what are the GMAT scores required by top bussiness schools?

Answer 1

The average GMAT score at the top schools is about 700.

BusinessWeek and US News both have rankings of the top schools. If you buy the B-School edition or subscribe on-line, you will be able to get more information -- including the range of GMAT scores for the middle 80%.

Most B-Schools use this as one criteria -- and don't put any more emphasis on it than on other things. The main things they consider are:

1. GMAT scores
2. GPA
3. Quality of undergraduate school & major
4. Essays
5. Recommendations
6. Quality of work experience & length of time working
7. Interview

From my experience, most of the top schools will let you slide on one of these -- but not on two. At Duke, I saw people with no work experience -- but everything else solid; people from crappy schools -- but everything else solid; People with low GMAT scores -- but everything else sollid; People with so-so GPAs -- but everything else solid.

The essays may be the most important thing. You can address any deficiencies there.

Answer 2

99th percentile.

800 is the max score. For a top school you'll need a 740 minimum. I would go as far as believing something around a 680+ would get you into aschool like UCLA, but 740+ will almost guarantee it.