If you’re gearing up for your MBA applications, you’ve probably noticed something: most top business schools now accept both the GMAT and GRE. Great news for flexibility, but it leaves you with a decision to make.
Which test should you actually take?
It’s a question we hear constantly from our clients. And honestly? There’s no universal right answer. The best choice depends on your strengths, your timeline, and your target schools.
Understanding the Basics
Let’s start with the fundamentals.
The GMAT Focus Edition was designed specifically for business school admissions. The 2023 refresh made it shorter, just 2 hours 15 minutes, with three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. You’ll score between 205-805, and the test costs $275.
The GRE General Test is the Swiss Army knife of grad school tests; it works for MBA programs, law school, PhD programs, and pretty much everything else. It’s longer at 1 hours 58 minutes and includes two Verbal sections, two Quantitative sections, and an Analytical Writing essay. Scores range from 260-340 (Verbal + Quant combined), and it costs $220.
The biggest structural difference? The GMAT features unique “Data Sufficiency” questions that ask whether you have enough information to solve a problem, rather than asking you to solve it. The GRE leans heavily on vocabulary and requires an essay. Also, the GRE lets you skip questions and come back to them within a section; while the GMAT lets you review/modify answers within limits at the end of a section, but you cannot freely skip and return mid‑section like on the GRE
How Business Schools Actually View Each Test
Let’s address the elephant in the room: do schools secretly prefer one test over the other?
After working with thousands of applicants and speaking with admissions directors at schools like Stanford, Wharton, and Harvard, we can confirm they really mean it when they say “we have no preference.”
Your test choice won’t make or break your application. Schools care about the score itself, not which test you took to get it.
That said, the GMAT has historically been the standard. At most M7 schools, you’ll still find that 60-70% of admits submitted GMAT scores. But that’s shifting every year as more applicants choose the GRE for its flexibility across multiple graduate programs.
Bottom line: Choose the test where you’ll score highest. That’s what matters.
Which Test Plays to Your Strengths?
This is where the decision gets personal.
You might prefer the GMAT if:
- You’re strong in logical reasoning and love puzzles
- You want a shorter test (2 hours vs. 4 hours)
- Writing timed essays isn’t your thing
- You’re only applying to business school
You might prefer the GRE if:
- You have a strong vocabulary and ace reading comprehension
- You want flexibility to apply to other graduate programs
- You’re comfortable with essay writing
- You like being able to skip questions and return to them
- The math feels more straightforward (less tricky, more computational)
Here’s our recommendation: Take a full-length diagnostic for both tests before deciding.
Use the free GMAT Official Starter Kit and the free PowerPrep Online for GRE. Take them seriously, time yourself, and simulate real test conditions.
Then compare: Which test did you score higher on? Which felt more natural? Where did you make silly mistakes vs. genuinely not know the content?
This data is gold. It’ll tell you which test gives you a better starting point.
Making Your Decision: A Practical Framework
Step 1: Take both diagnostic tests. Don’t skip this. Your gut feeling is worth less than actual data.
Step 2: Analyze your results. Which test put you closer to your target schools’ medians? Where did you feel more comfortable? Which showed more upside potential?
Step 3: Consider your circumstances. How much time until application deadlines? Are you genuinely considering non-MBA programs? Do you have industry-specific reasons to prefer one test?
Step 4: Pick one and commit. Here’s where people mess up — they waffle and half-prepare for both tests. Don’t do this. Pick one based on your analysis and go all-in on prep.
You can always pivot later if needed, but divided focus leads to mediocre scores on both tests.
Common Myths Debunked
Myth: “Business schools prefer the GMAT.”
Reality: They don’t. More applicants historically took the GMAT, but schools genuinely don’t care about which test you choose.
Myth: “The GRE is easy.”
Reality: Different, not easier. It depends entirely on your strengths.
Myth: “Taking the GRE signals you’re not committed to business school.”
Reality: Admissions directors don’t think this way. Your essays and story matter way more.
Myth: “You can’t get into M7 schools with a GRE.”
Reality: Plenty of people get into Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton with GRE scores.
What Really Matters Beyond the Test
Here’s something most applicants don’t realize: your test score is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle.
We work with former admissions directors from Stanford, Wharton, Harvard, and other top programs — the best MBA admissions consultants in the industry who’ve reviewed applications from the other side of the table. Here’s what they want you to know:
A strong test score won’t save a weak application. Your GMAT or GRE needs to clear the bar, but once you’re in the competitive range, admissions committees focus on your essays, work experience, recommendations, and overall story.
Conversely, a slightly lower score won’t kill you if everything else shines. If you’re a few points below the median but have compelling work experience, clear career goals, and stellar essays, you’re still very much in the game.
Your essays show who you are and where you’re going. Your work experience demonstrates impact and leadership. Your recommendations provide outside validation. And your interview, this is crucial, gives you the chance to bring your application to life.
This is where MBA interview prep becomes absolutely critical. If your score is borderline, you need to nail the interview. That’s your chance to show why your numbers don’t tell your whole story. The best MBA admissions consultants know that interview prep often matters as much as the entire written application.
The Bottom Line
Both the GMAT and GRE are solid choices for MBA applications. The “right” test is the one where you’ll score highest.
Take diagnostic tests. Analyze your results honestly. Consider your timeline and circumstances. Then pick one and commit.
Most people need 2-3 months of focused prep for either test. Plan accordingly, use quality prep resources (the official guides are always best), and take practice tests seriously.
And remember: this decision matters less than you think. What really matters is the score you achieve, the story you tell in your essays, and how you show up in your MBA interview prep.
If you’re scoring in the 80th percentile or higher on your practice tests, you’re in good shape for most programs. At that point, focus your energy on the rest of your application — that’s where you’ll see the biggest returns.
Need Help With Your MBA Application?
Choosing between the GMAT and GRE is just the beginning. Your test score is one piece of a complex application puzzle that includes essays, recommendations, resume positioning, and interview preparation.
At Fortuna, we’ve helped thousands of applicants navigate these decisions and gain admission to top business schools. Our team includes former admissions directors from Stanford, Wharton, Harvard, and other elite programs — who’ve reviewed applications and made admissions decisions at your dream schools.
Whether you need help developing your test strategy, crafting your application, or MBA interview prep, we’re here to help.
Schedule a free consultation with Fortuna Admissions to discuss your specific situation and get personalized advice from the best MBA admissions consultants in the industry — people who used to sit on the other side of the admissions table.
We’re here to help you put your best application forward, starting with choosing the right test for you.
