Can You Get into INSEAD with a GMAT Below 700?

Yes, securing a place in the INSEAD MBA programme with a GMAT score below 700 is not only possible but a reality for many successful applicants. However, it demands a highly strategic and compelling application that leaves no doubt about your capabilities. While the average GMAT score for admitted students often hovers just above 700, INSEAD’s renowned holistic review process means your GMAT is just one piece of a much larger, intricate puzzle. As an INSEAD alumna and admissions interviewer, I have seen firsthand how many applicants with scores in the high 600s succeed by thoughtfully curating an application that showcases their unique strengths and balances any perceived weaknesses.

The term "holistic review" can feel ambiguous, but at INSEAD, it means the admissions committee is genuinely trying to understand who you are as a whole person. They want to see your academic potential, professional track record, international mindset, and personal character. A test score provides a standardised data point, but it doesn't tell them about your resilience, leadership style, or the unique perspectives you'll bring to a case study discussion. Therefore, a lower-than-average GMAT score is not an automatic rejection; it's a signal to the admissions committee to look more closely at the other parts of your application for evidence that you will thrive.

What is the average GMAT score for admitted INSEAD MBA students?

While INSEAD does not enforce a strict minimum GMAT score, understanding the class averages provides a crucial benchmark. For recent classes, such as the class of 2025, the average GMAT score was approximately 708-710. The typical range for the middle 80% of admitted students is between 670 and 750. This data is illuminating: while a score above 700 is clearly common, a significant portion of every incoming class—at least 10% and often more—is admitted with scores below 670. Some candidates have even received interview invitations with scores as low as 640, though this is exceptional and requires an otherwise extraordinary profile.

It's also important to note the transition to the GMAT Focus Edition. For applicants submitting this newer version, the median score for a recent class was 655, with a range of 615 to 715. This demonstrates that INSEAD is adapting its evaluation to the new scoring scale while maintaining its core principle: the GMAT is a tool for assessment, not a final judgment. The school's emphasis remains on a holistic review, where your score is contextualised by your leadership experience, international exposure, and career impact.

How does INSEAD evaluate a GMAT score below 700?

It is entirely possible to be admitted to INSEAD with a GMAT score below 700, and I have worked with many successful applicants in this exact situation. However, it requires a clear strategy. INSEAD's primary concern with any test score is to confirm your capacity to handle the academic rigour of its famously fast-paced, 10-month programme. The curriculum is condensed, and the admissions committee worries that a student without proven quantitative abilities might struggle to keep up, especially in technical core courses like Financial Accounting, Prices & Markets (Microeconomics), and Corporate Financial Policy.

Therefore, a score below 700 isn't an automatic disqualifier, but it does raise a flag. The rest of your application must work harder to provide overwhelming evidence of your academic and professional capabilities. According to INSEAD, the admissions committee takes a holistic approach, assessing individual GMAT sections rather than just the total score. They look at your score in the context of your entire profile. For instance, an engineer with a slightly lower overall GMAT but a strong quant score might be viewed more favourably than a poet with the same score but a weak quant section. Your undergraduate record, the nature of your work experience, and your international exposure all contribute to building a complete picture of your abilities.

What parts of the application can compensate for a GMAT score below 700?

To compensate for a GMAT score below 700, your application must excel in other areas to build a compelling and balanced narrative. It's about creating a "portfolio of strengths" that mitigates the perceived weakness of the GMAT score. I guide my clients to focus meticulously on these key elements:

• Exceptional Work Experience: This is arguably the most powerful lever you can pull. You must demonstrate significant career progression, leadership, and quantifiable impact. INSEAD is deeply interested in what you will contribute to class discussions, group projects, and the broader community. Instead of just listing job titles, illustrate your value. For example, rather than saying "managed a team," describe how you "led a cross-functional team of six to launch a new product in three European markets, exceeding initial revenue targets by 25% in the first year." Highlighting unique projects, substantive international exposure (managing global teams, negotiating cross-border deals, or completing an expatriate assignment), and experiences in diverse industries is crucial. It is not enough to simply have great credentials; you must demonstrate your value and impact within the application itself.

• Compelling Essays: Your essays are your primary tool for showcasing your personality, motivations, and resilience. They are your chance to tell your story. Many applicants make the critical mistake of treating essays as an afterthought. Deep self-reflection is required to articulate your strengths, weaknesses, and goals with authenticity and clarity. A hurried, generic application is easily spotted and significantly diminishes the chances of an otherwise promising candidate. Connect your past experiences to your future ambitions, explaining precisely why the INSEAD MBA is the essential bridge between the two.

• Strong Quantitative Profile: If your GMAT quant score is a concern, you must proactively address this. Enrolling in and excelling at additional courses in subjects like statistics, calculus, or finance can directly 'beef up' your quant profile. Submitting transcripts from these courses with your application provides concrete proof of your analytical readiness and reassures the admissions committee. Certifications with a heavy quantitative focus, such as the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation, can also serve this purpose effectively.

• Clear and Well-Defined Goals: Successful applicants have invested significant time in investigative work and strategic planning. They don't apply to "figure things out." They arrive with a clear, well-researched vision for their post-MBA career and a detailed understanding of how INSEAD's specific resources—its curriculum, clubs, and network—will help them achieve it. Your plan should be specific (e.g., "transition from consulting to a corporate strategy role within the renewable energy sector in Southeast Asia") and demonstrate that you have spoken with people in that field and understand the path.

• Powerful Letters of Recommendation: Your recommendations are the only part of the application not written by you, providing a crucial third-party validation of your skills and character. Choose recommenders who know you well and can provide specific, detailed anecdotes about your leadership, teamwork, analytical abilities, and interpersonal skills. A generic letter from a famous CEO is far less valuable than a detailed, heartfelt letter from a direct supervisor who can describe a specific time you overcame a challenge or led a team to success.

Is the GMAT score equally important for all INSEAD programmes (e.g., MBA vs EMBA)?

No, the emphasis on the GMAT varies significantly between INSEAD's programmes. For the full-time MBA and Master in Management (MIM) programmes, a competitive GMAT or GRE score is a mandatory and important component of the application.

For the Global Executive MBA (GEMBA), however, the requirements are different to reflect the candidates' extensive professional experience. Applicants have three options: the GMAT, the GMAC Executive Assessment (EA), or the INSEAD Assessment. I've found that many experienced executives are surprised by the rigour of the INSEAD Assessment. It is not a simple formality; it is a comprehensive test requiring dedicated preparation—at least 30 hours of study is a wise investment. The assessment evaluates academic capacity and business acumen through written sections on data analysis, data interpretation, communication, and critical thinking, as well as an oral case study presentation. Many credible executives assume their senior titles and impressive careers are sufficient for admission, but underestimating the application work, including test preparation, can unfortunately lead to rejection.

Should I retake the GMAT if my score is below 700?

In my experience as an admissions consultant and INSEAD interviewer, I generally recommend retaking the GMAT if your score is below 700, particularly if your quantitative score is not strong. My advice is to always aim for a score of 700 or higher to place yourself in a more competitive position. Retaking the test accomplishes two things: first, it offers the chance to improve your score and directly address a potential weakness. Second, it demonstrates commitment, resilience, and a proactive attitude to the admissions committee, helping to alleviate their concerns about your ability to handle the programme's demanding pace. If you choose to retake it, focus your efforts on pushing up your quant score, as this is a key indicator of readiness for the technical courses at INSEAD.

How important is the quantitative section of the GMAT for an INSEAD application?

The quantitative section of the GMAT is extremely important for your INSEAD application. INSEAD officially recommends aiming for a score at or above the 70th percentile in the quantitative section for the traditional GMAT. For the newer GMAT Focus Edition, the recommendation is to be at or above the 66th percentile (a score of 80) on the Quantitative component. The reason for this strong emphasis is purely practical: the INSEAD MBA is intensive, and core courses in Finance, Accounting, and Economics are technically demanding and move very quickly.

The admissions committee needs assurance that you can not only survive but thrive in this fast-paced curriculum from day one. A strong quant score provides that assurance directly. If you come from a non-quantitative background (e.g., humanities, law, or the arts), or if your quant score is a weak point in your profile, taking supplementary courses in subjects like statistics or calculus is a highly effective way to strengthen your profile and demonstrate your preparedness.

Does INSEAD prefer the GMAT over the GRE?

No, INSEAD officially states that it has no preference between the GMAT and the GRE. Both tests are accepted for the MBA and MIM programmes, and the admissions committee explicitly encourages you to choose the test that best aligns with your personal strengths. While some candidates feel the GMAT is more traditional for MBA applications, what truly matters is achieving a competitive and balanced score that reflects your academic readiness. The choice can be strategic: candidates with strong quantitative backgrounds often gravitate towards the GMAT, while those with exceptional verbal skills may find the GRE's vocabulary-focused verbal section more to their advantage. I often guide applicants through a diagnostic process, having them take a practice test of each, to determine which format allows them to best showcase their abilities.

A lower GMAT score is a hurdle, not a wall. By understanding precisely what the admissions committee is looking for—evidence of academic capability, professional impact, and personal character—you can build a multi-layered application that tells a compelling story of your potential. A sub-700 score simply means that other elements, from your career narrative and essays to your recommendations and interview performance, must shine even brighter. With deep self-reflection and strategic preparation, you can demonstrate that you are exactly the kind of dynamic, resilient, and globally-minded leader INSEAD seeks to welcome into its community. Would you like 1-1 advice on your specific application? Apply Now.