Okay, so I’m applying to MBA programs next fall (2024 start date) and I’m trying to decide whether to take the GMAT or the GRE. I know both are accepted, but I keep hearing whispers that some business schools secretly prefer one over the other, or that one might give you a slight advantage in the admissions process.
I’m aiming for top schools like HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, etc. I’m pretty decent at both math and verbal, but I haven’t taken a proper diagnostic test for either yet. I’m planning on doing that soon to see where my strengths lie.
My question is: generally speaking, and especially for those top-tier business schools, is the GMAT or GRE considered "better" or "more preferred" from an admissions perspective? Or is it truly a non-issue as long as I have a strong score? I’d love to hear from people who have gone through the application process recently or who have any insider knowledge about this. Also, is there any reason a school might publicly say they accept both equally, but still lean towards one in practice? I’m trying to maximize my chances here!
Answer
Business schools generally prefer the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). While both are widely accepted, the GMAT has traditionally been considered the gold standard for MBA admissions. However, the GRE has gained significant traction in recent years and is now accepted by nearly all business schools worldwide.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
- Focus: Designed specifically for business school admissions, the GMAT assesses skills crucial for success in management programs.
- Sections:
- Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA): Evaluates critical thinking and communication skills through an essay.
- Integrated Reasoning (IR): Measures the ability to analyze and synthesize data from multiple sources and formats.
- Quantitative: Tests mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
- Verbal: Assesses reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction skills.
- Scoring: Scores range from 200 to 800, with a separate score for the AWA (0-6) and IR (1-8). Most top business schools look for a GMAT score of 650 or higher.
- Strengths:
- Specifically designed for business school: The GMAT focuses on skills directly relevant to management education, making it a strong indicator of success in an MBA program.
- Quant section is perceived to be more challenging: Some believe the GMAT’s quantitative section is more rigorous than the GRE’s, which can be a significant advantage for candidates with strong quantitative backgrounds.
- Widely recognized and respected: The GMAT has a long history and is highly regarded by business schools globally.
- Weaknesses:
- Can be perceived as more stressful: The specific focus on business skills can add pressure for some test-takers.
- May not be ideal for candidates applying to non-business programs: If a candidate is also considering graduate programs outside of business (e.g., public policy, law), the GRE might be a more versatile option.
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)
- Focus: A more general graduate school admissions test, the GRE assesses skills applicable to a wide range of graduate programs.
- Sections:
- Analytical Writing: Similar to the GMAT’s AWA, it evaluates critical thinking and writing skills.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Measures mathematical skills, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
- Verbal Reasoning: Assesses reading comprehension, vocabulary, and analytical skills.
- Scoring: Scores range from 130 to 170 for both the Verbal and Quantitative sections, with a separate score for Analytical Writing (0-6).
- Strengths:
- More versatile: The GRE can be used for admission to various graduate programs, not just business schools.
- May be less intimidating for some: Some test-takers find the GRE’s format and content less daunting than the GMAT’s.
- Easier to retake specific sections: The GRE allows test-takers to send only their best scores from each section (Score Select option), providing more flexibility.
- Weaknesses:
- Less directly relevant to business school: While the GRE assesses valuable skills, it is not specifically tailored to the demands of a management education.
- Verbal section is vocabulary heavy: The GRE verbal reasoning section puts a strong emphasis on vocabulary knowledge, which might disadvantage some test-takers.
Which is Preferred?
- No definitive answer: Most business schools explicitly state that they have no preference between the GMAT and the GRE. Admissions committees evaluate candidates holistically, considering all aspects of their application, including test scores, academic record, work experience, essays, and letters of recommendation.
- GMAT still holds a slight edge in perception: Despite the widespread acceptance of the GRE, the GMAT continues to be perceived by some as the more traditional and focused test for MBA admissions.
- Choose the test that best showcases your strengths: Ultimately, the best test for you is the one on which you are likely to score higher. Consider your strengths and weaknesses, take practice tests for both the GMAT and the GRE, and choose the test that allows you to demonstrate your abilities most effectively.
Key Considerations for Choosing a Test:
- Your strengths: Are you stronger in quantitative or verbal skills? The GMAT’s quantitative section is often considered more challenging, while the GRE’s verbal section is vocabulary-heavy.
- Your target schools: Check the average GMAT and GRE scores for your target schools to get an idea of what score you need to be competitive.
- Practice tests: Take practice tests for both the GMAT and the GRE to see which test you feel more comfortable with and perform better on.
- Future plans: If you are considering graduate programs outside of business, the GRE might be a more versatile option.
In conclusion, while the GMAT has historically been considered the preferred test for business schools, the GRE is now widely accepted and how long should I study before retaking the ACT”>should be considered a viable option. The best test for you is the one that allows you to showcase your strengths and achieve a competitive score for your target schools.
