The Duke Fuqua MBA is known for its strong community culture and focus on leadership, teamwork, and analytical thinking. Students at Fuqua come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds but are expected to handle a rigorous curriculum. The GMAT range for the Duke Fuqua MBA is 680–770 (middle 80% of the class), which gives applicants a clear benchmark for competitiveness.
This range helps candidates understand where they stand before applying. In this blog, we explain the Duke Fuqua MBA GMAT score, how Fuqua evaluates it, and how to plan your application realistically.
The Duke Fuqua MBA does not publish an official average GMAT score. Instead, Fuqua reports a middle 80% GMAT range of 680–770 for its most recent MBA class. This range gives applicants a clear benchmark to understand how competitive their score is.
Most admitted students fall within this range, but Fuqua does not use a fixed cutoff. GMAT scores are reviewed in context, alongside academics, work experience, leadership, and overall fit with the program. A score within the range is generally competitive, while scores outside it are evaluated based on the strength of the rest of the profile.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the GMAT score distribution at Duke Fuqua:
| Score Range | Percentage of Admitted Students |
|---|---|
| 680–770 | Middle 80% |
Source: Duke Fuqua MBA Class Profile
There is no official minimum GMAT score required for the Duke Fuqua MBA. Fuqua takes a comprehensive approach to admissions, meaning they consider your entire application, including your work experience, academic background, leadership potential, and fit with the program, rather than focusing solely on your GMAT score. While the middle 80% of admitted students typically score between 680 and 770, applicants with lower scores can still be considered if the rest of their profile is strong. A lower GMAT score won’t automatically disqualify you, but it’s important to showcase other strengths in your application, such as a solid academic record, leadership roles, and impactful professional experience.
Does Duke Fuqua accept the GMAT Focus Edition?
Yes. The Duke Fuqua MBA accepts the GMAT Focus Edition for its Daytime MBA program. Fuqua treats it as a valid test to assess academic readiness, just like the earlier GMAT format.
Fuqua does not publish a preferred GMAT Focus score or a separate Focus-specific range. Instead, scores are reviewed in context with the rest of the application. Because the GMAT Focus uses a new scoring scale, Fuqua does not directly compare GMAT Focus scores with older GMAT results.
How Duke Fuqua Interprets GMAT Focus Scores:
For applicants, the Duke Fuqua MBA GMAT score should be judged within its own format. Fuqua looks at how competitive your score is relative to the class profile, alongside academics, work experience, and overall fit with the program.
Your Fuqua MBA GMAT score is reviewed in context, not in isolation. Duke Fuqua shares a clear class profile GMAT range, and your score is evaluated alongside academics, work experience, and career goals. Since Fuqua does not publish an official GMAT average, the middle 80% range is the best benchmark to understand competitiveness.
A GMAT score below the published class range means your score is weaker compared to most admitted students, but it does not end your chances.
This range can still work if you have:
You should be cautious if:
In this range, the rest of your profile must clearly compensate for the score.
This range signals that your GMAT score is competitive for Fuqua. Many applicants fall into this band.
At this level, the GMAT:
What decides outcomes here:
Common mistakes at this band:
In this range, execution matters more than the score.
A GMAT score above the published range strengthens your academic profile and reduces concerns about classroom readiness.
What it helps with:
What it does not guarantee:
Overconfidence hurts applicants when:
At this level, Fuqua expects the rest of your profile to match the score.
.jpg)
The Duke Fuqua MBA program is known for attracting a diverse group of talented and experienced students. Here’s an overview of the class profile to give you a better idea of what the incoming class looks like:
| Class Size | 426 students |
| Average GPA | Between 3.16 – 3.91 on a 4.0 scale |
| GMAT Score Range | 680 – 770 (most students fall in this range) |
| GRE Score Range | 307 – 328 combined verbal and quantitative |
| Average Work Experience | About 5.8 years |
| Average Age | Around 29 years |
| Gender Balance | 47% women |
| International Diversity | Students from 43 countries |
| First-Generation College Students | About 22% of students are the first in their families to attend college |
Source: Duke MBA Class Profile
Many applicants struggle with this decision while planning their Duke Fuqua MBA application. Retaking the GMAT can help in some cases, but it is not always the right move. The decision depends on your current score, overall profile strength, timeline, and application round. Retaking without a clear reason can add pressure and delay your application. This section explains when a retake helps, when it does not, and how to decide wisely before investing more time and effort.
Retaking the GMAT can make sense if:
In these situations, a higher GMAT score can reduce risk and improve overall competitiveness.
Retaking may not be worth it if:
In such cases, strengthening other parts of the application often has more impact than a small score increase.
Timing plays a major role in this decision.
If a retake pushes your application timeline, the risk may outweigh the benefit.
Preparing again for the GMAT takes time and energy. Ask yourself:
A retake only makes sense when the expected gain is meaningful, not marginal.
If you’re aiming for the Duke Fuqua MBA, here’s some good news: You don’t necessarily need to take the GMAT. Fuqua offers the option to apply with a GRE score or even an Executive Assessment (EA) score. So, if you’ve taken the GRE or have experience that makes your GMAT score less relevant, you can still apply with one of these alternatives. Fuqua considers your whole application, not just the test scores. This means they look at your work experience, leadership skills, and overall academic background too.
Another option Fuqua offers is the GMAT waiver. If you’re someone who has substantial professional experience or academic achievements that show you’re ready for the MBA program, you can request a waiver from the GMAT requirement. Keep in mind, this is a case-by-case decision, and you'll need to demonstrate why your profile is strong enough to bypass the test.
For those applying with a GRE score, the average scores of admitted students at Fuqua typically fall in the range of 307 to 328 for the combined score of both sections (verbal and quantitative). A score within this range will make your application competitive, but the admissions committee looks beyond the test score. They value your overall experience, leadership potential, and your ability to contribute to the Fuqua community.
If you’re considering the GRE over the GMAT, it’s important to aim for a score on the higher side of this range (around 320 and above) to really stand out. However, it’s also important to remember that a high score alone isn’t enough — you’ll need a well-rounded application to match. Fuqua's holistic review process means they’re interested in what you bring to the table beyond just the numbers.
GRE: GRE: The average GRE score for the Duke Fuqua MBA is typically around 160 in the Verbal section and 160 in the Quantitative section.
The Duke Fuqua School of Business has no preference between the GMAT and the GRE. Both tests are accepted and reviewed in the same way for the Daytime MBA program. The right choice depends on your strengths and background, not on which test appears more popular.
You should choose the GMAT if:
You should choose the GRE if:
The key is to submit the test where you can score higher and clearly show academic readiness. Fuqua focuses more on how strong your score is, not on which exam you take.
Preparing for the GMAT can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can improve your score and boost your chances of getting into the Duke Fuqua MBA program. Here are some practical tips to help you get ready for the GMAT:
If your GMAT score is lower than you hoped, don’t worry! There are still plenty of ways to strengthen your application and show that you are a strong candidate for the Duke Fuqua MBA. Here are some strategies to consider:
Conclusion
The Duke Fuqua MBA GMAT score is an important part of the application, but it is never judged on its own. Fuqua looks at how your test score fits with your academics, work experience, leadership, and career goals. If your score falls within the class range, your focus should shift to essays, impact, and fit. If your score is below range, you can still stay competitive by showing strong academics and clear progress at work. The key is to set a realistic target, avoid rushed retakes, and build a well-balanced application that matches Fuqua’s expectations.
The middle 80% of students at Fuqua scored between 680 and 770 on the GMAT, showing how competitive the program is.
Fuqua doesn’t publish an official average, but most admitted students score around 720–725.
Yes, Fuqua requires either a GMAT or GRE score. The GMAT is most commonly submitted by applicants.
You’ll need to submit a GMAT or GRE score unless you qualify for a rare waiver based on strong academic or professional experience.
The middle 80% GPA range for admitted students is 3.16 to 3.91, showing strong academic performance across backgrounds.
The average work experience is about 5.8 years, which helps create a class with rich professional insights.
The class has 47% women, 35% international students from 43 countries, and 55% U.S. students of color, making it truly global.
The average student is 29 years old, showing that most come in with several years of full-time experience.
Top pre-MBA industries include financial services (21%), consulting (16%), and technology (12%).
Yes, a 700 is competitive, though aiming for 720 or higher aligns better with the current class profile.
