Should I Take the GRE or GMAT?

You’ve decided that graduate school is the way to go because it opens career opportunities. However, in the GRE vs GMAT debate, which is the right exam for you?

You’ll want to make the right choice because both the GRE and GMAT demand time, effort, and money to pass. Besides, your choice will influence the strength of your applications to graduate schools.

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So, GRE vs. GMAT: what are their similarities and differences? Both are standardized tests used for admission into graduate degree programs. Graduate schools use these tests to assess applicants’ readiness for advanced studies.

But therein stops their similarities. In general, the GRE is a general exam suitable for numerous disciplines, from business to STEM. The GMAT is designed for graduate business programs.

You must be asking the question, “Should I take the GRE or GMAT?” The answer depends on many factors. You must determine the specific discipline you want to pursue first.

Here, we’ll discuss the factors that influence your choice between the GRE and GMAT. We must emphasize that the GRE is also gaining popularity for MBA programs. The GRE is also popular for online programs due to its flexibility and broad coverage.

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Overview of the GRE and GMAT

Know the basics of the GRE and GMAT first to make an informed decision.

What Is the GRE

The Educational Testing Service or ETS administers the Graduate Record Examination. GRE is a widely accepted standardized test applies to a wide range of graduate programs.

The GRE was originally intended as an admission requirement for non-business graduate programs. But in recent years, it has gained popularity among business programs. Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia’s business schools are notable examples.

There are three main sections in the GRE, as follows:

Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Analytical Writing

Candidates have about two hours to complete it. There’s no single pass score but above 320+ is considered good. Check with graduate programs for their specific score requirements.

What Is the GMAT?

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) administers the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). It’s specifically designed for candidates who want to pursue business degrees.

As such, it tests the candidate’s knowledge and skills for business school, including:

Data analysis
Logical reasoning
Quantitative and qualitative reasoning

The GMAT is the gold standard for top-tier MBA programs. MIT, UChicago, and UPenn are notable examples.

The GMAT Focus Edition consists of three sections with a 45-minute time-to-completion each:

Quantitative Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
Data Insights

Candidates have 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete it; there’s a 10-minute optional break. Getting between 645 and 695 is considered a strong score.

Key Differences Between the GRE and GMAT

Then, it pays to know the GRE vs. GMAT differences, too.

Test Structure

The most notable difference between the GRE and GMAT is their test structure and focus. The GRE emphasizes both mathematical and verbal skills (i.e., broad coverage). The analytical writing section tests an applicant’s argumentative and critical thinking skills.

The GMAT emphasizes business-related practical reasoning skills. There’s also a strong emphasis on data analysis from many sources.

Scoring Systems

The GRE has the following scoring system:

130-170 for the verbal and quantitative reasoning sections
0-6 for the analytical writing section

The GMAT’s scoring system is as follows:

60-90 for each section
200-800 total score

Each section of the GMAT has equal weight in the total score.

In a GMAT vs GRE score comparison, graduate programs usually use conversion tools. These are used to assess GMAT scores against GRE scores and vice versa.

Math Difficulty Level

GMAT math is generally more challenging than GRE math. While the GMAT has complex math problems, the GRE features straightforward ones.

Candidates cannot use calculators in the GMAT Quantitative section. But calculators are allowed in the GRE.

Verbal Differences

GRE has a stronger vocabulary component than the GMAT. There’s a greater emphasis on advanced vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.

Which test is easier: the GRE or GMAT? Both are challenging in their ways. Their difficulty also depends on your strengths.

Which Test Do Business Schools Prefer?

Traditionally, GMAT scores were the gold standard for admission into graduate business programs. But there’s been an increase in the acceptance of the GRE for business school admissions, too.

In Kaplan Test Prep’s 2015 survey, an all-time high of 90% of business schools allowed applicants to submit the GRE instead of the GMAT. The survey covered 222 business schools across the UK and US.

Among the prestigious universities that accept both GRE and GMAT scores without preference over the other include:

Yale University School of Management
Duke University Fuqua School of Business
New York University Stern School of Business
Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business
Georgia Institute of Technology Scheller College of Business

The choice between submitting the GRE or GMAT for MBA applications is yours to make now. You’ll even find MBA and other graduate programs with a GRE/GMAT waiver policy. However, you must demonstrate significant work experience, a strong undergraduate GPA, and quantitative proficiency.

GRE vs GMAT for Online Programs

Which is the better choice, the GRE or the GMAT, for online programs? There’s no right or wrong answer because it depends on many factors.

First, there’s the growth of accredited online MBA and graduate programs. Online programs offer more flexibility and accessibility for interested individuals. Their admissions policies reflected these values, too, resulting in the acceptance of both GRE and GMAT scores.

Then, there’s the flexibility of the GRE that makes it more suitable for online and dual-degree applicants. Again, the GRE is accepted in business and non-business programs. Said flexibility makes it best for dual-degree programs (e.g., MBA/MS or MBA/MPA).

Many online colleges also accept both the GRE and GMAT. Better yet, more online colleges waive test requirements entirely.

Which Test Matches Your Strengths?

First, consider your strengths. Do you have strong skills in verbal communication including vocabulary? Are your strengths in quantitative areas? Once you’ve identified your strengths, you can make an informed choice in the GRE vs. GMAT debate.

If you have strong quantitative and logic-based thinking skills, go for GMAT. You’ll likely have an easier time in its Quantitative and Data Insights sections.

If your strengths are in writing and vocabulary, choose the GRE. Your reading comprehension and analytical writing skills will be put to the test. You can also use a calculator in the math section, meaning more breathing room.

Then, consider your academic background and career goals. If you’re into business or engineering, go for GMAT. But if you’re into social science and humanities, the GRE is a better fit.

Cost, Test Availability, and Preparation Resources

The GRE vs GMAT for graduate school discussion also covers these factors.

Cost to take the test

The cost of taking the GRE is about $220, while it’s $275 for the GMAT (as of 2024). Be sure to factor in additional costs for services. These include sending your scores to many colleges and rescheduling your exam.

Test availability worldwide and scheduling options

Both the GRE and GMAT are available in almost every country. You can choose your test date and location, too, but it depends on availability. Both tests are also available in at-home formats but with an online proctor.

Prep resources available

You can also find a wide range of useful prep resources for both GRE and GMAT. Check out their official guides first. Then, supplement them with Kaplan and Magoosh prep guides.

Online courses through accredited colleges

Coursera, Udemy, and edX provide the best GRE and GMAT online prep courses.

When Should You Choose the GRE Over the GMAT?

You’re applying to multiple grad programs (not just business school).
You’re stronger in verbal reasoning.
You’re applying to schools that don’t require GMAT.

When Should You Choose the GMAT Over the GRE?

You’re applying to competitive MBA programs with a quant-heavy focus.
You want to demonstrate commitment to a business career.
You’re applying to programs that prefer or require the GMAT.

So, the best test for MBA admissions is still the GMAT.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the GRE vs GMAT discussion isn’t as heated as it was before. Many prestigious graduate schools now accept both in their admissions criteria. Even top-tier MBA programs now accept GRE scores, where the GMAT scores were once the only scores accepted.

The main differences between the GRE and GMAT are their costs, scoring format, and emphasis areas. The GRE focuses more on vocabulary and verbal reasoning. The GMAT emphasizes quantitative reasoning and analytical problem-solving.

So, when choosing between the GRE and GMAT, consider your goals and strengths first. You must also perform your research about specific program requirements. If the programs you’re interested in accept both, choose the test that aligns with your goals and strengths.

In the end, your GRE or GMAT scores are only part of a whole. Your work experience, personality traits, and program fit also matter in your admission.

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