Does it matter if I take the GMAT or GRE if I want a scholarship?

Question

P Sinha · Accepted Answer

Most top business schools accept both GMAT and GRE for MBA admissions and scholarships. Schools like INSEAD, Wharton, and London Business School mention on their official websites that both tests are equally valid; they do not give extra points just for choosing GMAT.
However, the GMAT is more commonly used by MBA applicants, and some scholarship committees still prefer GMAT scores. For example, schools like Kellogg, Booth, and HEC Paris report that their top scholarship recipients often have GMAT scores above 700. This doesn&rsquo;t mean GRE is not accepted, it just means GMAT is more standard.
If your GRE score is very strong, it can still win you scholarships  especially if the rest of your profile is solid. But if you are aiming for merit-based scholarships at competitive B-schools, a high GMAT score may give you an edge, especially when many applicants use it as a benchmark.
So yes, it can matter slightly in some cases, especially for merit aid  but both tests are accepted, and the key is scoring well, no matter which one you take.

Supriya J · Answer

If scholarships are the goal, the GMAT Focus usually gives a slight edge &mdash; and it&rsquo;s not just about test difficulty.

Most MBA programs publish scholarship criteria using GMAT score ranges, not GRE.
A 700+ GMAT score is often an unofficial benchmark for merit-based aid at places like Kellogg or IE Business School.
GRE scores aren&rsquo;t always included in class averages, so schools may not use them as clearly in award decisions.
Some colleges convert GRE scores to GMAT equivalents, but it&rsquo;s less consistent &mdash; and can work against you if the verbal section pulls your overall conversion down.
Admissions officers still say a high GMAT makes scholarship consideration more straightforward during committee reviews.

So while GRE can work, GMAT Focus tends to be the safer pick if aiming for competitive scholarships.

Ranjan J · Answer

Yes, the test you take can affect your chances of getting an MBA scholarship, especially at top programs. Many schools still favor GMAT scores for merit aid because they see it as a more focused assessment for business school. For example, Emory Goizueta and Chicago Booth have awarded scholarships to candidates with high GMAT scores, even when other parts of the profile were similar.
GRE scores are accepted, but here&rsquo;s the catch&mdash;GRE averages reported by schools are often lower not because the test is easier, but because fewer high scorers apply with it. That means a 325 on the GRE might not stand out the way a 710 GMAT would. You often need to be in the 90th percentile on GRE to be considered equally competitive.
Some schools, like Duke Fuqua or Yale SOM, do treat both tests fairly, but if you&rsquo;re aiming for scholarships and have strong quant skills, GMAT Focus can give you a slight edge in how the profile is evaluated.
Book a free profile evaluation to find out which test works better for MBA scholarships.

Hema A · Answer

Most top MBA programs say they treat GMAT and GRE equally for admissions and scholarships, but the GMAT is still more commonly used for merit-based aid. Schools like INSEAD, Stanford, and Columbia clearly mention both tests are accepted, but in reality, most scholarship winners submit GMAT scores.
Some schools share that the average GMAT score of scholarship recipients is around 700 or more. For example, at HEC Paris, candidates with GMAT scores above 710 are more likely to be considered for top scholarships. The GRE is accepted, but schools may not always share separate GRE cutoffs for funding.
If your GRE score is strong and your profile stands out, you can still get scholarships. But when two profiles are similar, and one candidate has a higher GMAT score, schools may lean towards that one  simply because the GMAT is designed for business programs.
So yes, your test choice can make a difference in scholarship decisions, especially for merit-based ones  and a high GMAT score often gives you an advantage.
Still can't choose which test you should go for? Read this blog to figure out what you should go for

Divakshi Arora · Answer

Most applicants assume GMAT and GRE are the same for scholarships, but that&rsquo;s not always true. Some schools subtly lean toward GMAT when awarding merit aid because it&rsquo;s still the more commonly submitted score for MBA programs.
At schools like Michigan Ross, Darden, and Marshall, applicants have noticed differences where similar profiles with GMAT scores received better scholarship outcomes than those with GRE. It&rsquo;s not official, but it does happen in practice.
Also, if you&rsquo;re starting from scratch and aiming for scholarships, GMAT Focus might be the better bet. For example, many schools consider 700+ on the GMAT to be a strong benchmark for aid. For GRE, that usually means scoring 325+ with a Quant section above 160 to match the same strength.
Still, if your GRE score is already strong&mdash;especially in the top percentiles&mdash;it&rsquo;s worth applying. Just make sure the rest of your profile supports the case for funding.