MIT MBA GMAT Scores: What Score Do I Need?

Last Updated on November 14, 2025

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. Read on to learn more about the program that was rated number 5 in the 2025 rankings of best MBA schools by US News and World Report.

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.

Here are the topics we’ll cover:

• Introduction to MIT Sloan’s MBA Programs
  • MIT Sloan’s Early Admissions Program
  • MIT Sloan’s Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) Program
• MIT Sloan MBA Class Profile: Class of 2027
• MIT MBA GMAT Scores: A 5-Year View
• Balancing GMAT Scores With Other Data Points
• Setting Your Score Goal for the MIT Sloan School
  • If Your Background Matches That of Other Applicants
  • If You Have an Underrepresented Background
  • Your Quant Score Can Be Decisive
• Aiming for a “Safe Zone”
  • Your Safe Zone Score
• Summary
• What’s Next?

First, let’s review some key facts about Sloan’s MBA program.

Introduction to MIT Sloan’s MBA Programs

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. For over 10 years, Sloan has ranked in the top 5 of all programs in the United States. The MIT Sloan acceptance rate has been about 14% in the past 5 years, with an average of roughly 6,000 applicants per year. MIT Sloan has two notable programs that set it apart from other M& schools.

MIT Sloan’s Early Admissions Program

In 2019, Sloan’s MBA program began offering an MBA Early Admissions option, which has continued to the present. It is a deferred-enrollment option designed for exceptional undergraduate and graduate students who have not yet entered the full-time workforce. It allows candidates to apply to Sloan’s two-year MBA program during their final year of study and, if admitted, gain a guaranteed spot after spending two to five years working professionally. The program reflects MIT Sloan’s emphasis on analytical rigor, principled leadership, and innovation—giving high-potential students an early bridge from academic excellence to impactful, purpose-driven business leadership.

MIT Sloan’s Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) Program

The Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) program at MIT Sloan School of Management combines an MBA from MIT Sloan with a Master of Science (SM) in Engineering from the MIT School of Engineering. Established in 1988, the LGO program is designed to develop leaders who can drive innovation and operational excellence in complex, technology-intensive industries. There are 45-55 students in each cohort, and they graduate in roughly 24 months. Through the LGO program, MIT Sloan reinforces its commitment to developing technically fluent, analytically rigorous, and ethically grounded leaders who can navigate the increasingly complex global landscape of industry and innovation.

KEY FACT:

In addition to being a top-ranked school, MIT Sloan offers two unique admissions program options- the Early Admission program and the LGO program.

Let’s now 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 2027

MIT Sloan’s class of 2027 had an average of 5 years of work experience, with 35% coming from backgrounds in consulting — the top pre-MBA industry among the class — and 18% hailing from the financial services sector, the class’s second-most common pre-MBA industry. Following not too far behind was the technology sector, in which 17% of the class gained their work experience, and the government, education, and nonprofit sectors, at 7%.

Unsurprisingly for MIT, the top undergraduate major among these MBA students was Engineering, at 27% of the class, well above the next most common major, which was Business, at 19%. Economics majors rounded out the top 3 at 17%. The class of 2027 also boasted an impressive median undergraduate GPA of 3.69.

For the most part, these numbers are in keeping with those of recent years. And MIT Sloan has stayed remarkably consistent with its demographics over the past several years as well. The percentage of international students has remained constant for the past 3 years at about 40%. Women held their own, at nearly half of all students. Students of color stayed consistent from the Class of 2026 at nearly 50%, a significant increase over the Class of 2025’s percentage of only 28%.

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

Below are listed: the median GMAT score and the GMAT score range of the middle 80% of the incoming class for the most recent 5-year period. For the Class of 2027, both legacy GMAT scores and current GMAT data are provided.

Let’s take a look at what we know about MIT MBA GMAT scores over the past 5 years:

MIT MBA GMAT Scores: Class of 2023-2027

So, GMAT scores have remained fairly consistent over the past 5 years, with the median 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 690. The Class of 2027 was the first year for which two sets of GMAT data were published. This dual reporting will become more common for the next several years, after which the current (post-Nov 2023) scores will become dominant.

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 2072, a 50-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 2027 scored lower than 710 (how much lower, we don’t know), and 10% of the class scored higher than 760.

KEY FACT:

MIT Sloan’s median GMAT scores have remained in the 720 to 730 range for the 2023-2027 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 710? 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 schools such as MIT Sloan. The truth is, however, that MBA programs don’t admit students based on any one factor; they evaluate applicants holistically.

MBA programs generally look for high-caliber candidates from diverse backgrounds. Of course, there are some trends across top MBA programs (professional backgrounds in consulting and finance, for example). And even among M7 schools, different programs may place emphasis on different skills. For example, we saw earlier that the top undergraduate major for the Sloan class of 2027 was Engineering, at 27%. Compare that to the top undergrad major for Wharton’s Class of 2027, which was Humanities, at 36%. Even more striking, only 2% of Sloan’s Class of 2027 majored in Humanities.

So, 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 GMAT scores but also evaluating what you bring to the table in other areas.

Clearly, some students are exceptional enough in other areas of their profiles to earn a seat in Sloan’s MBA program, despite having GMAT scores below the average. 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.

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 your GMAT score to offset weaker points in your application, so you’ll want to set your score goal accordingly.

If Your Background Matches That of Other Applicants

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 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.

TTP PRO TIP:

If you have a background similar to that of many other applicants, you may have to exceed the GMAT median score to stand out.

If You Have an Underrepresented Background

On the other hand, let’s say you come from an underrepresented background and you have a GPA and level of work experience that beat the Sloan averages. In that case, you’ll be in a smaller pool, so you may feel comfortable applying with a GMAT score that falls at or below the Sloan average, perhaps 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 is not an automatic advantage, 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 have a relatively rare undergraduate degree 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 GMAT score, and in particular, you’ll want to score high on 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 applicants whose profiles are similar to yours, and ask yourself how deep the pool you’re swimming in is.

Your Quant Score Can Be Decisive

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 can excel in rigorous, graduate-level classes focused on subjects such as finance, economics, and statistical analysis. (Shooting for a top-notch Data Insights score also wouldn’t hurt.) Generally speaking, top MBA programs prefer to see GMAT Quant scores of 85 (66th percentile) or higher. Still, if you need to compensate for quant weaknesses in your application, a score above 85 (89th percentile) 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 applicants, and you’re in a relatively well-represented group in most or all respects? In that case, a GMAT score in the top 10% 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 (V87+).

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 application is lacking in GPA or 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.

Your Safe Zone Score

If you are from an overrepresented background or industry, your “safe zone” score is one that beats the Sloan median 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 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. If you come from an underrepresented group or industry, aim for a GMAT score that at least meets the median.

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.

Summary

• The MIT Sloan MBA acceptance rate has been14% over the past several years.
• The MIT Sloan Class of 2027 has the following attributes:
  • 49% US students of color
  • 47% women
  • 42% international students
  • 35% were employed in consulting
  • 27% of enrolled students had an Engineering major in college
  • The average number of years or work experience is 5 years
  • The average undergraduate GPA is 3.69
• For the Class of 2027, the average scores for enrolled students were:
  • GMAT Classic (Legacy): 720
  • Current GMAT (post-2023): 675

• Your score goal depends on your academic and industry backgrounds.
• It is important to show a balanced application, as even a perfect GMAT score may not earn you acceptance.
• If you have gaps in your application, make sure you can compensate for them by having strengths in other areas.

What’s Next?

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.

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