Navigating GMAT and GRE: A Guide for Aspiring MBA Students in Hong Kong
For many ambitious business students in Hong Kong, securing a seat in a top MBA programme is a critical step toward global leadership opportunities. The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are pivotal for admission into elite MBA schools. Understanding the scoring system and preparing adequately can significantly impact the success of your application.
Understanding GMAT and GRE Scores
The GMAT and GRE are standardised tests designed to assess certain analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills. For top-tier MBA programmes, a GMAT score above 700 out of 800 often sets the benchmark, while for the GRE, competitive scores are typically above 320 out of 340. These scores help admissions committees evaluate a candidate’s readiness for the rigorous academic environment of an MBA programme.
GMAT
Preferred by traditional and prestigious business schools, the GMAT focuses on business-centric skills such as analytical writing, problem-solving, data sufficiency, and logical thinking skills, which are critical for success in business and management. The test is known for its challenging quantitative section and integrated reasoning component, tailored to mimic real-world business problems. GMAT scores range from 205 to 805, with most business schools looking for scores above 650, while top programmes often expect scores above 700. The GMAT features a computer-adaptive format, where question difficulty adjusts based on the test-taker’s performance.
The average score of the GMAT sent to US business schools has risen notably by 35 points to an average of 648 over the past 5 years, with a higher percentage of test-takers achieving scores above 700.
Comments