The General Record Examination (GRE) Test and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are both standardized tests for admission in graduate schools.
GRE vs GMAT Acceptance Criteria
The GRE is accepted by many graduate schools all over the world. On the other hand, the GMAT is accepted only by business schools across the globe. Let’s have a look at both GRE vs GMAT in detail.
GRE vs. GMAT: An Overview
GRE and GMAT are comparable as they both test applicants in similar disciplines. Both the tests include Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning (Mathematics) portions except for the third section. The third section on both are different on the GRE. The third section consists of the Analytical writing portion whereas the GMAT third section consists of Data Insights. The pattern in both the tests is, however, a little different.
Let us first have a look at a brief comparison:
GRE vs GMAT Time Limits
The GRE and GMAT vary in duration. The GRE is 1 hour and 58 minutes long, whereas the GMAT is 2 hours and 15 minutes long (with one optional 10-minute break). Aspirants are recommended to manage their time wisely for success in these standardized tests.
GRE vs GMAT Score Differences
The score ranges of the Verbal and Quantitative sections at the GRE are 130-170 in a one-point increment. This makes the total score range 260-340. Whereas the GMAT focus edition composite score range is 205-805 (in 10-point increments). Whereas the GRE Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, while GMAT Data Insights scores range from 60 to 90.
Test Format Variances
The GRE and GMAT each have 3 sections in total. Verbal and Quantitative are common to both, while the third section on both the GRE and GMAT are totally different. The GRE has an Analytical writing portion featuring one question for analyzing an issue, and Participants get 30 minutes to complete the section. The GMAT has Data Insights, which consists of 20 questions, and the Participants get 45 minutes to complete the section.
GRE Vs. GMAT Cost Comparison
GRE costs you $220, whereas GMAT costs you $275.
Now, let’s have a look at all the portions of the GRE vs GMAT in comparison.
Verbal
The GRE Verbal Reasoning portion consists of two sections, which have 27 multiple-choice questions. The first section has 12 questions, and the second consists of 15, making a total of 27 verbal questions; your time limit for answering these questions is 41 minutes. This portion focuses on reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence.
- Total Questions: 27
- Total Time: 41 Minutes
- Score Range: 130 – 170
On the other hand, the GMAT Verbal portion consists of one section only. The section consists of a total of 23 questions. Participants get 45 minutes to complete this portion. This portion focuses on reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction.
- Total Questions: 23
- Total Time: 45 Minutes.
- Score Range: 60 – 90 (scaled score).
Difficulty Level: The Verbal section of the GRE and the GMAT assess similar skills of the participants. However, the questions on the GRE Verbal are considered a little more challenging than those on the GMAT Verbal.
Quantitative
The GRE Quantitative Reasoning portion consists of two sections. Section 1 consists of 12 questions, and section 2 consists of 15 questions. which adds up to 27 Quantitative questions. You have 47 minutes to answer them all. This portion focuses on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis.
- Total Questions: 27
- Total Time: 47 minutes
- Score Range: 130 – 170
On the other hand, the GMAT Quantitative portion has one section, and there are a total of 21 questions, and the time given to the participants is 45 minutes. The Quantitative section focuses on Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency.
- Total Questions: 21
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Score Range: 60 – 90.
Difficulty Level: The Quantitative section of the GMAT is a little more challenging than that of the GRE.
Writing
The GRE Analytical Writing portion has one section and only one writing question. In the analytical writing section, the participants will have an essay task known as the “Analyze an Issue” task. They’ll be provided with a statement of opinion to analyze an issue and respond according to the instructions, and the time limit for answering this question is 30 minutes.
- Number of Questions: 1
- Total Time: 30 Minutes
- Score Range: 0-6
Whereas the GMAT third section consists of Data Insights and consists of 20 questions. Participants get 45 minutes to complete the section.
- Number of Questions: 20
- Total Time: 45 Minutes
- Score Range: 60 – 90
Difficulty Level: In the third section, difficulty levels on both the GRE and GMAT are different as the types of questions asked are totally different. The Quantitative section of the GMAT is comparatively a little more challenging than that of the GRE.
Business Schools
Most test takers applying to business schools submit their GMAT scores. However, 90% of the business schools accept GRE or GMAT scores. So which one should you go for, GMAT vs GRE, for MBA?
Even though most business schools accept both scores, 25% still prefer the GMAT score over the GRE score. That is because of the following two reasons:
- They believe that the GMAT Quant and Integrated Reasoning tests participants on the knowledge that is more closely related to the business schools’ disciplines.
- If an individual is explicitly taking the GMAT, he is sure about going to the business school. This, they believe, shows his commitment to the field.
GRE to GMAT Score Conversion
There are certain tools available online for GMAT to GRE scaled score conversion and vice versa.
The official GRE ETS website has one such converter (GRE to GMAT conversion) that you can access here, which converts your total score:
However, a sectional score converter may be more difficult to locate.
GRE vs GMAT: Which One to Register?
So, if you are still perplexed about which test to take, GRE or GMAT? Here is some guidance for you test takers.
So, if you are sure to attend a business school, then you should definitely go for the GMAT.
However, if you wish to apply to business schools as well as others, you need to decide based on the following factors:
- The admission policies of the schools you want to apply to.
Which test do they accept? And if they accept both, do they prefer one over the other?
- Take Practice Exams for both tests. Assess your performance and compare both your scores.
Go for the one you found easier and in which your total score was higher.
Many people ask if they can take both the GRE and GMAT tests. Well, you can take both tests as there is no official restriction, but it is something that is never recommended. Preparing for both tests not only costs you a lot but also makes the experience a little too overwhelming. It is better to focus on one and invest all your energies in its preparation.
If you plan to prepare for the GRE test, then visit Scholar Den and start preparation. However, if you are looking to prepare for the GMAT, then visit its official page.
Read on: How did I score 320 on the GRE after GMAT failure?
