How do I get into London Business School and what GMAT score do Indian applicants need?
Indian applicants should target 675+ on the GMAT Focus Edition (roughly a classic 720+) for the LBS MBA, above the 645 class average, or GRE 163+ in both sections. You also need 2+ years of work experience (average 5.5), strong essays, one professional reference and an alumni interview.
LBS reads your application as a whole, but as an Indian applicant you are competing inside one of the most overrepresented pools, so your test score has to clear a higher bar than the published average. Aim for a GMAT Focus Edition score of 675 or higher for the MBA, comfortably above the class average of about 645. A strong score earns the shortlist; your story and leadership win the seat.
GMAT and Test Targets for Indian Applicants
| Program or Test | Target Score |
|---|---|
| MBA (GMAT Focus Edition) | 675+, roughly a 720+ on the classic scale |
| Class average for reference | About 645 GMAT Focus (700+ classic) |
| MiM and MFA early-career programs | 655+ GMAT Focus |
| GRE alternative | 163+ in both Verbal and Quantitative; LBS has no test preference |
| English proficiency | IELTS 7.5+ or TOEFL 105+; waivers possible for English-medium degrees |
What Else LBS Requires
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Work experience | Minimum 2 years post-graduation for the MBA; class average is 5.5 years |
| Global mindset | Cross-border teamwork, international clients, study abroad or multiple languages |
| Essays and goals | A cohesive story linking short and long-term goals to why LBS specifically |
| Reference | One objective professional recommendation validating leadership and growth |
| Logistics | 1-page business CV and a GBP 200 MBA fee; rounds close around September, January and March |
| Interview | Alumni-led, usually held in India, including an impromptu presentation |
My Advice
If you come from an engineering or finance background, invest disproportionately in your Verbal score, because admissions panels read sub-scores and a lopsided Quant-heavy result is the most common Indian weakness. Start networking with LBS alumni on LinkedIn and GMAT Club 6 to 12 months out, attend official info sessions, and file in the September round when the class and scholarship pool are both wide open. Rehearse a crisp 2-minute impromptu presentation before your alumni interview.
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