Does anyone know if the top business schools actually favor a GMAT score over a GRE score? I know they say they will take either one, and that the tests don't have preference over one another, but psychologically I feel as though a GMAT score of 700 would seem better than a GRE 700. And if this is true, I'm not sure if the admission officers act on that impulse.
BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course
Redeem
Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand
Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.
- 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
- 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
- 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
- 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
- 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
- TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
- 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
- OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
- Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
- MBA Admissions Consulting now available
- 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
- 200,000+ students served
- 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★
5.0
(559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start
then $127/mo
GMAT vs GRE (Harvard, Stanford, etc.)
Source: Beat The GMAT — The Application Process |
I'm with you on this... I really need to know the answer to that question too, and I bet others do too.
I'm not sure if the perspective has changed much since I was on the adcom at Kellogg, but we almost always looked at intellectual ability thru the GMAT and not the GRE. I'm sure the GRE is an acceptable alternative, but all things being equal, my sense is that the adcom members "understand" the GMAT much better than the GRE. It's a more consistent measuring stick than the GRE. My advice is to stick with the GMAT unless you have a large discrepancy in scores.
www.TheFirstRead.com
A new approach to MBA Admissions consulting
A new approach to MBA Admissions consulting
Even though most wind up taking the GMAT, the GRE is still very viable. I have clients each year get into top schools with the GRE.
I think schools wanted to encourage great candidates who were not initially on the MBA track and who might have already taken the GRE. But if you are a recent grad and have not taken the GRE, then the GMAT is probably your best move.
Alex
I think schools wanted to encourage great candidates who were not initially on the MBA track and who might have already taken the GRE. But if you are a recent grad and have not taken the GRE, then the GMAT is probably your best move.
Alex
Alex Leventhal
Harvard MBA, 1998
Prep MBA Admissions Consulting
www.prepmba.com
[email protected]
(323)424.3178
Harvard MBA, 1998
Prep MBA Admissions Consulting
www.prepmba.com
[email protected]
(323)424.3178
I wrote an opinion about GMAT vs. GRE a while back: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/12/ ... ke-the-gre
The opinion is 2 years old but I still stand by it. Take it with a grain of salt though--I am afterall the founder of a GMAT website.
The opinion is 2 years old but I still stand by it. Take it with a grain of salt though--I am afterall the founder of a GMAT website.
Beat The GMAT | The MBA Social Network
Community Management Team
Research Top GMAT Prep Courses:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/gmat-prep-courses
Research The World's Top MBA Programs:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/school
Community Management Team
Research Top GMAT Prep Courses:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/gmat-prep-courses
Research The World's Top MBA Programs:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/school
















