Should You Take the GMAT or the GRE for MBA Admissions?

Updated April 2026

GMAT or GRE? It's one of the first questions MBA candidates ask – and the answer is simpler than most people expect. Top programs are genuinely indifferent between the two exams. What matters most is the score you achieve, not the exam you choose. Here's what you need to know to make the right call for your situation – including what's changed with the GMAT Focus Edition and the redesigned GRE.

One of the most common questions candidates ask early in the MBA application process is whether to take the GMAT or the GRE. The honest answer is simpler than most people expect: take the one you can do best on.

Most top MBA programs are genuinely indifferent between the two exams. What Admissions Committees are looking for is evidence that you can handle the analytical and quantitative demands of the curriculum – and both exams provide that. The exam you choose matters far less than the score you achieve.

Here's what you need to know to make the right decision for your situation.

Do MBA programs prefer one over the other?

For the vast majority of top programs – including M7 schools – the answer is no. Both the GMAT and GRE are accepted and evaluated equally. Admissions Committees are using your score to assess academic readiness, not to judge which exam you chose. The choice between the two exams should come down entirely to where you can perform best.

Understanding the GMAT Focus Edition

The GMAT Focus Edition is the current version of the exam, having replaced the classic GMAT in early 2024. It has three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. The Analytical Writing Assessment and Integrated Reasoning sections from the classic GMAT have been removed.

The quant section remains rigorous – it tests problem solving in ways that are genuinely demanding. The Data Insights section tests your ability to interpret data across multiple formats, including the critical data sufficiency questions. The overall scoring range is 205 to 805.

If you took the classic GMAT before the 2024 sunset date, most schools will still accept that score if it remains valid. Check each program's specific policy if this applies to you.

Understanding the GRE

The GRE General Test has three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and one Analytical Writing task. The current version of the exam is significantly shorter than previous iterations – running under two hours – following a redesign in late 2023.

The quant section is generally considered less demanding than the GMAT's – which can be an advantage for candidates who are stronger in verbal reasoning, or who are applying to dual degree programs that require the GRE. Taking the GRE in that latter scenario means studying for one exam instead of two.

How to decide which one to take

The most reliable way to decide is to take a full-length practice test for both exams and compare your results. Most candidates find they're naturally stronger on one than the other – whether that's because of their quantitative background, their verbal strengths, or simply how their mind engages with each format.

A few scenarios worth considering:

If you're pursuing a dual degree program that requires the GRE, take the GRE. It satisfies both requirements and saves you significant preparation time.

If you've taken practice tests for both and find the GMAT quant significantly more challenging, consider focusing on the GRE instead. A strong GRE score is equally well received at top programs – and a weak GMAT quant score, even with a high overall score, can raise flags with Admissions Committees.

If your scores are comparable on both, there's no meaningful reason to choose one over the other. Pick the format you find more engaging and focus your preparation there.

The bottom line: this decision should be driven entirely by where you can perform best – not by assumptions about which exam looks better to Admissions Committees.

What score should you be aiming for?

The right target score depends on the programs you're applying to. Each school publishes its average GMAT and GRE scores for admitted students – checking those numbers for your target programs gives you a practical benchmark.

As a general guideline, aiming for a quant score that places you in the top quartile of the test-taking population is a safe benchmark for competitive M7 applications. The quant component carries particular weight because it signals your ability to handle the analytical demands of the curriculum – and a weak quant score, even alongside a strong overall score, can lead to doubts about your readiness.

That said, averages are averages. Candidates with lower scores get admitted and candidates with high scores get rejected. Your test score is one signal among many – important, but not determinative.

What if your score isn't strong enough?

If your score is below your target programs' averages, you have a few options.

Retaking the exam is often worth considering – particularly if you believe you can meaningfully improve with additional preparation. Most programs will see all of your scores, but they typically focus on your highest result. A significant improvement on a retake demonstrates commitment and growth.

Timing matters. Taking the exam early gives you the flexibility to retake it without running up against application deadlines. If you're planning to apply in the fall, aim to have your score in hand by summer at the latest.

If your score is below average but the rest of your profile is strong, address it briefly in the additional information section of your application. Acknowledge it, provide context where relevant, and point to other evidence of analytical ability in your professional work or through taking additional quantitative coursework. Don't ignore it and don't dwell on it — acknowledge, contextualize, and move on.

Frequently Asked Questions About the GMAT and GRE

Can I submit both a GMAT and GRE score? 

Yes – most programs allow you to submit scores from both exams, and they will typically focus on your strongest result. There is no penalty for submitting both; in fact, some candidates use a second score to "plug a hole" in their profile. For example, if you have a great GRE score but a slightly low Quant percentile, submitting a GMAT with a strong Data Insights score can provide the Admissions Committee with extra proof of your analytical ability.

However, if one score is significantly stronger across the board, it is usually cleaner to submit that one alone. You want to provide the committee with the best possible data points, not just more of them.

While this is the standard approach, you should always double-check the specific testing policies of each school to ensure you are meeting their latest requirements.

How many times can I retake the GMAT or GRE? 

The GMAT Focus Edition allows up to five attempts per year, with a lifetime maximum of eight attempts. The GRE allows you to take it once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period. Both exams allow retaking if you want to improve your score – and most programs will see all of your attempts, though they focus on your highest result.

How long are GMAT and GRE scores valid? 

GMAT scores are valid for five years from the test date. GRE scores are also valid for five years. If you took either exam more than five years ago, you'll need to retake it before applying. Some programs may have slightly different policies so check directly with each school.

Is there a minimum score for top MBA programs? 

Most top programs don't publish hard minimum scores. They evaluate candidates holistically, and a below-average score doesn't automatically eliminate a candidate if the rest of the profile is strong. That said, there are practical thresholds – a score well below a school's reported average will raise questions that need to be addressed elsewhere in the application. Check each school's published score ranges and use those as your benchmarks.

Should I address a weak score in my application? 

Yes – if your score is meaningfully below a school's average, it's generally better to address it briefly in the additional information section than to leave it unexplained. Acknowledge it, provide brief context if there's relevant context to provide, and point to other evidence of your analytical ability. Keep it concise – two to three sentences is usually sufficient. The goal is to give the Admissions Committee a reason to look beyond the number, rather than drawing unnecessary focus to it.

Your story is already there. The work is figuring out how to tell it – clearly, honestly, and in a way that only you could.

If you're working through your MBA applications and want a thought partner who has helped hundreds of clients navigate every part of the process as a top MBA admissions consultant – I'd love to connect.

You can also explore my MBA admissions consulting services or read what past clients have said.

About the Author

Shaifali Aggarwal is the Founder/CEO of Ivy Groupe and a Harvard MBA and Princeton alumna. Named a top MBA admissions consultant by Business Insider and Poets & Quants, she has helped hundreds of ambitious professionals earn admission to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, M7, and top global MBA programs. She has been quoted as an expert in Business Insider, Fortune, Forbes, Entrepreneur, MarketWatch, US News, and other media outlets, and holds a perfect 5-star rating across all verified client reviews on Poets & Quants.