When seeking a higher education abroad, GMAT is one of the first things that comes to our minds. Yes, GMAT is one of the most commonly accepted exams to seek admission to reputed business schools across the world.
However, over the last few years, many popular business schools have also started accepting GRE scores to ease the process for students and attract diverse students. As per the admission criteria followed by most B-schools, the GRE score should be equivalent to the minimum required GMAT score.
This makes it vital to understand the GMAT to GRE conversion process and understand your eligibility at your choice of business school. Read on to understand these aspects in detail and make an informed decision.
Why is it important to convert the GRE to a GMAT score?
GRE to GMAT conversion is gaining immense popularity amongst students as most business schools’ admissions discussions centre around a GMAT score. By doing the conversion, you can understand where your GRE score stands in comparison to other students that have written GMAT even if you have not appeared for the GMAT test itself. Or, vice versa.
How to Convert GRE Scores to GMAT Scores?
Conversion Chart and Conversion Table
The simplest way to convert a GRE score to a GMAT score is by using a conversion table or a conversion chart. These charts can map your GRE score to the GMAT range and give you an estimated score to help you understand where you stand. Reputed education consultants like LilacBuds can help you with these charts to make the requisite conversion.
Here is a simple GRE to GMAT conversion/comparison table for your reference:
GMAT Classic |
GMAT Focus Edition Score | GRE Score |
Percentile |
800 |
805 | 340 |
100% |
790 |
795 | 338 |
100% |
780 |
765 | 336 |
99.9% |
770 |
745 | 335 |
99.8% |
760 |
725 | 334 |
99.4% |
750 |
705 | 333 |
98.6% |
740 |
695 | 332 |
97.9% |
730 |
685 | 330 | 96.7% |
720 | 675 | 329 |
95.2% |
710 |
665 | 328 | 93.2% |
700 | 655 | 327 |
89.6% |
690 |
645 | 326 | 86.7% |
680 | 635 | 325 |
83.5% |
670 |
615 | 324 | 80.1% |
660 | 615 | 322 |
78.3% |
650 |
605 | 321 | 74.5% |
640 | 595 | 320 |
70.7% |
630 |
585 | 319 | 64.8% |
620 | 585 | 318 |
62.8% |
610 |
575 | 316 | 58.9% |
600 | 565 | 315 |
55.1% |
Compare old GMAT with the GMAT Focus Edition score using detailed percentile breakdown
We’ve learned how to compare GMAT scores with GRE scores. Now, let’s explore how to compare scores from the old GMAT test with the new GMAT Focus edition, which has a much wider spread of percentile scores compared to the classic GMAT. Percentile scores are an indicator of your performance compared to other students. Both tests provide percentile scores. These scores are another way to strike a comparison. The GRE score equivalent to the corresponding GMAT score will also give you the idea of your GRE percentile. For example, if your GRE score is 329, we can see that it’s equivalent to a GMAT score of 720 and GMAT Focus score of 675, which have a percentile of 95.2%. So you know your GRE score of 329’s percentile score is also 95.2%.
GMAT Classic | GMAT Focus |
Percentile |
800 |
805 |
100.0% |
790 |
805 | 100.0% |
790 | 795 |
100.0% |
790 |
785 | 100.0% |
780 | 785 |
100.0% |
780 |
775 | 100.0% |
780 | 765 |
99.9% |
780 |
755 | 99.9% |
770 | 755 |
99.9% |
770 |
745 | 99.8% |
770 | 735 |
99.7% |
760 |
735 | 99.5% |
760 | 725 |
99.4% |
760 |
715 | 99.2% |
750 | 715 |
98.7% |
750 |
705 | 98.6% |
750 | 695 |
98.1% |
740 |
695 | 97.9% |
740 | 685 |
96.9% |
730 |
685 | 96.7% |
730 | 675 |
96.1% |
720 |
675 | 95.2% |
720 | 665 |
94.0% |
710 |
665 | 93.2% |
710 | 655 |
92.6% |
700 |
655 | 89.6% |
700 | 645 |
89.3% |
690 |
645 | 86.7% |
690 | 635 |
85.1% |
680 |
635 | 83.5% |
680 | 625 |
82.7% |
680 |
615 | 80.1% |
670 | 615 |
80.1% |
660 |
615 | 78.3% |
650 | 615 |
74.5% |
650 |
605 | 74.5% |
650 | 595 |
71.5% |
640 |
595 | 70.7% |
640 | 585 |
65.3% |
630 |
585 | 64.8% |
620 | 585 |
62.8% |
620 |
575 | 62.1% |
610 | 575 |
58.9% |
610 |
565 | 55.8% |
600 | 565 |
55.1% |
600 |
555 | 52.7% |
590 | 555 |
51.4% |
580 |
555 | 47.8% |
580 | 545 |
46.7% |
570 |
545 | 44.3% |
570 | 535 |
43.8% |
560 |
535 | 41.1% |
560 | 525 |
38.2% |
550 |
525 | 37.9% |
550 | 515 |
35.6% |
540 |
515 | 35.0% |
530 | 515 |
32.3% |
530 |
505 | 30.8% |
530 | 495 |
28.5% |
520 |
495 |
28.5% |
How do universities view the different scores?
While both the GRE and GMAT are popular tests to seek admission to foreign universities, universities have their own perception regarding the acceptance of test scores for various courses:
- Business schools – Business-centric schools give a higher importance to GMAT scores since it has a business-oriented curriculum better suitable to predict a student’s success in the B-school.
- Quantitative skills – If you are applying for a course that focuses on data analysis and statistics, a GMAT quant score will hold maximum weightage, and GRE verbal would not have much value.
- Holistic approach – Many business schools also rely on GRE to GMAT conversion and consider both exam scores, along with other parameters like essays, work experience, additional skills, etc.
How to choose the right test?
When it comes to choosing whether to appear for the GRE or GMAT, experts recommend that you should rely on your strengths. Here is how:
- Strong logic and maths – If your strength lies in quantitative abilities and you plan to choose a business-focused course, GMAT is the right fit for you.
- Solid verbal skills and varied programs – If you have a strong vocabulary and you are considering a diverse range of master’s programs, the GRE is a better choice, since it provides more flexibility.
A final word
Conversion of a GRE to a GMAT score can benefit you by diversifying your options. By gaining an understanding of the conversion and factors involved, you can meet the score requirements.
However, while the converters are a helpful tool, it is only one aspect of the overall application. It is important to consider all factors and make an informed decision whether you should convert your score or not. While this might seem confusing, expert consultants can help you navigate the challenges seamlessly and take you closer to your goals.
Expert education consultants at LilacBuds can help you with accurate conversions, and take care of the overall study abroad process. In turn, LilacBuds consultants can ensure your applications stand out and you get a college best suited to your requirements.
Whether you need help deciding the right course, in the conversion of your scores, or in any other aspect of overseas education, contact LilacBuds for expert and personalized assistance!