Last Updated on April 28, 2023
Harvard Business School (HBS) boasts one of the most prestigious MBA programs in the world, ranked #5 (tied with MIT) among full-time MBA programs on U.S. News’ 2022 list of the Best Business Schools. So, it’s no surprise that accepted students at HBS have some pretty impressive test scores.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the GRE scores of students accepted to the Harvard MBA program, as well as other key data points in the HBS class profile. You’ll also get some expert tips on how to evaluate your unique profile to set a competitive score goal for applying to HBS.
To start, let’s review HBS’s test score requirements.
- Does HBS Accept GRE Scores?
- HBS Acceptance Rates
- HBS GRE Scores: Class of 2023
- Balancing Your GRE Score With Other Factors
- What GRE Score Do I Need for HBS?
Does HBS Accept GRE Scores?
A GMAT or GRE score is required of all students seeking admission to the Harvard Business School MBA program. Note that applicants can submit scores from either the in-person or online version of the GRE or GMAT.
Additionally, there is no minimum GMAT or GRE score required to apply. Of course, some test scores will not be as competitive as others, but we’ll get into that further shortly. For now, the important point to know is that you certainly can take the GRE to apply to HBS.
In fact, many more HBS students have been opting to submit GRE scores with their MBA applications in recent years. In the class of 2023, 29% of enrolled students submitted GRE scores, up 7% from the class of 2022. Compare those figures to the percentage associated with the class of 2020, in which only 12% of enrolled students applied with GRE scores.
So, while the majority of enrolled students still submit GMAT scores, the gap between the GMAT and GRE has been closing among HBS students. Even more importantly, HBS explicitly states that it does not have a preference for one test over the other. So, if you’d prefer to take the GRE instead of the GMAT for your MBA applications, you can rest assured that plenty of students have gained entry to HBS using GRE scores.
KEY FACT:
While either a GMAT or GRE score is required of all students applying to HBS, there is no minimum score required.
Now, let’s take a look at just how important a tool your GRE score could be for gaining entry to HBS.
HBS Acceptance Rates
Although HBS did not publish its acceptance rate for the class of 2023, there is evidence that the HBS acceptance rate has decreased somewhat over the past couple of years. The HBS acceptance rate for the MBA class entering in fall 2019 was 11.5%. The rate dropped to 9.2% for the class entering in 2020 and reportedly fell to 9% for the class entering in 2021 (the class of 2023).
At the same time, the number of people applying to HBS’s full-time MBA program has risen. The number of applicants was 5% higher for the class of 2023 than for the class of 2022. According to reporting by Poets & Quants, there were 10.7 candidates for each available seat in HBS’s class of 2023.
KEY FACT:
Reportedly, HBS accepted just 9% of applicants for the MBA class of 2023.
So, more people are interested in earning an MBA at HBS, while the school is accepting a smaller percentage of applicants. What does that mean for your GRE score? It means that an impressive GRE score could be more important than ever for distinguishing yourself from the pack. Can a great GRE score guarantee admission to Harvard Business School (or any school)? Unfortunately not. When it comes to MBA admissions, there are no guarantees. However, with competition this stiff, you’ll want to do everything you can to make your application stand out.
So, let’s take a look at the kinds of GRE scores accepted students in the Harvard MBA program have.
TTP PRO TIP:
The competition is stiffer than ever at HBS, so an impressive GRE score can be a great way to distinguish yourself from your peers.
HBS GRE Scores: Class of 2023
Given the highly competitive nature of MBA admissions at Harvard (and top MBA programs in general), you probably won’t be surprised to learn that accepted students at HBS often have top-notch GRE scores. Although HBS average GRE scores for the class of 2023 were not reported, HBS did report the median GRE scores and score ranges of enrolled students in the class of 2023. Let’s look at those stats:
*HBS did not publish data on class of 2023 GRE Analytical Writing scores.
As we can see, the median GRE Quant and Verbal scores of enrolled students in the class of 2023 are well above the average scores of GRE test-takers worldwide (roughly Q154 and V150). The HBS median Quant score of 164 falls in the 81st percentile of all GRE test-takers, while the HBS median Verbal score of 163 falls in the 92nd percentile of all GRE test-takers. (Check out this article to learn more about GRE score percentiles.)
Another interesting thing to note is that the class medians fall much closer to the top of the HBS score ranges than to the bottom. Nevertheless, we can see by the HBS score ranges that students in the class of 2023, overall, varied pretty widely in their GRE performances. In Quant, we see a 24-point swing, with scores ranging from the 21st to the 96th (top) percentile. In Verbal, we see a similar 23-point swing, with scores ranging from the 31st to the 99th (top) percentile.
So, what explains these differences? Let’s discuss.
KEY FACT:
The HBS class of 2023 had a median Quant score of 164 (81st percentile) and a median Verbal score of 163 (92nd percentile).
Balancing Your GRE Score With Other Factors
Undoubtedly, impressive test scores can only help when you’re applying to a top-ranked MBA program such as Harvard’s. However, as we just saw, while some admitted students in HBS’s class of 2023 had perfect GRE section scores, others were admitted with — let’s face it — relatively low scores.
Clearly then, some candidates must have been exceptional enough in other areas of their applications to earn a seat at HBS despite GRE scores that fell well below the class medians.
Similarly, we shouldn’t assume that every applicant with a perfect GRE score was some kind of all-star. Rather, it’s extremely likely that some of those 170-scorers were aiming for exceptionally high GRE scores in order to make up for deficits elsewhere in their applicant profiles.
And therein lies the moral of this story: simply tying your GRE score goal to the class median is not necessarily a recipe for success when applying to HBS. The fact is, MBA programs evaluate applicants holistically — this is why there is no “magic score,” or even a stated minimum, for admittance. Furthermore, MBA programs generally seek to create a dynamic environment that mimics the professional business world, where you’re bound to encounter people with a diverse array of academic backgrounds, work experiences, and personal stories.
Thus, looking at the HBS GRE scores is just one piece of the puzzle. You also need to consider how other aspects of your profile stack up against those of the “average” HBS student. In other words, you’ll need to carefully evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your applicant profile overall, and adjust your GRE score goal accordingly.
With that in mind, let’s discuss what score you may need for HBS.
TTP PRO TIP:
Looking at the HBS GRE scores is just one piece of the puzzle; you also need to carefully evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your applicant profile overall.
What GRE Score Do I Need for HBS?
We know that there are numerous factors that MBA admissions committees weigh when deciding who makes the cut. So, when setting your target GRE scores for HBS, you need to weigh those same factors. How do your GPA, your work experience, and your academic and personal backgrounds compare with those of HBS most recent incoming class? By asking yourself these questions, you’ll be able to get a sense of what GRE scores you need to shoot for in order to be a competitive applicant.
All else equal, good GRE scores for HBS will generally be scores that are equal to the class medians. However, we know that all else isn’t equal; every MBA applicant has different strengths and weaknesses. So, a good score for someone else may not be good enough for you, or vice versa.
TTP PRO TIP:
All else equal, good GRE scores for HBS will generally be scores that are equal to the class medians.
To illustrate this point, let’s consider a few common scenarios, using data from HBS’s 2023 class profile.
Scenario #1: You’re in an Overrepresented Group
Let’s say you are a white male with an undergraduate degree in economics, a GPA of 3.7, and about 5 years of work experience in Private Equity. In that case, you would certainly be in an overrepresented group at HBS, where the class of 2023 is 47% white and 54% male, with an average GPA of 3.69 and an average of 5 years of work experience, Economics is among the top 3 most common undergraduate majors, and Venture Capital/Private Equity is the second most common industry.
Since you fall into a few “overrepresented” categories, there are likely to be a relatively high proportion of HBS applicants with profiles similar to yours. So, test scores that meet the HBS GRE medians of Q164/V163 may not do much to make your application stand out.
Thus, a smart play would be to shoot for GRE section scores that are closer to the top ends of the HBS GRE ranges. You don’t necessarily need to score at the very top — after all, factors such as your recommendations and application essays will also come into play — but you’d be wise to aim for a total score of 330+.
TTP PRO TIP:
If you come from an overrepresented background or industry, consider aiming for scores that approach the top end of the HBS GRE ranges, so you can stand out from the pack.
Scenario #2: You’re in an Underrepresented Group
Let’s say you’re a Hispanic woman with an undergraduate degree in the social sciences, a GPA of 4.0, and 6 years of military experience. In that case, your applicant profile will be fairly uncommon at HBS. Only 11% of the class of 2023 identifies as Hispanic/Latinx, only 13% of the class majored in social sciences in college, and only 5% of the class hails from the military. Furthermore, your GPA and years of work experience both beat the class averages.
Since your applicant profile already stands out in other respects, you may be a highly competitive candidate with GRE scores that meet the medians of Q164/V163. (It’s even possible that you’ll still be an attractive candidate with scores that fall below the medians.) Of course, only you know where the weak points are in your application and whether you need to aim higher to compensate for those weaknesses. For example, are you lacking in quant-based courses in your undergraduate history? If so, a high GRE Quant score could be a great way to show admissions that you have what it takes to keep up with your would-be peers at HBS.
Moreover, there is no real reason not to aim as high as possible on the GRE, right? After all, you never want your test scores to be something that gives admissions a reason to doubt you. Given that your GRE scores are entirely within your control, and you want your applications to be as strong as they can be, shooting for scores that are better than the medians can only help. If you don’t end up scoring above those medians, you can at least rest assured that there are other aspects of your profile that make you stand out.
TTP PRO TIP:
If you come from an underrepresented background or industry, consider aiming for GRE scores that at least meet the HBS median scores.
Scenario #3: Your GPA is Below the Class Average
Regardless of whether your profile falls into an “overrepresented” or “underrepresented” category, if your GPA is notably lower than the HBS average of 3.69, a wise strategy will be to aim for GRE section scores that approach the top of the HBS ranges, something above a total score of 330. How close to the top you aim will depend on how far below the average your GPA is, but the point is, the GRE can be an essential tool for compensating for a lackluster GPA.
In fact, if any area of your applicant profile is lacking — perhaps you don’t have much in the way of work experience or your recommendations aren’t quite what you hoped they’d be — the GRE can be a way to help “balance the scales.”
TTP PRO TIP:
If your GPA or work experience is below average for HBS, consider aiming for a GRE score that approaches the top end of the HBS score ranges.
Whatever GRE score you’re targeting, the good news is, if you work hard, have a smart study plan, and refuse to give up until you reach your goal, you CAN earn the score you need to be competitive at HBS. Remember, your GRE is just one more opportunity to show off your skills — take advantage of it!
Interested in learning about the GRE scores of accepted students at other top graduate schools? Check out the Grad Schools section of our blog.
