GMAT to GRE Score Conversion: What You Need to Know

October 17, 2018

Are you wondering how your GMAT score would like up to a prospective GRE score? This is a common question among many students, most specifically for ones who have already attended business school and are going back for a PhD. When going back to school—even after attaining your b-school degree—you aren't entirely in the clear when it comes to standardized tests. More than likely, a GRE score will be needed if you go back to school for an advanced degree in Science, Psychology, or other field—meaning you want to see how your GMAT score lines up with the GRE.

While it's true that many MBA programs are following a trend of accepting GRE scores in lieu of the GMAT, many students still opt to take the GMAT since it's the traditional business school admittance exam. This means returning back to the drawing board, so to speak, when embarking on studying for the GRE. Rest assured this happens to countless students, particularly ones aiming to get a PhD. Naturally, anyone would want to know where they stand with this other exam since they already have a GMAT score.

Thankfully, there are conversion tables you can utilize to find out your GRE score from that of your GMAT. None of these are 100% accurate with a little bit of margin of error, but by utilizing them you can at least see how you would fare. Ultimately, knowing a projected GRE score helps you determine your course of study—as in how many hours you plan to put into GRE prep, the number of practice exams you take, the date of which you actually plan to sit for the exam. Long story short—converting your GMAT score to a GRE score is an important first step in your advanced academic trajectory.

This article is about the conversion chart that allows you to find out your GMAT to GRE score. Please note—this is most helpful if you have at least one of your scores handy. If you haven't taken a practice GMAT exam already to find out your score, please do so.

It's safe to say that most PhD programs do require GRE scores. Many of these are directly applicable if already taken for graduate school, but this does leave business school GMAT test-takers needing to take a separate exam. While you can assume most schools—particularly elite ones—will ask for a GRE score, the following programs do not. This is more to show you the exceptions to the standard, not to encourage you to apply to these programs. If your intended school isn't on here, it's safe to say you will need a GRE score for admittance to that PhD program.

• Walden University
• Purdue University Global
• St. John's University
• Chicago School of Professional Psychology
• Duquesne University
• California Southern University
• Northcentral University
• Lynn University
• Colorado Technical University
• Westcliff University
• Liberty University

Most of these schools and programs you probably haven't heard of and that's certainly okay. As you can see, it's only a real handful of programs that don't necessitate the GRE, making it an important part of the PhD application process. Do you have your GMAT score handy? Good—because you will need it!

GRE to GMAT Conversion Chart

The below conversion table has been taken from ETS, the maker of the GRE, which can be found on their website—otherwise known as “GRE Comparison Tool'. Converting your score can be of great use, especially when finding out where your score lands in comparison with a school or program's median score. Conversely, if you have been studying for the GMAT for some time and also wish to apply to graduate schools that only accept the GRE, switching gears with this conversion handy will help guide your way.

Below is just a sample of several scores. A larger table can be found on ETS' website.

Verbal & Quant Conversion

Of course, it may be easier to do your GRE to GMAT conversion section-by-section. This not only simplifies the process, but it also allows you to focus on which question types from which section to incorporate into your practice. Below is a table from ETS, charting the process from GRE Verbal to GMAT Verbal. Note: A GMAT Verbal Range is provided and not a precise score so as not to mislead in the conversion process. At this time, a range is the best one can do when determining their conversion score on these sections.

Similarly, below is a chart chronicling the Quant conversion—also taken from ETS. You will see similar ranges in the projected GMAT score, which hopefully shed some light on your studying and preparation process.

Percentile Conversions

Similarly to determining your projected score, it's important to also know your projected percentile post-conversion. Why are percentiles important? Well, these help you factor in your competition when you're looking at percentile scores from other schools in terms of their study body. Keep in mind these are general conversions, as there may be one or two points margin of error in doing so, but these are aiming to give you a perspective on where you stand against your competition when in the throes of admission. The information from the tables below come from MBA.com as well as ETS.org.

When it comes to percentile conversions, it's important to note that the GMAT is apt to pick up variations of test-taking ability at the higher and lower ends of its scale; the GRE, on the other hand, facilitates more discrimination between mid-level test-takers. Also important to note is that very few people score below a 6 and above a 50 on the GMAT subscores. On the GRE, however, students are known to reach perfect scores in greater numbers. (But that isn't an excuse not to study!)

GMAT Conversion to GRE: The Takeaway

Sometimes with advanced academic trajectories, you can't always control which tests you must take and when. While sitting for the GMAT probably made sense at the time of your business school application, the GRE is a stalwart of most graduate and PhD programs. Look on the bright side—you have already conquered one exam, and now that you're a little older and wiser, perhaps the GRE will come easier to you? Thankfully, conversion charts like this one are widely available, especially when you have your GMAT score handy and you're needing a quick estimated GRE score!

A test like the GRE for doctoral programs is a means to an end, but a necessity that can't be overlooked. Set high standards for your GRE score, even if you blew the GMAT out of the water. Nothing beats a rigorous course of study—and while the two tests are alike, they do share many differences, making studying for them a different process altogether. Think of it this way—the GRE for your doctoral program may very well be your last major standardized test. So go out with a bang!