GRE vs GMAT

The Graduate Records Examination, more commonly known as the GRE, and the Graduate Management Admissions Test, the GMAT Focus, are two popular tests required for admissions to universities in the United States. Generally speaking, the GRE is known as a more comprehensive exam, covering a variety of skills and, therefore, is a more versatile measure of one's skills. The GMAT Focus, on the other hand, is usually taken only by individuals seeking admission into a business or management graduate program.

That said, some schools offer candidates the choice between the two exams and are not partial to either. Despite this factor, both exams have a few too many differences and similarities, which the candidate can use to play to their strengths and receive a better score.

Differences between the GRE and GMAT Focus

Basis	GRE	GMAT Focus
Purpose	For general graduate school admissions	For admission to graduate business programs
Sections	Analytical Writing Quantitative Reasoning Verbal Reasoning	Data Insights Quantitative Reasoning Verbal Reasoning
Duration	1 hour 58 minutes	2 hours 15 minutes
Time per section	Analytical Writing- 30 minutes Quantitative Reasoning: Section 1- 18 minutes, Section 2- 23 minutes Verbal Reasoning: Section 1- 21 minutes, Section 2- 26 minutes	45 minutes for each section
Optional breaks	No breaks	10-minute optional break
Number of questions per section	Analytical Writing- 1 task Quantitative Reasoning: Section 1- 12 questions, Section 2- 15 questions Verbal Reasoning: Section 1- 12 questions, Section 2- 15 questions	Data Insights- 20 questions Quantitative Reasoning- 21 questions Verbal Reasoning- 23 questions
Cost	$220	In-person at test-center: $275 Online at home: $300
Score range	260-340	205-805
Score range per section	Analytical Writing: 0-6 Quantitative Reasoning: 130-170 Verbal Reasoning: 130-170	Data Insights: 60-90 Quantitative Reasoning:60-90 Verbal Reasoning:60-90
Review and edit questions	Allowed	Allowed
Computer-adaptive testing	No	Yes
Score reports included	4	5
Answering the questions	Flexibility to answer in any order	To be answered in the order the questions are received
Changing answers	No restrictions	Up to 3 times per section
Use of calculator	During Quantitative Reasoning	During Data Insights
Penalty for unanswered questions	No	Yes
Score Reports	Within 8-10 days	3-5 days, can take up to 20 days

Choosing GRE or GMAT

The GRE and GMAT are equally feasible options that candidates can consider while applying for graduate programs. The pros and cons of each exam depend upon the candidate and the institution the candidate is applying to. It is always recommended that the candidate enquires about the preference of the institution they are applying to and also consider the course they are applying to.

Factors to evaluate when deciding between the GRE and GMAT:

• Candidates should research the specific graduate programs they are interested in. Some business schools exclusively accept the GMAT, while others accept both the GRE and GMAT.
• If an individual applies to a business school, the GMAT may be more widely recognized. However, if they are considering a broader range of graduate programs (e.g., public policy, social sciences), the GRE might be more appropriate.
• Individual should consider which format aligns better with their strengths. Evaluate the types of questions in each test. The GRE has a more straightforward approach to math, while the GMAT includes more complex problem-solving and data-sufficiency questions.
• If an individual has a strong background in math, they might feel more comfortable with the GMAT’s quantitative section. Conversely, the GRE might be a better fit if they excel in verbal reasoning.