If you're considering business school, you've likely asked, "Should I take the GRE or GMAT?" But what is the difference between GMAT and GRE? Why choose one over the other?
What's your academic path?
The differences between the two tests range from broad to specific. At the broad level, different graduate programs require different exams. Similarly, if you're choosing GMAT or GRE for MBA program admissions, specific schools may require or prefer different exams. So one difference between GMAT and GRE is that certain tests are better suited for different academic paths.
Check out: How Are GMAT and GRE Different from Language Tests?
Another difference between GRE and GMAT is that the tests use different computer adaptive algorithms that impact the test taking experience. Depending on your ability to manage your time and your testing anxiety, you may perform better on one test than the other.
Unique concepts
At the question level, the two exams test many similar concepts across the Verbal and Quantitative sections. However, a difference between GRE and GMAT is that each test features some unique concepts. Along the same lines, not all of the concepts on both exams are tested at the same level of difficulty. This difference between GMAT and GRE means that you may receive a higher score on either test depending on your skill level in a couple of different areas.
If, after analyzing the difference between GMAT and GRE, you are still unsure which one you should take, take a practice exam for each test to determine which one you score higher on — this will help you determine which is easier. Taking both the GMAT and the GRE is also an option, but you'll usually come out with a higher score if you study really well for one test than if you study a little bit for both.
