GMAT vs GRE | Ultimate comparison guide

GMAT vs GRE, should you take the former or the latter? Multiple students apply abroad for global education access and to brighten their careers. Clearing entrance exams are primary to the admission process in education abroad. GMAT or GRE is essential to study in the top B-schools. But how do you decide which one will be your best fit?

Top business institutes accept GMAT and GRE because both tests analyze the skills and knowledge of students in verbal reasoning, analytical thinking, mathematics and more. This article provides all the essential details and compares GMAT vs GRE: syllabus, scores, difficulty level, etc. 

What is GMAT, and what is GRE?

Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) conducts GMAT Exam for admission to business schools in India and abroad for finance and MBA programs. This exam measures the ability to succeed in business programs by assessing candidates in verbal, integrated reasoning and critical thinking skills.

Education testing service (ETS) conducts GRE for admission in graduate courses, including law and business schools. GRE assesses candidates in analytical, verbal, and critical thinking skills. 

GMAT vs GRE syllabus

• GMAT has an analytical writing assessment that tests a candidate’s ability in one argumentative essay for 30 minutes, whereas the GRE analytical writing section assesses the candidates for one hour.
• There is no integrated reasoning section in the GRE syllabus, unlike GMAT.
• GMAT tests the candidate’s verbal in 65 minutes, while GRE assesses in two 30-minute sections.
• GMAT quant section lasts for 62 minutes while GRE quant has two 35 min sections for the computer-based test.
• GMAT is question-adaptive, whereas GRE is section-adaptive, meaning you have to answer in the given order for the GMAT exam. GRE allows you to choose from any one panel or section of the exam.
• GMAT composite score ranges from 200 to 800 (without integrated reasoning), while the GRE score ranges from 260 to 340.
• The GMAT has Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment portions, whereas the GRE does not have Integrated reasoning.

GMAT verbal vs GRE verbal

GMAT Verbal only tests you in one section, and candidates should answer 36 questions in 65 minutes. GRE Verbal focuses on vocabulary and tests candidates in two modules. Students should answer 20 questions each in 2 sections within 60 minutes.

GMAT Verbal focuses on reasoning and grammar, but GRE focuses on vocabulary. You require dedicated preparation for GRE Verbal to score high because the GRE test has a challenging language, unlike GMAT. 

Read and understand everything about GRE to GMAT conversion.

GMAT vs GRE quant

GMAT and GRE test maths concepts- Arithmetic, Geometry, Data Analysis and Algebra. GMAT Quant only tests you in one section, and candidates should answer 31 questions in 62 minutes. GRE quant tests candidates in two modules, and you should answer 20 questions in each of the two modules within 70 minutes.

GMAT Quant can be compared to GRE Quant because GMAT Quant tests your in-depth problem-solving skills where the data sufficiency questions are challenging. Moreover, GRE quant questions are easy but allow you to use a calculator, unlike GMAT.

GMAT score vs GRE score

You cannot straightaway equate GMAT and GRE scores due to a different number of sections. GMAT score is from 200-800, while each GRE section score falls between 130 and 170.

GMAT vs GRE which is best for your MBA application

GMAT and the GRE Exam have almost the same math content. GRE tends to have a little more geometry than the GMAT, while the GMAT is more likely to have combination/counting problems. 

But the real difference is that the GRE focuses on textbook math, while the GMAT emphasizes Quantitative Reasoning, or your ability to think logically about quant topics. GRE quant is objectively easier—because it is high school math and not suitable for business school. If you take the GMAT, you are training yourself to be able to analyze case studies in business school/discuss the latest marketing or financial numbers coherently. Given the exposure, if you want an opportunity to become ready for business school, the GMAT is better to enter the top B-schools in India and abroad.

GMAT Vs GRE | Which is the appropriate exam for me?

• Count on your academic goals if you want to enrol in different graduate programs GRE suits you because they support a wide variety of degree programs. If you are sure about getting into a top B school, taking a GMAT can be helpful.
• Learn your university requirement and choose the exams accordingly. Verify the admission requirements to your dream university and select the appropriate answer.
• Decide which testing style is better for you because GMAT requires you to answer each question in order, while GRE is section-adaptive. GMAT can create anxiety issues, while GRE has an easy test structure. 
• GMAT suits candidates with strong quantitative and analytical skills who can excel at interpreting data presented in tables/ charts/ text to solve complex problems. The GRE math section is straightforward and includes a calculator for all quantitative problems. 
• Test-takers with strong vocabularies can opt to take the GRE Exam. Both tests have unique questions and pose challenges if you don’t suit the best fit for your needs. 

Practice tests GMAT and GRE

The best way to determine whether the GMAT or GRE is better for your abilities is to take a practice test for each exam. 

iSchoolPrep by iSchool connect provides full-length practice tests for GMAT and GRE with live classes, recorded lectures, doubt-clearing sessions and eBooks. 

Key takeaways

• GMAT Verbal is easy and concentrates on reasoning and grammar, but GRE has a challenging vocabulary. 
• GMAT quant is relatively hard since it caters to problem-solving and reasoning skills as in a business school, while GRE quant is easy and allows calculator usage.
• GMAT is appropriate if your primary focus is a business school, whereas GRE is better if your options are open and diverse.
• iSchoolPrep offers many practice tests where you can take GMAT and GRE Exams and decide which is appropriate for your requirements.

Visit our website to learn about GMAT and GRE: test, structure, syllabus, exam pattern, scoring system and more.

FAQs

Question 1: What are the most significant differences between GRE and GMAT?

Answer 1: GMAT is exclusively suitable for business school admissions, while GRE supports a wide variety of graduate programs.

Question 2: Can I submit my GRE scores to business schools, or GMAT is necessary?

Answer 2: You can submit your GRE scores to B-schools because many universities accept GRE for admission. However, some B-schools only accept GMAT scores, and you should opt for taking the GMAT instead of the GRE. 

Question 3: Is a calculator allowed in GMAT and GRE?

Answer 3: GMAT does not allow calculator usage, while GRE quant section, you can use a simple math calculator.