Can You Secure a Spot at HEC Paris?

How to Apply to the HEC Paris MBA — and Why the GMAT is Your Competitive Edge

The HEC Paris MBA is designed for ambitious leaders who want to accelerate their careers on a global stage. The admissions process is streamlined into a five-week cycle, but standing out requires more than ticking boxes. Among all requirements, your GMAT (or GRE/EA) score is one of the most powerful levers to strengthen your application and prove you belong in one of Europe’s most competitive MBA programs.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

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Step 1. Connect with HEC

Before applying, you can connect with the HEC Paris MBA team through an online form. This gives you early feedback on your profile, insights from regional managers, and access to invite-only networking events.

📌 Important: You do not need to have taken the GMAT yet to connect. This step is about positioning yourself and starting the conversation.

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Step 2. Submit Your Completed Application

Your application must be submitted before the deadline of your chosen intake. The system allows you to work at your own pace with auto-save functionality.

Checklist includes:

• Application form
• Essays
• Resume
• Two recommendations
• Passport-style photo
• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
• Copy of passport or birth certificate
• Official GMAT/GMAT Focus/EA/GRE score report
• English language test (if applicable)
• €200 application fee

⚠️ GMAT Advantage: While HEC accepts GRE and the Executive Assessment (EA), the GMAT is the most widely submitted and benchmarked test. The average GMAT score is 690 (or 635 on GMAT Focus). Candidates with balanced section scores above the 60th percentile are viewed most competitively.

On GMAT Focus, HEC expects you to perform at the 83rd percentile or higher across sections. Submitting a strong GMAT score signals not just your academic readiness but also your seriousness about competing at the highest level.

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Step 3. Pre-Selection Jury

The Admissions Board evaluates your application holistically:

• Academic track record
• Professional achievements and career progression
• International exposure
• Leadership potential
• Motivation and clarity of career goals

Here, your GMAT score plays a critical role. It allows the jury to compare you objectively to a global pool of candidates and demonstrates your ability to handle the rigorous academic environment at HEC.

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Step 4. Two Alumni Interviews

If you pass pre-selection, you’ll face two interviews with HEC alumni. Each includes:

• A 10-minute oral presentation on a topic of your choice
• A deep discussion about your application and goals

The interviews test your leadership potential, communication skills, and values. They’re also a chance to bring your essays and GMAT-backed credibility to life.

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Step 5. Admissions Jury & Decision

The final decision is made by a jury of HEC faculty, alumni, the Dean, and representatives of the French Ministry of Education. Every part of your application — including GMAT scores — is reviewed again.

Hours after the jury meets, you’ll receive your admission result.

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Step 6. Scholarship Decision

HEC Paris awards over €1,000,000 in scholarships annually. Your GMAT score can be a decisive factor in securing merit-based scholarships, as higher scores often strengthen scholarship applications.

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Who HEC Paris is Looking For

HEC Paris seeks candidates who are:

• Academically accomplished and intellectually capable
• Demonstrating career progression and leadership potential
• Internationally minded and adaptable
• Motivated, with clear MBA and post-MBA career goals
• Strong communicators and team players

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Test Requirements — Why the GMAT Matters Most

HEC accepts:

• GMAT (Classic or Focus Edition)
• GRE
• Executive Assessment (EA)

But here’s the reality:

• The average GMAT is 690 (635 Focus).
• Competitive applicants aim for scores well above the 60th percentile across sections.
• GRE scores should be 65th percentile or higher.
• EA scores above 150 are encouraged.

While HEC emphasizes holistic evaluation, the GMAT remains the gold standard because of its precision in benchmarking MBA readiness. A strong score not only boosts your chances of admission but also increases scholarship opportunities.

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English Language Proficiency

If your degree was not taught in English, you’ll need one of the following: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, Cambridge English, PTE, or Duolingo English Test. Minimum competitive scores include:

• TOEFL iBT: 100+
• IELTS: 7.0 (no section below 6.5)
• Duolingo: 135+

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Deadlines

HEC Paris operates rolling deadlines with monthly juries. Upcoming deadlines for the January 2026 intake include:

• 17 August 2025 → Decision 19 September 2025
• 21 September 2025 → Decision 17 October 2025
• 19 October 2025 → Decision 21 November 2025
• 23 November 2025 → Decision 19 December 2025

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Final Word: Secure Your Spot with a Strong GMAT

The HEC Paris MBA looks at the full picture — academics, work experience, essays, and interviews. But your GMAT score is the most direct way to differentiate yourself in a highly international applicant pool.

With an average near 690, you should treat the GMAT as more than a checkbox: it’s your chance to rise above the crowd, signal academic excellence, and even unlock financial aid.

👉 Your next step: Build a GMAT preparation plan, aim above the averages, and let your score power your path into HEC Paris.