GRE or GMAT

[gorancalic]

Hi everyone, I posted this question in the general GMAT forum. However, maybe it can be better answered here by the admission experts.


I’ve been preparing for the GMAT for the last eight weeks and am about to take the exam this coming Sunday. Initially, I wanted to only take the GRE, because it gave me the flexibility to apply to economics as well as general management programs. Unlike MBA programs, most PhD programs accept both standardized tests. After taking the GRE I was faced with a dilemma. Although my GRE score is good, the total score still falls below the average of the schools I am applying to. I scored 780 Quant and 530 Verbal with a 5.0AWA. I am applying to PhD programs in management strategy at INSEAD, Wharton, Rotman, and Purdue. Rotman asks for 80%+ on both the Verbal and Quant sections of the GRE, while a total GRE score of around 1400 is the average at INSEAD (726 is the average GMAT score at INSEAD).

After a lengthy and exhaustive preparation for the GRE I decided to put my shoulder to the wheel and grind out another 8 weeks for the GMAT. My last MGMAT CAT test score was 700, and my last Official Prep Cat score was 710. My first five MGMAT CAT scores are 700, 570, 650, 680, 690 (in that order). I have still to take the 2nd official prep exam. I do believe I can score 700+.

My question is: how high must I score on the GMAT in order to "better" my GRE score? Should I send both scores to these schools regardless of how well or poorly I do on the GMAT?

Currently, I think I will prefer my GMAT score if I score 690+, but would like the input of this community.

Thanks for the advice!

[mbamission]

Hi gorancalic,

Unfortunately since I focus exclusively on MBA programs I don't have much context on GRE scores. One possible thought is to look at what these scores mean in terms of percentages -- what is the percentage of a 1400 GRE and how does that compare to a 700 GMAT?

Sorry I can't be of more help!

Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (14 individual school titles)

Visit the mbaMission Blog

Follow mbaMission on Twitter

[sarahmailings]

Hi everyone, I posted this question in the general GMAT forum. However, maybe it can be better answered here by the admission experts.


I’ve been preparing for the GMAT for the last eight weeks and am about to take the exam this coming Sunday. Initially, I wanted to only take the GRE, because it gave me the flexibility to apply to economics as well as general management programs. Unlike MBA programs, most PhD programs accept both standardized tests. After taking the GRE I was faced with a dilemma. Although my GRE score is good, the total score still falls below the average of the schools I am applying to. I scored 780 Quant and 530 Verbal with a 5.0AWA. I am applying to PhD programs in management strategy at INSEAD, Wharton, Rotman, and Purdue. Rotman asks for 80%+ on both the Verbal and Quant sections of the GRE, while a total GRE score of around 1400 is the average at INSEAD (726 is the average GMAT score at INSEAD).

After a lengthy and exhaustive preparation for the GRE I decided to put my shoulder to the wheel and grind out another 8 weeks for the GMAT. My last MGMAT CAT test score was 700, and my last Official Prep Cat score was 710. My first five MGMAT CAT scores are 700, 570, 650, 680, 690 (in that order). I have still to take the 2nd official prep exam. I do believe I can score 700+.

My question is: how high must I score on the GMAT in order to "better" my GRE score? Should I send both scores to these schools regardless of how well or poorly I do on the GMAT?

Currently, I think I will prefer my GMAT score if I score 690+, but would like the input of this community.

Thanks for the advice!

That's a good question, I'm interested to hear the answer as well. I'm not sure the percentile ranking will be an entirely accurate measurement given the different demographic groups taking both tests - but it probably is the best place to start. I've also heard that some B schools don't take the GRE scores quite as seriously (despite accepting both tests). So I'd want to be sure that this isn't the case before I just submitted a GRE score.


If you had your question answered elsewhere, would you let me know? Thanks and best of luck!