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.