Introduction
When pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA), one of the most critical decisions you'll face is choosing the standardized test that best reflects your abilities and helps you gain admission to your dream business school. The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are the two most popular options for MBA aspirants. In this blog, we will comprehensively compare GMAT and GRE, considering various aspects to help you make an informed decision.
Graduate Management Admission Test(GMAT):
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), is tailored specifically for individuals seeking admission into business schools. It comprises four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative, and Verbal. The Quantitative and Verbal sections are computer-adaptive, which means the difficulty of the questions adapts to your performance.
You are allowed to take the GMAT up to eight times, with a maximum of five times per rolling 12-month period.
Exam Structure:
The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test that consists of four main sections:
1. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA):
Time: 30 minutes.
Task: You are presented with an argument and are required to analyze it and write a critique.
Scoring: Scores range from 0 to 6 in half-point increments.
2. Integrated Reasoning (IR):
Time: 30 minutes.
Number of Questions: 12
Task: This section assesses your ability to analyze and interpret complex data, including graphics, tables, and text.
Scoring: Scores range from 1 to 8 in one-point increments.
3. Quantitative:
Time: 62 minutes.
Number of Questions: Approximately 31.
Task: Measures your mathematical and problem-solving skills. Questions cover topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
Scoring: Scaled score, contributing to your total score (out of 800).
4. Verbal:
Time: 65 minutes.
Number of Questions: Approximately 36.
Task: Evaluates your reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction skills.
Scoring: Scaled score, contributing to your total score (out of 800).
Graduate Record Examination(GRE):
The GRE, administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), is a more general exam used for various graduate programs, not just business schools. It consists of six sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and an unscored research section (either verbal or quantitative). The GRE does not use computer-adaptive testing for the entire exam.
You are allowed to retake the GRE up to five times within any 12-month period, with a minimum interval of 21 days between each attempt. In case you take the test multiple times, you have the freedom to choose which scores you want to send to the schools where you are applying.
Exam Structure(beginning September 22, 2023):
The GRE is also a computer-based test, but it is not computer-adaptive. It consists of four main sections:
1. Analytical Writing(One section):
Time: 30 minutes.
Task: You are presented with an argument and are required to analyze it and write a critique.
Scoring: Scores range from 0 to 6 in half-point increments.
2. Verbal Reasoning(Two sections):
Time: Section 1: 18 minutes
Section 2: 23 minutes
Number of Questions: Section 1: 12 questions
Section 2: 15 questions
Task: This section assesses your ability to analyze and interpret complex data, including graphics, tables, and text.
Scoring: Scores range from 130-170 in one-point increments.
3. Quantitative(Two Sections):
Time: Section 1: 21 minutes
Section 2: 26 minutes
Number of Questions: Section 1: 12 questions
Section 2: 15 questions
Task: Measures your mathematical and problem-solving skills. Questions cover topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
Scoring: Scores range from 130-170 in one-point increments.
4. Unscored Research Section:
Time: Varies (not counted in your test duration).
Task: An unscored section used for research purposes by ETS (the organization that administers the GRE).
It can be either a Verbal or Quantitative section and is not revealed to test-takers.
Let's take a closer look at some key differences between these two exams.
Criteria | GMAT | GRE |
Purpose | GMAT is primarily designed for admission to business schools and MBA programs. | GRE is a more general graduate admissions test used for a variety of graduate programs, including MBA programs. |
Sections |
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Scoring |
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