A 655 is a strong GMAT score. It places you around the 90th percentile of test-takers and demonstrates that you can handle the academic demands of a rigorous MBA programme.
But is it enough for a top 10 MBA?
The short answer is: yes, it can be, but the score alone does not make you competitive.
At some leading business schools, 655 may fall within the range of admitted students but below the class average. At others, particularly highly selective US programmes, it may leave less room for weakness elsewhere in your profile.
The real question is not whether 655 is universally “good enough.” It is whether 655 provides sufficient academic reassurance within the context of your application.
First, understand what 655 represents
When the current GMAT scoring system was introduced, 655 was commonly described as the “new 700.” That comparison helped applicants understand that scores on the 205–805 scale should not be read in the same way as scores on the earlier exam.
However, it should not be treated as a permanent one-to-one conversion. GMAC recommends using percentile rankings to compare performance because the percentile associated with a score can change as more candidates take the exam.
A 655 remains a highly competitive result globally. The difficulty arises when you compare yourself not with all GMAT test-takers, but with applicants targeting the same small group of elite MBA programmes.
What does “top 10” mean for your score?
There is no permanent list of top 10 business schools and can not be randomly shortlisted because of name romanticism. Rankings vary across publications and change each year. Applicants must analyse their preferences post MBA, specifically commencement goal and then pick the “top 10” schools which fits his profile and expectations. A high GMAT score generally can’t be the only data point to choose M7 or S10 programs in the US and top programs in Europe like LBS, INSEAD, Cambridge, IESE and HEC.
This distinction matters because a 655 will not be viewed identically everywhere.
At schools where recent class averages are closer to the high 600s on the current GMAT scale, 655 may sit below the typical score but still within a viable range. At programmes with slightly broader score distributions, it may be closer to the competitive centre of the class.
Our guide to average GMAT scores at leading US and European MBA programmes provides a useful starting point for comparing schools. However, averages should guide your decision, not become unofficial cut-offs.
Students are admitted below the average every year. They are usually admitted because the rest of the application gives the school strong reasons to select them.
When can a 655 be enough?
A 655 can work well when it is supported by strong academic and professional evidence.
Suppose you have good undergraduate grades, substantial quantitative exposure and a consistent record of professional progression. In that case, the score confirms an ability that the rest of your profile has already established.
It can also be sufficient when your candidature brings meaningful differentiation. Experience in an unusual market or sector, significant entrepreneurial progress, exceptional community leadership or a distinctive personal journey may give the Admissions Committee reasons to look beyond the class average.
The quality of your professional achievements also matters. Business schools are not evaluating only where you worked or what your designation was. They want to understand what changed because of your involvement. A promotion, an important initiative, measurable business impact or leadership without formal authority can considerably strengthen the case.
At LilacBuds, candidates often ask our consultants whether a 655 means they should remove ambitious schools from their list. We usually advise against making that decision from the score alone. The better approach is to assess what the score proves, what the rest of the profile contributes and where the application may still create doubt.
When could 655 leave you exposed?
The score becomes more concerning when it appears alongside another academic weakness.
If your undergraduate grades are low, your university is less familiar to the Admissions Committee and your work offers limited quantitative exposure, a 655 may not fully resolve questions about academic readiness.
Your applicant pool also matters. Indian engineers, technology professionals and consultants often compete within highly represented categories. A 655 does not disqualify such a candidate, but it may provide limited differentiation when many applicants have similar academic and professional backgrounds.
Section scores should also be reviewed. A balanced 655 may be more reassuring than the same total with a pronounced weakness in Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning or Data Insights. The weaker section matters most when it confirms a concern already visible elsewhere in the application.
For example, a low Quant score may attract greater attention if your transcript and work experience provide little evidence of quantitative ability.
Should you retake a 655?
Do not retake simply because another applicant reports a 685 or 705 online. Their profile, target schools and application weaknesses may be entirely different.
A retake makes sense when your official result was below your recent mock-test range, you have identified a correctable weakness and a materially higher score is realistic. It may also be worthwhile when stronger academic evidence would directly improve your candidature.
However, moving from 655 to 665 may not change the outcome as much as applicants expect. If the score already establishes academic readiness, the hours required for a retake may create more value when invested in your essays, recommendations and school research.
Before booking another attempt, ask: What concern will a higher score resolve?
If you are unsure whether retaking is the right move, our guide on whether to retake a low GMAT score or pursue a waiver can help you evaluate the decision.
If you do retake, preparation should begin with an analysis of the previous result rather than a repetition of the same study plan. Our GMAT preparation guide explains how targeted practice and mock analysis can help structure the next attempt.
How should you build your admission strategy around 655?
If you apply with 655, the rest of the application must be deliberate.
For an applicant with strong academics but a conventional background, the priority should be differentiation. Your essays and resume should show initiative, leadership and impact rather than merely describe your responsibilities.
If your academics are weaker, use the application to demonstrate how you have grown since university. Professional progression, analytical responsibilities, certifications and recent achievements can provide more current evidence of your ability.
Candidates planning a major career transition need to make that move credible. Clearly connect what you have done, what you need from the MBA and how the target school will help you reach the next role. A higher GMAT cannot compensate for an unclear career plan.
Your school list should also be balanced. A 655 can support applications to ambitious programmes, but applying only to schools where the score is below the recent class average may create unnecessary risk. Include programmes where your score, experience and goals align more comfortably.
The bottom line
A 655 GMAT is enough to justify applying to a top 10 MBA. It is not high enough to make the rest of the application secondary, and no GMAT score is.
Apply with 655 when it is supported by strong academics, meaningful professional impact and a differentiated story. Consider a retake when the score reinforces another weakness or when your preparation indicates that a substantially stronger result is achievable.
The most useful question is not, “Will a top school accept 655?”
It is, “Does my complete application give this school enough reasons to choose me?”
Considering a top MBA with a 655 GMAT? LilacBuds helps applicants evaluate their scores in the context of their complete profiles, build a balanced school list and develop an application strategy around their strengths. Speak with a LilacBuds MBA consultant to decide whether you should apply, retake or reconsider your school mix.
