What’s the Difference Between the GRE and the GMAT?

What’s the difference between the GRE and the GMAT is a valid question because an increasing number of business schools accept both tests.

Published on 2016-05-23 Dozie A

A graduate school candidate’s application will contain a lot of information about that person, including their test scores and past grades. Many students who plan to pursue a graduate degree know about the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), while those who want to pursue a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) are usually more familiar with the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Is it necessary for an applicant to take both tests, and if not, which test should they take? Let’s examine some information about both of these exams that can help you make a decision regarding which one to take.

What do business schools prefer?

For students pursuing an MBA, it used to be required to take the GMAT. Today, however, an increasing number of MBA programs now accept GRE scores from applicants. The best course of action for students interested in attending business school is contact the schools they want to apply to and check as to what specific requirements they have. This is a simple way to decide whether to take the GMAT or GRE before applying.

Check out: How the GRE Test Prepares you for Graduate School

Test content

By learning about how each test is structured, students can choose which test suits their learning style better. The GMAT and GRE both share similar content – for example, both contain a Quantitative Section and a Verbal Section with reading comprehension questions. The main difference between these two exams is that the GMAT includes a section on Integrated Reasoning while the GRE does not. In addition, students who take the GMAT are required to write only one argument essay in the Analytic Writing Section, while students who take the GRE must write both an argument essay and an issue essay in this section.

Test length and cost

The GRE is just over three hours long, while the GMAT is three and a half hours long (the GMAT lasts a little bit longer due to its additional Integrated Reasoning section). Of course, the total time a student will spend at the test location itself also depends on the number of breaks students are allowed between test sections.

When it comes to the fees students pay to take the test, there’s a large difference between the GRE and the GMAT – students pay $250 to take the GMAT and only $195. The results of both exams are valid for five years, so even if students are not planning to attend graduate school right away, they can still take the GMAT or GRE in advance and have their scores available for future applications.

Veritas Prep is an elite test preparation company specializing in GMAT and GRE prep, as well as MBA admissions consulting. At Veritas Prep, we offer an extensive array of in-person, live online, self-study, and private tutoring options for students from instructors who have all scored in the top 1% of test takers. For over a decade, we have worked with students helping them to excel on standardized exams, allowing them greater opportunities to be accepted into their top-tier dream schools, pursue higher education opportunities, and expand their academic knowledge.