INSEAD admissions:
which test to take and which scores the school recommends

Which tests do INSEAD programs require?

The three programs covered admit students based on online applications, where test scores are one component among several. The TAGE MAGE is not among the tests they accept. The choice is therefore between the GMAT and GRE, except for the Global Executive MBA, which also offers two other test options.

The table summarizes each program’s admissions page. Deadlines change from year to year; those listed at the end of the article are the ones shown on the pages when reviewed. This article covers only the MBA, Master in Management, and Global Executive MBA; the Tsinghua-INSEAD Executive MBA and other degrees are not included.

GMAT or GRE: which should you choose for INSEAD?

The MBA and Master in Management accept both the GMAT and GRE, in current and still-valid prior versions. The MBA FAQ explicitly says neither test is preferred. You can take the test up to the application deadline; the score must be sent directly to INSEAD and be less than five years old on that date. Your choice therefore depends on your strengths, schedule, and other schools on your list; the article about choosing an international test outlines comparison criteria.

The MBA and Master in Management FAQs explicitly accept GMAT superscores, combining the best sections from valid attempts, while also requiring individual scores. For both the GMAT and GRE, they say the committee reviews the full score history, gives the most weight to the highest score, and may consider complementary section performance. This does not mean that an official GRE superscore is required.

For the Global Executive MBA, alternatives to the GMAT and GRE are the Executive Assessment and INSEAD Executive Test. The official INSEAD test page says it includes a written and an oral component; the multiple-choice portion has four sections of 15 questions and 30 minutes each. It is accepted only for the GEMBA and Tsinghua-INSEAD EMBA and can be taken only once. The article about the Executive Assessment for an EMBA explains the other option.

Which English test, and what is the minimum?

The English test is in addition to the admissions test, not a replacement. If English is not your native language, the pages require a valid TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or PTE Academic score; the TOEIC is not mentioned. MBA and MiM policies require tests taken less than two years before the deadline. An alternative is a degree taught in English and, for the MBA only, an exchange year with a program taught entirely in English. The Master in Management language policy, however, says an exchange alone is not enough.

The MBA and MiM language policies list recommended minimums. For the Master in Management (February 2026 document): TOEFL iBT 105 on the 0–120 scale, or 5.5 on the new January 2026 format scored from 1 to 6; PTE Academic 72; IELTS Academic 7.5. The MBA policy, revised in March 2026, gives the same recommendations, including 5.5 for the new TOEFL. These are published values for each test version, not a conversion calculated here; check the scale on your score report.

For applicants whose native language is not English, the MBA policy says their native language, together with proof of English, satisfies the first- and second-language requirements. For the Global Executive MBA, a certificate is required only from candidates who have not worked, studied, or attended school in English for an extended period. The GEMBA admissions page reviewed does not specify an English minimum, so the MBA and MiM recommendations are not attributed to it here.

Which scores does INSEAD publish?

The MBA and MiM FAQs say that there is no required GMAT minimum. They give the same section-by-section recommendations for both programs. The table includes only information INSEAD itself publishes, along with its scope and source page; the absence of class statistics applies only to the profiles reviewed. No scores are converted between scales.

The MBA and MiM profiles reviewed do not report GMAT averages, medians, or ranges. They do report, among other details, an average age of 29 for the typical MBA class and 23 for the MiM Class of 2028; the absence of scores from these two profiles does not prove that no other school publication includes them.

What does the application require, and what are the deadlines?

For the MBA, the application includes a résumé, copies of transcripts and degree (official originals are requested after admission), two recommendations (a third is optional), motivation essays, and a nonrefundable €250 fee. A video and written assessment through Kira Talent must be completed within 48 hours after the round deadline; shortlisted applicants then have two interviews with alumni before the admissions committee reviews the application. The school allows up to ten weeks between submission and a decision. For the August 2027 intake, rounds close on September 15, 2026, November 3, 2026, January 19, 2027, and March 9, 2027; for the January 2027 intake, they closed on March 17, April 21, June 30, and August 25, 2026.

For the Master in Management, the application includes four written responses capped at 200, 300, 300, and 300 words, two recommendations, a résumé, transcripts, and a €180 fee, followed by a Kira Talent video and written assessment due within 48 hours after the round deadline and an alumni interview; the process takes about eight weeks. For the August 2027 intake, rounds close on October 6, 2026, December 8, 2026, February 23, 2027, and April 27, 2027. The Global Executive MBA application costs €250 and includes a video interview; the INSEAD test comes after shortlisting and before interviews. If you choose the EA, GMAT, or GRE, the application checklist says to include the score with your application, so these tests do not all follow the internal test’s schedule. 2027 deadlines run from February 23 to August 3 for Asia and the Middle East, and to September 7 for Europe; the Flex format has deadlines on June 16 and October 20, 2026, then January 26 and March 9, 2027. As of October 15, 2026, its first round has closed. For the MBA and MiM, you can take the test up to the deadline for your chosen round; the article about whether to retake a test or finalize your application can help you decide.