MIT Sloan students, other noteworthy aspects of the MIT MBA class profile, and some essential criteria for determining what GMAT score you need to be a competitive applicant.
First, let’s review some key facts about Sloan’s MBA program.
- MIT Sloan MBA Must-Knows
- MIT Sloan MBA Class Profile: Class of 2022
- MIT MBA GMAT Scores: A 5-Year View
- Balancing GMAT Scores With Other Data Points
- Setting Your Score Goal for the MIT Sloan School
- Aiming for a “Safe Zone”
MIT Sloan MBA Must-Knows
In addition to being a popular choice among prospective MBA students, the MIT Sloan School of Management has long been landing near the top of MBA rankings. Most recently, Sloan ranked #5 among full-time MBA programs on U.S. News’ 2022 list of the Best Business Schools, tied with its neighbor Harvard Business School.
While the MIT Sloan has hovered in the 11-15% range in recent years, things were a little different in the 2019-2020 MBA admissions cycle. As we already saw, applications were up significantly, and the MIT Sloan acceptance rate mirrored that increase. Out of 6,350 applicants to Sloan’s MBA program, 1,395 were accepted, just under 22%.
The higher application and acceptance rates were, at least in part, due to a couple of different factors. For one, because of the COVID pandemic, MIT Sloan extended its round 3 deadline by more than 2 months. Moreover, in 2019, Sloan’s MBA program began offering an MBA Early Admissions option that allows students with no work experience who are currently enrolled in college or graduate school to apply, and then defer their enrollment for 2 to 5 years while they gain work experience.
That deferral option could be the reason why the number of MBA students who chose to enroll in Sloan’s class of 2022, just 484, looks suspiciously low compared to the 1,395 who were accepted. That’s an enrollment rate of roughly 34.7%. However, since the reported number of accepted students includes Early Admission applicants, it could be that a significant number of students who were accepted to Sloan’s MBA program deferred. Note that the enrollment rate for the class of 2020, who applied before the new deferral option was available, was about 60.6%. And according to Poets & Quants, Sloan accepted a higher number of students because it was anticipated that more students would defer enrollment during the pandemic.
So, what do we know about the chosen few who did enroll in MIT Sloan’s class of 2022? Let’s take a closer look at the kind of competition you’re likely to face when you apply to Sloan’s MBA program.
MIT Sloan MBA Class Profile: Class of 2022
MIT Sloan’s class of 2022 had an average of 5 years of work experience, with 22% coming from backgrounds in consulting — the top pre-MBA industry among the class — and 17% hailing from the financial services sector, the class’ second-most common pre-MBA industry. Following not too far behind was the technology sector, in which 15% of the class gained their work experience, and the government, education, and nonprofit sectors, at 13%.
Unsurprisingly for MIT, the top undergraduate major among these MBA students was Engineering, at 33% of the class, well above the next most common major, which was Economics, at 19%. Business majors rounded out the top 3 at 16%. The class of 2022 also boasted an impressive median undergraduate GPA of 3.54.
For the most part, these numbers are in keeping with those of recent years, though the demographics did shift somewhat for this incoming class. Like some other M7 schools (and many U.S. business schools in general), MIT Sloan enrolled fewer international students in its class of 2022, although international students still made up a third of the class. Compared to 42% the previous year, that number is notably lower, but not all that surprising, considering the effect the COVID pandemic had on many students’ plans to earn MBAs abroad.
Additionally, women made up a slightly smaller proportion of MIT’s MBA class than in previous years, 38% down from 41% in the class of 2021 and 42% in the class of 2020. Also of note, 39% of the class of 2022 self-reported as students of color, while 1% of the class did not report their race or ethnicity.
KEY FACT:
As in previous years, consulting was the most common pre-MBA industry and Engineering was the most common undergraduate major among MIT Sloan’s incoming class.
Now that we know a bit about the academic, professional, and personal backgrounds of MIT Sloan’s incoming class — all of which will come into play as you determine what your GMAT score goal should be — let’s take a look at the GMAT scores this impressive crop of future leaders earned.
MIT MBA GMAT Scores: A 5-Year View
Although no average GMAT score for MIT Sloan MBA students was reported for the class of 2022, Sloan did publish a couple of other important metrics: the median GMAT score and the GMAT score range of the middle 80% of the incoming class. And we do have average GMAT scores for previous years, so there is plenty to analyze for those wondering how high they may need to score on the GMAT for MIT to seriously consider their candidacy.
Let’s take a look at what we know about MIT MBA GMAT scores over the past 5 years:
So, GMAT scores have remained fairly consistent over the past 5 years, with the median and average GMAT scores staying in the 720 to 730 range. Likewise, the middle 80% of the GMAT score range has been pretty steady, topping out at 760 and never dipping lower than 680.
Note that the “middle 80%,” or “mid-80%,” as it’s also called, is the GMAT score range within which 80% of people in a school’s class scored, with 10% of the class scoring higher than that range and 10% scoring lower. You can read more about the middle 80% in this article about what schools consider a good GMAT score.
Now, as you can see, the mid-80% represents a fairly wide GMAT score range — in the case of the class of 2022, an 80-point swing. And we know that the mid-80% does not represent the full range of GMAT scores of admitted MBA students; 10% of the class of 2022 scored lower than 680 (how much lower, we don’t know), and 10% of the class scored higher than 760.
KEY FACT:
MIT Sloan’s median and average GMAT scores have remained in the 720 to 730 range for the 2018-2022 MBA classes.
So, how can you determine what score you need to be competitive in the MBA admissions process at MIT Sloan? Should you aim for the average? The top of the middle 80%? Would you still be competitive with a GMAT score below 700? Let’s discuss.
Balancing GMAT Scores With Other Data Points
There is no doubt that impressive test scores can only help MBA applications to top-ranked business schools such as MIT Sloan. The truth is, however, that MBA programs don’t admit students based on any one factor in isolation; they evaluate applicants holistically.
Additionally, MBA programs generally seek to create a dynamic environment that reflects the real world, so they look for high-caliber candidates from a diverse array of backgrounds. Of course, there are some trends that exist across top MBA programs (professional backgrounds in consulting and finance, for example). And even among M7 schools, different MBA programs may place emphasis on different skills. For example, we saw earlier that the top undergraduate major for the Sloan class of 2022 was Engineering, at 33%. Compare that to the top undergrad major for Wharton’s class of 2022, which was Humanities, at 38%. Even more striking, only 4% of Sloan’s class of 2022 majored in Humanities.
The point is, when deciding who makes the cut, MBA admissions committees weigh numerous factors along with test scores. So, determining what score you’ll need is a matter of not only looking at median or average GMAT scores but also carefully evaluating what you bring to the table in other areas of your profile.
Clearly, some students are exceptional enough in other areas of their profiles to earn a seat in Sloan’s MBA program despite GMAT scores that fall well below the averages. Perhaps they have impressive careers and certifications such as CPA/CA/CFA. Perhaps they come from underrepresented backgrounds and have stellar GPAs. The fact is, a lower-than-average GMAT score doesn’t necessarily spell doom, even when applying to a top MBA program, just as earning the average GMAT score isn’t a guarantee of admittance.
KEY FACT:
Determining what GMAT score you need for Sloan’s MBA program requires balancing your GMAT score with other data points in your applicant profile.
So, let’s delve a little deeper into how exactly you can set your score goal for MIT Sloan, with your unique candidate profile in mind.
Setting Your Score Goal for the MIT Sloan School
In general, a good GMAT score is one that is equal to your target school’s median or average GMAT score. However, as we’ve just discussed, all MBA applicants are different, so what constitutes a competitive GMAT score for MIT Sloan will vary from one applicant to the next, not only because factors such as GPA and work experience are weighed, but also because MBA admissions committees generally seek to pull together a diverse student body.
With all of that in mind, part of the process of setting your GMAT goal for MIT Sloan is determining which of the data points in your profile will be considered strengths and which will be considered weaknesses. In other words, you may need to use GMAT score to offset weaker points in your application, so you’ll want to set your score goal accordingly.
Of course, all of this analysis must be done in relation to the MIT MBA class profile. Specifically, you should think of your direct competition as those MIT Sloan students whose profiles are similar to yours, and ask yourself, how deep is the pool you’re swimming in? For example, let’s say your applicant profile falls mostly within the averages at Sloan. Perhaps you’re a white male with 5 years of work experience in consulting, an undergraduate degree in Engineering, and a GPA of 3.5. In that case, a GMAT score that is well above the median of 720 may be necessary for you to rise to the top of a sea of similar applicants.
In fact, you probably want to aim for the upper end of the middle 80% score range, and depending on the specifics of your profile, you may want to consider whether you need a score above that range, perhaps 770 or higher. As a general rule, people in groups that are overrepresented in MBA applicant pools need to earn higher GMAT scores in order to stand out among their peers. So, you need to consider how you stack up next to the “average” student in Sloan’s MBA program and whether you’ll be competing against a lot of other applicants who have profiles similar to yours.
On the other hand, let’s say you come from an underrepresented background and you have a GPA and level of work experience that beats the Sloan averages. In that case, you’ll be wading in a significantly smaller pool, so you may feel comfortable applying with a GMAT score that falls at or below the Sloan average, perhaps a score of 720 or 710. You may, in fact, be a highly desirable candidate, in light of your overall profile.
Of course, having “unique” data points in your profile are not an automatic advantage when applying to MBA programs, and as I alluded to earlier, you have to consider that certain skills and experiences are less common in certain programs because those schools emphasize other qualities. For MIT in particular, it’s no secret that quantitative skills are highly emphasized. So, let’s say you come from the nonprofit sector, and like only 8% of the class of 2022, your undergraduate degree is in the Social Sciences. You will no doubt stand out somewhat among the sea of applicants, but it would be a mistake to assume that you can safely apply with a GMAT score below the Sloan average because of that fact.
Rather, your less-common background could become a disadvantage if, for instance, your work experience and academic history don’t demonstrate much quant proficiency. In that case, you may want to beat the median or average GMAT score, and in particular, you’ll want to score high in GMAT quant. Remember, regardless of whether you come from an underrepresented background or industry, you have to be able to demonstrate that you have the proficiencies necessary to be successful in quant-heavy MBA classes with many MBA students who have highly advanced quant skills.
TTP PRO TIP:
Think of your direct competition as those MIT Sloan students whose profiles are similar to yours, and ask yourself, how deep is the pool you’re swimming in?
Particularly if you come from an industry or have an academic background that is not known for requiring much in the way of quantitative reasoning, an impressive GMAT Quant score could be the key to assuring admissions that you have what it takes to excel in rigorous, graduate-level classes focused on subjects such as finance, economics, and statistical analysis. (Shooting for a top-notch Integrated Reasoning score also wouldn’t hurt.) Generally speaking, top MBA programs prefer to see GMAT Quant scores of 47 or higher, but if you need to compensate for quant weaknesses in your application, a score in the 49-51 range could be a smart play, especially since MIT is known to be highly quant-focused.
Now, what if your background is very quant-focused, putting you among the majority of MIT Sloan students, and you’re in a relatively well-represented group in most, if not all, respects — academically, professionally, and personally? In that case, a GMAT Verbal score in the 40s could be a great way to get your application noticed by admissions, particularly if you score in the coveted top 2% of all test-takers (V44+).
Although there is no GMAT score or set of scores that can guarantee your entry in MIT Sloan (or any other school), if you think of your GMAT scores as a tool to help you fill “gaps” in your applicant profile, you can give yourself the best possible chance at rising to the top of the heap. So, as you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your profile, you should set minimum score goals not only for your total GMAT score but also for your individual section scores.
TTP PRO TIP:
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your applicant profile with an eye toward setting minimum score goals for not only your total GMAT score but also your individual section scores.
Aiming for a “Safe Zone”
There is no one-size-fits-all calculation for figuring out what GMAT score you need to be admitted to Sloan’s MBA program, and there certainly are no guarantees. A GMAT score at the top end of the middle 80% could be a “gold star” on your application — and a much-needed one, if you have weaknesses in your profile. However, if your GPA is lower than average and your application is lacking in other areas, an impressive GMAT score may not be enough to get your foot in the door. Moreover, even with a sense of recent averages and trends, it’s impossible to know exactly how stiff the competition will be from one year to the next or how large the applicant pool at MIT Sloan might get.
So, when seeking admission to such a competitive program, a smart strategy is to aim for a “safe zone” with your GMAT score goal. Now, let me be clear: a “safe zone” is not an entry ticket. You can never safely assume that you’ll get into a school just because you have a certain GMAT score. I can’t reiterate that enough. Rather, a “safe zone” is a GMAT score that you can at least feel confident won’t be a red flag on your application.
If you are from an overrepresented background or industry, your “safe zone” score is one that beats the Sloan median or average GMAT score. So, a score that is higher than 720. If, additionally, your GPA and years of work experience are in line with or below the averages, you’ll want to aim toward the higher end of the mid-80% GMAT score range. Particularly if you fall below the average for both of those data points, consider aiming for a GMAT score at the top end or above the mid-80%.
If you are from an underrepresented group or industry, your “safe zone” score is one that at least meets the Sloan median or average GMAT score. So, aim for a score of at least 720. Now, if you score 720 on your GMAT, but your practice test scores were consistently higher, I wouldn’t say that you should forgo a second attempt at the GMAT just because you’re from an underrepresented group. It may be worthwhile to give the GMAT another shot, particularly if you don’t meet the averages in other key areas of the MIT MBA class profile. Either way, if you think you haven’t yet earned your best possible GMAT score, why settle for less?
TTP PRO TIP:
If you come from an overrepresented group or industry, aim for a GMAT score that beats the Sloan median or average. If you come from an underrepresented group or industry, aim for a GMAT score that at least meets the median or average.
Whatever GMAT score you aim for, just remember that if you work hard, have a smart study plan, and refuse to give up, you CAN achieve an impressive GMAT score.
Looking to take your GMAT performance to the next level? Check out these timing strategies for a higher GMAT Quant score and these timing strategies for GMAT Verbal.
