Switching from GMAT to GRE - what skills transfer between test?

Question

Hello,

I'm applying to Schulich in Toronto for Sept. 2020. I've been studying for the GMAT for last month but with the new online GMAT format release, I think I'd rather do the GRE at home with a whiteboard. If I had 3 months or so I'd go for the GMAT anyway but I don't really think it will work. I checked with the school and they give no preference to the GMAT over the GRE and my vocabulary is much stronger than my grammar. How much of the work I've done for the GMAT will carry over? I've read that the quant sections are close enough, it's just the verbal that's really different.

I've paid for Admit Master's online content, and I have the GMAT 2020 OG.

As a side question, Schulich says that I can take until the end of June to write the test, they may take people in if there's still space. Does anyone here have any idea how likely they are to have space in July?

Charles

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

You ask a really good question! Here are some of the similarities between the GMAT and GRE.

Quant

The good news is that the actual quant topics, such as linear and quadratic equations, roots and exponents, number properties, inequalities and absolute values, functions and sequences, probability and combinatorics, ratios and percents, rates and work, unit conversions, general number skills, estimation, statistics and overlapping sets, and geometry, for example, are tested on both the GMAT and the GRE.

That being said, you’ll have to familiarize yourself with answering Quantitative Comparison, Multiple Answer, and Numeric Entry questions (these types of questions are not tested on the GMAT.). You can find a few examples here:

https://gre.targettestprep.com/gre-quant-examples

Verbal

Unfortunately, there is less carryover from GMAT verbal to GRE verbal. Both the GMAT and GRE test Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning; however, on the GRE, Critical Reasoning is referred to as “single-paragraph Reading Comprehension.” That being said, one major difference between the verbal sections of the GRE and GMAT is that the GRE focuses on vocabulary (within Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence questions) and the GMAT focuses on grammar (within Sentence Correction questions). Although you may have mastered GMAT verbal, if you find that your vocabulary skills are lacking, you may have some trouble with GRE verbal.

While these are just a few points, you also may find it helpful to read the following articles:

GMAT or GRE, which one should you take?

How to Score 330+ on the GRE — A Guide for Success

Good luck!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi cc130doc,

If you've been studying for the GMAT in a relatively consistent fashion over the last month, then it's unclear whether shifting to the GRE right now would be the best choice or not. Much of the content that you've learned for the GMAT would translate over to the GRE (although the GRE does place a far greater emphasis on your vocabulary knowledge - and when to use certain words instead of others - so you would have to put in some time to build up your vocabulary). Before you shift to a different Exam, it would help to know a bit more about how you've been studying so far as well as your timeline and goals:

1) 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)?
2) What is your overall Goal Score?

If you're interested in taking a free practice GRE, then you can access 2 for free from www.gre.org.

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

cc130doc · Answer

Thanks for the advise guys,

CAT score for Apr 6 530 Q32 V31
GRE test at ETS APR 22 verb 156 Q 154 Vocab needs the most work in verbal
CAT Score for Apr 23 480 Q25 V31 Sentance correction is my worst area by far.

I think I burned myself out last few days with stress, studying, writing the GRE practice yesterday, and screwed up the Quant today. Lost all my focus. One thing I really need to build up is my endurance for these tests.

My thinking right now; Right the GMAT in June.

Schulich admissions say they are fairly sure there will be spaces available in June if I decide to write the GMAT 3rd week of June when (I hope) the test centers open again, I'm not the only person with test problems it seems. If they don't open then I'll have to do the online one. 
I've already spent a lot of money on tutoring and classes for the GMAT and haven't used all of it yet.

The only advantage of the GRE is that I can write it earlier.

I guess the big question is, is it easier to improve your vocab score on the GRE of your SC score on the GMAT. Quant is just learning more equations.

Charles

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Charles,

While you would likely find it easier to improve on your recent GRE performance, it's not clear what your actual Score Goal is - and that's an extremely important piece of information in terms of how you should plan out this next phase of your studies.

1) What is your Score Goal for each Exam?
2) Do you know what the Average GMAT/GRE Scores are at Schulich? Are there any minimum score requirements to apply?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

cc130doc · Answer

Schulich's average is 660 and my resume is competitive enough that I should be good with around that.

Like most people, I have lots of time on my hands right now. I'm thinking of doing the GMAT at the end of June.

On the question of study time; is there a max you can really do before it becomes counterproductive?

Charles

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Charles,

Based on all of the information that you have provided - and your GMAT Score Goal - you would likely require at least another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study to get to the point that you can consistently score 660 - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Considering your timeframe, the GRE might be the better option - although you'll still need to commit some significant study time (and to an efficient Study Plan) regardless of which Exam you choose to focus on.

Going forward, you have to be careful about confusing "quantity" of study with "quality" of study. I've never asked anyone to study 40+ hours a week - and while it's great that you might have the available time to study that much, with that number of study hours, you would run the risk of 'burning out' before Test Day (and that is something that we want to avoid). If you are going to try to study that much, then I suggest that you take one hour "off" for every two hours of study. For example, you could study for 2 hours, then stop for an hour, then study for another 2 hours, then take an hour off, etc.

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

Switching from GMAT to GRE - what skills transfer between test?

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