Columbia Business School (CBS) is one of the most competitive MBA programmes in the world, with the added advantage of Early Decision and January entry options. GMAT and GRE are both accepted, with GMAT still the more commonly submitted test.
Columbia Business School MBA — GMAT Benchmarks
| Metric | Score |
|---|---|
| Median GMAT (overall class) | 729 |
| Middle 80% range | 690 – 760 |
| Competitive GMAT for Indian applicants | 740 – 780 |
Indian applicants form one of CBS's largest international applicant pools, competing in a segment where the effective competitive bar sits meaningfully above the published median.
Other Columbia Business Master's Programmes
| Programme | Median/Competitive GMAT |
|---|---|
| MS in Financial Economics | 720 – 760 |
| MBA/MS dual degrees | Same bar as core MBA |
GMAT vs. GRE at Columbia Business School
Columbia accepts both tests with no stated preference. Applicants targeting quant-heavy roles (private equity, hedge funds) often favour GMAT for its stronger signal in quantitative reasoning to finance recruiters; applicants keeping options open for non-business master's programmes often choose GRE.
Columbia's Early Decision Advantage
CBS's Early Decision round has a meaningfully higher acceptance rate than Regular Decision — for applicants confident Columbia is their top choice, a strong GMAT score submitted in the ED round is one of the most effective levers available.
GMAT Is Separate From English Proficiency
A GMAT score does not satisfy Columbia's English language requirement. International applicants still need TOEFL or IELTS:
| Requirement | Columbia Policy |
|---|---|
| GMAT | 729 median; 740–780 competitive for Indian applicants |
| TOEFL | Required — see our Columbia TOEFL Requirements guide |
| IELTS | Required — see our Columbia IELTS Requirements guide |
Prepare for TOEFL with Gabble — alongside your GMAT preparation, reach the competitive TOEFL score CBS expects from international applicants. Or prepare for IELTS.