GMAT for ISB 2025: Score Trends, Averages & How to Get Accepted When it comes to top global MBA programs, the Indian School of Business (ISB) stands in its own league — a one-year, intensive MBA that delivers Ivy-League-level outcomes at a fraction of the cost. Naturally, competition is fierce. With the rollout of the GMAT Focus Edition, thousands of applicants are now re-evaluating what “good” looks like. And ISB has quietly updated how it interprets scores, what it prioritizes, and how it weighs the GMAT against real-world experience. If you’re applying in 2025 or early 2026, here’s the definitive playbook on what ISB expects. What GMAT Score Is Competitive for ISB in 2025? Let’s get straight to the numbers. 1. GMAT Focus Edition (New Format) A score of 670–700+ is considered competitive. Anything above 700 strengthens your profile significantly. 2. Classic GMAT (Old Scale) Equivalent competitive scores range from 700–720+. How to Interpret This? ISB’s score expectations haven’t fallen — the scale has changed. The old GMAT’s mid-700s crowd now sits in the high-600s on the Focus scale. In a pool filled with consultants, engineers, tech leads, finance professionals, and entrepreneurs, your GMAT is still a sorting metric, not a deciding one. How ISB Evaluates GMAT in 2025 The admissions office uses the GMAT for three major reasons: 1. Academic readiness The curriculum is fast, dense, and quant-heavy. A strong GMAT reassures them you won’t struggle. 2. Benchmarking across profiles ISB sees applicants from over 500+ industries/functions. Scores help compare apples to oranges. 3. Early shortlist filtering High GMAT scores increase your odds of reaching interview stage. Does ISB Reject Candidates with Lower Scores? No — and this is where ISB’s holistic model becomes important. Lower scores can be offset by: Strong work experience: promotions, impact, team leadership Clear career goals: why MBA, why ISB, what next Achievements: awards, recognition, unique strengths Non-linear stories: entrepreneurs, athletes, performing artists Excellent essays and recommendations Think of GMAT as your entry ticket, not the whole performance. Profile Types and GMAT Targets (2025 Edition) 1. IT / Engineering (Highly represented pool) Target: 700+ GMAT Focus Reason: Competition is brutal. 2. Finance, Consulting & Analytics Target: 690+ Reason: Strong quant-heavy pools. 3. Non-Engineers (Humanities, commerce, arts) Target: 650–680+ Reason: Diversity boosts chances. 4. Entrepreneurs & Start-up professionals Target: 640–670+ Reason: Profile strength carries weight. How Many Times Should You Take the GMAT? ISB does not penalize multiple attempts. In fact, most admits take the test 2–3 times. What matters is your best score, not your history. GMAT vs GRE: What’s ISB Preferring in 2025? A trend is emerging — ISB is receiving more GRE scores each year, especially from non-engineers. However, GMAT remains the more predictable, more widely prepared-for exam. If you’re strong in logic and reasoning, the GMAT Focus Edition is usually the smarter choice. How to Prepare for ISB (2025 Strategy) 1. Start early Give yourself 8–12 weeks for GMAT preparation. 2. Prioritize Data Insights The DI section is a score booster if trained well. 3. Take adaptive mocks GMAT Focus behaves differently — you must understand score swings. 4. Build your profile simultaneously Work experience, impact stories, and extracurriculars matter A LOT at ISB. 5. Craft powerful essays This is where 60% of your personality enters the application. Most Common GMAT + ISB Mistakes in 2025 Assuming 640 is “enough” because someone got in with it. Taking the exam too close to deadlines. Weak essays with generic goals. No clarity on why ISB specifically. Not preparing for interviews — ISB interviews are case-heavy and behavioral. Final Word ISB doesn’t want perfect candidates. It wants high-potential future leaders — people who can execute, communicate, and grow. A strong GMAT Focus score (670–700+) positions you well. A strong, well-rounded profile gets you admitted. If your dream is ISB, the time to start preparing is now. Ready to Apply to ISB? Let CLBS Take You All the Way. Cracking ISB isn’t about luck — it’s about clarity, strategy, and seamless execution. At CLBS, we guide you through every step: GMAT Focus strategy planning Personalized study schedules Profile shaping & leadership positioning SOP/essay crafting that actually stands out Interview prep with real ISB-style questions Complete application management Our students don’t just apply — they apply with purpose, precision, and confidence. If ISB is your dream, we’ll help you build the strongest possible case. Book your ISB Strategy Call with CLBS today — limited slots open for the 2025–26 cycle.

Why Indian GMAT Aspirants Now Prefer Domestic MBA Programs A recent GMAC survey unearthed a compelling trend among Indian GMAT test-takers: more are choosing domestic MBA programs over going abroad. Let’s break it down—and explore how CLBS can turn this shift into your strategic advantage. What’s Really Changing? Domestic MBA Preference Jumps to 53% In 2023–24, 53% of Indian GMAT takers opted for MBA programs within India—up sharply from 41% the previous year. That’s a stunning 12-point leap in a single year. Intent to Study Abroad Remains Strong Despite this domestic shift, 80% of Indian GMAT aspirants still list studying abroad as a goal—not far off from 84% in 2022–23. The allure of international education hasn’t vanished; students are simply weighing options more carefully. Why India Is Rising in Appeal Affordability tops the list—55% cite cost-effectiveness as a key reason to choose Indian institutes. Adding fuel to the trend is the growing recognition of top B-schools like the IIMs, ISB, and other PGDM programs offering ROI-packed education. GMAT Volumes Climb Despite Global Headwinds GMAT takers in India grew by around 20% in recent years, even as other countries grappled with immigration shifts and testing setbacks. India now accounts for close to 30% of global GMAT volume—second only to the U.S. What This Means for You ? Broader Paths, Smarter Choices Whether you’re aiming for IIMs, ISB, or a prestigious global program—each path has strengths. Indian MBAs offer strong placements, affordability, and growing international brand value. Yet global MBAs still pack unparalleled networking and global exposure. Strategic Dual Play Applying both domestically and internationally can maximize your options. If your profile is strong but test scores are still being polished, quality Indian options might open their doors faster. The CLBS Advantage: Making Your MBA Strategy Smart and Effective At CLBS, we see this data as an opportunity—not a dilemma. Here’s how we support you: Customized Pathway Planning Your profile, goals, and finances determine whether Indian, global, or hybrid MBA routes work best. Targeted GMAT Prep With growing competition and a 20% surge in applicants, a standout GMAT score can differentiate you effectively—whether it’s MBA in India or abroad. Dual Application Strategy We help you craft applications for both Indian and global schools, optimizing chances across the board. ROI & Career Outcome Focus Our counseling ensures you evaluate options beyond rankings—placements, internships, and industry alignment matter just as much. Holistic Support From SOPs and essays to interviews and visa insights, CLBS equips you for every element of the application—wherever you choose to apply. Final Word: Own Your MBA Journey Students in 2025 aren’t limiting themselves—they’re pivoting smarter. With excellent MBA programs in India and growing flexibility in global admissions, your path can be both ambitious and practical. At CLBS, our commitment is to craft a strategy that fits you—not the other way around. Let’s talk about what your MBA applications in 2026 look like: local or global, or beautifully balanced between the two.

What’s New in the GMAT Focus Edition? Introducing the GMAT Focus Edition: What You Need to Know Hey GMAT test takers! Did you know? Starting November 7, 2023, the GMAT is putting on a new hat – it’s evolving into the GMAT Focus Edition! Don’t worry if you’ve been preparing for the existing GMAT exam. The classic version will still be available until early 2024, supporting you through your exam preparations and business school applications. Curious about the changes in GMAT Focus Edition? You’re in luck! This blog has all the information on what’s new and how it can boost your success. But, before we begin exploring the changes in the upcoming GMAT Focus Edition, let’s first understand what GMAT is and how it assesses your abilities in four core areas. What is GMAT? The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is a standardized test used for admissions to graduate business programs, such as MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs. It is designed to measure not just your knowledge of specific subjects, but also your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in real-time scenarios. GMAT assesses your abilities in four key areas: Analytical Writing: Evaluating critical thinking and written communication. Integrated Reasoning: Measuring data analysis and decision-making skills. Quantitative Reasoning: Testing mathematical proficiency and problem-solving. Verbal Reasoning: Assessing language skills and argument analysis. Now, let’s take a look at what the GMAT Focus Edition is all about. Understanding GMAT Focus Edition The GMAT Focus Edition is a more targeted and focused examination that enhances your application for business school. It is designed to offer a more personalized and flexible testing experience, allowing you to showcase your abilities in the best possible way and providing valuable insights to strengthen your business school application. With the GMAT Focus Edition, you have the opportunity to test with reduced stress and gain greater control over your testing experience. You can get a better understanding of the GMAT Focus Edition by comparing it to the old GMAT. This helps you see the improvements and advantages it offers. New GMAT Focus Edition vs. the Old GMAT – Spot the Differences The GMAT Focus Edition is a big improvement. It can give you an advantage when applying to business schools, which can be very competitive. Considering graduate programs? It’s good to be aware that the GRE test has been updated recently too. If you want to know what’s new with GRE, check out our blog Demystifying the GRE: Ultimate Guide to the Latest Enhancements! Whether you’ve just started studying for the GMAT Focus edition or have been at it for a while, no need to stress. At CLBS, we’ve got your back! If you need help with the GMAT Focus Edition, applying for a master’s program, or you’re not sure where to start, feel free to contact CLBS for expert advice and support. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.