GRE Study Plan for MBA Applications (2026)

Why More MBA Applicants Choose the GRE

The GRE is accepted at every top-25 MBA program. HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, and every other school you're considering will take your GRE score without penalty. The "GMAT bias" that existed a decade ago has largely evaporated. In recent admissions cycles, 15-20% of incoming classes at top programs submitted GRE scores instead of GMAT scores.

The GRE appeals to MBA applicants for a few reasons: the math is slightly more straightforward (no data sufficiency questions), the verbal section rewards reading ability over rule-based grammar, and the score is useful if you're also considering JD/MBA, MPP/MBA, or other joint degrees. If you're a stronger reader than a grammarian, the GRE verbal section may suit you better.

Target Scores for Top MBA Programs

Converting GRE scores to GMAT equivalents is imprecise, but schools do use rough benchmarks. For competitive MBA applications:

• M7 programs: Target 330+ combined (165V/165Q or equivalent split). A 328-332 is competitive at any M7 school.
• Top 15 programs: Target 325+ combined. A 160V/165Q or 165V/160Q both work.
• Top 25 programs: Target 320+ combined. Below 320, you'll want strong compensating factors.

The quant score matters more for MBA admissions than the verbal score. A 170Q/158V (328) looks better to a business school than a 158Q/170V (also 328). Admissions committees want evidence of quantitative ability, and a sub-160 quant score raises the same red flag that a sub-Q80 GMAT quant score would.

8-Week GRE Study Plan

Most MBA applicants can prep for the GRE in 8-10 weeks because the content (especially quant) is more straightforward than the GMAT. Here's the week-by-week approach:

Weeks 1-2: Diagnostic and fundamentals. Take a free ETS PowerPrep practice test. Assess your baseline. Review quant fundamentals (algebra, arithmetic, geometry, data interpretation) using the ETS Official GRE Prep book or Manhattan Prep's GRE guides. For verbal, start learning vocabulary (use Magoosh or Manhattan Prep flashcards) and review reading comprehension strategies.

Weeks 3-5: Focused practice. Do 40-60 official problems per week. Focus on your weaker section. For quant, drill problem types you struggle with (probability, permutations, quantitative comparison). For verbal, do 2-3 timed reading comprehension passages daily. Text completion and sentence equivalence improve quickly with vocabulary study.

Weeks 6-7: Timed practice and refinement. Take 2 more practice tests (weeks 6 and 7). Simulate real conditions. Your score should be within 3-5 points of your target per section. Drill any remaining weak areas aggressively.

Week 8: Peak and test. Light review, error log walkthrough, and test day. Same test-day advice as the GMAT: arrive early, eat well, take the break between sections.

GRE vs GMAT: How Schools Actually Compare Them

Schools say they don't prefer one test over the other. That's mostly true with a few caveats:

• Finance-focused programs (Wharton, Booth, Columbia, Stern) have historically reported higher GMAT medians and may look more carefully at GRE quant scores. A 165Q+ on the GRE removes any concern.
• Joint degree applicants (JD/MBA, MD/MBA, MPP/MBA) are expected to submit the GRE because it covers multiple applications. No penalty.
• Career changers from non-quant backgrounds should aim for a high GRE quant score specifically to address the "can they handle the quantitative curriculum?" question that admissions committees have.

The practical advice: take a diagnostic of both tests. Whichever one you score higher on relative to the target, study for that one. The content overlap is about 70%, so switching early isn't a big time investment.

GRE-Specific Resources

The GRE prep market is smaller than the GMAT market, but the best resources are high quality:

• ETS Official GRE Prep (free + paid): Two free PowerPrep practice tests. Buy the PowerPrep Plus bundle ($40) for 2 additional tests with score explanations. These are the only tests that use real GRE scoring algorithms.
• Manhattan Prep 5lb Book of GRE Practice Problems: ~$25. Massive problem set organized by topic. The go-to for practice volume.
• Magoosh GRE: $149 for 6 months. Video lessons and practice problems. Best value for a comprehensive online course.
• Gregmat+: $5/month. Run by a GRE tutor with a strong following. Extremely affordable for the quality of strategy content.

Total cost for solid GRE prep: $50-$200. Compare that to $1,000+ for typical GMAT prep courses. The GRE's lower prep cost is an underappreciated advantage for budget-conscious applicants.

Verbal Strategy for Non-Native English Speakers

International MBA applicants face a specific GRE challenge: the verbal section tests vocabulary and reading comprehension at a level that favors native English speakers. A 165Q/155V split is common for non-native speakers, and that 155V can raise concerns at programs where verbal ability matters for case discussions and group projects.

Strategies that work:

• Vocabulary is learnable. The GRE tests roughly 1,000-1,500 high-frequency words. Spend 30 minutes daily on flashcards (Magoosh's app is excellent for this). Start 12 weeks before the test, not 4 weeks. Vocabulary retention requires spaced repetition over time.
• Read English-language publications daily. The Economist, The Atlantic, and The New York Times editorial pages use the same register as GRE reading passages. Read 2-3 articles per day for 8 weeks, and GRE reading passages will feel more familiar.
• Focus on text completion and sentence equivalence. These question types are more vocabulary-dependent and more improvable through study than reading comprehension. A candidate who masters the 1,200 most common GRE words can reliably pick up 5-8 additional points on these question types.

For MBA applications specifically, a 160V+ score removes any verbal concern. Below 155V, consider supplementing your application with a TOEFL or IELTS score (if required) that demonstrates strong English proficiency through a different format.

GRE Score Reporting Strategy for MBA Applications

The GRE offers a feature the GMAT doesn't: ScoreSelect. This lets you choose which test scores to send to each school. If you took the GRE three times and scored 320, 328, and 325, you can send only the 328 to all schools. Schools see only the scores you choose to share.

This changes the retake calculus. On the GMAT, many schools can see all your scores (though they typically consider only the highest). On the GRE, you control the narrative. A low first attempt stays invisible if you improve on the second try.

Use the 4 free score sends on test day strategically. If you're confident in your performance (the test shows unofficial scores immediately after completion), send to your top 4 schools for free. If you're uncertain, hold the free sends and pay $35/school later once you've seen your official scores and decided whether to retake.

One important detail: ETS allows you to send scores from a single test date or all test dates. There's no option to cherry-pick your best quant from one sitting and best verbal from another. Schools see the complete score from whichever sitting you choose to send.

GRE Quant Deep Dive for MBA Applicants

The GRE quant section tests arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis at roughly a high school to early college level. The content is simpler than GMAT quant (no data sufficiency questions, less tricky word problems), but the time pressure is similar. You get 47 minutes for 27 questions in two sections.

Areas where MBA applicants lose quant points:

• Quantitative comparison questions: These are unique to the GRE. You compare two quantities and determine which is larger, whether they're equal, or whether the relationship can't be determined. The trap: choosing "cannot be determined" too often or too rarely. Practice 50+ of these to develop intuition for when the answer depends on the variable's range.
• Statistics and probability: Standard deviation, normal distribution basics, and probability come up regularly. If you haven't taken a stats class, spend extra time here. Khan Academy's statistics unit covers everything you need for free.
• Geometry: Circles, triangles, coordinate geometry, and 3D shapes. The GRE tests geometry more heavily than most MBA applicants expect. Review the formulas for area, volume, and angle relationships. Memorize them. You don't have time to derive them during the test.

A quant-specific study plan: spend the first 3 weeks on content review (2 hours/day), then shift to timed practice for weeks 4-8 (1.5 hours/day). Take a quant-only diagnostic at week 4 to measure progress. If you're not improving, identify the 2-3 question types causing the most errors and dedicate focused sessions to those types exclusively.

See also: Overall Rankings · ROI Calculator · MBA ROI Analysis