GMAT vs GRE Highest potential ROI for studying for 2 weeks

Question

I've been solely focused on studying for the GMAT and have taken it officially 2 times (590 then a 650). I need at least a 680. Yet in my latest practice tests, I'm still landing at 650.

So, today I took an official practice GRE (without any studying other than what I'd done for the GMAT) and got a 156 (verbal) & 157 (quant). My ideal schools are looking for a 160 in each section.

I need to have the standardize test for my B school apps completed before December. So, with only a few weeks left to study, I'm now faced with a toss-up on which test to give my attention.

Can anyone help me decide?

mSKR · Answer

As I read and heard , 325 is good score to apply in B schools that is equivalent to 650+( 670s-680s).
With 156 and 157 , as per comparison , your gmat score would be equivalent to around 600s.
i think , you are more closer in GMAT . 
It would be hard in GRE if your vocab is not strong . Knowing the meanings in GRE is not enough but you should be able to distinguish the meanings in similar words or synonyms. Do you have that distinguished capability or can build it in specific time? If yes, then your score in GRE Verbal should be 165+.
Even you make your GRE quants to 168 , still your score would be around 320s. This much score is still equivalent to 650~. 
in conclusion, you are still much behind in GRE as compared to GMAT
determining factor: Vocabulary and need high in Quants for GRE; for GMAT: just work on your pending weakness and extra 20-30s marks can be achieved.

bb · Answer

Schools do often accept people with lower GRE scores. (at least that has been the historic practice).
If you were able to get that score cold, perhaps you can get it up enough to get over the 320 hump. The vocab section though is a wild card. You never know what you will get.

P.S. Souvik took both and he got the exact same score in both

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC7v420-2AI

manass · Answer

I am in same situation with 600 and 650 .need 700 now to reapply. Id suggest take a gmatprep course for a month. helped me to jump from 600 to 650 in a month.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi littlestone,

As imSKR pointed out, the GRE places a greater emphasis on your vocabulary knowledge (and when to use certain words instead of others), so your capacity to score 160+ on the GRE Verbal would likely come down to how quickly you could improve your vocabulary knowledge. With a 650 on the Official GMAT, you are closer to a 680+ than you probably realize - and since you have put in some significant GMAT Study already, you would probably be better served by sticking with the GMAT at this point (although you could potentially take both Tests if you wanted to).

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) When did you take your 2 Official GMATs and what were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH?
2) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do you typically study each week?
3) What study materials have you used so far?
4) On what dates did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT? For your next attempt, are you planning to take the At-home GMAT or are you planning to take your GMAT at a Test Facility?
6) What specific application deadlines are you facing?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

littlestone · Answer

Hi Rich, I've answered your questions in line below. Thank you for your help!! (Feel free to move this to a PM if it's easier.) Studies: 1) When did you take your 2 Official GMATs and what were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH? I took one Aug 15 & got at 35 verbal, 35 quant, 580 total. Then I took another Sept 1 and got a 38 verbal, 41 quant, 650 total. Practice tests since Sept 1 have been 650 or below

2) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do you typically study each week? I have been studying seriously since March. I was putting in 1-2 hrs/day, 5 days a week studying up to the Aug & Sept tests. But lately have gotten burnt out so I'm down to 3-4 hrs/week. 3) What study materials have you used so far? I've used Magoosh, and the OG study materials (plus their official practice tests 1-5). I've also used the Power Score GMAT for critical reasoning. I've also found the GMAT club error log to be fantastically helpful & now in my later months of studying focus on that. 4) On what dates did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)? I haven't taken a CAT, but I tried the GRE November 8 (this past Saturday) and scored a 156 verbal & a 157 quant. Goals: 5) When are you planning to take the GMAT? For your next attempt, are you planning to take the At-home GMAT or are you planning to take your GMAT at a Test Facility? I haven't officially scheduled or decided. But both official GMAT tests I've taken have been in a Testing Facility so I think I should stick with that? I'm open to the at-home given it's scheduling flexibility, but I don't love the order of the sections it requires. 6) What specific application deadlines are you facing? I'm planning to apply to HBS, Wharton, MIT, Darden, & Kellogg. All of their round 2 applications are due the first week of January.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi littlestone,

I've sent you a PM with some additional notes and questions.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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