GRE for Business School?

[Chicago_Guy312]

I recently took the GRE (V: 163, Q: 162, AWA: 5) since many MBA programs now accept it alongside the GMAT.  I heard the change was done to attract more people to business school who otherwise would not have considered it since many don't want to go through the hassle of taking two difficult standardized tests.  

 

However, do schools look down on using the GRE if you have a business background already?  Since the quant section isn't nearly as difficult as it is on the GMAT, I thought this might be the case.  

 

I plan on retaking the GRE because of my low quant score, I was hoping for a 165 and fell short.

 

What kind of scores, specifically quant, does one need to be competitive at top business schools (the rest of one's application notwithstanding)?

 

Are any of you all taking the GRE over the GMAT for business school?  Why or why not?  

 

 

[GREMasterEMPOWERRichC]

Hi Chicago_Guy312,

 

Many Business Schools will accept either a GRE or a GMAT score as part of the application process. As such, you should take whichever Test you're more comfortable with (and have a greater chance to score at a higher level on).

 

I wouldn't go so far to say that Business Schools look down on GRE Takers, but the Schools have a better understanding of the GMAT and how to rank applicants who take that exam.

 

What Schools are you planning to apply to?

Do you have any experience with the GMAT?

 

GRE (and GMAT) masters aren't born, they're made,

Rich

[Chicago_Guy312]

Ideally I'd like to apply to Columbia, NYU, Kellogg, or Chicago.  Barring my tests scores, I have what I hope is a competitive profile.  

 

Do you know what a competitive GRE score at those kinds of schools would be?  I don't believe they post their GRE scores.

 

When I used the ETS GRE/GMAT conversion tool it said that my score would be a 680 GMAT: the very bottom of the middle 80% at most those schools.  Luckily I have plenty of time to get my score up and I KNOW I can hit at least a 165 quant.  I ran out of time on the last quant section and just had to randomly click for the last three questions- not good.  haha  

 

I took a practice GMAT but didn't actively study for it.  I know this may sound strange, but I thought that if I'm going to spend tons of time studying for an exam, I'd like to get some sort of long-term knowledge value-add to my life, no?  As a native English speaker, studying all of the nit-picky grammar that the GMAT covers seemed to provide less value than augmenting my vocabulary.  

 

Again, it's strange but I legitimately enjoyed studying for the GRE verbal; the opportunity to learn obscure English words was the only reason I chose the GRE over the GMAT.

 

Should I take the GMAT?       

Edited April 28, 2015 by Chicago_Guy312

[GREMasterEMPOWERRichC]

HI Chicago_Guy312,

 

You've listed a number of really competitive Schools, so it's important that you strengthen your application in every way that you reasonably can. Based on historical acceptance rates, you could be a fantastic candidate and still not get an invite.

 

I agree that your current GRE score puts you 'in range' of the Schools you named, so you shouldn't be apprehensive about applying to any of them. That having been said, those scores are not going to "wow" anyone. With a bit more study and the right resources, you could easily raise both your Quant and Verbal scores though.

 

GRE masters aren't born, they're made,

Rich 

[velua]

Scores look good. I see no reason to retake the GRE. If you're going to take an exam, just take the GMAT. I have no idea about business school, but people say the GMAT is harder on math, so I'd imagine taking the GMAT would look better (assuming you can do well).