If you have taken the GRE but your target MBA or MiM program talks mainly about GMAT scores, understanding GRE to GMAT score conversion can make school comparisons much easier. It gives you a broad idea of where your GRE performance may stand against a GMAT score commonly reported in business-school class profiles. However, GRE and GMAT scores cannot be converted through a simple one-to-one formula. The GRE reports Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning separately on a 130–170 scale, while the current GMAT reports a Total Score from 205–805. ETS provides a prediction model using GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores, but that model was developed for the previous GMAT 200–800 scale. GMAC now provides a separate concordance between that older GMAT and the current GMAT scale.
In this guide, we explain the GRE to GMAT conversion process step by step, provide an updated 2026 comparison chart, explain what GRE scores such as 320, 325, 330 and 340 may roughly mean on the GMAT, and show how to use these estimates when shortlisting MBA and MiM programs.
How Do GRE and GMAT Scores Work?

Before using a GRE-to-GMAT score conversion chart, it helps to understand what each exam actually reports. Both are used in graduate admissions, but their scoring systems and section structures are different. That difference is also why an exact conversion is not possible.
The GRE General Test reports Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning separately rather than providing a single official combined score. The current GMAT, on the other hand, combines performance from three sections into one Total Score. Understanding this difference helps prevent the common mistake of treating a GRE total and a GMAT Total Score as directly interchangeable.
How Is the GRE Scored?
The GRE General Test reports three scores:
- Verbal Reasoning: 130–170
- Quantitative Reasoning: 130–170
- Analytical Writing: 0–6
ETS reports Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning separately. Although applicants often add these two scores together and refer to figures such as GRE 320, 325 or 330, ETS does not officially report a combined 260–340 GRE Total Score. GRE scores are reportable for five years.
How Is the Current GMAT Scored?
The current GMAT includes three sections:
- Quantitative Reasoning: 60–90
- Verbal Reasoning: 60–90
- Data Insights: 60–90
- Total Score: 205–805
All three sections contribute equally to the GMAT Total Score, and every current GMAT Total Score ends in 5. The exam contains 64 questions and takes approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, excluding the optional break.
GRE vs GMAT Score Report Comparison
| Feature | GRE General Test | Current GMAT |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Score | 130–170 | 60–90 |
| Quantitative Score | 130–170 | 60–90 |
| Additional Section | Analytical Writing: 0–6 | Data Insights: 60–90 |
| Official Total Score | No combined total | 205–805 |
| Approx. Test Time | 1 hr 58 min | 2 hr 15 min |
| Score Validity | 5 years | 5 years |
| Main Use | Graduate, business and law programs | Graduate business and management programs |
ETS currently lists the GRE at about 1 hour 58 minutes, while GMAC lists the GMAT at 2 hours 15 minutes.
What Is GRE to GMAT Score Conversion?
A GRE to GMAT score conversion estimates how performance on the GRE may relate to performance on the GMAT. It is mainly useful when applicants have a GRE score but want additional context from MBA class profiles, admissions discussions or historical data that use GMAT scores.
The important limitation is that there is currently no official direct GRE-to-current-GMAT conversion table. ETS's official GRE Comparison Tool predicts GMAT scores from GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores, but the model was created using the previous GMAT scoring system. GMAC separately provides concordance between that older GMAT scale and today's GMAT.
Therefore, a current comparison requires two separate steps rather than pretending that GRE 320 automatically equals one exact current GMAT score.
How Does the Conversion Work?
The most defensible comparison process is:
- Take your actual GRE Verbal score.
- Take your actual GRE Quantitative score.
- Use ETS's prediction methodology to estimate a GMAT score on the previous 200–800 scale.
- Compare that legacy GMAT result with GMAC's August 2026 concordance table.
- Treat the resulting current-GMAT figure as a range or broad benchmark, not an exact equivalent.
This method is more transparent than simply publishing a conversion table without explaining where the numbers come from.
How Does ETS Calculate GRE to GMAT Conversion?
ETS developed its GRE Comparison Tool using scores from 472 test-takers who had taken both the GRE General Test and GMAT within one year. ETS used multiple linear regression to examine the relationship between GRE Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning scores and the previous GMAT Total Score.
The resulting model had a correlation of 0.916 between the GRE predictors and GMAT Total Score. ETS also reports a standard error of 54.8 points, which is a major reason a GRE-to-GMAT estimate should never be presented as an exact score equivalence.
What Is the ETS GRE to GMAT Formula?
ETS publishes the following formula for predicting the previous GMAT Total Score:
Predicted GMAT Total Score = -2080.75 + (6.38 × GRE Verbal) + (10.62 × GRE Quantitative)
The predicted result is rounded to a 10-point increment and limited to the previous GMAT range of 200–800.
This formula also explains why simply adding GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores is not enough to produce an accurate estimate.
Why Does Your GRE Verbal and Quant Split Matter?
Two applicants can both have a GRE 330 and still receive different predicted legacy-GMAT scores.
For example:
- Applicant A: GRE Verbal 160 + Quant 170 = 330
- Applicant B: GRE Verbal 170 + Quant 160 = 330
Both applicants have the same informal GRE total, but ETS's regression formula weights the Quantitative and Verbal scores differently. As a result, their predicted GMAT scores will not be identical.
That is why any website claiming that every GRE 330 equals one exact GMAT score is oversimplifying the comparison.
What Is the GRE to GMAT Score Conversion Chart for 2026?

The table below gives a practical GRE to GMAT score conversion 2026 reference using balanced GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores. It first applies the official ETS prediction formula to produce a legacy GMAT score and then uses GMAC's August 2026 concordance data to show the linked current GMAT score or range.
Because the table assumes equal Verbal and Quantitative GRE scores, it should be used as an easy reference rather than as a personal score calculator. Applicants with uneven Verbal and Quantitative scores may receive a different predicted result even when their combined GRE score is the same.
| GRE Verbal | GRE Quant | Informal GRE Total | ETS Predicted Legacy GMAT | Linked Current GMAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 170 | 170 | 340 | 800 | 805 |
| 168 | 168 | 336 | 780 | 755–785 |
| 166 | 166 | 332 | 740 | 685–695 |
| 165 | 165 | 330 | 720 | 665–675 |
| 164 | 164 | 328 | 710 | 655–665 |
| 162 | 162 | 324 | 670 | 615 |
| 160 | 160 | 320 | 640 | 585–595 |
| 158 | 158 | 316 | 610 | 565–575 |
| 156 | 156 | 312 | 570 | 535–545 |
| 154 | 154 | 308 | 540 | 515 |
| 152 | 152 | 304 | 500 | 485–495 |
| 150 | 150 | 300 | 470 | 465–475 |
Sources: GRE to GMAT Score Conversion
GMAC explains that one legacy GMAT score can sometimes correspond to multiple current GMAT scores because of differences in score intervals, observed frequencies and percentile calculations. Its latest concordance table was published in August 2026 and uses data through June 30, 2026.
Important: The final column is a two-step comparison, not an official ETS GRE-to-current-GMAT conversion.
Why Is There No Exact GRE to GMAT Conversion?
There is no exact GRE to GMAT conversion because the exams are not simply different versions of the same test. They have different scoring systems, content structures and populations, which makes perfect equivalence impossible.
ETS itself chose a prediction model rather than an equivalence table because it did not consider it appropriate to say that one total score on one test is directly equal to a score on the other.
The Exams Use Different Score Structures
The GRE separately reports Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing scores. The current GMAT combines Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights into a 205–805 Total Score.
The Exams Measure Different Skill Combinations
There is overlap in reasoning, reading and quantitative ability, but the tests are structured differently. GRE includes Analytical Writing, while the current GMAT includes Data Insights as one of the three sections contributing to the Total Score.
The Test-Taking Populations Are Different
The GRE is used across graduate, business and law admissions, whereas the GMAT is designed specifically for graduate management education. Because the populations taking each test differ, percentile comparisons are also not directly interchangeable.
What Is the Difference Between the Old and Current GMAT Score Scale?
One of the biggest sources of confusion around GRE to GMAT conversion is the existence of two GMAT scoring systems. Many GRE conversion charts found online were created when the previous GMAT was still active, so their numbers should not automatically be read as current GMAT scores.
The current GMAT uses a 205–805 Total Score scale, while the GMAT 10th Edition used 200–800. GMAC explicitly states that directly comparing the numerical scores from the two scales is not appropriate because their score distributions are different.
| GMAT Version | Total Score | Main Status |
|---|---|---|
| GMAT 10th Edition | 200–800 | Previous edition |
| Current GMAT | 205–805 | Current exam |
For example, an old GMAT score of 700 should not simply be changed to 705. Under GMAC's August 2026 concordance, legacy GMAT 700 links to current scores of 645 or 655 depending on the percentile correspondence.
That is why updated GRE-to-GMAT content must clearly separate legacy GMAT predictions from current GMAT comparisons.
How Do GRE and GMAT Compare for MBA Admissions?

Both the GRE and GMAT can be relevant for applicants targeting MBA and other graduate management programs. The best test is not determined by a conversion chart alone; it depends on your target programs, your strengths, and the exam on which you can produce the more competitive actual score.
ETS currently reports that 92% of business schools accept the GRE alongside the GMAT, while individual admissions policies should still be checked directly with each school.
GRE vs GMAT for MBA Applicants
| Factor | GRE | GMAT |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Graduate, business and law programs | Graduate business programs |
| Verbal Focus | Reading, reasoning and vocabulary | Reading and critical reasoning |
| Quant Focus | Quantitative reasoning | Quantitative problem solving |
| Data Section | No standalone Data Insights | Data Insights included |
| Writing | Analytical Writing | No writing section in current exam |
| Test Time | About 1 hr 58 min | About 2 hr 15 min |
| Score Format | V 130–170, Q 130–170 | Total 205–805 |
| Flexibility | Useful across several graduate degree types | Built specifically for management education |
The GRE may provide broader degree flexibility, while the GMAT is specifically designed for graduate management admissions. Neither characteristic automatically makes one test better for every applicant.
Do MBA Schools Prefer GRE or GMAT Scores?
There is no universal GRE-versus-GMAT preference that applies to every business school. Admissions policies vary, so applicants should check the latest official testing requirements and class profile for each program rather than assuming that one exam always carries more weight.
Harvard Business School provides a useful current example. HBS explicitly says it has no preference toward a particular test and reports both GRE and current-GMAT results for its Class of 2027.
For the HBS MBA Class of 2027:
- 44% submitted GRE scores.
- 34% submitted the current GMAT.
- 28% submitted GMAT 10th Edition scores.
- Median GRE Verbal: 164
- Median GRE Quantitative: 164
- Median current GMAT Total Score: 685
Some students submitted more than one type of test score, which is why the percentages should not be added together as mutually exclusive groups.
This example also demonstrates why actual class-profile data is more useful than conversion alone. An applicant considering HBS can directly compare a GRE score with the school's GRE range instead of first converting it into a GMAT estimate.
When Can the GRE Be a Better Choice?

The GRE can be a strong option when its format better matches your strengths or when you want flexibility to apply beyond business school. Since GRE scores are accepted across graduate, business, and law programs, one test can support several possible academic paths.
You may prefer the GRE if:
- You perform better on official GRE practice tests.
- Vocabulary and reading comprehension are strengths.
- You may apply to non-business master's programs.
- You prefer GRE's section structure.
- Your target programs clearly accept and publish GRE data.
- You already hold a valid GRE score that is competitive for your target schools.
Your decision should still be based on actual practice-test performance rather than assumptions about which exam is generally easier.
When Can the GMAT Be a Better Choice?
The GMAT can be a better fit when you are focused mainly on graduate business education and its reasoning style suits you. The current exam is built around Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights, with all three contributing equally to the Total Score.
You may prefer the GMAT if:
- MBA or business master's programs are your main target.
- You perform strongly in quantitative problem-solving.
- You are comfortable interpreting data from tables and graphs.
- Critical Reasoning fits your strengths.
- Your target schools provide detailed GMAT score information.
- Your GMAT practice scores are stronger relative to school benchmarks.
The goal is not to choose the exam that sounds more impressive. It is to submit the test score that best demonstrates your academic readiness for the programs you are targeting.
Which Is Easier: GRE or GMAT?
There is no single answer to whether the GRE or GMAT is easier because the exams reward somewhat different strengths. A student who performs well on vocabulary-heavy verbal questions may prefer the GRE, while someone comfortable with critical reasoning and data interpretation may prefer the GMAT.
The GRE lasts around 1 hour 58 minutes, while the GMAT takes around 2 hours 15 minutes. Time alone, however, should not determine your choice because question style and personal accuracy matter much more.
Before choosing, take an official practice test for both exams under realistic timed conditions. Compare:
- Overall performance
- Verbal performance
- Quantitative performance
- Time pressure
- Question comfort
- Preparation required
- Target-school score ranges
The exam on which you can realistically produce the stronger admissions result is usually the better choice.
How Should Applicants Use GRE to GMAT Conversion for MBA Admissions?
A GRE to GMAT score conversion is most helpful during the early research stage. It can provide context when you have a GRE score but encounter a class profile, discussion, or historical admissions benchmark expressed mainly through GMAT scores.
It should not replace direct school research. When your target university publishes GRE scores, compare your actual Verbal and Quantitative scores with those figures first. That gives you a cleaner comparison than passing your score through two different statistical models.
A practical process is:
- Check whether the school accepts the GRE.
- Find its latest official class profile.
- Compare your GRE Verbal score directly.
- Compare your GRE Quantitative score directly.
- Look at the middle range or median, not only the maximum.
- Use GRE-to-GMAT conversion only when helpful context is missing.
- Review your entire application profile before deciding whether you need a retake.
Test scores matter, but admissions teams also consider academic history, work experience, career progression and other application components according to each school's own process.
Should You Retake the GRE Based on Your Converted GMAT Score?
A low converted GMAT estimate does not automatically mean you should retake the GRE. Because ETS's own model has meaningful prediction error, basing a retake decision entirely on the converted result would give the estimate more precision than it actually has.
Instead, look at your actual GRE scores in relation to your target programs.
A retake may make sense when:
- Your GRE is well below the school's published range.
- Your Quantitative score is weak for a quantitatively demanding program.
- Your practice tests consistently show that you can improve.
- You prepared poorly for the first attempt.
- A stronger test score could strengthen a weaker academic record.
If your actual GRE already compares well with the school's published profile, improving your essays, recommendations, career story or school selection may be more useful than chasing a higher converted number.
What Is the Best Way to Compare Your GRE Score With MBA Class Profiles?

The most reliable method is to compare like with like. If a business school publishes GRE Verbal and Quantitative medians or ranges, compare your actual GRE scores directly with those numbers. For example, HBS reports a Class of 2027 middle-80% GRE Verbal range of 158–168 and Quantitative range of 159–169, with medians of 164 in both sections. An applicant with a GRE can therefore compare their actual scores directly rather than converting them first.
Use conversion primarily when:
- A school does not publish GRE statistics.
- You are comparing with historical GMAT information.
- You want a general benchmark during school research.
- You are deciding whether taking the GMAT might be worthwhile.
This approach keeps the conversion in its proper role: a planning tool rather than an admissions rule.