If you’re planning to pursue higher education, especially in business or graduate school, you’ve probably encountered two major tests: the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). But which one should you take? While both exams are widely accepted, they cater to different goals, programs, and skill sets. This guide breaks down the differences to help you decide which test aligns best with your academic and career aspirations.
What is the GRE?
The GRE is a standardized test used for admission to a wide range of graduate programs, including STEM, humanities, and even some business schools. It assesses your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills.
Key Features of the GRE
- Accepted By: Graduate schools, some business schools, and a few law schools.
- Sections:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing
- Flexibility: You can skip and return to questions within each section.
What is the GMAT?
The GMAT is designed specifically for admission to business and management programs, such as MBAs and specialized business master’s programs. It evaluates analytical, verbal, and quantitative skills, with a focus on business-related problem-solving.
Key Features of the GMAT
- Accepted By: Business schools worldwide.
- Focus: Business problem-solving and logic.
- Sections:
- Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
- Integrated Reasoning (IR)
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
GRE vs GMAT: Key Differences
Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you understand how the two tests differ:
| Aspect | GRE | GMAT |
|---|---|---|
|
Purpose
|
Broad graduate programs, some MBAs |
Business and management programs only |
|
Test Format |
Computer-based, section-adaptive
|
Computer-based, question-adaptive
|
|
Score Range
|
260–340 (Verbal + Quantitative)
|
200–800 (Total Score)
|
|
Sections
|
Verbal, Quant, Writing
|
Verbal, Quant, IR, Writing
|
|
Cost |
$220
|
$275
|
|
Focus Area
|
General academic skills
|
Business-specific skills
|
How to Decide: GRE or GMAT?
Your choice depends on several factors, including your career goals, the programs you’re applying to, and your skill set. Let’s break it down:
1. Check Program Requirements
- If you’re applying to a business school, research whether the program prefers GMAT scores. While many business schools now accept the GRE, some may still favor the GMAT for MBA admissions.
- If you’re applying to non-business graduate programs, the GRE is the obvious choice.
2. Your Strengths and Skills
- GRE: The test favors strong verbal reasoning skills and includes more vocabulary-heavy questions. If you excel in language-based tasks or are more comfortable with broader academic content, the GRE may suit you better.
- GMAT: This test leans toward logical problem-solving and quantitative reasoning. If you’re confident in math and business-oriented reasoning, the GMAT might be a better fit.
3. Career Goals
- If you’re aiming for a career in business or management, the GMAT is specifically designed to assess skills relevant to business programs.
- If you’re unsure about your career path or are considering options beyond business, the GRE offers more flexibility.
4. Test Format and Adaptiveness
- If you’re aiming for a career in business or management, the GMAT is specifically designed to assess skills relevant to business programs.
- The GMAT is question-adaptive, adjusting the difficulty of each question based on your performance in real-time. This makes the GMAT more challenging for some test-takers.
5. Time Management
The GRE allows you to skip and revisit questions within a section, giving you more control over time management. On the other hand, the GMAT’s question-adaptive format doesn’t allow this, making time management crucial.
GRE vs GMAT Scoring
GRE Scoring
GMAT Scoring
- Verbal Reasoning: 130–170
- Quantitative Reasoning: 130–170
- Analytical Writing: 0–6
- Total Score: 260–340 (Verbal + Quant)
- Verbal Reasoning: 6–51
- Quantitative Reasoning: 6–51
- Integrated Reasoning: 1–8
- Analytical Writing: 0–6
- Total Score: 200–800
Tips to Choose the Right Test
- List Your Target Programs: Check whether they accept GRE, GMAT, or both.
- Take Practice Tests: Attempt mock tests for both exams to identify which one aligns better with your strengths.
- Think Long-Term: If your career goals involve management, the GMAT might hold more value. However, if you’re exploring diverse options, the GRE is more versatile.
- Consider Retakes: Both tests allow retakes, so plan ahead if you think you’ll need to improve your score
Conclusion
Choosing between the GRE and GMAT ultimately depends on your goals and strengths. If you’re targeting business schools exclusively, the GMAT could give you a slight edge. However, if you want flexibility or are considering non-business programs, the GRE is the way to go. Take the time to research, evaluate your skills, and pick the test that best supports your academic and professional aspirations.