if($_SERVER['REQUEST_URI']=='/' || $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI']=='/index.php'){?>
All grad and business school applicants are required to take either GMAT or GRE to be considered eligible for applying to their desired programs. Traditionally, candidates opting for a graduate program in core disciplines used to strictly take the GRE, while candidates opting for management programs used to strictly take the GMAT. It was only in 2011, when GRE underwent a major overhaul in format, in terms of types of questions, number of questions, and scoring pattern, and came to be widely recognized by major B-schools that the confusion on GMAT or GRE – Which Test to Take? became most pertinent. However, prior to determining an answer to this significant question, let us take a look at the features that may render the GMAT and GRE tests distinct from or similar to each other.
Specifics | GMAT | GRE |
---|---|---|
Mode | Computer-based | Computer-based and Paper-based |
Duration | 3 hours 7 minutes | Computer-based: 3 hours 45 minutes; Paper-based: 3 hours 30 minutes |
Sections | Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning | Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment |
Fee | USD 250 | USD 205 |
Score-Range | 200 – 800 | 260 – 340 |
Tests Taken in 2018 | ~ 243000 | ~ 560000 |
GMAT, or the Graduate Management Admission Test, is traditionally conducted by GMAC, or Graduate Management Admission Council. A computer adaptive test to analyze the test taker’s critical reasoning and analytical skills, GMAT was founded on 6th February 1953, by 9 leading business schools, as the Admission Test for Graduate Study in Business. Since then, GMAT has been consistently and extensively used as a determining assessment for conducting MBA admissions.
The GMAT Exam Pattern
GMAT consists of 4 distinct sections that test individual skills:
Test Section | Number of Questions | Type of Questions | Time | Score Range |
---|---|---|---|---|
Analytical Reasoning Assessment (AWA) | 1 | Analysis of an Argument | 30 minutes | 0 to 6 |
Integrated Reasoning | 12 | Graphic Interpretation, Table Analysis, Multi-source Reasoning, Two-part Analysis | 30 minutes | 1 to 8 |
Quantitative Reasoning | 31 | Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving | 62 minutes | 6 to 51 |
Verbal Reasoning | 36 | Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction | 65 minutes | 6 to 51 |
Prior to 2017, candidates would have to follow a set pattern in answering each of the sections. However, the rule has been modified now and since 11th July 2017, the GMAT candidates are provided with an option to select the section they would like to answer at first. The options are, nonetheless, limited to three set patterns:
To avoid confusion and to make the best use of this option of order, it is recommended that a candidate aptly analyzes his/her strengths. For instance, if candidate A is confident of his/her quantitative reasoning skills but needs full energy and focus to answer the verbal reasoning section, he/she may opt for pattern 2. Similarly, if candidate B is confident of his/her verbal reasoning skills, he/she may opt for pattern 1. To better ascertain one’s competency in the section, a candidate must opt for a free GMAT mock test.
Scoring
GMAT is a computer-adaptive test. Each of the questions on GMAT is categorized under varying levels of difficulty. The candidate is presented with the questions, one at a time, and with each correct response, the level of difficulty increases. Thus, on GMAT,
The following table explains how each of the sections is scored on GMAT:
Test Section | Increment on Score Range | Scoring the Section |
---|---|---|
AWA | 0 to 6 (in 0.5 increments) | The answer is scored twice. The average of the two scores provides the score of the section. |
Integrated Reasoning | 1 to 8 ( in 1 increments) | Scoring is determined by the number of questions answered correctly. If a question has multiple parts to be answered, each part muct be correctly answered for the response to the question to be considered as correct. |
Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning | 6 to 51 ( in 1 increments) | As these sections are item-level adaptive, scoring is determined basis the total number of questions attempted, the level of difficulty of each question, and the total number of questions correctly answered. |
About GRE
GRE, or the Graduate Record Examination, is conducted by the ETS, or the Educational Testing Service. Founded in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, GRE is a standardized assessment test that helps to analyze the test taker’s analytical writing and verbal and critical reasoning skills. Since its inception, GRE has undergone several important changes, unlike GMAT, in exam pattern and scoring format. For instance, until 2002, candidates were scored out of a total of 2400 in GRE; in the next revision, candidates were scored out of a total of 1600. In 2011, the exam pattern was again revised and candidates were provided with individual scores on the two pertinent sections, verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning. GRE is mainly opted for by candidates aspiring to gradd programs in core disciplines. Further, in GRE candidates are now being scored on a range of 130-170 in each of these sections.
The GRE Exam Pattern
The GRE consists of 3 distinct sections that test individual skills:
Start preparing for GRE with our competent GRE prep program.
The following table explains the structure of the Computer-based GRE exam
Test Sections | Number of Questions | Type of Questions | Time | Score Range |
---|---|---|---|---|
Analytical Writing Assessment | 2 | 1 Analyse an Issue and 1 Analyse an Argument | 30 minutes per question | 0 to 6 |
Verbal Reasoning (2 sections) | 20 questions per section | Reading Comprehension, Test Completion, and Sentence Equivalence | 30 minutes per question | 130 to 170 |
Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections) | 20 questions per section | Quantitative Comparison, Numeric Entry, MCQs with option to select one answer choice and more than one answer choice | 35 minutes per section | 130 to 170 |
The following table explains the structure of the Paper-based GRE exam
Test Sections | Number of Questions | Type of Questions | Time | Score Range |
---|---|---|---|---|
Analytical Writing Assessment | 2 | 1 Analyse an Issue and 1 Analyse an Argument | 30 minutes per question | 0 to 6 |
Verbal Reasoning (2 sections) | 25 questions per section | Reading Comprehension, Test Completion, and Sentence Equivalence | 35 minutes per section | 130 to 170 |
Quantitative Reasoning ( 2 sections) | 25 questions per section | Quantitative Comparison, Numeric Entry, MCQs with option to select one answer choice and more than one answer choice | 40 minutes per section | 130 to 170 |
GRE allows students to take the paper-based exam in locations where the computer-based test cannot be administered. Although, the pattern and question type remains unaffected by the mode of exam, the duration of each mode differs:
Further, GRE, unlike GMAT, allows the student to mark a question as review, a feature that allows the student to come back to the question and confirm his/her response on the same. For a better understanding of the GRE exam pattern, one must refer to a relevant GRE guidance program.
Scoring on GRE
Unlike GMAT, GRE is a section adaptive test. In GRE, the difficulty level of questions does not depend on the response to the previous question; instead the difficulty level of the questions in the second section for both Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning depends on the performance in the first section. Thus, candidates, who are able to perform well in the first section, answer more difficult questions in the second section and are accordingly graded. It is recommended that a candidate only opts for authentic GRE study resources to be able to acquire competitive scores on GRE.
GRE follows an intrinsic grading system:
Computer-based Tests –
Paper-based Tests –
Further, in GRE, the 90th percentile is determined by a score in the range of 161-162 in the Verbal section and 165-166 in the Quant section. Similarly, the 99th percentile is determined by a score in the range of 169-170 in the Verbal section and more than 170 in the Quant section.
The following table explains how each of the sections is scored on GRE:
Test Section | Increment on Score Range | Scoring the Section |
---|---|---|
Analytical Writing Assessment | 0 to 6 (in 0.5 increments) | The repsonses are holistically reviewed. For Computer-based tests, the responses are individualy graded by a human reader and a computerised e-rater; the average of both the results contribute to the final score. For Paper-based tests, the responses are individually graded by two human readders; the average of both the results contribute to the final score. |
Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning | 130 to 170 ( in 1 point increments) | The number of questions answered correctly provides a raw score that is then converetd to a scaled score |
Briefly, GMAT or GRE: Which is Easier?
GMAT and GRE: The Format
Both GMAT and GRE seem to follow the same format of testing individual skills. However, the tests significantly differ in the number and type of questions. Thus, while GMAT and GRE both test the analytical writing skills, GRE invests almost an hour to determine the analytical skills through two different forms of content and GMAT invests only half an hour to test the same skill through a given form of content. Further, GMAT distinctly tests the candidate’s ability to analyze and interpret data. GRE employs two elaborate sections to analyze the candidate’s vocabulary usage, reading comprehension skills, and problem-solving efficiency, an analysis effectively conducted by GMAT in only 65 minutes.
GMAT and GRE: The Syllabus
The quantitative and verbal reasoning sections on both GMAT and GRE necessitate an acquaintance with several standard concepts in the domain of mathematics and English language. For instance, to be able to answer the GMAT and GRE quantitative and verbal sections, the candidate must be acquainted with the following respective concepts:
The following table outlines the broad concepts tested in GMAT and GRE Verbal Reasoning section:
GMAT | GRE |
---|---|
Subject – Verb Agreement | Subject – Verb Agreement |
Parallelism | Parallelism |
Modifiers | Modifiers |
Pronouns | Pronouns |
Reading Comprehension | Reading Comprehension |
Idioms | Idioms |
Redundancy | Sentence Structure |
The following table outlines the broad concepts tested in GMAT and GRE Quantitative Reasoning section:
GMAT | GRE |
---|---|
Arithmetic | Simple and Compound Interest |
Integration | Quadratic Equations |
Permutations and Combinations | Permutations and Combinations |
Geometry | Co-ordinate Geometry |
Ratio and Proportions | Ratio and Proportions |
Linear Equations | Linear Equations |
Algebra | Statistics |
Roots and Exponents | Roots and Exponents |
Probability | |
Lines and Angles | |
Polygon, Circles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Pipes, Cisterns, Work, Time,Volume and Surface Area | |
Order of Operations | |
Percentage | |
Profit and Loss | |
Sets Theory | |
Speed, Distance, and Time | |
Number Properties |
There may be a significant overlap between the syllabus for both GMAT and GRE, but there is a significant deviation in how individual skills are tested. Reportedly, a candidate taking the GMAT is tested upon his/her ability to apply the concept and logical reasoning skills while a candidate taking the GRE is tested upon his/her memory and knowledge of the concept.
GMAT and GRE: Level of Difficulty
As such, it is generally believed that the GMAT quantitative section is more difficult than the GRE quantitative sections, while the GMAT verbal section is easier than the GRE verbal sections. It is also suggested that the GRE syllabus largely corresponds to that of the undergraduate syllabus; hence, a student with a fairly competent undergraduate score can, with little effort, comfortably ace the GRE. Further, in GRE, students are allowed to use a calculator for answering the quant section, unlike in GMAT.
Briefly, GMAT or GRE: What is the Difference?
For any candidate taking either the GMAT or GRE, it is important to note the following points
If the pattern of the tests is taken into consideration, it may be easily discerned that GMAT tests skill specific to the domain of management while GRE tends to be a generic aptitude test. According to a survey, conducted in 2016, ~90% of the Top USA and European B-schools confirmed their acceptance of GRE scores for conducting admission to MBA programs; however, 20% among them indicated their preference of GMAT over GRE for conducting admission to MBA programs.
Ideally, there is no clearly stated preference of GMAT over GRE by B-schools, but considering the fact that ~75% of the applicants to MBA programs apply with a GMAT, B-schools need to convert the GRE to GMAT to be able to objectively consider the individual profiles. For the same, ETS provides a GRE to GMAT conversion tool on its website.
Firstly, it is important that the candidate is able to confidently prepare for and triumph any of the exams that he/she decides to take. Thus, to ensure maximum productivity, the candidate may decide to opt for either a GMAT mock test or a GRE mock test, whereby he/she can analyze his/her area of weakness and strength and comfort in answering each of the sections. Basis the same, the candidate may arrive at a sound decision to take either GMAT or GRE. Additionally, in deciding upon the test, the candidate must also take into consideration the logistics of the exam, for instance, the availability of exam centre, sync of time with the individual schedule, cost of the exam, and test re-taking possibilities.
Secondly, even if the B-schools do not state their preference for GMAT over GRE scores, it is advisable to opt for GMAT as the score conversion mechanism often widens the disparity in percentage score between GMAT and GRE. A GRE score of 325, a 95% score, may seem to be an excellent score. However, the same score will read 670, when converted to GMAT, a score that not only figures as 83% score but also falls below the average GMAT score requirement by the top-25 B-schools.
School | Average GMAT Score |
---|---|
Stanford | 708 |
Harvard | 730 |
INSEAD | 700 |
Wharton | 732 |
CEIBS | 685 |
LBS | 707 |
Chicago Booth | 738 |
MIT: Sloan | 730 |
Columbia Business School | 732 |
Berkeley: Haas | 726 |
Yale | 724 |
IESE | 690 |
Oxford: Said | 690 |
Northwestern University | 732 |
Dartmouth | 722 |
Cambridge: Judge | 696 |
NUS | 662 |
HKUST | 680 |
HEC Paris | 690 |
Duke: Fuqua | 704 |
Esade | 660 |
IMD | 670 |
Darden | 718 |
ISB | 709 |
NYU: Stern | 716 |
Importantly, prior to deciding upon the test to be taken, the candidate must decide upon the program he/she wishes to pursue. If the candidate aspires to core management discipline, he/she must opt for GRE. However, if the candidate wishes to pursue an MBA, he/she must take the GMAT. GMAT for MBA is truly the most standardized test available – it helps re-invigorate the candidate’s ability to critically reason and logically solve given problems, skills that are a must in any MBA candidate.
Lastly, it is always recommended that a candidate seek the guidance of expert GMAT or GRE prep consultants to ensure taking an informed decision in this regard.
All the best!