Navigating The New GMAT Focus Edition And GRE

At Fortuna Admissions, we’re getting questions from clients about the new GMAT Focus Edition. With new, shorter versions of both the GMAT and the GRE released in recent months, these exams are new to us all — test-takers, admissions committees, and test prep experts alike.

The Graduate Management Admissions Council offered both the old exam and the new Focus Edition side-by-side for a few months. Although a few MBA candidates did take the plunge and experiment with the new test format, most candidates applying in the current admissions season did so with scores from the old GMAT format. Some schools announced that they would not accept the new Focus Edition scores until after Round 2 2024 deadlines, and applicants understandably felt more comfortable sticking with a test that was well-known. This led to a bit of a rush to take the old GMAT before it was officially retired on January 31, 2024. 

What Are My Options? 

The GRE made its changeover immediate when it launched September 2023; everyone has taken the new, shorter test since then. Now that the phase-in period for the Focus Edition is over, your choice is now between the Focus Edition and the GRE or, for some schools, the Executive Assessment (EA) exam. 

Most US business schools are agnostic about the GMAT vs. the GRE, and unless stated otherwise, they will accept either for all applicants. They truly have no preference and will evaluate whichever test you submit. You will not be penalized if you take the GRE exam, which is designed for admission to any graduate degree program.

The EA, on the other hand, is not as widely accepted. It only came on the scene in 2016 and was designed as a shorter, focused exam for Executive MBA applicants with more business experience. Some schools accept the EA only for their executive or part-time MBA programs. It’s essential to check each MBA program you’re applying to and confirm which tests they accept. 

Your Best Test Strategy

First, some reassurance: If you have a solid GMAT score you’re happy with, and it’s less than five years old, you’re all set. GMAC has affirmed that GMAT scores remain valid five years after the test date. Schools will continue to accept these scores. GMAT has published a score concordance table to correlate scores for the old and new exam and the score percentiles, as well.  

However, if you’re just starting your MBA journey and trying to decide which test to take, our old advice still applies: take the test that plays to your strengths. Because of the changes to these tests, we suggest this approach:

• Before deciding which test to study for, take a full diagnostic (practice) test of the GRE and the GMAT. Be sure to take them on separate days to avoid fatigue during the second test. Take each test in one complete sitting, and make sure that you take each test in similar conditions. 
• Your scores are less relevant in this situation than your comfort level with the material on each test. They are quite different tests, and different people may have preferences for one test over the other.
• If you prefer one test, this is the one we recommend you study for and take. If you are equally comfortable with the material on both tests, then we recommend assessing the study materials available or consulting with your tutor/test prep company before making a decision.
• Both the GMAT and GRE are adaptive tests, meaning the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on your answers and ability. The shorter tests may come with increased variation and greater unpredictability in test scores. With fewer questions, one mistake or one correct answer will have a greater weight in the overall score. As a result, when developing your timeline for your application process, you should anticipate that you might need to take the test multiple times to achieve your desired score. We recommend allowing yourself enough time to take the test two or three times if necessary. 
• Although it is too early to know for certain, GRE scores are expected to remain similar in terms of test-takers’ scores and overall percentiles. However, the GMAT has a new scoring system, so it is not possible to directly compare old and new scores. When evaluating your score, look at the percentiles, as opposed to the raw number. 

See our articles for more advice on how to pick the exam that is right for you and what’s new and what to expect in each test. We also have plenty of advice on how to prep and study effectively to nail that perfect 805 score — and our expert coaches can offer more tips! 

Rachel Erickson Hee is an expert coach at MBA admissions coaching firm Fortuna Admissions as well as a Stanford GSB alumna and former GSB interviewer. For a candid assessment of your chances of admission success at getting into a top MBA program, sign up for a free consultation.