Imperial College London MBA GMAT Score, GRE & Waiver Rules

Introduction

Imperial College London offers a highly competitive Full-Time MBA program and attracts applicants from across the world who are aiming for careers in consulting, finance, technology, and leadership roles. Because of this strong competition, understanding the Imperial College London MBA GMAT requirement is an important part of planning your application.

According to official admissions data from Imperial College Business School, submitting a GMAT or GRE score is mandatory unless you receive an approved waiver. Imperial has clearly defined minimum score requirements to assess academic readiness, but the admissions team does not rely on test scores alone. In this blog, we explain how the Imperial MBA GMAT score is evaluated, the minimum score expectations, and what your test score means for your overall chances of admission.

What is the Average Imperial College London MBA GMAT Score?

The Full-Time MBA at Imperial College Business School is a competitive program, and the GMAT is used to check whether applicants are academically ready for the course. Unlike some schools, Imperial does not publish an official average GMAT score. Instead, it focuses on clear minimum score requirements.

A higher GMAT score can support your application, especially if you are applying for roles that need strong quantitative skills. However, the GMAT is only one part of the decision. Imperial looks at your academics, work experience, essays, and interview performance before making a final call.

Imperial College London MBA GMAT Score Overview

Minimum GMAT Score Accepted by Imperial MBA

Imperial College Business School has set clear minimum GMAT scores for the Full-Time MBA. Applicants must score at least 555 on the GMAT Focus Edition or 600 on the GMAT 10th Edition, unless they are granted an official waiver.

If your score is close to the minimum, your application is still reviewed carefully. In such cases, Imperial expects to see strong academics, good quantitative ability, relevant work experience, and clear career goals. A lower GMAT score does not automatically mean rejection, but it needs to be balanced by strengths in other parts of your profile.

GMAT Focus Edition for Imperial College London MBA Applicants

Does Imperial accept the GMAT Focus Edition?

Yes. Imperial College Business School accepts the GMAT Focus Edition for its Full-Time MBA program. The school treats the GMAT Focus as a valid test to check whether applicants are academically ready for the MBA, just like the earlier GMAT format.

Imperial has clearly stated minimum score requirements for the GMAT Focus Edition. Since the GMAT Focus follows a new scoring system, these scores are not directly compared with the older GMAT (10th Edition).

How Imperial Looks at GMAT Focus Scores

• GMAT Focus scores are reviewed using the new scoring scale only
• Imperial checks whether your score meets the minimum required level
• GMAT Focus and older GMAT scores are not compared with each other
• A strong score helps show readiness for the MBA’s quantitative coursework
• The GMAT Focus score is considered along with academics, work experience, essays, and interview

For applicants applying from 2025 onwards, it is important to judge the GMAT Focus score on its own terms. Imperial focuses on whether the score shows academic readiness, rather than comparing it with older GMAT scores.

How Competitive Is Your GMAT Score for the Imperial College London MBA?

Your Imperial College London MBA GMAT score is reviewed in context, not in isolation. Imperial College Business School looks at your GMAT score along with your academic background, work experience, and career goals. While the school has clear minimum score requirements, a higher GMAT score can make your application stronger.

Below is a simple explanation of how different GMAT score ranges are generally viewed, based on Imperial’s official admissions guidance.

GMAT Below Class Average (Below around 666 – GMAT 10th Edition)

A GMAT score below the current class average does not automatically mean rejection, but it does place more pressure on other parts of your profile.

This range can still work if you have:

• Strong academic performance, especially in quantitative subjects
• Relevant work experience with clear career progression
• Evidence of analytical or quantitative skills in your role

You should be cautious if:

• Your academics are weak in quantitative areas
• Your role has little or no quantitative exposure
• Your career goals are unclear or poorly explained

In this range, the rest of your profile needs to clearly compensate for the GMAT score.

GMAT Around Class Average (Around 660–700)

This range generally shows that your GMAT score is competitive for the Imperial MBA. Many admitted candidates fall within this band.

At this level, the GMAT:

• Meets Imperial’s academic expectations
• Does not strongly help or hurt the application on its own

What matters most here:

• Quality and relevance of work experience
• Leadership impact and responsibilities
• Clear and realistic post-MBA career goals

Common mistakes in this range:

• Assuming the GMAT score alone is enough
• Weak essays or unclear career plans

In this band, execution across the application matters more than the score itself.

GMAT Above Class Average (700+)

A GMAT score above the class average strengthens your academic profile and reduces concerns about classroom readiness.

This level helps by:

• Showing strong analytical and quantitative ability
• Supporting applications for demanding career paths

What it does not guarantee:

• Admission
• Interview calls
• Scholarships

Even at this level, applications can be unsuccessful if:

• Essays lack clarity or depth
• Leadership impact is weak
• Career goals are unrealistic or poorly thought through

Imperial expects the rest of your profile to match the strength of your GMAT score.

Imperial MBA Class Profile

The Full-Time MBA at Imperial College Business School brings together professionals from a wide range of industries and academic backgrounds. The class is designed to reflect real-world business environments, with students coming from different regions, functions, and career stages. This diversity helps applicants understand how their overall profile fits within the broader MBA cohort.

Imperial focuses on building a balanced class where professional experience, academic ability, and clear career goals matter more than any single factor.

Source: Imperial College London MBA 2026

Imperial College London MBA – Class Profile Overview

Should You Retake the GMAT for the Imperial College London MBA?

Many applicants face this question while planning their Imperial College London MBA application. Retaking the GMAT can help in some cases, but it is not always the right decision. Imperial has clear minimum GMAT requirements, so the choice to retake depends on your current score, overall profile strength, and how close you are to the application deadline.

This section explains when a GMAT retake can help, when it may not, and how to decide wisely before investing more time and effort.

When Retaking the GMAT Helps

Retaking the GMAT can make sense if:

• Your score is close to or just meets the minimum required by Imperial
• Your academic background is weak in quantitative subjects
• Your career goals need stronger academic support
• You have enough time before application deadlines

In these situations, a higher GMAT score can reduce academic risk and make your application more competitive.

When Retaking the GMAT Does Not Help

A GMAT retake may not be worth it if:

• Your score already comfortably meets or exceeds Imperial’s requirements
• Your work experience and leadership profile are strong
• Your essays and career goals need more improvement than your test score
• You are close to application deadlines

In such cases, strengthening other parts of the application often has more impact than a small GMAT increase.

Timing Risks and Deadline Considerations

Timing plays a major role in this decision:

• Late retakes can clash with essay writing and application preparation
• Rushed preparation often leads to similar or lower scores
• Applying in a later round can reduce competitiveness

If a retake delays your application, the risk may outweigh the benefit.

Opportunity Cost vs Benefit

Preparing again for the GMAT takes time and energy. Ask yourself:

• Will a higher score clearly improve my chances at Imperial?
• Or would that time be better spent improving essays, recommendations, and career clarity?

A GMAT retake makes sense only when the expected improvement is meaningful, not marginal.

Imperial College London MBA GMAT Waiver & GRE Option

For the Full-Time MBA at Imperial College Business School, submitting a GMAT or GRE score is required. However, Imperial does offer a small number of test waivers each year. These waivers are limited and are granted only to candidates who clearly demonstrate strong academic ability.

If you do not receive a waiver, submitting a valid GMAT or GRE score is mandatory. Applications without a test score or an approved waiver are not reviewed.

GMAT / GRE Waiver at Imperial MBA

Imperial offers test waivers only in specific cases.

A waiver may be considered if you can show:

• Very strong academic performance
• Clear evidence of quantitative or analytical skills

To request a waiver, you must submit:

• Academic transcripts showing courses taken and grades achieved
• An up-to-date CV

Waiver requests must be submitted before you apply for the MBA and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If your waiver is not approved, submitting a GMAT or GRE score becomes compulsory.

GRE Option for Imperial College London MBA

Imperial accepts the GRE as a full alternative to the GMAT. The school does not prefer one test over the other, and both are evaluated in the same way.

Minimum GRE scores required:

• 156 in Verbal
• 158 in Quantitative

A strong GRE score helps show academic readiness for the MBA, but it does not guarantee admission. Like the GMAT, the GRE is reviewed alongside academics, work experience, essays, and interview performance.

GMAT vs GRE: Which One Should You Take?

Imperial does not recommend one test over the other. The better option is the test where you can score higher.

You should consider the GMAT if:

• You are comfortable with numbers and data analysis
• Your target roles require strong quantitative skills
• You want to highlight analytical strength

You should consider the GRE if:

• You perform better in verbal reasoning
• You already have a strong GRE score
• You are applying to both MBA and non-MBA programs

What matters most is not which test you take, but how strong your score is. Imperial focuses on overall readiness, not the exam name.

Tips to Prepare for the Imperial College London MBA GMAT Score

Preparing for the Imperial College London MBA GMAT does not mean chasing a perfect score. Imperial mainly wants to see that you are academically ready for the MBA, especially for subjects that require strong quantitative and analytical skills. A clear plan and realistic goals matter more than over-preparing.

Here are some simple and practical tips to help you prepare better:

• Set a realistic target score: Aim for a score that clearly meets Imperial’s minimum requirements instead of pushing for an unrealistic jump that adds stress.
• Follow a simple study plan: Create a weekly plan that covers Quant, Verbal, and mock tests. Regular study works better than long, irregular sessions.
• Keep your sections balanced: A good overall score with very weak Quant or Verbal sections can still raise concerns. Try to keep all sections at a solid level.
• Use mock tests properly: Take full-length mock tests to track progress, improve time management, and get comfortable with exam conditions.
• Know when to stop: If your scores have reached a stable level and meet Imperial’s expectations, it may be better to focus on essays and applications rather than chasing a small score increase.

A calm and focused GMAT preparation approach helps you meet Imperial’s requirements without unnecessary pressure or last-minute stress.

How to Improve Your Chances with a Low GMAT at Imperial College London MBA

A lower GMAT score does not automatically rule you out of the Full-Time MBA at Imperial College Business School. Imperial reviews applications based on the overall profile, not just the test score. If your GMAT is close to the minimum or below the class average, other parts of your application need to clearly show that you are ready for the MBA.

Here’s how you can strengthen your application if your GMAT score is on the lower side:

• Show clear career impact: Highlight measurable results from your work, such as leading projects, improving processes, managing teams, or delivering business outcomes. Clear impact matters.
• Demonstrate academic readiness: If you have a strong undergraduate GPA or studied quantitative subjects like engineering, finance, mathematics, or statistics, make sure this is clearly shown in your application.
• Write strong and honest essays: Use your essays to explain your career progress, leadership experience, and why the Imperial MBA fits your goals. Be specific and avoid generic answers.
• Choose recommenders carefully: Pick managers or seniors who know your work well and can give real examples of your leadership, problem-solving ability, and professional growth.
• Perform well in the interview: Clear communication, strong career clarity, and confidence during the Imperial interview can help offset concerns about a lower GMAT score.

Even with a lower GMAT, a clear, consistent, and well-prepared application can still be competitive at Imperial College Business School.

Related Blogs:

• Imperial MBA Interview Questions
• Is Imperial MBA Worth It? Witness Salary, Fees, and ROI
• Imperial MBA salary: Sectors, Locations and Opportunities
• Imperial MBA Fees
• Imperial MBA Essays: Sample Answers and Tips

Conclusion

The Imperial College London MBA is competitive, and the GMAT or GRE is an important part of the application. However, it is not the only factor that decides admission. Imperial looks at your overall profile, including academics, work experience, career goals, and interview performance. Meeting the minimum test score is necessary, but the admissions team focuses on how well your profile comes together as a whole.

A strong application is about balance, not just a high score. Candidates with clear career direction, solid professional impact, and good academic foundations can still be competitive, even with a lower GMAT. The key is to plan smartly, decide if a retake is really needed, and focus on presenting a clear and well-prepared application that fits Imperial’s expectations.