If there’s one part of the Lagos Business School MSc in Management application that makes people hesitate before hitting “start application,” it’s the entrance exam. You’ve probably heard the stories months of prep, eye-watering scores, people retaking it three times. Here’s the more useful version of that story: the LBS MiM accepts both GMAT and GRE, the minimum thresholds are achievable, and with a sensible plan, this is one of the most controllable parts of your entire application.
Let’s break it down properly.
GMAT or GRE for LBS MSc in Management : Step by Step Guide
The LBS MSc in Management is jointly delivered by Lagos Business School and the School of Management & Social Sciences (SMSS) an approach that combines world-class business education with rigorous research depth and analytical expertise. This is not a standard taught degree; from semester one you’re engaging with real business cases using evidence-based tools, and from month thirteen you’re writing a dissertation that demands serious analytical precision.
The GMAT and GRE are not arbitrary entry requirements. They exist because both tests measure the same reasoning skills the MiM calls on every week: the ability to analyse information quickly, distinguish strong arguments from weak ones, and work confidently with quantitative data. When you clear the entrance exam, you’re signalling that you have the cognitive foundation to do the work not just the ambition.
It also helps to know where LBS sits globally. The school is #1 in Africa for Executive Education (Financial Times 2025) and holds triple accreditation from AMBA, AACSB, and AABS a combination held by fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide. A programme operating at that standard needs an entrance benchmark to match. The good news is the LBS MiM’s thresholds are set to be genuinely achievable for the right candidates not to exclude, but to ensure every student who joins Cohort 3 is ready for what the programme asks of them.
What LBS Requires : The Minimum Scores
This is the part most people search for first, so let’s get it out of the way directly:
| Test | Minimum Score | Registration Fee |
| GMAT (Focus Edition) | 505 | $275 + VAT |
| GRE | 290 combined (Verbal + Quantitative) | $236 + VAT |
Either test is accepted LBS does not express a preference for one over the other. And one more thing worth saying clearly: the entrance exam is one component of a holistic application review, alongside your academic results, O’Level credits, your work history, and your interview. A score at or near the minimum, paired with a strong overall application, is a perfectly viable path into Cohort 3.
Read Also: How To Apply For LBS MSc in Management Programme : Step by Step Guide
Cohort 3 application timingCohort 3 begins January 2027. If you want to apply by August 2026, you need your test score by July at the latest — which means if you haven’t booked your test slot yet, now is the time. Work backwards from January: 8–12 weeks of prep + test date + score reporting + application review = you should be registering for your test slot today. Ready to start? Begin your application at Apply here or register for our free virtual info session to have your questions answered live by the admissions team. |
The GMAT Focus Edition : What Has Changed
If you’ve been researching the GMAT using resources from a few years ago, some of what you’ve read will be outdated. In 2023, GMAC the body that administers the GMAT launched the GMAT Focus Edition, a significantly redesigned version of the test. This is the version you’ll be taking. Here is what is different:
| Feature | Old GMAT | GMAT Focus Edition (current) |
| Number of sections | 4 | 3 |
| Sections | Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing | Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights |
| Essay section | Yes — Analytical Writing Assessment | Removed |
| Sentence Correction in Verbal | Yes | Removed |
| Data Sufficiency questions | In Quantitative section | Moved to Data Insights section |
| Total score range | 200–800 | 205–805 (scores end in 5) |
| Duration | ~3.5 hours | ~2 hours 15 minutes |
| Score equivalence | — | 645 (Focus) ≈ 700 (old GMAT) |
The three sections of the GMAT Focus Edition are:
- Quantitative Reasoning — 21 Problem Solving questions. Tests algebra, arithmetic, and logical problem-solving. No calculator permitted.
- Verbal Reasoning — 23 questions covering Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. Sentence Correction has been removed from this version.
- Data Insights — 20 questions. The new addition. Tests your ability to interpret data from multiple sources, identify patterns, and draw conclusions. Data Sufficiency questions (previously in Quantitative) now appear here.
One important note on scoring: if you see people referencing “aim for 700,” they are talking about the old GMAT. On the Focus Edition, a score of 645 is roughly equivalent to a 700 on the old test. The numbers look different, but they represent the same performance level. Use percentiles not raw scores — to compare across versions.
Understanding the GRE
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is administered by ETS and is accepted across a wide range of postgraduate programmes not just business schools. This flexibility is one of its practical advantages. The test has three sections:
- Verbal Reasoning — tests reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and vocabulary. Vocabulary features significantly more here than in the GMAT Focus Edition.
- Quantitative Reasoning — tests arithmetic, algebra, data analysis, and geometry. Generally considered more accessible than GMAT quantitative by most candidates.
- Analytical Writing — one essay task assessing your ability to construct and evaluate arguments.
Scores for Verbal and Quantitative are each reported on a scale of 130–170. The combined score range is 260–340, and LBS requires a minimum of 290 combined. The GRE runs for approximately 1 hour 58 minutes for the core sections.
GMAT or GRE : Which Test Should You Take?
Here is a practical way to think about it.
Lean toward the GMAT Focus Edition if:
- You’re applying specifically and only to business/management programmes
- You’re comfortable with data sufficiency and integrated reasoning-style questions
- You want a test that’s purpose-built for the kind of evaluation business schools are looking for
Lean toward the GRE if:
- You might also use the score for other postgraduate applications (a backup plan is never a bad idea)
- Your verbal strength leans more toward vocabulary and reading comprehension than logical/critical reasoning puzzles
- You find GRE-style quantitative questions (which many candidates describe as slightly more straightforward than GMAT quant) more comfortable
The fastest way to decide: Take the free official practice test for both before spending money on prep materials. The GMAT mini-exam is at mba.com; the ETS GRE practice test is at ets.org. One afternoon of testing will tell you more than any amount of comparing descriptions.
What a Competitive Score Looks Like for the LBS MiM
The minimum is the floor, not the ambition. Here is how to think about your target:
| Test | LBS Minimum | Competitive Range | Strong Application |
| GMAT Focus Edition | 505 | 555–605 | 605+ |
| GRE (combined) | 290 | 305–312 | 312+ |
A score in the competitive range, combined with a strong undergraduate transcript, a clear career rationale in your interview, and well-prepared supporting documents, gives you a genuinely solid application. The MiM admissions process is a holistic review your test score tells part of the story, not the whole one.
That said if your score comes in at exactly the minimum, it is worth asking honestly whether you would benefit from sitting again. If the rest of your application is strong, the minimum may be enough. If other parts of your file are borderline, a higher test score is one of the more controllable levers to pull.
Read Also : Why Lagos Business School is the right place for Your MSc in Management Programme
Taking the Test in Nigeria : Locations and Logistics
GMAT in Nigeria
The GMAT Focus Edition is available at Pearson VUE test centres in Lagos and Abuja. It is also available as an online proctored exam you can take from home a useful option if travelling to a test centre is inconvenient. A valid international passport is the required form of ID at test centres in Nigeria. Register at mba.com.
GRE in Nigeria
The GRE is administered through Prometric centres in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Like the GMAT, it is also available as an online proctored test. Register at ets.org.
How to Prepare for the GMAT Focus Edition : A Realistic Plan
- Take a diagnostic first. Before spending anything on prep materials, take the free official GMAT mini-exam at mba.com. This tells you your starting point and more importantly which of the three sections is dragging your score down.
- Give yourself 8–12 weeks. Most candidates need this much focused prep to move meaningfully from their baseline. Aim for 1–2 hours a day on weekdays. Cramming in under four weeks rarely produces the result you want.
- Use official materials first. The GMAT Official Guide 2025–26 (available at mba.com) contains real, retired GMAT questions these are the most reliable prep resource available. Supplement with Manhattan Prep or Kaplan for additional structure, particularly on quantitative.
- Add GMAT Club to your toolkit. GMAT Club provides a large free question bank, detailed explanations of specific questions, and an active community of test-takers. It is particularly useful for working through specific question types that keep tripping you up.
- Attack your weakest section. Once you know which section is dragging you down, direct the majority of your study time there. Many Nigerian candidates find Verbal Reasoning particularly Critical Reasoning the harder section. Whichever section it is, put 60% of your prep time there.
- Simulate the real exam. In your final 2–3 weeks, take at least three full-length, timed practice exams under real conditions: same time of day, same break structure, no phone nearby. The GMAT Focus Edition’s 2-hour 15-minute format is shorter than the old version but pacing under pressure is still its own skill.
- Review mistakes more than correct answers. After every practice session, go back through every question you got wrong and understand why — not just what the right answer was, but where your reasoning broke down. This is what actually moves the needle.
How to Prepare for the GRE : A Realistic Plan
- Start with the official ETS practice test. ETS offers two full-length GRE practice tests (PowerPrep I and PowerPrep II) completely free at ets.org. These are the closest simulation of the real test available and should be your starting point.
- Give yourself 8–10 weeks. Structured preparation of 1–2 hours a day is realistic for most candidates.
- Use the ETS Official GRE Guide and Magoosh. The Official GRE Guide from ETS contains real practice questions and is the primary resource. Magoosh GRE is one of the most well-regarded independent study tools, particularly for candidates studying independently in Nigeria it offers video explanations and adaptive practice at an accessible price point.
- Start vocabulary early. Unlike the GMAT Focus Edition, the GRE tests vocabulary directly and consistently throughout the Verbal section. This is not something you can cram in the final week. Build a vocabulary habit from your first week of prep 15–20 new words a day, reviewed regularly.
- GRE Quantitative is your friend. Most candidates find GRE Quant more accessible than GMAT Quant. Focus your practice on Data Interpretation and Quantitative Comparison questions both have distinct formats worth getting comfortable with before test day.
- Book your Prometric slot early. The same logic applies as for the GMAT slots fill up. Book before you start preparing, not after.
After the Test : Score Reporting and Next Steps
How quickly you get your scores:
- GMAT: Unofficial scores are available immediately after you complete the test. Official score reports are typically delivered within 7 days. You can send scores to up to five schools for free through your mba.com account.
- GRE: Unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores are visible on screen at the test centre. Official score reports are delivered within 10–15 days via ets.org.
Sending your scores to LBS:
- GMAT: Send directly through your mba.com account. Select Lagos Business School as a recipient when ordering your score report.
- GRE: Send through your ets.org account. Select Lagos Business School as the recipient institution.
Important: You can include an unofficial score on your application form to keep the process moving. Your official report must follow before your admission is confirmed. Both GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years from the date you took the test.
Once you have your score, your next step is completing the rest of your application. Read our step-by-step guide to applying for the LBS MSc in Management for a full walkthrough of everything from the ₦45,000 application fee to the admissions interview.
Your Application Timeline : Working Backwards from January 2027 |
| Milestone | Suggested Date |
| Register for GMAT or GRE test slot | Now — don’t wait until you feel “ready” |
| Begin structured test preparation | Immediately after booking |
| Take GMAT or GRE | June–July 2026 at the latest |
| Receive official score report | Within 7–15 days after test |
| Submit LBS MiM online application | By August 2026 |
| Attend admissions interview | August–September 2026 |
| Receive admission decision | September–October 2026 |
| Pay acceptance fee to secure place | Within 7 days of offer |
| Cohort 3 begins | January 2027 |
The Bottom Line
Pick the test that suits your strengths, give yourself 8–12 weeks of structured preparation, book your slot before you feel ready, and get it done. Once your score is in hand, everything else in your application can move.
Cohort 3 starts January 2027. The window to apply is open now. The candidates who secure their place will be the ones who stopped researching and started doing.
| Start your application
Apply online: mim.lbs.edu.ng Email the admissions team: mim@lbs.edu.ng WhatsApp: +234 706 635 8388 Have questions first? Join our free virtual info session — the admissions team answers everything live. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply to the LBS MiM without a GMAT or GRE score?
No. A valid GMAT (minimum 505 on the Focus Edition) or GRE (minimum 290 combined) score is required as part of the admission process.
What is the GMAT Focus Edition and how is it different from the old GMAT?
The GMAT Focus Edition is the current version of the GMAT, launched in 2023. It has three sections (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights), removes the essay and Sentence Correction sections, runs for approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, and uses a new score scale of 205–805. If you are registering for the GMAT today, you will be sitting the Focus Edition.
Is GMAT harder than GRE?
Not objectively they’re structured differently. The GMAT Focus Edition leans into business-style logical and data reasoning, while the GRE places more emphasis on vocabulary in its Verbal section. Most candidates find one more comfortable than the other based on their academic strengths. Take the free official practice test for each before deciding.
How long are GMAT and GRE scores valid?
Both GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years from the date you took the test.
Can I retake the test if I am not happy with my score?
Yes. The GMAT can be taken up to five times within any 12-month period, with a minimum gap of 16 days between attempts. The GRE can be retaken with a 21-day gap between attempts. LBS will consider your highest score.
If I retake the GMAT or GRE, which score does LBS consider?
LBS will consider your highest submitted score. There is no penalty for submitting scores from multiple attempts.
Can I take the GMAT or GRE online from Nigeria?
Yes. Both the GMAT Focus Edition and the GRE are available as online proctored exams you can take from home. This is a practical option for candidates outside Lagos and Abuja, or anyone who prefers to test from home rather than a test centre.
Where can I take the GMAT or GRE in Nigeria?
GMAT: Pearson VUE test centres in Lagos and Abuja. GRE: Prometric test centres in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Both are also available as online proctored exams.
How long does it take to receive my official score?
GMAT: unofficial scores are available immediately after you finish the test; official score reports arrive within 7 days. GRE: unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores are shown on screen at the test centre; official reports arrive within 10–15 days.
Can I start my LBS MiM application before I have my test score?
Yes. You can begin and submit your application with an unofficial score, and provide the official report once it arrives. See our step-by-step application guide for the full process.
What free resources are available for GMAT and GRE preparation?
GMAT: The free official mini-exam at mba.com is the best starting point. GMAT Club (gmatclub.com) offers a large free question bank and community discussions. GRE: ETS PowerPrep I and PowerPrep II (at ets.org) provide two full-length free practice tests that closely simulate the real exam. Manhattan Prep also offers a free GRE practice test.
Is there anyone at LBS I can speak to about the application process?
Yes the MiM admissions team is available to answer questions about the entrance exam, application timeline, and programme. Email mim@lbs.edu.ng, call +234 903 838 8675 / +234 913 275 0077, or WhatsApp +234 706 635 8388. You can also register for the free virtual info session where the team answers questions live.