The landscape of MBA admissions has shifted dramatically. Gone are the days when the GMAT was the only “serious” exam for business school. In 2026, the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is not just accepted—it is embraced by almost every elite institution across the globe.

Whether you are a “poet” coming from a liberal arts background or a “quant” from engineering, knowing the target score for your dream region is the first step toward a successful application.

1. United States: The Global Gold Standard

The US remains the most competitive region, particularly for the M7 (Magnificent Seven) schools. For the Class of 2026 and 2027, average scores have remained high, reflecting a surge in high-quality applicants using the GRE.

Pro-Tip: Top-tier US schools often look for a “balanced” profile. While they want to see a high Quant score to ensure you can handle the finance curriculum, a Verbal score below 160 can sometimes be a red flag for communication-heavy case studies.

2. Canada: High Value and Holistic Review

Canada is an increasingly popular destination due to its post-graduation work permits and high ROI. Canadian schools tend to be slightly more holistic, but a strong GRE score is still vital for the top-ranked “Old Four.”

3. Europe: The International Leadership Hub

European MBA programs (like INSEAD and LBS) are often shorter and more intense. They place a high premium on Quantitative Reasoning because the pace of their finance and accounting modules is blistering.

• INSEAD (France/Singapore): 322–325 (A Quant score of 160+ is highly recommended).
• London Business School (UK): 320–324.
• Oxford (Saïd) / Cambridge (Judge): 318–322.
• HEC Paris: 315–325.

4. India & Asia: The Competitive Giants

In Asia, particularly Singapore and India, the quantitative bar is exceptionally high. For Indian applicants, the GRE has become the preferred route for One-Year Executive MBAs and global schools like ISB.

Top Indian Programs

Asia (Excluding India)

• National University of Singapore (NUS): 322–328.
• CEIBS (China): 320–326.
• HKUST (Hong Kong): 318–322.

Summary: What is a “Safe” Score?

If you are applying for the 2026 intake, use these benchmarks to gauge your readiness:

• Elite Tier (Top 10): Aim for 325+ (Quant 163+, Verbal 162+).
• Competitive Tier (Top 50): Aim for 315–322.
• Emerging/Regional Programs: 305–312 is often sufficient if paired with strong work experience.

Final Thoughts

A GRE score is a “threshold” metric—it gets your foot in the door. Once you hit the school’s average, your essays, letters of recommendation, and leadership experience are what will actually land you the admission offer.