The Ultimate Showdown | GRE vs GMAT Exams for Studying Abroad

Differences Between GRE and GMAT

Let's first examine how the GRE and GMAT vary before getting into the specifics of the tests.

A standardized test called the GRE is required for entry into bachelor in the USA and other nations. Several colleges and institutions throughout the world accept it. A student's verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking abilities are evaluated in the test.

On the other hand, the GMAT is intended exclusively for entrance to business schools. It evaluates a student's analytical writing, combined thinking, verbal reasoning, and numeric reasoning abilities. More than 7,000 business and management programmes all over the world accept it.

Let's examine the differences between GRE and GMAT in more detail now that we have a fundamental understanding of the two exams.

1. Test Purpose


When it comes to graduate school, the GRE vs. GMAT have different uses. The GRE is a general test that is required for enrollment in a range of graduate programmes, including those in the arts, social sciences, and sciences. The GMAT, on the other hand, is a specialist test that is mainly utilized for entrance to business schools. The GMAT is often preferred, especially by top-ranked universities, while some business schools will take the GRE.


2. Sections
Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing are the three components of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) exam. Your analytical and evaluative writing skills, your ability to see connections between ideas and words, and your comprehension of word and phrase context are all tested in the Verbal Reasoning portion. The quantitative reasoning component of the exam assesses your ability to solve problems utilizing fundamental algebraic, geometric, and data analytic concepts. You must write two essays for the Analytical Writing part (an issue work and an argument task), both of which must demonstrate your ability to analyze, assess, and clearly explain difficult concepts.

Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning are the other three components of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exam. You must compose an essay in response to an argument for the Analytical Writing component of the GRE. Your capacity to integrate knowledge from various sources, work through challenging problems, and understand data in various formats will be put to the test in the Integrated Reasoning part. Comparable to those on the GRE, the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning portions are focused on business-related issues.

3. Exam Format


The GRE is given on a computer and is adaptive, so the questions' level of difficulty changes in response to how well you score. The following question will be more challenging if your last response was right. The following question will be simpler if you give a wrong answer to the previous one. This structure has the benefit of enabling the exam to assess your abilities more precisely. The drawback is that once you've gone on to the following portion, you can't skip questions or go back to earlier ones.

Although the GMAT is likewise computer-based, it is not adaptive. Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning make up the exam's four components, which are all given in a specific order. Within each section, you are permitted to skip questions and return to earlier ones, but after you have gone on to the next, you are unable to go back.


4. Scoring


The Verbal and Quantitative components of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) exam have a score range of 130 to 170, and the Analytical Writing section has a score range of 0 to 6. The scores are determined by how many questions you successfully answer and how challenging those questions are. Two skilled readers who have received specialized training evaluate the quality of your writing in the analytical writing portion, as well as your capacity to organize your thoughts, analyze complicated ideas, and cite evidence to back up your assertions.

Each component of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exam has a distinct score, with a range of 200 to 800. The number of questions you properly answer and how challenging the questions are determine your final score. An algorithmic scoring system uses the grammar, syntax, and coherence of your writing to determine how well the Analytical Writing component of your essay is written.


5. Exam Fees


The cost to take the GRE and GMAT varies depending on where you are taking the test as well as other criteria. The GRE exam costs $205, which includes mailing your results to up to four business schools or graduate programmes. For a cost of $27 per report, additional score reports may be delivered. The $275 GMAT exam fee covers sending your test results to up to five business schools or graduate programmes. For a cost of $35 per report, additional score reports can be issued.


6. Test Dates


A number of testing facilities throughout the world offer the GRE and GMAT tests all year round. Based on their availability, students can select a suitable day and time to take the exam. Up to five attempts at the GRE can be made in a 12-month period, or once every 21 days. A maximum of five times in a 12-month period, once every 16 days, and no more than eight times overall are permitted to take the GMAT exam.


7. Exam Duration


The GRE and GMAT tests have varying durations. The overall testing time for the GRE exam is around 3 hours and 45 minutes, whereas the GMAT is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.


8. Business Schools


Some business schools favour the GMAT over the GRE, despite the fact that many of them accept both exams. High-ranking business schools often choose GMAT. As an alternative to the GMAT, some colleges now accept the GRE. Before selecting which exam to take, it is crucial to understand the precise requirements of the schools you are applying to.

Now, since we have known the differences between GRE and GMAT, let us make you family with which exam is better!

Which exam to choose GRE or GMAT for your study abroad journey ?

The programme and university you are applying to will have a big impact on whether you choose to take the GMAT or the GRE. While many graduate programmes and business schools accept both tests, other organizations could favour one over the other. When choosing which exam to take, it's crucial to understand the precise prerequisites of the programmes in which you are interested.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) exam might be a preferable choice for Indian students who want to pursue a master's degree in a subject other than business, such engineering, computer science, or the social sciences. The GRE is made to evaluate a student's proficiency in a variety of academic subjects, including math, reading, and writing. It is a wonderful choice for students pursuing a variety of academic subjects because of this.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exam might be a better choice, though, if you're thinking about getting an MBA or another master's degree in business. The GMAT is a test specifically created for business school admissions that places a greater emphasis on analytical and quantitative abilities that are crucial for business success.

Finally, it's critical to examine the prerequisites for the programmes you are interested in, then select the exam that best suits your academic interests and strengths. Prior to selecting your choice, it's also crucial to take into account the exam's cost, the accessibility of test sites in your location, and the amount of time you have to study.

How can Study Abroad consultants in Delhi ease your stress for choosing the best exam ?

Conclusion

FAQs

Absolutely, many MBA programmes use GRE scores as part of the admissions process and often require or accept them. Nonetheless, some programmes can accept any test but favour the GMAT. It is advisable to enquire directly with the particular institutions you are considering.

Depending on the course and applicant pool, a decent GRE score can vary, but for the majority of graduate programmes, a score of at least 160 on each part is considered competitive.

Depending on the programme and the applicant pool, a GMAT score above 600 is typically regarded as competitive for the majority of graduate programmes.