GMAT vs. GRE

[mgrothsc]

Are you at a disadvantage for b-school acceptance, if you take the GRE vs. the GMAT?

I called a number of the top business schools, and all of the schools indicated that they accept both GMAT and GRE scores. When I asked the schools, if you are at a disadvantage if you take one test versus the other, the schools indicated that they equally accept applicants that take both tests. The odd thing was that many of the schools indicated that they prefered the GMAT. Is the preference for the GMAT, because it is easier for b-schools to evaluate their applicants?

Also, I read that if you are not a great standardized test taker, that better schools may be more willing to accept a lower GRE score because the GRE scores do not affect their "US News & World Report rankings". Is this true?

[mbamissionjenK]

Hi there,

Yes you generally have the right interpretation... if a school accepts either one, then the truly do accept either one... they aren't going to hold it against you if you take one vs the other, otherwise they just wouldn't accept the GRE for example.

In terms of what test to take, you should take the test you feel you'll perform highest on. Some have already taken the GRE when considering other grad programs for example, so by accepting the GRE score MBA programs to a certain degree can make it a bit easier for a wider variety of backgrounds to apply. But if you are sure you want to go to b-school no matter what, and deciding which test to take, if the schools you are interested in take both, then see what test you would perform highest on by taking some practice exams. Some test takers consider GRE verbal to be more challenging that GMAT for example, and GMAT quant to be more challenging than GRE, but it varies and there are a variety of differences.

B-Schools are likely still most comfortable with GMAT scores because they've been working with them for decades, but again that doesn't mean any negatives towards how they view GRE scores. And anecdotally it is true that GRE scores are not shown in rankings/posted, though of course an applicant still has to be outstanding in every way in order to be accepted with borderline scores. ;)

So don't stress too much, take the exam that you are more comfortable with and good luck!