Is there a disadvantage in submitting GRE vs. GMAT scores?

thanks for the question simba22. On a related note, I am also applying with a GRE score (GMAT 750 equivalent) but am trying to get into product manager post MBA and long term VC. Do you think this has a factor in my application, will the adcom wonder why I didn't take the GMAT instead?

thanks in advance for taking the time to read!

High standardized scores are helpful in a number of industries, esp consulting. I would put your GRE percentile on your resume if you scored high.
Supposedly Adcom is not supposed to wonder why you did not take the GMAT and i don't think it will have much of an impact on your chances but you may be asked in an interview why you chose GRE, just out of curiosity, so have a good answer why you did that.

@simba22 I don't see any problem if you're planning to go into Tech. For the other poster, I don't see a problem with a GRE going into product management either. However for venture-capital I'm not really sure.

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

Thank you both for your responses. Super helpful!

Thanks all!

simba22/ jylu88,

If a school accepts GRE as well, and says that they’ve no particular preference of one over the other (you’ll find this information usually in the FAQ in Admissions section of the school’s website), then the school isn’t doing double-speak. They won’t mislead you.

As Farrell pointed out, some schools such as UCLA and Haas prefer GMAT. You should go by what schools say, and clarify with them in case of any doubt.

Vast majority of schools these days accept both the scores without particular preference of one over the other. So, you should be fine with GRE at most schools of note. In my opinion, if you’ve already taken GRE, it’s better to drop a school from your target list (if it prefers GMAT) than prepare afresh for GMAT.

Having said that, schools usually want to see a higher Quant percentile in GRE than in GMAT. To quote Yale:


INSEAD too mentions something similar on their website.

So, what may be an above average Quant percentile if one is applying with GMAT, may just be average with GRE.

You may read more on the issue here:

Applying to MBA programs? Which test to take – GMAT or GRE?

On the role of test score in recruitment, your test score can be taken into account in consulting and IB recruitment, but not so much in Tech, and certainly much less in VC. Even in consulting and IB, it’s a marginal factor. There are many other things – multiple case interviews, grades, networking, and pedigree & diversity factors – that count.

My two cents: Don’t put the cart before the horse. Don’t fret over marginal things (example: test score affecting your odds of getting a job or landing a fellowship). Focus on the main (getting good enough score to land an admission). The marginal things may not even come into play. Definitely don’t go to the extent of rewriting a test to take care of the marginal things.

Generally you want to take the school at their word. If they say they are fine with then believe them. Certain recruiters may have preferences but once you are in a top program networking matters more for the industries which may have hangups on this