Business Schools Prefer GMAT or GRE?

According to the Kaplan Test Prep’s 2016 business school admissions officers’ survey, about 90% of the Business Schools in the USA and Europe will accept GRE for MBA programs. However, 26% of them clearly state that they prefer the GMAT over GRE.

GRE for MBA business school policies

Many top-tier graduate schools like Harvard Business School, Wharton School, and Stanford Graduate School of Business clearly state that they don’t prefer GMAT over GRE or GRE over GMAT. However, to match MBA applications objectively, many of those business schools convert the GRE to the GMAT score.73% of the Business Schools give GMAT and GRE an equal consideration. That being said, as majority test takers apply with a GMAT score, admission committees need to convert GRE to GMAT to objectively compare all applications. That’s one reason why ETS provides a GRE score comparison tool for Business Schools to interpret GRE scores in context of GMAT scores.

Why business schools still prefer GMAT over GRE?

According to the Kaplan Test Prep’s 2016 graduate school admissions officers’ survey, 26% of Business Schools within the US and Europe prefer GMAT over GRE. It’s due to 3 reasons:-1. Business School’s admission committee receives more applications with GMAT scores. Therefore, it's easier for them to match those applications. They’re conversant in the GMAT. The GRE may pose a challenge for them as they need to convert the GRE scores to GMAT scores to gauge all applications objectively.2. Business schools believe that submitting GRE for MBA programs doesn't show a robust intent of the applicant to hitch that graduate school. They assume that the applicant could be hospitable to other graduate programs also.3. They believe that the Quant and Integrated Reasoning sections of the GMAT highlight those skills which can help the candidate to sail through the rigorous MBA program.

Why should you not take the GRE for MBA programs?

1. If you're clear about MBA as your target graduate program you would like to attend, it's better to take the GMAT.2. If your target graduate school explicitly states that they like GMAT over GRE or they are not going to accept GRE scores.3. GMAT gives you a foothold when it involves MBA scholarships and post MBA jobs.

Takeaways

Around 90% of the Business schools accept the GRE score for the MBA application. Taking the GRE for MBA admission will only put you at an obstacle if the graduate school clearly states that it prefers GMAT over GRE.But still, GMAT has its advantages over GRE when it involves MBA admissions. GMAT may be a better indicator of how students might perform in MBA programs than GRE. It’s easier for MBA admission committees to objectively compare your application with others if you've got submitted a GMAT score.So, if you're clear about your decision to pursue an MBA degree, it's far better to take the GMAT.

Wed Apr 29, 2020