help decide GRE or GMAT for HKS?

[gradjm]

Is a strong score in one of these is better for the application than a strong score in the other? That is, does a very high score like 750 in gmat better than getting a very high score in GRE (750 gmat versus 700v, 800q GRE)?

 

I am not sure which one to take as it would make more sense to invest time/money into the test that helps the application most. If a high score in GMAT may be seen as more of a good thing than GRE than I would rather take GMAT.

 

GRE I think is much easier test. I just downloaded a software named powerprep and took a sample verbal/quant test and got 166 q, 168 v.

 

I am not sure why it doesn't show the score relative to 800, but I think I may be looking at the wrong software.

 

Is the powerprep software same difficulty as the real test? It seemed easy, is there some other software that's close to the real?

 

Cost wise GRE is better but only by a little.

GRE   $195

GMAT $250

 

So, it probably comes down to

a ) if the adcom prefers a high GMAT score over high GRE score

b )  good result due to no study time available by the weekend

 

Also have a valid LSAT score of 165. Can I use that for HKS and save odd $200 on gre/gmat?

 

appreciate any informative comments

Edited March 12, 2015 by Eigen

[RCtheSS]

Regarding the LSAT: from HKS's admission site: LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) scores will be accepted ONLY from applicants who are in their first year at Harvard Law School, and are applying to the joint HKS/HLS degree.

 

Also, the PowerPrep software is highly recommended for test prep. The GRE has changed its scoring methods from 800 being the highest score within a section to 170. So yeah, your practice scores are pretty much ballin'. If you want to see a concordance table to compare to the old score format: https://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/concordance_information.pdf

 

From the sound of it, I'd take the GRE if I were you since 1) it's cheaper and 2) you're already scoring above the 90th percentile. I'd also recommend Magoosh software if there is any particular test sections you need to brush up on.

[Gov2School]

It says on the HKS website that LSAT scores are only accepted if the applicant is already in their first year at Harvard Law School who are applying to HKS in order to do a joint law/HKS degree, so that option is out.  

 

I don't think they give any preference to GMAT vs. GRE in terms of how much they value your scores, but just make sure to do your research.  Many schools do take either the GRE or the GMAT, but some request just the GRE (though I suspect in practice you might be able to get them to accept the GMAT, you'd have to ask).   So just make sure that whatever you choose works for all of the places you're applying. 

[gradjm]

So I just looked at the score sheet of the powerprep.

V1: 2 missed

Q1: 1 missed

V2: 2 missed

Q2: 1 missed

 

So got 4 wrong on V and 2 wrong on Q, but still had higher V 168 than Q 166. Why is that?

 

How does powerprep grade Writing? How does GRE grade writing?

 

Powerprep may be recommended due to it being from ETS, but is it same or more difficulty as the real test?

Edited November 18, 2014 by gradjm

[RCtheSS]

How does powerprep grade Writing? How does GRE grade writing?

 

The ETS covers the Analytical Writing section on its website: https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/analytical_writing/

You can go through both the Issue and Argument essays, tips to write each, read same responses to sample questions, and it includes a scoring guide. 

 

If you're interested and have the money, ETS also offers a paid service to write and review sample AW essays. https://www.dxrgroup.com/cgi-bin/scoreitnow/index.pl

[Kaneisha]

It says on the HKS website that LSAT scores are only accepted if the applicant is already in their first year at Harvard Law School who are applying to HKS in order to do a joint law/HKS degree, so that option is out.  

 

I don't think they give any preference to GMAT vs. GRE in terms of how much they value your scores, but just make sure to do your research.  Many schools do take either the GRE or the GMAT, but some request just the GRE (though I suspect in practice you might be able to get them to accept the GMAT, you'd have to ask).   So just make sure that whatever you choose works for all of the places you're applying. 

 

I 90% agree with Gov2School. I have to disagree on the point of taking the GMAT and then trying to convince schools that don't take it to accept it, though. That's definitely playing with fire this close to the deadline. You may also come across as not willing/able to follow directions or as if you haven't done your research.

 

If you're just taking your test for HKS, I suggest you take the GRE since that's the score they've been accepting the longest. Believe me, when you're used to one type of score, it's a little mentally challenging to translate to the other way. Of course, they happily accept the GMAT and have conversion tables for comparison, but there's nothing like speaking someone's "native" language (meaning the GRE being their "native" test language—just in case my analogy fell flat.)

[gradjm]

Ok, so I took the real test recently.

 

I got an experimental Q but not sure which one it was. The sequenence was Q-V-Q-V-Q. Not very pleased with the verbal, I may have missed a couple in the second verbal as I was just wanted to finish and didn't know there would be a 6th section.

[gradjm]

Is there any data for average/median scores at top policy programs eg HKS? I want to know if high scores can be game changer and if the following numbers can help or are sufficient.