Are you a graduate student planning to study abroad? Depending on your target program, you may need to submit a GMAT or GRE score as part of your application. Many graduate, business, and law programs accept one or both tests, but requirements vary by university and program.
The GRE is widely accepted across many graduate, business, and law programs, while the GMAT is designed specifically for graduate management programs, including MBA and other business master’s degrees. But which test is most suitable for you? This article highlights the differences between the GMAT and the GRE to help you pick the most appropriate test. So, let’s get started!
What are GMAT and GRE?
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
The GMAT is a standardized exam designed to assess skills that are important for graduate business programs, including quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data analysis. Most business schools worldwide use this test for admission to management programs such as MBA and Master of Finance programs.
The current GMAT is divided into three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. The exam takes 2 hours and 15 minutes, includes one optional 10-minute break, and has 64 questions in total.
The GMAT is composed of question types that highlight your reasoning abilities. The Quantitative Reasoning section focuses on problem-solving questions that use arithmetic and elementary algebra. Math knowledge alone is not enough; you will also need logical thinking and analytical skills.
In the Verbal Reasoning section, you will encounter Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning questions. These questions test your ability to understand written material, draw inferences, evaluate arguments, and reason with verbal content.
The Data Insights section asks you to analyze and interpret information from multiple sources and formats, including tables, graphs, and text. Question types include Data Sufficiency, Multi-Source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, and Two-Part Analysis.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
The GRE General Test assesses Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing skills. Graduate, business, and law school programs widely accept the standardized admission test.
If you plan to take the GRE, you should know the difference between the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Tests. The GRE General Test includes Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. On the other hand, the GRE Subject Tests assess knowledge in specific fields. Current GRE Subject Tests are offered in Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.
The GRE stands out with quantitative questions such as quantitative comparisons and verbal questions such as Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion tasks. These questions assess your ability to analyze information, draw conclusions, and understand written material.
The GRE also offers flexible navigation within each section. You can skip questions, mark questions for review, go back within a section, and change answers if time remains. The Analytical Writing section always comes first, while the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections may appear in either order after that.
Differences between GMAT and GRE
At its core, the GMAT focuses on graduate business readiness, while the GRE is broader and is used across many graduate, business, and law programs. So, the GMAT is most closely associated with business schools and MBAs, while the GRE can be used for a wider range of graduate programs.
Both tests feature different formats, sections, and scoring ranges. The current GMAT includes Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. The GRE General Test includes Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.
The score range varies for both tests. The current GMAT Total Score ranges from 205 to 805, and section scores range from 60 to 90. The GRE reports separate Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores from 130 to 170 and an Analytical Writing score from 0 to 6.
Here’s a quick comparison between the two.
| | GMAT | GRE |
|---|
| Test Components | Quantitative Reasoning: 45 minutes, 21 questions
Verbal Reasoning: 45 minutes, 23 questions
Data Insights: 45 minutes, 20 questions
One optional 10-minute break | Analytical Writing: one “Analyze an Issue” task, 30 minutes
Verbal Reasoning: two sections, 27 questions total, 41 minutes total
Quantitative Reasoning: two sections, 27 questions total, 47 minutes total |
| Scoring | Total Score: 205-805
Section scores: 60-90 | Verbal Reasoning: 130-170
Quantitative Reasoning: 130-170
Analytical Writing: 0-6 |
| Cost | Varies by location and delivery format. In the United States, the fee is currently $275 for a test-center exam and $300 for the online exam. | $220 in most locations and $231.30 in China. Test takers in India should check ETS India for current fees. |
Which is Easier, GMAT or GRE?
The answer differs for each student, depending on academic strengths and testing preferences. Comparing the quantitative sections of the two tests, some students find the GRE Quantitative Reasoning section more manageable because it focuses on basic mathematical skills and elementary concepts, and it includes an on-screen calculator.
On the contrary, the GMAT Quantitative Reasoning section does not allow a calculator and focuses on problem-solving questions using arithmetic and elementary algebra. The GMAT also includes a Data Insights section, where you analyze data from multiple sources and formats. If you are considering the GMAT, you should focus on strengthening logic, data interpretation, and analytical reasoning.
Moving on to the verbal section, many students find the GRE more vocabulary-focused because it includes Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence questions. The GMAT Verbal Reasoning section focuses on Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning, so it is more centered on understanding passages and evaluating arguments than on advanced vocabulary.
Which Test is Right for You?
When applying to graduate schools abroad, choosing the proper test can play an important role in your application strategy. However, picking either the GMAT or the GRE is not a one-size-fits-all decision and requires you to consider your strengths, preferences, and target programs.
Most importantly, you must check the requirements of your target programs. Some business schools accept both tests and do not prefer one over the other. For example, Harvard Business School states that there is no minimum GMAT or GRE score to apply and that it does not prefer a particular test. For the HBS Class of 2027, 44% submitted the GRE, 34% submitted the current GMAT, and 28% submitted the GMAT 10th Edition, with some students submitting scores from more than one test.
If you’re a math enthusiast who is comfortable with logic-heavy problem-solving and data interpretation, the GMAT might be preferable. For students who want an exam with a scored writing task, the GRE may be more suitable because it includes an Analytical Writing section.
That being said, it’s also important to consider your comfort with vocabulary and test navigation. The GRE lets you skip and revisit questions within a section, while the current GMAT lets you review as many questions as you want at the end of each section and edit up to three answers per section if time remains.
Are you still confused about which test suits you the most? The best approach is to take practice tests for both and compare your experiences. By testing your abilities, you will gain insights into which test aligns better with your strengths and preferences. You can also identify areas that require improvement for excellent performance on either test!
We hope you can now decide whether to go for the GMAT or GRE. Make sure also to check out our Scholarships Page and Available courses for International Students!
