GMAT or GRE for MBA Admission- Which should You take?

Are you considering an MBA and unsure whether to take the GMAT or GRE? Both exams play a pivotal role in MBA admissions and offer distinct benefits. Grasping the differences between the GMAT and GRE, and identifying which aligns best with your strengths and career aspirations, can greatly influence your application to top MBA programs.

This detailed guide delves into the test structures, scoring systems, business school preferences, and advice for working professionals, providing you with the necessary insights to make an informed decision on which test to pursue for your MBA journey.

Differences Between the GMAT and GRE 

Sure! Here is a table that highlights the differences between the GMAT and GRE under various headings:

Category	GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)	GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)
Purpose	Primarily for MBA and business school programs	Used for a variety of graduate programs, including business school
Administering Body	Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)	Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Test Structure	1. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) 2. Integrated Reasoning (IR)  3. Quantitative Reasoning  4. Verbal Reasoning	1. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)  2. Verbal Reasoning   3. Quantitative Reasoning
Scoring System	Total Score: 200-800  Quantitative: 0-60  Verbal: 0-60   IR: 1-8   AWA: 0-6	Total Score: 260-340  Quantitative: 130-170  Verbal: 130-170  AWA: 0-6
Duration	3 hours 30 minutes	3 hours 45 minutes
Question Types	Quantitative: Problem Solving, Data Sufficiency Verbal: Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction	Quantitative: Problem Solving, Data Interpretation Verbal: Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence
Math Focus	Higher emphasis on data sufficiency and integrated reasoning	Focuses more on data interpretation and problem-solving skills
Verbal Focus	Emphasizes grammar and sentence correction	Emphasizes vocabulary and reading comprehension
Test Adaptation	GMAT is Computer-adaptive test by question	GRE is Section-adaptive
Acceptance	Widely accepted by business schools globally	Accepted by a wide range of graduate programs, including many business schools
Preparation Time	Generally requires focused preparation on test-specific question types	Broad preparation covering a wide range of question types
Fees	Approximately $275	Approximately $205
Validity	Scores valid for 5 years	Scores valid for 5 years
Retake Policy	Can be taken once every 16 days, up to 5 times in a 12-month period	Can be taken once every 21 days, up to 5 times within any continuous rolling 12-month period

These differences between the GMAT and GRE can help you decide which test aligns better with your academic and career goals.

GMAT for MBA admissions 

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test designed specifically to assess the skills necessary for success in MBA programs and other graduate-level management courses.

Administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the GMAT plays a crucial role in the MBA application process, being widely accepted by business schools worldwide. It evaluates analytical writing, quantitative, verbal, and integrated reasoning skills, all of which are critical for both academic and professional success in business and management.

The GMAT is designed specifically to measure a candidate’s critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills. Achieving a high score on the GMAT can significantly enhance your chances of being admitted to top business schools, making it a vital part of your MBA application. Whether the GMAT is taken at a test centre or as an online GMAT, it maintains rigorous standards to ensure the assessment is fair and accurate for all test-takers.

Format and Structure of GMAT

The GMAT consists of four main sections: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. Each section evaluates different skill sets essential for business school admissions.

1. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA):
   • GMAT AWA section requires you to write an essay analysing an argument, assessing your critical thinking and communication skills.
2. Integrated Reasoning (IR):
   • The IR section measures your ability to evaluate information presented in multiple formats and from various sources, including graphics interpretation, multi-source reasoning, table analysis, and two-part analysis.
3. Quantitative Reasoning:
   • The GMAT quant questions tests your mathematical skills and understanding of fundamental concepts. It includes problem-solving and data sufficiency questions to assess your quantitative reasoning abilities.
4. Verbal Reasoning:
   • The GMAT verbal section evaluates your ability to read and comprehend written material, reason and evaluate arguments, and correct written material to conform to standard written English. It includes reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction questions. Get to know how many questions are in the GMAT verbal section for better preparation.

The GMAT, which takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete, is computer-adaptive, adjusting the difficulty of questions based on your performance. This adaptive feature applies to both the quant and verbal sections. Whether the GMAT is taken as an online GMAT or at a test centre, the format and structure remain consistent, providing a reliable measure of the skills needed for success in an MBA program.

GRE Exam for MBA Admissions

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test used for admission to various graduate programs, including business schools. Administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the GRE is designed to measure a wide range of skills that are essential for success in graduate-level education. Many business schools now accept GRE scores for MBA admissions, providing flexibility for applicants.

Format and Structure of GRE

Here is a detailed breakdown of the GRE structure .

Analytical Writing

The Analytical Writing section requires you to write two essays, assessing your critical thinking and writing skills. This section tests your ability to articulate and support complex ideas clearly and effectively. Follow the best GRE analytical writing book to ace this section .

Verbal Reasoning

The Verbal Reasoning section evaluates reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence skills. It also measures your ability to analyse and draw conclusions from discourse, understand multiple levels of meaning, and select important points.

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning section measures your ability to understand and analyse quantitative information, including problem-solving and data interpretation. It assesses your skills in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.

Since the GRE is used for a variety of graduate programs, it offers a broad assessment of general academic abilities. Business school applicants may choose to take the GRE for business school admissions due to its versatility.

Candidates often wonder if the GRE has negative marking. Yes, it has and a comprehensive preparation is required to achieve a competitive GRE score. Whether you take the GRE or another test, performing well is crucial for MBA admissions and other graduate programs.

The GRE requires comprehensive preparation to achieve a competitive GRE score, which can significantly enhance your application. Whether you take the GRE or another test, performing well is crucial for MBA admissions and other graduate programs.

Which is easier to take ? GMAT or the GRE 

Aspect	GMAT	GRE
Quantitative Section	More difficult, with a focus on data sufficiency and advanced problem-solving. Requires strong math skills.	Easier, with straightforward math problems. Emphasizes basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
Verbal Section	Focuses on grammar, sentence correction, and critical reasoning. Can be challenging for non-native speakers.	Emphasizes vocabulary and reading comprehension. Involves text completion and sentence equivalence.
Analytical Writing	Requires analysis of an argument. One essay.	Requires analysis of an issue and an argument. Two essays.
Test Adaptation	GMAT provides lifetime limits and is computer-adaptive at the question level, adjusting difficulty based on responses.	Section-adaptive, with difficulty levels adjusting after each section.
Math Emphasis	Higher emphasis on complex quantitative problems.	Less emphasis on complex math, more on data interpretation and problem-solving.
Vocabulary Emphasis	Less emphasis on vocabulary.	High emphasis on extensive vocabulary.
Preparation	Requires focused preparation on specific question types and formats.	Requires broader preparation, covering a wide range of question types and skills.
Experimental Section	No unscored experimental section.	Includes an unscored experimental section, which can be unpredictable and tiring.
Overall Difficulty	Generally considered more challenging for those weak in advanced GMAT math and grammar.	Generally considered easier for those strong in verbal skills and basic math.

The GMAT is often tougher for those with weaker math and grammar skills, while the GRE is seen as easier for those with strong verbal abilities and basic math knowledge. Taking practice tests for both can help determine which is more manageable based on individual strengths.

What do business schools prefer ? GMAT or GRE 

When deciding between the GMAT and GRE, MBA applicants often wonder which test is preferred by business schools. Both exams have their merits, but understanding their differences can help in making an informed decision.

Acceptance and Preference

Business schools traditionally prefer the GMAT for MBA admissions. The GMAT and GRE are both accepted by many programs, but the GMAT is designed specifically for business school applicants. GMAT also allows the candidates to retake the exam. Follow essential GMAT retake strategy steps to ace the exam with a high score. However, the GRE is accepted by an increasing number of business schools, offering flexibility for test takers who may also be considering other graduate programs.

Admissions Committee Perspective

Admissions committees value the GMAT because it is tailored to measure skills relevant to business and management. The value of the GMAT lies in its predictive ability regarding a candidate’s performance in a graduate business program. Nonetheless, schools appreciate the diversity of backgrounds that GRE test takers bring, as the GRE for MBA admissions is now widely recognized.

Choosing the Right Test

Choosing the GMAT may demonstrate a clear commitment to business school aspirations. Unlike the GMAT, the GRE allows applicants to apply to various types of graduate programs. This flexibility can be advantageous, but it might not show the same focused intent as a GMAT score. Enrol in a GRE bootcamp to ace the exam with a good score.

Test Preparation and Performance

Effective test prep is crucial for both exams. MBA applicants should choose the test that aligns with their strengths and study habits. The GMAT’s quantitative topics is more challenging, while the GRE’s verbal section emphasizes extensive vocabulary. The decision should be based on which test score is likely to be stronger for your target program.

Which is easy for working professionals? GMAT or GRE

Below are the factors to be considered by the working professionals before giving any of the exams- GMAT or GRE .

Quantitative Section

There are several colleges offering Executive MBA programs without GMAT. For working professionals, the GRE’s quantitative section is often easier. It focuses on basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, making it more accessible for those who may not use advanced math regularly. In contrast, the GMAT’s quant section involves complex problem-solving and data sufficiency questions, which can be more challenging.

Verbal Section

The GRE’s verbal section, emphasizing vocabulary and reading comprehension, can be more manageable for those strong in language skills. The GMAT’s verbal section includes critical reasoning and sentence correction, which may be tougher for some MBA candidates.

Flexibility and Preparation

The GRE and GMAT both require significant test prep, but the GRE offers more flexible test dates and locations. This flexibility can be advantageous for working professionals. For those pursuing an Executive MBA, the GRE may be a better option due to its broader acceptance and easier scheduling. Understand the importance of GMAT test as well as GRE , choose one to take a shot at .

Conclusion

Both the GMAT and GRE exams are respected by business schools. The GRE may be a better option for working professionals due to its simpler quantitative section and flexible scheduling. While the GMAT may hold a slight edge in preference due to its specialized nature, the GRE is accepted and respected for MBA admissions. Ultimately, the best choice depends on the individual applicant’s strengths and career goals.

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