If you are planning to apply to a graduate business program, you may be wondering whether you should take the GRE or the GMAT. Both tests are widely accepted by many business schools, but they have some key differences that may affect your decision. In this article, we will compare the GRE and the GMAT in terms of their format, content, scoring, cost, and acceptance rates. We will also give you some tips on how to choose the best test for your goals and preferences.
What is the GRE?
The GRE, or the Graduate Record Examination, is a standardized test that measures your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. It is required for admission to most graduate programs, including business and law schools. The GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and can be taken online or at a testing center.
The GRE consists of six sections:
• Analytical Writing: This section requires you to write two essays in 60 minutes. One essay asks you to analyze an issue, and the other asks you to analyze an argument. You will be scored on your ability to articulate your ideas, support your claims, and use standard written English.
• Verbal Reasoning: This section tests your ability to understand and analyze written material, draw inferences, and identify relationships among words and concepts. It consists of two 30-minute sections with 20 questions each. The questions are either text completion, sentence equivalence, or reading comprehension.
• Quantitative Reasoning: This section measures your ability to solve problems involving arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. It consists of two 35-minute sections with 20 questions each. The questions are either multiple-choice, numeric entry, or quantitative comparison.
• Experimental: This section is either an extra verbal or quantitative section that is not scored. It is used by ETS for research purposes and is not identified as experimental. You will not know which section is experimental until you receive your score report.
The GRE is scored on a scale of 130 to 170 for each of the verbal and quantitative sections, and on a scale of 0 to 6 for the analytical writing section. The scores are valid for five years from the date of the test. The cost of taking the GRE is $205 in most locations, and it includes sending your scores to up to four schools of your choice.
What is the GMAT?
The GMAT, or the Graduate Management Admission Test, is a standardized test that measures your analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative, and verbal skills. It is required for admission to most business schools and MBA programs. The GMAT is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and can be taken online or at a testing center.
The GMAT consists of four sections:
• Analytical Writing: This section requires you to write one essay in 30 minutes. You will be asked to analyze the reasoning behind a given argument and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. You will be scored on your ability to communicate your ideas, organize your thoughts, and use standard written English.
• Integrated Reasoning: This section tests your ability to use data to solve complex problems. It consists of one 30-minute section with 12 questions. The questions are either multi-source reasoning, table analysis, graphics interpretation, or two-part analysis.
• Quantitative: This section measures your ability to solve problems involving arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data sufficiency. It consists of one 62-minute section with 31 questions. The questions are either problem solving or data sufficiency.
• Verbal: This section tests your ability to read and understand written material, evaluate arguments, and correct grammatical errors. It consists of one 65-minute section with 36 questions. The questions are either reading comprehension, critical reasoning, or sentence correction.
The GMAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800 for the overall score, which is based on your performance on the quantitative and verbal sections. The analytical writing section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, and the integrated reasoning section is scored on a scale of 1 to 8. The scores are valid for five years from the date of the test. The cost of taking the GMAT is $250 in most locations, and it includes sending your scores to up to five schools of your choice.
GRE vs GMAT: Which Test Should You Take?
There is no definitive answer to which test you should take for your graduate business program application. It depends on several factors, such as:
• Your target schools: Some schools may prefer one test over the other, or may have specific score requirements for each test. You should research the admission policies of your target schools before deciding which test to take.
• Your strengths and weaknesses: Both tests have different formats and question types that may suit some test-takers better than others. You should assess your skills and abilities in each of the tested areas and choose the test that plays to your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses.
• Your goals and preferences: You may have a personal preference for one test over the other, or you may have a specific score goal that you want to achieve. You should consider your own motivation and comfort level when choosing which test to take.
To help you make an informed decision, here are some of the pros and cons of each test:
Pros of Taking the GRE
• It is more versatile: The GRE is accepted by most graduate programs, not just business schools. If you are not sure about your career path or want to keep your options open, taking the GRE may be a better choice.
• It is more flexible: The GRE allows you to skip questions, go back and change your answers, and choose the order of the sections. This may give you more control over your test-taking strategy and reduce your stress level.
• It has less emphasis on math: The GRE math section is generally considered easier than the GMAT math section, especially for those who struggle with data sufficiency questions. The GRE also provides an on-screen calculator, while the GMAT does not.
Cons of Taking the GRE
• It has more vocabulary: The GRE verbal section requires you to know a lot of advanced vocabulary words and their meanings. If you are not a native English speaker or have a limited vocabulary, you may find this section challenging.
• It has more writing: The GRE requires you to write two essays, while the GMAT requires only one. If you are not confident in your writing skills or have difficulty expressing your ideas clearly, you may find this section time-consuming and stressful.
• It has an experimental section: The GRE has an extra section that is not scored and is used for research purposes. This section can be either verbal or quantitative, and you will not know which one it is until you receive your score report. This means that you will have to treat every section as if it counts, which can be mentally exhausting.
Pros of Taking the GMAT
• It is more specialized: The GMAT is designed specifically for business school admissions, and it may reflect your readiness for a graduate business program better than the GRE. Some schools may favor the GMAT over the GRE, especially if they have a strong quantitative focus.
• It has less reading: The GMAT verbal section has fewer reading comprehension passages than the GRE verbal section, and they are generally shorter and easier to understand. If you are not a fast or avid reader, you may prefer the GMAT verbal section.
• It has an integrated reasoning section: The GMAT has an integrated reasoning section that tests your ability to use data to solve complex problems. This section may showcase your analytical skills and demonstrate your potential for business success.
Cons of Taking the GMAT
• It is more adaptive: The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, which means that the difficulty level of each question depends on your performance on previous questions. This means that you cannot skip questions, go back and change your answers, or choose the order of the sections. This may limit your test-taking strategy and increase your anxiety level.
• It has more emphasis on math: The GMAT math section is generally considered harder than the GRE math section, especially for those who struggle with problem solving questions. The GMAT also does not provide an on-screen calculator, which means that you have to do all calculations by hand or in your head.
• It has more grammar: The GMAT verbal section requires you to know a lot of grammar rules and spot errors in sentences. If you are not familiar with English grammar or have difficulty identifying mistakes, you may find this section challenging.
Conclusion
The GRE and the GMAT are both valid options for applying to graduate business programs, but they have some important differences that may affect your decision. You should consider your target schools, your strengths and weaknesses, and your goals and preferences when choosing which test to take. You should also take practice tests for both exams to get a feel for their format and content, and compare your scores using conversion tools. Ultimately, you should choose the test that best suits your needs and gives you the best chance of getting into your dream school.
We hope this article helped you understand the differences between the GRE and the GMAT, and how to choose the best test for you. Good luck with your test preparation and application process!
