For several MBA aspirants, making a choice between the GRE and GMAT leaves them on the fence. However, if you have already taken the GRE and are wondering how it is stacked against the GMAT, you have arrived at the right place!
Whether you are applying to top-tier schools in the U.S., UK, or elsewhere in the world, admissions committees often accept both exams, but they also make internal comparisons. This is where the GRE to GMAT score conversion becomes crucial.
So, read this crisp and insightful blog to learn how to convert your GRE score to an estimated GMAT equivalent. Also, you will learn how you can use this knowledge strategically in your MBA applications. Dive in!
Why convert GRE to GMAT scores in 2025?
Most of the prestigious business schools now accept both GRE and GMAT scores. However, some programs still report average scores only in GMAT terms, especially for rankings and benchmarks.
Thereby, admissions officers may internally convert GRE scores to GMAT using official tables provided by ETS and GMAC.
It implies:
- You need to speak their language: For instance, if your target school reports a GMAT Focus edition class profile average of 665, your GRE score should ideally align with that.
- You need to understand the conversion to gauge the competitiveness: You must know whether your GRE score is a strength or a weakness in the eyes of adcoms.
What’s a good GRE score for Top Business Schools?
In 2025, top programs like INSEAD, Stanford GSB, Wharton, and LBS report average GMAT scores between 675–705.
So, if you are planning to submit GRE scores instead, you must ensure that your converted GMAT score is in the aforementioned GMAT score range.
Here’s a quick rule of thumb to help you do the math:
- GRE Verbal + Quant scores combined should exceed 320 to be competitive at Global Top 50 ranked schools and above 325 for Top 20 ranked programs
- Aim for a Verbal score above 158 and a Quant score above 167 as well to reach a GMAT Focus score equivalent of 655+
GRE to GMAT conversion Table
To make your conversion job easy, here’s the official GRE-to-GMAT conversion table to find your equivalent score:
| GRE Verbal Reasoning score | GRE Quant Reasoning score | GRE Score | GFE Score |
| 170 | 170 | 340 | 805 |
| 169 | 169 | 338 | 805 |
| 168 | 168 | 336 | 785 |
| 167 | 167 | 334 | 735 |
| 166 | 166 | 332 | 695 |
| 165 | 165 | 330 | 685 |
| 164 | 164 | 328 | 665 |
| 163 | 163 | 326 | 635 |
| 162 | 162 | 324 | 615 |
| 161 | 161 | 322 | 615 |
| 160 | 160 | 320 | 595 |
| 159 | 159 | 318 | 585 |
| 158 | 158 | 316 | 575 |
| 157 | 157 | 314 | 555 |
| 156 | 156 | 312 | 545 |
| 155 | 155 | 310 | 535 |
| 154 | 154 | 308 | 515 |
| 153 | 153 | 306 | 495 |
| 152 | 152 | 304 | 495 |
| 151 | 151 | 302 | 485 |
| 150 | 150 | 300 | 475 |
| 149 | 149 | 298 | 455 |
| 148 | 148 | 296 | 445 |
| 147 | 147 | 294 | 435 |
| 146 | 146 | 292 | 425 |
| 145 | 145 | 290 | 415 |
| 144 | 144 | 288 | 405 |
| 143 | 143 | 286 | 395 |
| 142 | 142 | 284 | 375 |
| 141 | 141 | 282 | 375 |
| 140 | 140 | 280 | 355 |
| 139 | 139 | 278 | 345 |
| 138 | 138 | 276 | 335 |
| 137 | 137 | 274 | 335 |
| 136 | 136 | 272 | 305 |
| 135 | 135 | 270 | 295 |
| 134 | 134 | 268 | 255 |
| 133 | 133 | 266 | 245 |
| 132 | 132 | 264 | 235 |
| 131 | 131 | 262 | 225 |
| 130 | 130 | 260 | 215 |
We recommend that you input your individual GRE Verbal and Quant scores into the table to find a precise GMAT equivalent, rather than relying on guesswork.
Here’s an example to help you understand how the table would work:
Let’s say you scored 164 in GRE Quant and 164 even in GRE Verbal.
That gives you a combined GRE score of 328.
Using the conversion table, this would typically equate to a GMAT score of around 665.
Now, imagine your dream program at Wharton reports an average GMAT score of 675. So, this will help you decipher that:
- You are somewhat within the range, but you must highlight other strengths in your application to make it more compelling.
- If you are significantly below 675, consider retaking the GRE or trying the GMAT.
GRE vs GMAT: Does the choice still matter in 2025?
For most students, the choice between the GRE and the GMAT depends on their unique strengths and weaknesses:
For instance, if you are strong in verbal reasoning, the GRE might be your best bet.
On the other hand, if you excel in quantitative problem solving, the GMAT may be a better choice of the two.
But for 2026 applicants, what matters most is strategy. We thereby recommend knowing your GMAT-equivalent to:
- Better position yourself in essays and interviews
- Assess how your profile compares to others who were admitted in the past intake
- Avoid surprises when applying to GMAT-centric programs
Final Thoughts
The GRE vs GMAT debate isn’t about choosing the “better” exam, it’s about knowing how to communicate your strengths in the language that business schools understand.
So, whether you have chosen to go for the GRE and are applying to Harvard Business School or HEC Paris, make sure your GRE score tells the right story!
Use the conversion table shared in the section above. Align with your school’s benchmarks, and present a profile that stands out.
If you are seeking expert guidance on the GRE and GMAT preparation, feel free to reach out to LilacBuds experts. Good luck!
