GRE Scores - Keep or Retake?

I took the GRE today and am ambivalent as to how to react to the raw scores they provide immediately after one finishes the test. I scored a 167 on the Verbal and a 161 on the Quant; percentile-wise that projects a ~97% for the Verbal and a ~84% on the Quant. For those still thinking in terms of the Old GRE Scale, that's a 710 Verbal a 770 Quant.

According to the New GRE to GMAT converter, that's around a 730 equivalent on the GMAT, which is around the median score for HBS, Stanford, and Wharton. However, I do recognize that these schools are more concerned about performance on the quantitative section. I also realize that my performance on the verbal likely increased the equivalent score. I can't seem to find any information online as to the typical HBS/Stanford/Wharton performance on the quantitative section alone, so I don't know if I should consider retaking the test. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Also, I'm not sure if this is pertinent to accessing whether or not I should retake the test, but I graduated from a top tier Ivy League majoring in the Humanities (I haven't taken a quant heavy course since Intro to Stats over 3 years ago!) with an A/A- range GPA. I'm also working at a major management consulting firm (not MBB but on par with OW) for the next two years, so that should at least tackle the issue of experience and grades.

4 Comments
 

I'd keep those scores unless you're sure you can do better; If you decide to take again, put more time in studying than before.

Here to learn and hopefully pass on some knowledge as well. SB if I helped.
 
Best Response

Hi Youngmoney, I think that you haven't seen too much info on typical GRE quant scores for top schools because there are not a whole lot of data points. Something like 4% of the application population uses the GRE, and many schools have only been taking it for a few years, and then there's the new test... you get the idea.

Question, did you take the GRE because you are thinking of doing a joint program? As for your quant abilities, it's a toss-up. If you are serious about taking another test, I'd just suggest going with the GMAT, because then you will know better where you stand.

Hope that helps!

BTW, I've got my own thread called B-school Q&A with Betsy Massar, and I'm shamelessly shilling for you to come over an post some more questions, if you have a chance.

Best to you,

Betsy Massar Come see me at my Q&A thread http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/b-school-qa-w-betsy-massar-of-master-admissions Ask away!
 

Thanks for the input so far!

Specifically at Ms. Massar: Yes, I am seriously considering pursuing an Masters / Phd. in congruence with the MBA, which is why I decided to take the GRE. I do recognize that more schools are beginning to accept the GRE though. Thanks!

 

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Betsy Massar Come see me at my Q&A thread http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/b-school-qa-w-betsy-massar-of-master-admissions Ask away!

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