GMAT vs GRE: Which Test You Should Take for MBA

The GMAT is elite for administrative instructive organizations and assesses abilities that are particularly relevant to the business and the board fields; conversely, the GRE is a nonexclusive test that is considered by many graduate programs.

I am trying to settle on the GMAT (Graduate Administration Affirmation Test) and GRE (Graduate Record Assessment) while applying for an MBA.

In the realm of business school admissions, the GMAT is comparable to a seasoned pro. It has for some time been the standard test for candidates to MBA programs. The GRE is the latest player in the MBA admissions fray, causing a stir.

About GMAT and GRE tests:

GMAC introduced the GMAT Focus Edition in 2026 on November 7, 2023. This revised version of the test was created to more accurately gauge the abilities needed in today's fast-paced business world. It is more condensed, targeted, and powerful.

 

Check new details about GMAT subjects:

There is a new area called Data Insights. It resembles the GMAT's covert weapon. It assesses your aptitude for data analysis and interpretation.

The 205-805 scoring system with 10-point increments is used for the GMAT Focus Edition. A 60-90 scale is used to grade each component independently for Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights.

Now let’s take a look over the GRE Update for business school. 

It's like having a genie in a container for graduate school entrance. Business schools are not the only institutions that offer the GRE. It covers everything—law schools, engineering institutions, humanities programs, you name it.

The GRE underwent a redesign in 2023, and it now looks modern. Segment-level variation in measures of verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning is an element of the ETS GRE 2026 format.

Each action's most memorable area will have a typical level of trouble. We have removed the experimental unscored portion. We skip the 10-minute break. Moreover, there was a decrease from 40 to 27 questions in each of the quantitative parts, also including the verbal parts.

Section-level adaptation is used on the GRE. If you master the first section, the second one will get more difficult. Don't worry, though; the second section is difficult and awards additional points for accurate responses.

Which one is easier, the GMAT vs the GRE test?

It is hard to say which test is "simpler" as both the GRE and GMAT are intended to measure various abilities and capacities, and what might be more straightforward for one individual may not be for another. The GRE is for the most part more centered around verbal and logical abilities, while the GMAT is more centered around quantitative and thinking abilities.

Furthermore, the GRE has a greater Verbal segment, and the GMAT has a greater Quantitative area. Lastly, the two tests are testing and require a lot of Quantitative sections. I would prescribe that you research the two tests to figure out which one adjusts all the more intimately with your assets and the program you are applying to. How about we examine the GMAT versus the GRE? Let's discuss:

Comparing GMAT Difficulty Levels

1. Sentence correction has been completely removed from the Verbal section, and Data Sufficiency is now included in Data Insights instead of the Quant section.
2. The New Data Insights part assesses your aptitude for deciphering intricate data.

GRE:

1. Unlike the GMAT Quant, the Quant part permits the use of calculators.
2. Vocabulary is bountiful in the verbal part.
3. There is a part on logical writing in the test.

The advantages and disadvantages of the GRE or GMAT test

 

GMAT Exam Advantages: 

1. It is ideal for those who think critically as well as data crunchers.
2. It is outstanding for individuals who are talented at interpreting data and taking care of issues.
3. Great if you have any desire to apply to tip-top MBA programs.
4. It is cherished by those who need help with grammar and disciplinary questions.

GRE Exam Advantages:

1. A range of graduate programs recognizes greater adaptability.
2. The quant part is permitted to use calculators.
3. Excellent vocabulary is required of you.

GMAT Exam Drawbacks:

1. It might not be easy if you're not an expert in math
2. Calculators are not permitted in the Quant area; however, they are allowed in the Data Insights part.
3. Some might require assistance with the New Data Insights portion.

GRE Exam Drawbacks: 

1. Strong on vocabulary - Some people find the spoken portion to be terrifying.
2. I will retain a part of analytical writing.
3. Some prestigious business institutions might favor GMAT results.

 

GMAT Analytical Writing vs. GRE Data Insights

Both the GRE Analytical Writing portion and the GMAT Focus Edition Data Insights are designed to target different types of graduate program applicants and appeal to other skill sets.

Those who are considering a business career would benefit most from taking the GMAT Focus Edition because of its emphasis on data interpretation and analysis.

It is the perfect option for individuals aspiring to get an MBA or who want to be excellent in professions where decisions are made based on data because it surveys the capacity to grasp and analyze business-related information.

Those who are at ease with statistics and have a great knack for interpreting intricate datasets will find resonance in this part.

Be that as it may, the reason for the GRE Insightful Composing segment is to evaluate a competitor's writing and critical thinking skills. Candidates who are strong at crafting arguments and communicating concepts succinctly and effectively are a must, especially in disciplines like law, the social sciences, and the humanities.

Those who are good at writing and who like explaining and deciphering complicated concepts should read this section. Thus, the GRE Analytical Writing portion appeals to people with writing and critical analysis abilities, and the GMAT Focus Edition Data Insights is more in line with the realities of the business world. As a result, each of them is individually suited to various academic and career objectives.

 

 

Key Differences between the GMAT vs GRE:

Presently, how about we go into the particulars of how the GMAT and GRE compare with each other? How about we move-

Content and section differences between the GRE and GMAT

T There are a few similarities between the two tests concerning configuration and topic. The two tests incorporate three segments: Information Bits of Knowledge for the GMAT and Insightful Composing Evaluation for the GRE; these areas are exceptional to every test, and there are verbal, quantitative, and third portions generally.

• Moreover, a part of the material in these segments is rehashed in both tests. For example, both the verbal GRE and the GMAT tests cover reading comprehension.

• There are critical thinking segments on the GMAT and GRE that are quant.

• Data interpretation is required for the two assessments in quant for the GRE and in Data Insights for the GMAT.

But there are other ways that the tests differ as well:

1. The few partitions that include the test are the essential qualifications between the GMAT and the GRE. There is an Information Bits of Data Insights portion on the GMAT that is missing from the GRE, while Scientific Composing Evaluation is an errand found in the GRE that is missing from the GMAT.
2. Other exams employ different question formats, even though both assess the test taker's comprehension of specific verbal and numerical concepts.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test for aspiring graduate students. It was developed and carried out by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and tests language comprehension, numerical reasoning, analytical writing skills, and critical thinking abilities. The best MBA programs in the US accept GRE results.

Exam structure and format of the GMAT or the GRE:

There are three main portions to the GMAT exam:

1. It evaluates your ability to analyze and make decisions based on data. It consists of questions designed to solve problems.
2. Examining your capability to read and comprehend written information, assess arguments, and edit written material to adhere to standard written English are the components of the GMAT verbal portion.
3. Your ability to read and understand information in numerous forms, particularly tables and graphs, is put to the test in the New Data Insights section.

Quantitative reasoning, verbal thinking, and analytical writing are the three fundamental parts of the GRE. The verbal and quantitative sections might show up in any sequence following the analytical writing section, which is constantly introduced first.

• There is only one Examine an Issue task in analytical writing, and you have thirty minutes to finish it.

• There is a sum of 27 inquiries in the part on quantitative thinking. The test's Quant part will take you 47 minutes to complete altogether. Twelve inquiries in Segment One are of moderate intricacy. You have 21 minutes to complete this segment. Fifteen issues from section two are reviewed by how well you did in segment one. You have twenty-six minutes to respond to these inquiries.

1. There are a total of 27 questions in the Verbal Reasoning segment. The Verbal portion of the test has a total time limit of 41 minutes. Twelve questions in Section One are of moderate complexity. You have eighteen minutes to finish this section. The 15 questions in Section Two are graded according to how well you did in Section One. You have twenty-one minutes to respond to these inquiries.

The newest component on the GMAT, Data Insights, is the ultimate business instrument. It tests your ability to decode and analyze data expertly. The GMAT is by and large used for admission to business colleges, albeit the GRE is endorsed for most alumni programs, including regulation and business colleges. It is the fundamental qualification between the two tests. In addition, the formats of the two exams differ in terms of question kinds, testing guidelines, and ways to submit your results to educational institutions.

Methods of Adaptive Testing

The GMAT Computer-Adaptive Test

The computer-adaptive GMAT appropriately assesses the test-taker's skills, saving unnecessary time. In other words, the GMAT can only give test-takers problems that will reveal something new about their abilities if it is computer-adaptive. 

 

View the subsequent graphs from the Quant section of the GMAT Enhanced Score Report to demonstrate how the computer-adaptive GMAT test operates-

What happened during the Quant portion of a test-taker's GMAT is depicted in the two graphs above. Each of the two graphs' quarters represents a quarter of the Quantity problems in the section on Quantities. The percentages of questions answered correctly and incorrectly for each quarter are displayed in the top graph. The test-taker's difficulty level for each question is shown in the bottom graph.

The top graph indicates that the test-taker answered every question correctly throughout the first quarter of the quantitative portion. The graph at the bottom then demonstrates that during the first quarter, the questions' difficulty rose. When test-takers correctly answer the questions, the difficulty level increases.

Subsequently, the top graph indicates that the test-taker answered several questions incorrectly in the second and third quarters. The graph at the bottom demonstrates how the questions' degree of difficulty leveled out during that section of the exam.

Ultimately, the majority of the questions were missed by the test-taker in the fourth quarter. Observing the graph at the bottom, we can observe the outcome of the test-taker not answering certain questions. The GMAT lowered the bar for question complexity.

The GRE Computer-Adaptive Test

A form of adaptive testing called Computer-Adaptive Testing (CAT) is used in the GRE. Computer adaptability is present in both the verbal and quantitative reasoning portions. Because the GRE is session-adaptive, the computer determines the second part's level of complexity in the identical subject area based on how well you performed on the first verbal reasoning or quantitative reasoning section.

Moreover, portion two can be more difficult if you do well in the first portion. On the other hand, the second segment can be easier if you need help with the first. Both the number of questions you successfully answered and the degree of complexity in each segment are factors in determining your final score.

 

Fees and management

Both exams have the option of being taken in-person or online, and there are differences in price between the two forms.

GMAT Focus Edition:

1. Test Time for the GMAT Focus Edition: 2 hours and 15 minutes
2. Exam fees for the GMAT Focus Edition are USD 275 (about Rs. 23,000).
3. Exam fee payable online: USD 300 (Rs. 25,040)

GRE test prep pattern:

1. The total test time for the GRE test is 1 hour and 58 minutes.
2. The general test GRE costs ₹ $22,550 in India, $220 in other countries, and $231.30 in China.

The GRE covers more ground than the GMAT, which has a greater emphasis on business abilities. Your decision will rely on your desired application location and your abilities.

 

 

Things to think about for Non-Native English Speakers: 

1. Analytical writing assessment is not available for the GMAT Focus Edition, while Analytical writing is still a 30-minute portion of the GRE.
2. Non-native speakers frequently perform exceptionally well in the Quant sections of both exams but could improve in the Verbal. As someone who has prepared for both the GMAT and the GRE, it is simpler for a non-native English speaker to study verbally for the GMAT.
3. The GMAT's sentence correction component follows stricter guidelines, making it easier to prepare for. In contrast, the GRE's extensive vocabulary test contains thousands of words, making it far more difficult to study for.

The new applicants in the exam

1. The Data Insights section of the GMAT Focus Edition assesses your proficiency in analyzing intricate data. For non-native speakers who are skilled in data interpretation, this might be a game-changer.
2. The format of the GRE is possibly more recognizable to individuals who have previously completed standardized tests.

What is the acceptance rate for the GRE vs GMAT Exam?

The data is unambiguous: the GRE has been surpassing the GMAT in popularity. The GRE increased by 1%, but the GMAT fell by an astounding 7.7 percentage points.

Most B-schools can say they don't have a favorite test. However, the industry you're entering or leaving may have an impact on your decision.

GMAT vs GRE Scores for MBA Programs

Admissions trends are showing that business schools are looking for applicants with more than just a business background, and that means that the GMAT is one of many tests in the game. Since the GMAT and the GRE are completely different tests, comparing scores on the two is like comparing apples to oranges. ETS (the folks who administer the GRE) and GMAC (the folks who administer the GMAT) both use comparison tools to put students’ scores into perspective, but many MBA programs use the ETS comparison tool as a benchmark. To get the most out of your score and your application, you should research your chosen schools to see what score ranges they require for admission.

 

FAQs-

Q.1 Is the GMAT or GRE superior?

Ans-Qualities of the scholarly community: If you're to a greater extent a numerical person rather than a verbal person, the GMAT might be a superior opportunity for you to exhibit your assets. Consider the GRE to see whether you're a decent essayist. For non-native English speakers, the GRE could sometimes be harder because of the vocabulary of questions.

Q. 3 Can I send my GRE results to the GRE for MBA programs? 

Ans- the GRE is recognized as a part of the confirmation interaction for MBA programs so you can introduce your results to business schools. Regardless, taking into account that particular universities could take the GMAT, it is ideal to twofold check with the particular foundations to which you are applying.

Q.4 What constitutes a strong GRE score?

Ans- The level of competition for the alumni programs you have applied to will determine what comprises a strong GRE score. As a rule, graduate projects acknowledge a complete score of around 308-310, with scores going from 0-6 for the Insightful Composing test and 130-170 for the Intelligent and Mathematical segments.

Q.5 What GMAT score is considered acceptable?

Ans- At least 20 focus on the mean score of the business college you have picked is considered acceptable on the GMAT.

Q.6 Is the GRE harder than the GMAT?

Ans- Generally, the math part of the GRE is less hard than the GMAT, and also you get to use a calculator. There are generally more mathematical queries in the GRE section, alongside extra legitimate thinking problems in the GMAT. On the other hand, the GRE verbal part normally contains more difficult vocabulary than the GMAT.

 Q.7 How can take the GMAT or take the GRE test?

Ans- Taking the GMAT involves several steps. Primarily, sign up on the official GMAT website. Then, choose your test date and location, and pay the registration fee. Get ready to concentrate on materials like books, online material, and practice tests. On test day, bring a valid ID and show up before entering the test place. The test has four parts: Logical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal. After the exam, you can send your test scores to your dream colleges. Make sure to audit their particular prerequisites and get ready accordingly to achieve your best score.

Q.8 Which test is better for MBA admissions: GMAT vs GRE for MBA?

Answer: The decision between GMAT vs GRE for MBA admissions relies upon your ability and target schools. The GMAT is explicitly designed for business college candidates and is in many cases liked by top MBA programs. It tests quantitative, verbal, logical writing, and incorporated thinking abilities. The GRE is more acceptable in different graduate programs.