GMAT Vs GRE: Which one is tougher?

MBA aspirants aiming for top international

business schools

face a crucial decision: Choosing between the

Graduate Management Admission Test

(GMAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Each test plays a significant role in admissions but caters to different skill sets and exam formats. The GMAT is tailored specifically for business school candidates, emphasizing analytical and quantitative skills essential for management.

In contrast, the GRE assesses a broader range of verbal and quantitative abilities along with analytical writing, suitable for various graduate programs. To determine which exam might be more challenging, it's important to understand their core differences and how they align with your academic strengths and career goals. Check out the key differences between the GMAT and GRE here to help you prepare better.

What is GMAT?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a highly recognized exam for admission into top business schools abroad. It is primarily required for two key programs: Master’s in Management (MIM) and Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). Each year, over 200,000 candidates from around the globe take the GMAT, reflecting its wide popularity.
As a standardized test, the GMAT is an essential part of the application process for graduate-level management and business courses like the MBA. Business schools use GMAT scores to assess a candidate's potential and readiness for the program. Since GMAT scores play a significant role in admission decisions, preparing thoroughly for the exam is crucial.

What is GRE?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test commonly required for admission to graduate programs in English-speaking countries. Many universities in the United States, along with some institutions in Canada and Australia, mandate the GRE for applicants. If you're considering studying in one of these regions, it's important to verify whether the GRE is a requirement for your chosen program. The exam evaluates skills in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.

GMAT Vs GRE: Key Differences

When comparing the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) and GRE (Graduate Record Examination), it’s essential to recognize their differences and similarities across various aspects such as purpose, content, acceptance, and affordability.
Primary Purpose
The GMAT is specifically tailored for admission into graduate management programs, particularly MBA courses. It is designed to assess skills closely related to business and management, such as analytical, quantitative, and integrated reasoning. In contrast, the GRE serves as a broader admissions test for a variety of graduate programs across multiple disciplines, including science, engineering, arts, humanities, and social sciences. While the GMAT focuses on business-related skills, the GRE opens doors to a wider range of fields, making it more versatile for students pursuing various academic disciplines.

Test Content
GMAT’s test structure emphasizes business-related quantitative skills and includes a unique section on integrated reasoning, alongside an Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). It also tests critical thinking in its verbal section. On the other hand, the GRE evaluates general skills through sections on Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning, with no specific focus on business management. The GRE also offers more flexibility in test-taking, allowing candidates to navigate through questions at their own pace and modify answers, unlike the GMAT's more rigid format.
Acceptance by Universities
Traditionally, the GMAT has been the preferred test for MBA programs, particularly at prestigious business schools. However, the GRE is now increasingly accepted by business schools worldwide, in addition to its broad acceptance across other graduate programs. Whether you're targeting an MBA or a different graduate degree, understanding the specific requirements of your program is key. The GMAT may still carry more weight in certain business schools, but many institutions, such as Harvard, Stanford, and London Business School, accept both tests.
Scoring Scales
The GMAT score ranges from 200 to 800, with separate assessments for its Quantitative and Verbal sections, alongside distinct grading for the Analytical Writing Assessment and Integrated Reasoning. The GRE, however, follows a different scoring structure, ranging from 130 to 170 for both Verbal and Quantitative sections, and assessing Analytical Writing on a scale from 0 to 6.
Affordability
Cost can be a significant factor when choosing between the GMAT and GRE. The GMAT registration fee is US$275, making it more expensive than the GRE, which costs around INR 22,550 (or approximately US$270). Both tests offer financial assistance for eligible individuals, but the GRE allows Indian test-takers to pay fees in INR, which can save on foreign currency exchange costs.
Test Duration and Score Validity
The GRE will be shortened to under two hours starting in September 2024, making it one of the quickest graduate admissions tests available, while the GMAT typically takes 3.5 hours. Both exams have score validity for five years, giving candidates flexibility in planning their applications. The GRE offers an additional advantage by allowing applicants to selectively send their best scores, providing more control over the application process.
Global Acceptance
Both GMAT and GRE scores are widely accepted at leading institutions globally, providing candidates with access to top universities. For MBA programs, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, schools such as MIT Sloan, INSEAD, and London Business School recognize both tests, ensuring that prospective students can choose based on personal strengths and preferences.

GMAT vs GRE: Which is Easier?

Choosing between the GMAT and GRE largely depends on your academic strengths and testing style. Consider factors such as your comfort with math, vocabulary, and whether you prefer flexibility in test structure.
Quantitative Section
The quantitative section of the GRE is generally regarded as easier compared to the GMAT. This is because the GRE includes more geometry-based questions and allows the use of a calculator, which helps test-takers solve problems more efficiently. In contrast, the GMAT emphasizes logical reasoning and complex problem-solving skills, which many test-takers find more challenging. The GMAT's quantitative section tends to focus more on data analysis and critical thinking, pushing candidates to rely on mental calculations and reasoning rather than straightforward mathematical operations.
Verbal Section
The verbal section of the GRE is often considered more difficult due to its emphasis on advanced vocabulary and dense reading passages. Test-takers are required to understand complex word meanings and navigate through challenging text, making it a hurdle for those less familiar with higher-level English. In comparison, the GMAT verbal section focuses more on sentence correction, grammar, and critical reasoning. Many test-takers find the GMAT’s verbal section more manageable because it prioritizes language skills over vocabulary depth, requiring a more straightforward approach to reasoning and comprehension.