Should I Switch to GRE?

Question

I just took my first GRE practice test and got a 156 in Verbal and a 166 in Quant. I haven’t actually studied for the GRE yet—I’ve only been preparing for the GMAT since late May. Below are my GMAT Scores:

Date 
 Mock Test # 
 Total Score 
 Percentile 
 Quant Score 
 Quant Percentile 
 Verbal Score 
 Verbal Percentile 
 Data Insights Score 
 Data Insights Percentile 
 
  5/21/25 
 1 
 535 
 44% 
 69 
 12% 
 85 
 96% 
 76 
 58% 
 
  7/17/25 
 1 (Retake) 
 585 
 65% 
 77 
 46% 
 79 
 51% 
 81 
 90% 
 
  8/21/25 
 2 
 625 
 83% 
 79 
 59% 
 83 
 86% 
 81 
 90% 
 
  9/4/2025 
 3 
 615 
 80% 
 80 
 66% 
 83 
 86% 
 78 
 73% 
 
  9/11/2025 
 OFFICIAL #1 
 595 
 67% 
 79 
 57% 
 83 
 83% 
 77 
 62% 
 
  9/25/25 
 4 
 615 
 80% 
 79 
 59% 
 84 
 91% 
 79 
 79%

On the first Quant section, I got everything right, and on the second I missed two geometry questions. That makes sense since geometry isn’t really covered on the GMAT, which is what I’ve been focusing on.

For Verbal, most of the questions I missed were because I didn’t know the vocabulary—about nine of them—and three were reading comprehension questions.

I’m planning to apply to MBA programs in Round 2 (Jan), so I’m wondering if it might make more sense to switch over to the GRE.

bb · Answer

Hi. I’ve seen a recent number of people get quite high scores on the GRE.

Admissions committee has noticed similar patterns as well I believe and so they treat GRE as the less hard-core evaluator, or at least that’s what I would like to believe 😂

But if someone can just take the test cold and get a pretty high score, that kind of proves the point.

What we have been observing is that if you have a strong profile and your score is weak, the GRE is an easy way out.

However, if you’re trying to make a statement or strengthen your profile, the GRE will not be able to do that simply because how easy it is to get a high score

But looking at your practice test, if you’re trying to shoot for 705, you’re a long way and since we are only about three months from the deadline, and you already spent over three months, it may be worth switching...

MP02170 · Answer

Hey BB, I’m honestly aiming for a 645-675.

Normally do super well on standardized test (ACT, SAT, PSAT all in the top 1% and also a national merit scholar). But for some reason can’t seem to crack the GMAT - ESPECIALLY GMAT quant.

I would be happy to get a 650 because gives me at least a shot at being considered but right now the 615 is too low.

bb · Answer

Honestly, the switch between the two tests is very forgiving as you have seen from your result.

It wouldn’t take you more than a week to reconfigure your brain maybe two weeks.

So I think you have time, 2 to 3 weeks to make a difference in quant. I don’t mean overall but in specific topics and if you can see improvement, I would proceed but if you are not improvement, you can try the GRE back door.

My recommendation would be to start with creating a list which should take you 10 minutes: what makes you uncomfortable or an easy in quantity? Where is the soft spot?

Make a list and then target one of them and honestly targeting one of them should not take more than a couple days. It sounds like you have a proven track record and you know how to study.

One aspect to set your expectations and the area that a lot of people underestimate is GMAT is a test of nuance. It’s a collection of a lot of little rules and little trip wires that you have to keep in mind and so if you prolong studying over four or five or six months, you start losing those.

Another score killer is not lack of knowledge but rather timing where people spend way too much and then are forced to guess. If this is you, this will be the biggest easiest fix but my guess it’s not unfortunately.

Also now that you’re not in college, studying at night after work is really not ideal and while you do what you have to do, you also need to be honest with yourself - did you just watch this video or did you actually learn something. Sometimes it’s hard to tell but my recommendation is taking a daily quiz at the end of every topic or chapter and for you I’d recommend take 10 questions only within the topic you have just covered and aim to get a mix of easy medium and hard and somewhat equal proportions and hit at least eight out of 10 correct and preferably nine out of 10 .

ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hi  MP02170 ,

If you are looking to make the switch, we encourage you to use the free access to our  GRE prep course . This is available only for a limited time so do explore it.

Thank you.

All the best!

Experts' Global

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

HI MP02170,

Did you decide whether to switch to the GRE?

Should I Switch to GRE?

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My Rewards

Date	Mock Test #	Total Score	Percentile	Quant Score	Quant Percentile	Verbal Score	Verbal Percentile	Data Insights Score	Data Insights Percentile
5/21/25	1	535	44%	69	12%	85	96%	76	58%
7/17/25	1 (Retake)	585	65%	77	46%	79	51%	81	90%
8/21/25	2	625	83%	79	59%	83	86%	81	90%
9/4/2025	3	615	80%	80	66%	83	86%	78	73%
9/11/2025	OFFICIAL #1	595	67%	79	57%	83	83%	77	62%
9/25/25	4	615	80%	79	59%	84	91%	79	79%