GRE to GMAT Score Conversion

One of the most important decisions applicants have to make when applying to a business school abroad is whether to submit GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) scores. 

While both tests are globally acceptable, they follow different formats and have different scoring systems. So, it is important to understand which score will be more advantageous for you. 

Another important question that arises in the minds of graduate degree seekers is: Can GRE scores be converted into GMAT scores? 

This article dives into the intricate depths of the GRE to GMAT score conversion debate to provide a clear picture. Read on to know the details.

Understanding GRE and GMAT Scores

The GRE and GMAT are standardized tests required for admission to colleges and universities abroad. These tests evaluate your analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning abilities to assess your compatibility with the coursework you wish to opt for. 

Each test has its own format, exam pattern, and scoring. Here’s a comprehensive look at both exams.

GRE

The GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), and is used for admissions to graduate schools, particularly engineering, business, and law schools.

GRE Exam Structure: The new shorter 2023 GRE format has three sections – analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. 

1. The first section of analytical writing has one ‘Analyze an Issue’ task.
2. The quantitative reasoning section tests your problem-solving ability using basic concepts in Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis. 
3. The final verbal reasoning section evaluates how well you can understand and evaluate written texts. 

GRE Scoring System: The Verbal and Quantitative sections are scored on a scale from 130 to 170, while the Analytical Writing section is scored from 0 to 6. The total score ranges from 260 to 340.

GMAT

The GMAT, administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), is designed specifically for graduate business programs admissions, especially MBA degrees.

GMAT Exam Structure: The new GMAT Focus Edition includes three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights. 

1. The Quantitative Reasoning section assesses problem-solving abilities through concepts related to arithmetic, elementary algebra, and word problems.
2. The Data Insights section tests the ability to evaluate information presented in various formats through data sufficiency, graph representations, etc. 
3. The Verbal Reasoning section includes two types of MCQs, Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning, to evaluate reading, argument evaluation, and written English correction. 

GMAT Score System: All three sections – Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights are scored on a scale of 60-90, and are reported in intervals of 1 with the standard error measurement of 3 points. This contributes to a total GMAT score ranging from 205 to 805, reported in 10-point increments.

Can You Convert GRE Score to GMAT Score

Per the official GMAT website, the GRE score cannot be compared or converted to the GMAT Focus Edition score. It is because the GMAT exam is designed specifically to target skills required in graduate business programs, on the other hand, the GRE General Test is not designed specifically for business programs, and is general in nature.

While there are many GRE to GMAT conversion calculators and tables available, these are not official. If you still wish to use these tools for an approximate idea, you must remember that these are outdated and may not reflect true results.

GRE Score To GMAT Conversion Formula 

The GRE to GMAT score conversion formula is based on a previously conducted statistical analysis that was done long before both the exams were updated. The formula is:

GMAT Total Score = 6.38 × GRE Verbal Reasoning Score + 10.62 × GRE Quantitative Reasoning Score − 2080.75 

For example, if you scored 160 in Verbal Reasoning and 160 in Quantitative Reasoning on the GRE, you can calculate your GMAT score as follows:

GMAT Total Score = 6.38 × 160 + 10.62 × 160 − 2080.75  = 639.25

GRE To GMAT Score Conversion Chart

Here is a chart that you can follow: 

GRE Verbal Reasoning Score	GRE Quant. Reasoning Score	GRE Score	GMAT Score	GMAT Verbal Scaled Score	GMAT Quant. Scaled Score
170	170	340	800	46	53
169	169	338	790	45	52
168	168	336	780	44	50
167	167	334	760	43	49
166	166	332	740	42	48
165	165	330	730	41	47
164	164	328	710	40	45
163	163	326	690	39	44
162	162	324	670	38	43
161	161	322	660	37	42
160	160	320	640	36	41
159	159	318	620	35	39
158	158	316	610	35	38
157	157	314	590	34	37
156	156	312	570	33	36
155	155	310	560	32	34
154	154	308	540	31	33
153	153	306	520	30	32
152	152	304	500	29	31
151	151	302	490	28	29
150	150	300	470	27	28
149	149	298	450	26	27
148	148	296	440	25	26
147	147	294	420	25	24
146	146	292	400	24	23
145	145	290	390	23	22
144	144	288	370	22	21
143	143	286	350	21	19
142	142	284	330	20	18
141	141	282	320	19	17
140	140	280	300	18	16
139	139	278	280	17	14
138	138	276	270	16	13
137	137	274	250	15	12
136	136	272	230	15	11
135	135	270	220	14	9
134	134	268	200	13	8
133	133	266	200	12	7
132	132	264	200	11	6
131	131	262	200	10	4
130	130	260	200	9	3

Comparison of Raw and Scaled Scores

Educational Testing Service (ETS)used to offer an option for converting GRE scores to their GMAT equivalents. The tool has now been removed from the official ETS website.

The tool was designed to help you draw an approximate idea of the converted GRE and GMAT scores. It was devised long before both the exams were updated. 

Percentile scores given for the GMAT and GRE score reports. They indicate the percentage of candidates with lower scores than those specified. The percentile scores are the ones to which the raw scores will correspond. 

Factors Influencing GRE and GMAT Score Conversion

Several factors can affect how GRE scores convert to GMAT scores:

• Test Format and Content: The GRE and GMAT emphasize different skills. The GMAT focuses more on skills required for a business program, while the GRE emphasizes comprehension and analytical skills required for general graduate degrees.
• Individual Strengths: Test takers may perform better on one test than the other based on their personal strengths and weaknesses.
• Preparation: The amount and type of preparation can significantly influence scores. Familiarity with the test format and question types can improve performance.
• Percentile scores: Percentile scores are available for both the GMAT and GRE. The reports indicate the percentage of aspirants who got scores lower than the specified one. However, direct comparisons are not possible between percentile scores, since there are differences in the pool of applicants taking every test. 

Average GRE & GMAT Scores at Leading Business Schools

Here is a list for your perusal: 

Business School	GMAT Score	GRE Verbal	GRE Quant
Stanford GSB	738	165	165
Wharton School of Business	733	162	162
Chicago Booth School of Business	730	161	163
Kellogg School of Management	727	162	165
Harvard Business School	730	163	164
MIT Sloan School of Management	690-760	157-168	158-169
Yale School of Management	730	166	165

Source: university websites

Retake Considerations and Score Improvement Strategies

• Identify Weak Areas: Use practice tests to identify specific areas where you need improvement.
• Targeted Practice: Focus your study efforts on your weakest sections. For example, if your quantitative reasoning needs work, prioritize math practice.
• Test-Taking Strategies: Develop strategies such as time management, educated guessing, and dealing with test anxiety.

Both GRE and GMAT allow retakes. You can retake the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period. On the other hand, you can retake the GMAT once every 16 days, up to five times within a rolling 12-month period, and a maximum of eight times in your lifetime.

Recommended Reads:

GMAT Eligibility	Syllabus For GMAT	Exam Pattern of GMAT
GMAT Exam Dates 2022	GMAT Test Centers in India	GMAT Registration
GMAT Results & GMAT Scores	Validity of GMAT Score	GMAT Preparation Books

Conclusion

While both GRE and GMAT are accepted by graduate business schools, there is a considerable difference between their exam formats and purposes. Understanding the distinction between the tests, the conversion process, and factors influencing scores is important to make informed decisions about your test-taking strategy and improve your chances of admission.

As far as converting GRE scores to GMAT scores is concerned, while many conversion tables and tools are available, you must keep in mind that those are unofficial. While you may still use them for an approximate idea per your discretion, we encourage you not to rely  on them as GRE scores cannot be directly converted into GMAT scores.