GMAT & GRE what should you choose for MBA?

Important points
- A GMAT Classic 710 is roughly ≈ 645–655 on GMAT Focus (per GMAC’s concordance table).
- Top programs typically expect scores in the 90th+ percentile for either test.
Admission Context:
- Scores are not cutoffs — ISB/IIMs evaluate work experience, academics, essays, and interviews holistically.
- Competitive range: Aim for 695+ on GMAT Focus or 720+ on GMAT Classic for top programs.
GMAT Focus
- Shorter, more flexible, and emphasizes real-world data skills.
- Ideal for candidates strong in data interpretation but weaker in essay writing (AWA removed).

Feature	GRE	GMAT
Structure	3 Sections:	4 Sections (Classic)/3 Sections (Focus)
	- Analytical Writing (AWA)	- Quant + Verbal + IR/DI + (AWA in Classic)
	- Verbal Reasoning (VR)
	- Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
Scoring Range	Total: 260–340	GMAT Classic: 200–800
	- VR: 130–170	GMAT Focus: 205–805
	- QR: 130–170
	- AWA: 0–6
Duration	~3h 45min (with essay)	Classic: 3h 30min / Focus: 2h 15min
Question Flexibility	Move backward/forward in section	GMAT Focus: Edit 3 answers/section
Calculator	Allowed in Quant	Not in GMAT Classic / Allowed in DI (Focus)
Test Frequency	Unlimited (5x/year, 21-day gap)	5x/year (16-day gap)
Cost (India)	~$228 USD	~$300 USD
Preferred By	Dual-degree seekers, non-traditional applicants	Traditional MBA applicants

Feature	GMAT (Classic Edition)	GMAT Focus Edition
Structure	4 Sections:	3 Sections:
	- Analytical Writing (AWA)	- Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
	- Integrated Reasoning (IR)	- Verbal Reasoning (VR)
	- Quantitative Reasoning (QR)	- Data Insights (DI)
	- Verbal Reasoning (VR)
Total Questions	80+	64
Total Duration	3h 30min	2h 15min
Scoring Range	Total: 200–800	Total: 205–805
	- QR/VR: 6–51 each	- QR/VR/DI: 60–90 each
	- IR: 1–8
	- AWA: 0–6
Section Order	Fixed	Choose your order
Question Review	Limited	Edit up to 3 answers per section
Score Reporting	5 free reports (post-exam choices)	Send scores AFTER seeing results
Focus Areas	Broader (includes AWA)	Business analytics & data-driven decisions
Calculator	Not allowed in QR	Allowed in DI section

Program	Median GRE Score	Equivalent GMAT	Notes
ISB PGP	318–324	700–720	80th–85th percentile; Quant focus (160+)
IIM Ahmedabad PGPX	315–320	680–700	Avg. work-ex: 7+ years
IIM Bangalore EPGP	315–322	680–710	Quant-heavy weightage
XLRI GMP (1-year)	310+	650+	Competitive: 315+
SPJIMR PGPM	310+	650+	Holistic process; work-ex matters
IIM Calcutta MBAEx	315+	680+	Avg. GRE: 316 (2024)

Dual-Degree Applicants:
- Planning joint degrees (e.g., MBA + MPP/MS). GRE is universally accepted.
Quant-Strong Candidates:
- GRE Quant is generally considered easier than GMAT Quant.
Non-Business Backgrounds:
- Engineers, humanities grads, or PhDs often perform better on GRE’s vocabulary-focused Verbal.
Score Flexibility Seekers:
- GRE lets you send only your best scores to schools (ScoreSelect feature).
Cost-Sensitive Test-Takers:
- GRE fees are ~25% lower than GMAT.

Score Conversion:
- Use ETS’s official GRE-GMAT Comparison Tool.
- Example: GRE 324 (V 155, Q 169) ≈ GMAT 740.
Program Preferences:
- ISB/IIMs treat GRE and GMAT equally, but check program-specific pages (e.g., ISB GRE Policy).
- IIMs rarely publish GRE medians—aim for 315+ (top 20% globally).
Scholarship Impact:
- High GRE scores (325+) can boost scholarship chances at ISB/XLRI.
Sectional Balance Matters:
- ISB/IIMs value high GRE Quant scores (160+ for QR). Low Quant may raise red flags.
Retake Advantage:
- GRE allows unlimited retakes. Schools see only scores you send.

College	Program	GRE Notes
XLRI Jamshedpur	GMP (1-year MBA)	GRE accepted; 315+ competitive
SPJIMR Mumbai	PGPM (1-year MBA)	Prefers GRE 310+ with strong profile
MDI Gurgaon	PGP-EMBA	GRE accepted for executive programs
IIFT Delhi	MBA (IB)	Accepts GRE but prefers CAT
FMS Delhi	MBA	Only CAT (no GRE)

Take GRE if:You’re stronger in vocabulary, need Quant calculator access, or plan non-MBA degrees.
Take GMAT if:You excel in data-driven reasoning (GMAT Focus DI) or IR.