GMAT and GRE tests are widely recognized by colleges worldwide as admission tools for MBA programs. These two tests evaluate fundamental verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills necessary for success in any postgraduate course though the emphasis and structure may differ.
This review will discuss contrasting features of GMAT versus GRE while providing advice on which option suits you best.
Table of Contents
- What are the GMAT and GRE?
- Key differences between the GMAT and the GRE
- Which one is right for MBA admissions: GMAT or GRE
- Factors to consider when deciding between the GMAT and GRE
- Frequently asked questions
What are the GMAT and GRE?
GMAT is a standardized test used to admit students into business schools at the graduate level. It measures skills required for an individual’s success in an MBA program anywhere in the world. Candidates’ quantitative ability, verbal skills as well as analytical writing competencies are examined alongside their knowledge of English grammar and usage.
It’s a computer adaptive exam where question difficulty changes based on how one responds to previous questions. There are four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning; Quantitative Reasoning; Verbal Reasoning. Each part is scored from 0 to 60 points leading to a total score range of 200–800.
GRE is another standardized test applicable in various business schools or universities during their selection process into MBA courses. It mainly assesses student’s verbal and quantitative aptitude as well as their analytical writing skills.
This examination comprises three parts: Verbal Reasoning; Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing which reports scores between 130-170 points on each section whereas overall score = Average (Verbal + Quantitative).
Also Read: GMAT vs GRE Which is easier?
Key differences between the GMAT and the GRE
The major differences between the GMAT and the GRE can be summarised as follows:
| Key differences | GMAT | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Content | The GMAT is a primarily quantitative test focusing on problem-solving and data analysis skills. | The GRE, on the other hand, covers both quantitative and verbal sections and includes an additional writing section. |
| Length | The GMAT is a shorter test, lasting approximately three and a half hours. | The GRE is longer, lasting up to four hours. |
| Scoring | The GMAT is scored on an 800-point scale. | The GRE is scored on a 130-170 point scale. |
| Format | The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the questions become more difficult as the test progresses. | The GRE, however, is a paper-based test where all questions are of the same difficulty level. |
| Cost | The GMAT costs approximately $250 | The GRE costs around $205 |
Also read: Guide to Mastering GMAT Exam
Which one is right for MBA admissions: GMAT or GRE
To help you choose between these two exams for your MBA application consider;
Academic strengths
Comparatively speaking, GMAT has been termed more “business-like” than its counterpart – GRE since it dwells much on data interpretation among other related fields like sentence correction, problem-solving or critical thinking. However, although broader based still has some quant-based concepts too.
If you have strong mathematical abilities or come from an analytical background such as having studied calculus or statistics then GMAT may be appropriate for you because it touches slightly more on these areas than GRE does.
Conversely, if math-heavy questions make you feel uneasy but excel in verbal reasoning abilities and writing skills then GRE might be a better choice.
Also Read: GMAT vs GRE for MBA Admissions
Acceptance
In principle most business schools accept either test but comparatively speaking GMAT appears to be more widely accepted than GRE which is preferred by certain institutions as it’s designed specifically for those applying into MBA programs.
On the other hand GMAT is favored among international students due to higher acceptance rates hence you are advised to check whether your desired program accepts one or both of them before making any decision.
Also Read: GMAT Critical Reasoning
Difficulty level
While both tests share some similarities in terms of content coverage areas; there exists significant differences between their levels of difficulty where;
Consequently, the GRE is considered as slightly less difficult than the GMAT. Thus, you should consider your strengths before deciding which test suits you best.
If a person has already studied business or math then it is better for them to take GMAT rather than GRE which may be more suitable for those with broader academic backgrounds such as prospective MBA students in general.
Also Read: Online GMAT Exam Preparation
Factors to consider when deciding between the GMAT and GRE
When deciding between the GMAT and GRE for MBA admissions, there are several factors to consider, like
| GMAT | GRE | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | The GMAT and GRE have different question formats and types.
| The GRE consists of three sections:
Therefore, it is important to consider which format you are more comfortable with. |
| Content | The GMAT is more heavily focused on business-related content, such as problem-solving, reasoning, and data analysis. | The GRE is broader, covering a variety of topics such as vocabulary, mathematics, and critical thinking. Depending on your strengths and weaknesses, choosing one test over the other may be better. |
| Duration | The GMAT is a 3.5-hour test. | While the GRE is a 3-hour test. It is important to consider your time management skills and decide if you can complete the test in the allotted time. |
| Scoring | The GMAT has a maximum score of 800. | While the GRE has a maximum score of 340. Depending on the school you are applying to, you may have to choose a test based on the required score. |
| Cost | The GMAT costs $250. | While the GRE costs $205. Depending on your budget, you may have to choose one test over the other. |
| Preparation | Both tests require different preparation strategies. It is important to consider the time you have to prepare for the test and decide which test you can adequately prepare for. | |
Suggested GMAT vs IELTS
It’s essential to consider what works for you personally when choosing between these two tests because they both have their own pros and cons. If your quantitative abilities are stronger than verbal skills and you would like something that focuses on a particular area of expertise, then perhaps taking GMAT might be better for you.
However, if critical thinking along with strong reasoning skills in quantitative areas were important to showcase this through another examination like this one would not only do justice but also demonstrate an ability to think critically about things outside our comfort zones which can always come in handy later on down the line.
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Frequently asked questions
What do GMAT and GRE measure?
GMAT assesses candidates’ knowledge in English grammar and usage, analytical writing skills as well as quantitative and verbal aptitude while GRE measures student’s aptitude in analytical writing, verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning.
What is the format of the GMAT?
The format of the GMAT is computer-adaptive, meaning that questions become harder or easier depending on how well one performs at any given time during their examination.
What are different sections of the GMAT and GRE?
There are four sections that make up the GMAT: Integrated Reasoning (IR), Verbal Reasoning (VR), Quantitative Reasoning (QR) & Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). On another note; there’re three parts constituting GRE namely Verbal Reasoning (VR), Quantitative Reasoning (QR) & Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA).
Which exam is more difficult, GRE or GMAT?
It can be said that the GRE is slightly less difficult than the GMAT since it places equal emphasis on both quantitative and verbal reasoning skills. Additionally, there’s no integrated reasoning section in GRE hence making it less challenging as compared to its counterpart which has this particular feature among others
