Applying with GRE?

Question

Can you please share your score, Q/V split, and (if you've applied) the outcome? I'm trying to get a better understanding of what i should be targeting.

Thank you in advance!!

obviousotter · Answer

Q: 168
V: 166
W: 5.0

ETS says that is the equivalent of a 760 GMAT.

Applied HBS R1, interviewed, waiting to hear (just 1 more week!)

I should probably caveat that with the fact that I took it 3 years ago when I was applying for graduate degree programs (MS in Comp Sci). I've heard anecdotally that GRE is perfectly fine if you have a good reason (eg, my previous grad school situation) but all else equal they still have a slight preference for GMAT. I very seriously considered taking it but decided to see how I did this year first. If I don't get in I'll take the GMAT and try again next year.

NateFromHBS · Answer

Hi simba22!

When it comes to the GRE for HBS, you want to target above the 80% percentile. Surprisingly, HBS really only views GMAT/GRE scores as a necessary but not sufficient part of the application. Having a 99th percentile GRE score won't really give you any better odds than a 90th or an 85th percentile. I had a perfect GRE score and it didn't give me any special advantage in the process.

Of course at other schools like Yale SOM and Wharton where the average GMAT statistic is guarded jealously, a better score will give you a better chance of acceptance. The benefit of the GRE there is that they will be more likely to admit a lower score since it won't impact their GMAT average!

DrShelle · Answer

Hi simba22!

You should aim minimally for the 80th percentile range. Above the 90th percentile is better, of course. We at MBA Admit.com have had candidates do excellently with GRE scores above the 80th percentile at schools like Harvard and Wharton. When the Harvard Business School admissions committee identifies a candidate who it feels is terrific, who demonstrates a “habit of leadership” and has amazing future potential, it is willing to be more lenient on the standardized test score. One of our recent candidates, a white American female, gained admission to HBS with a low overall standardized test score, including a low quant score. But we helped her build up all other parts of her profile and get together an outstanding application, so it worked out wonderfully for her. The interview seemed to be just a formality, as they had already seemed to have decided “yes” based on the application. (And she was a reapplicant! She was turned down the year before with the same GMAT score but a poorly put together application that we helped her to completely overhaul.)

Good luck in the admissions process and feel free to reach out to us if you need anything.

Best wishes,
Dr. Shel

bb · Answer

Applying with GRE?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards