Should you retake the GMAT or GRE?

One of the most common questions I get from MBA applicants is: “Should I retake the GMAT/ GRE?”

The answer depends on your target schools, your overall profile, whether you can improve your score, and by how much.

To make this decision easier, I’ve put together a decision tree (see image). It helps you evaluate where you stand and whether a retake is the right move.

If your score is already competitive for your target schools (for Indian applicants, this often means 10-20+ points above the published average), focus on strengthening the rest of your application: essays, CV, and overall narrative.

But if your score is below average and you see room for improvement, a retake might be worth it.

If you’ve already given your best effort across multiple attempts but aren’t seeing significant improvement, consider switching from GMAT to GRE, or vice versa. Sometimes, a different test format aligns better with your strengths.

Keep in mind that this is a general framework, and admissions are holistic. In some cases, a strong profile: work experience, leadership, or unique achievements, can help compensate for a lower score.

This framework also assumes you have a broad range of target schools in mind. Your school list influences the score you need, just as your score shapes the schools you can realistically aim for. Both go hand in hand.

Not sure if your score is competitive or how strong your overall profile is? I’m happy to assess.