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🎯Key Takeaways – Cornell MPS GMAT Score
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What is The Average Cornell MPS GMAT Score?
- GMAT Requirement for Cornell MPS in Management Applicants
- How Competitive Is Your GMAT Score for the Cornell MPS in Management?
- Cornell MPS Class Profile 2025
- Should You Take or Retake the GMAT for the Cornell MPS in Management?
- Cornell MPS GMAT Waiver & GRE Option
- Tips to Prepare for Cornell MPS GMAT
- How to Strengthen Application with a Low GMAT
🎯Key Takeaways – Cornell MPS GMAT Score
✅ Cornell MPS GMAT Score: The average GMAT score for Cornell MPS is typically 650–710, and there is no officially required minimum cutoff.
📘 Test Requirement: Cornell accepts both GMAT and GRE scores, and applicants may request a test waiver through the online application.
🧮 GRE Option: Competitive GRE scores for Cornell MPS usually fall around 155–162 in both Verbal and Quant sections.
🎓 Class Profile: Cornell MPS attracts a diverse cohort each year, though official class size and nationality data are not publicly released.
💡 Low GMAT Strategy: Applicants with lower scores can still stand out with strong academics, quant-heavy coursework, good recommendations, and clear career goals.
Introduction
The Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management offers the MPS in Management for students who want to build strong business basics and grow their careers early. The program is popular among applicants from different academic backgrounds who are aiming for roles in consulting, strategy, and general management. Because of this, many students often ask about the Cornell MPS GMAT score and whether it is needed to apply.
As per the official application guide, the GMAT is not compulsory for the Cornell MPS in Management. There is no fixed score or cutoff. Submitting a GMAT score is optional and only reviewed if you choose to include it. Cornell places more importance on your academic record, quantitative skills, career goals, and overall profile. In this blog, we break down how the Cornell MPS GMAT score is considered and what it means for your application.
What is The Average Cornell MPS GMAT Score?
The average GMAT score required for Cornell MPS is typically between 650 and 710, giving you a clear idea of what a competitive profile looks like. This range helps you understand where most successful applicants usually stand, even though Cornell doesn’t officially set a minimum score. The program also accepts the GRE, and students who get in generally score around 155–162 in both the Verbal and Quant sections, which shows balanced academic strength.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Average GMAT Score | 650–710 |
| Minimum GMAT Requirement | No official minimum |
| GMAT Focus Accepted | Yes |
| GRE Accepted | Yes — typically 155–162 (V/Q) |
Source: Cornell MPS Admission Guide
Is there a Minimum GMAT Score for Cornell MPS?
There is no official minimum GMAT score for Cornell MPS. The program does not set a cutoff, and every application is reviewed based on overall strength. Most admitted students score between 650 and 710, which gives a clear idea of what the competitive range looks like. If your score is lower, strong academics, solid projects, good recommendations, and clear career goals can still help improve your chances.
GMAT Requirement for Cornell MPS in Management Applicants
Is the GMAT required for the Cornell MPS in Management?
No. The Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management does not require a GMAT or GRE score for the MPS in Management program. You can apply without submitting any test scores.
Cornell does not publish any minimum or preferred GMAT score for this program. Test scores are completely optional. If you decide to submit a GMAT or GRE score, it will be reviewed along with the rest of your application, not separately.
How Cornell Looks at GMAT Scores (If You Submit One):
- GMAT is optional, not compulsory
- There is no cutoff score for the MPS in Management
- Scores are reviewed only in the context of your full profile
- Academic performance and quantitative subjects matter more
- Applications without GMAT are evaluated on an equal footing
For current and upcoming applicants, this means you should submit a GMAT score only if it clearly strengthens your application. Cornell focuses more on your academic readiness, career goals, and overall profile fit rather than relying on test scores alone.
How Competitive Is Your GMAT Score for the Cornell MPS in Management?
The Cornell MPS GMAT score is reviewed in context, not in isolation. The MPS in Management admissions team looks at your academic background, coursework, career goals, and overall profile first. Since the GMAT is optional for this program, there is no fixed score range or benchmark that applicants must meet.
Applying Without a GMAT Score
Most applicants to the Cornell MPS in Management apply without submitting a GMAT or GRE score. This does not reduce your chances of admission.
This works well if you have:
- Strong undergraduate academic performance
- Good grades in quantitative subjects such as math, statistics, or economics
- Clear career goals are explained well in your essays
- Relevant internships or early work exposure
You should be cautious if:
- Your academic grades are weak
- You have very limited quantitative coursework
- Your application lacks clarity on career direction
In such cases, other parts of your profile must clearly show academic readiness.
Submitting a GMAT Score (Optional)
Cornell does not publish an average GMAT score or a cutoff for the MPS in Management. If you submit a GMAT score, it is reviewed only as a supporting part of your application.
If you submit a GMAT score, it may help by:
- Showing quantitative and analytical readiness
- Supporting your academic profile if coursework is limited
- Adding strength to an otherwise balanced application
However, a GMAT score does not guarantee:
- Admission
- Interview calls
- Scholarships
For the Cornell MPS in Management, the admissions team expects consistency across your academics, essays, and career goals. A GMAT score is useful only if it clearly adds value to your overall profile.
Cornell MPS Class Profile 2025
The Cornell MPS in Management brings together students from different academic and cultural backgrounds, creating a diverse and collaborative learning environment. While not all details are officially published, the available data gives a good idea of the class composition and what you can expect from the 2025 cohort.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Class Size | NA |
| International Students | NA |
| Average Work Experience | Not mandatory |
| Median GRE Score | 155–162 (V/Q) |
| Median GMAT Score | 650–710 |
| Intake Year | 2025 |
Should You Take or Retake the GMAT for the Cornell MPS in Management?
Many applicants wonder whether taking or retaking the GMAT will improve their chances for the Cornell MPS in Management. According to the official application guide from Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management, the GMAT is not required for this program. Because of this, taking or retaking the GMAT is not necessary for most applicants.
When Taking the GMAT Can Help
Submitting a GMAT score may make sense if:
- Your academic grades are weaker than expected
- You have limited quantitative coursework
- You want to show extra academic readiness
- A test score clearly strengthens your overall profile
In these cases, a strong GMAT score can support your application, but it is still reviewed only as one part of the profile.
When Taking the GMAT Is Not Necessary
You do not need the GMAT if:
- You have solid undergraduate academic performance
- Your transcripts show quantitative subjects
- Your career goals are clear and well explained
- Your application is strong overall without a test score
Many successful Cornell MPS applicants are admitted without submitting any GMAT or GRE score.
Timing and Application Considerations
Preparing for the GMAT takes time and effort. For an optional test program like the Cornell MPS in Management, spending that time on essays, recommendations, and career clarity often has a bigger impact.
- Late test preparation can distract from application quality
- Rushing the GMAT may not lead to a strong score
- Delaying your application only for a test score is usually not needed
Cornell MPS GMAT Waiver & GRE Option
Cornell does offer a GMAT or GRE waiver for the MPS in Management, but only for applicants who can clearly show strong analytical and quantitative ability through academics or work experience. You must request the waiver directly in the application form, and the admissions team typically replies within 7 business days. If the waiver is approved, you will not be at a disadvantage. If it is denied, your application will stay incomplete until you submit a test score. Cornell also accepts the GRE fully for this program.
Average GRE Score for Cornell MPS
The average GRE score for Cornell MPS applicants usually falls around 155–162 in both the Verbal and Quant sections. Scoring in this range keeps your application competitive and shows balanced strength across quantitative and verbal skills, similar to what Cornell looks for in GMAT applicants.
GRE: The average GRE score for Cornell MPS is typically around 155–162 in Verbal and 155–162 in Quantitative sections.
Tips to Prepare for Cornell MPS GMAT
Preparing for the Cornell MPS GMAT becomes much easier when you follow a clear plan and focus on the areas that matter most. Since most admitted applicants score between 650 and 710, it’s important to strengthen your quant basics, build speed, and practice with official-style questions.
- Start with a personalized GMAT study plan: Build a schedule that fits your routine, spend extra time on weaker areas, and track your progress weekly. A structured plan keeps you focused and prevents last-minute stress.
- Strengthen your Quant foundations early: Cornell values strong analytical skills, so revise arithmetic, algebra, and word problems regularly. Solid basics make the harder GMAT questions much easier to handle.
- Practice mainly with official GMAT material: Use the Official Guide and mock tests because they match the real exam closely. This helps you learn question patterns, timing, and the overall difficulty level.
- Review your mistakes in detail: Don’t just move on after getting a question wrong. Understand why you missed it and what step you overlooked. This habit improves accuracy faster than doing more questions.
- Take one full mock test every week: Simulate the real exam environment to build stamina, test your pacing, and notice which skills still need work. Regular mocks make the final test feel familiar.
- Focus on your weak topics daily: Whether it’s data sufficiency, number properties, or sentence structure, short targeted drills help you strengthen gaps and improve your overall score faster.
A well-structured GMAT study plan that suits your pace can make a big difference in achieving the score Cornell looks for.
How to Strengthen Application with a Low GMAT
To improve your chances with a low GMAT score for the Cornell MPS GMAT, focus on strengthening other parts of your application. Highlight strong academics, relevant internships, quantitative coursework, clear career goals, and impactful projects. A well-written resume, solid recommendation letters, and a compelling statement can also help balance a lower score.
- Prepare Thoroughly for Interviews: If you are lucky enough to get an interview, you can shine by being more prepared than other candidates. You need to have read plenty of the professor's work, understand the university, department, and application process, and ask good questions.
- Improve Your GMAT Score: Earning a high GMAT score is probably the best way to offset a low GPA. Business schools designed the GMAT for business schools, so a high GMAT score is one of the most effective ways of predicting your success throughout and beyond your MBA.
- Write an Effective MBA Resume: Emphasize other accomplishments that speak to your potential to succeed in an MBA program. Your resume can highlight your academic achievements and your contributions at work.
- Get Strong Letters of Recommendation: Obtaining strong letters of recommendation can also go a long way in demonstrating your abilities and potential to succeed in an MBA program. Letters of recommendation from a current or former supervisor lend a degree of credibility to your application that can't be ignored.
- Write Compelling Essays: Writing compelling essays can help your application stand out by highlighting your unique experiences and perspectives.
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Conclusion
The Cornell MPS GMAT score can help you understand what a competitive application usually looks like, but it is not a strict requirement. Since the GMAT is optional, Cornell looks beyond test scores and focuses more on your academics, quantitative subjects, career goals, and overall profile. A GMAT score in the 650–710 range or a strong GRE score can support your application, but many students are admitted without submitting any test score.
What matters most is how clearly your application tells your story. Strong essays, relevant internships or work exposure, clear career goals, and good recommendations often matter more than the GMAT alone. If you focus on presenting your strengths well and show that you are ready for the program, you can still build a strong application for the Cornell MPS in Management, even without a high GMAT score.
