msing454
Isn’t 645 below the median acceptance score? How is the candidate sure to be shortlisted by ISB despite the profile?
Hi
msing454, Just based on score, first the facts -
The class of 2026 has 826 admits. The range of GMAT FE admitted is 555 to 765. Average score is 669 and median is 675. Generally people with less than 4 years of experience have higher GMAT scores.
Now the maths -
Within the Admitted Range
ISB’s GMAT admit range is 555–765. A 645 is 90 points above the minimum, placing the applicant comfortably in the middle zone of admits — not on the edge.
Close to the Class Center
Average = 669 → 645 is just 24 points below (≈3.6% gap on a 210-point scale).
Median = 675 → 645 is 30 points below (≈14% of the spread from min to max).
This shows applicant is near the bulk of the class scores, not an outlier.
Plenty of Admits at or Below 645
Since half the class scored ≤675, that’s ≥413 admits. Even if only half of those were ≤645, that’s ~200+ admits with applicant’s score or lower — already strong evidence that ISB admits candidates in this band.
Shortlist Multiplication Effect
For each final admit, ISB calls 4–5 people to interview.
If 200 admits had ≤645, then 800–1,000 candidates at this score level or below must have received shortlist calls.
This in addition to good acads and decent profile, almost ensures that the applicant will get a shortlist (NOT SELECTION). Unless luck is too bad and there are too many applicants with similar profile at a much higher GMAT range. No one can be sure of anything, but mostly in experience a 645 almost makes sure of a shortlist, barring exceptional cases, if acads and others are decent.
Hope it helped.