Choosing a Graduate Admissions Test — GRE® General Test
Transcript
Video duration: 2:00
ESTHER MANGA: Hi, I'm Esther Manga, principle at Stacy Blackman Consulting. Tests can often feel like a daunting crossroads for those aspiring for graduate programs. My recommendation to candidates is just try a practice test. Once you have that practice test done, the rest will feel natural. There are several advantages of the GRE® General Test.
One, it allows applicants to consider a more diverse array of graduate program options. We see many of our clients considering programs outside of the MBA, such as specialized master's degrees or joint degree programs so the GRE allows for greater program flexibility.
[Two], some people do better on the GRE General Test, so opting to take the GRE General Tests to increase admissions chances is an important strategic question, just like where to apply and who to select as a recommender.
Three, it can be used as a differentiator. B-schools in particular started accepting the GRE General Test because in doing so, they widen the applicant pool beyond the traditional MBA backgrounds such as finance and consulting. This season we worked with a male management consultant, who came to us saying, "I'm struggling with the GMAT®." I recommended that he take the GRE General Test. I thought this may help him showcase his quantitative abilities in a better light.
He gained an admit to CBS [Columbia Business School], and his GRE scores contributed to the overall strength of his application. Even for candidates who are unsure of which test to take, we often recommend that they take a practice test. A practice GRE General Test and a practice GMAT exam. This can help them to decide which test they feel more comfortable with and which test they perform better on.
Take a practice test.