Outline:
- What is the GMAT Exam?
- What is the GRE Exam?
- Differences between GMAT and GRE
- Which is easier?- GMAT or GRE?
- GRE vs GMAT – Which Test’s Verbal Section is Easier?
- GMAT vs GRE – Which Test’s Quant Section is Easier?
- GMAT vs GRE for MBA
- Which Exam Should You Take in 2024? – GRE vs GMAT
- FAQs on GMAT vs GRE
When enrolling in graduate programs or choosing an MBA, students are at a crossroads when deciding whether to take the GMAT or the GRE. They are both international standardised tests used in admission to graduate programs, though they prepare the student for somewhat different skill profiles and goals. Although the GMAT was the only accepted test for admission to a business school, the GRE has become quite popular because it is a more flexible examination that may be taken for admission to many more types of programs. This leaves many prospective students wondering: Many students have this question in mind: which is the easiest, the two, the GMAT or the GRE?
The answer to this question is more complex. The level of challenge of these exams varies with ability and past academic performance. For instance, where one mastersmaster’stative ability, the GMAT will be easier; on the same note, where one has a good maa story of English language syntactical abilities, the GRE will be easier to counter. However, before answering that question, it is wise to consider some factors, which include, but are not limited to, the classification of the tests; the content of both the GMAT and the GRE; how the scores are provided on the GMAT and the GRE; to choose between the two.
The prominent feature of the difference between the GMAT and the GRE is that the two exams measure critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical thinking abilities in several ways. One advantage is that the GMAT includes integrated reasoning and is an adaptive test, which might seem more challenging to some. On the other hand, the use of naming vocabulary and the more balanced structure of the questions given in the GRE will be suitable for those who do not like strict divisions in the test. Since both the LSAT and GMAT are recognised in top business schools and graduate programs, one must consider each test to identify which one is best suited for him.
This blog post is devoted to decoding the GMAT and GRE, explaining the differences in the two exams’ formations, topics, and score ranges. We will also give you clues on each part’s relative ease or difficulty, guiding you on which exam should be easier for you in 2024. If you are looking for an MBA or a graduate degree in any other field, this guide will assist you in making the right choice between the GMAT and GRE.
What is the GMAT Exam?
The GMAT comprises four main sections:
- Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA): This section is always a test taker involved in evaluating an argument and then giving a criticism. This challenges time management, administration, organisation, focus, interaction with others, analysis, and verbal and written skills.
- Integrated Reasoning (IR): The IR section assesses the student’s ability to analyse data in graphic, tabular or textual format. This section is a special GMAT and is very good for business school applicants.
- Quantitative Section: This section focuses on complementary topics, such as problem-solving and data sufficiency. Candidates must also be able to compute common mathematics problems and draw conclusions from the information.
The GMAT is a computer adaptive test: questions’ difficulty depends on the respondent’s previous answers.
Read More: How to Prepare for GMAT Exam in India 2024?
What is the GRE Exam?
The GRE is an aptitude test for entry into graduate business programs or graduate schools that business schools do not administer. This tests a student’s readiness for graduate studies through their ability in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing.
Format of GRE Exam
The GRE consists of the following sections:
- Analytical Writing: This section comprises two tasks: one is about an issue, and the other is about an argument. This tests your oral communication and critical thinking abilities.
- Verbal Reasoning: One of the facets of assessment is the verbal reasoning section, which is intended to determine the capacity to analyse written information. The exam consists of questions that answer textual completions, sentence equivalents and reading comprehension. The writing section is based on vocabulary.
- Quantitative Reasoning: The quantitative section of the GRE assesses basic computational and problem-solving abilities using concepts such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistical analysis.
The GRE is in computer adaptive and paper adaptive tests. However, computer adaptive technology is widely used. The total test-taking time is three hours and forty-five minutes.
Read More: GRE Preparation tips from experts
Differences Between the GMAT and GRE
| Feature | GMAT | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Primarily for MBA programs | For various graduate programs |
| Format | Computer-adaptive test | Computer-based and paper-based options |
| Sections | AWA, IR, Quantitative, Verbal | AWA, Verbal, Quantitative |
| Duration | Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes | Approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes |
| Scoring Range | 200 – 800 | 260 – 340 (Quantitative + Verbal) |
| Analytical Writing | One essay | Two essays |
| Integrated Reasoning | Included | Not included |
| Quantitative Skills | Focused on data sufficiency and problem-solving | Broader math concepts |
| Verbal Skills | Emphasis on critical reasoning and reading comprehension | Focus on vocabulary and sentence structure |
| Acceptance | Accepted by most business schools | Accepted by many graduate programs |
Which is Easier – the GMAT or the GRE?
In this comparison between the GMAT and the GRE, the relative difficulty of the two exams might be better characterised as ‘different’ rather than ‘easy’: the answer, once again, is that it depends on you and the programme. Let’s explore this comparison based on different criteria:
1. Test Structure:
The test is computer-adaptive, meaning that the level of the questions is readjusted for each test-taker’s response. This can make the test appear more difficult as you go through it. The GRE, however, is section-adaptive, which means that the second section is easier or harder depending on the first section. This is because, unlike many other computer-based tests where questions vary depending on a candidate’s performance, the structure of the GRE makes it feel less pressing.
2. Content:
Generally, the GMAT’s quantitative section is more challenging because it has data sufficiency and problem-solving sub-sections. The GRE offers questions of a more fundamental nature, such as arithmetic, algebra, geometric figures and data analysis. The ability to recognise words and their meanings is particularly stressed in the GRE; therefore, working with the lists of words often may require more work for some people. The GMAT’s verbal section concerns grammar, reading, understanding, and critical thinking ability.
3. Career Goals:
If you are aiming for an MBA programme, the GMAT may be more suitable since it is specifically designed for business schools. However, if you submit applications to master’s and graduate programs that are not business-related, the GRE may be more suitable.
GRE vs GMAT – Which Test’s Verbal Section is Easier?
| Feature | GMAT Verbal Section | GRE Verbal Section |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Critical reasoning, reading comprehension, and grammar | Vocabulary, reading comprehension, and text completion |
| Types of Questions | Sentence correction, reading comprehension, critical reasoning | Text completion, sentence equivalence, reading comprehension |
| Difficulty | Generally more focused on logical reasoning | Requires a strong vocabulary |
| Skills Tested | Ability to analyse arguments and identify errors | Ability to understand complex texts and draw conclusions |
The students’ most common concern about the GRE is that the verbal section is more complex than the others. On the other hand, the GMAT pre-supposes more reasoning, which often favours those who find analytical knowledge easy to apply rather than remembering something word by word.
GMAT vs GRE – Which Test’s Quant Section is Easier?
| Feature | GMAT Quantitative Section | GRE Quantitative Section |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Problem-solving and data sufficiency | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis |
| Types of Questions | Data sufficiency, problem-solving | Quantitative comparison, problem-solving |
| Difficulty | Requires critical thinking in quantitative reasoning | Covers a broader range of math topics |
| Skills Tested | Ability to interpret data and solve problems | Basic math skills and understanding of concepts |
Even though both exams are designed with a high degree of mathematical literacy, some graduates have pointed out that the quantitative section of the GMAT is more complex than the GRE because the former places a lot of emphasis on data sufficiency, which does not only require mathematical skills but intelligence in problem-solving as well. While the GRE’s quantitative section has more options in mathematics, it is far less complicated from the complexity point of view.
Do Business Schools Prefer the GMAT or GRE? – GMAT vs GRE for MBA
In recent years, the GRE has been adopted in most business schools because it acts as an admission test for an MBA instead of the GMAT. However, the GMAT has been considered to be the most crucial test for business schools. Still, several of the first league B-schools accept GMAT as this examination is more directed towards skills close to the MBA programme, such as computation skills, data understanding abilities, etc.
Here’s what to consider:
- GMAT: Peculiarly, some business schools believe that the GMAT, for whatever reason, is somehow a better indicator of the student’s ability to do an MBA.
- GRE: Now known in many business schools, GRE provides ease to applicants who can apply for it and other graduate programs other than business.
Which Exam Should You Take in 2024 – GRE or GMAT?
Deciding between the GRE and GMAT depends on several factors:
1. Your Career Goals:
However, if your aim is primarily in MBA schools, then the GMAT might be more suitable for you. However, if you are applying to other types of graduate programs, the GRE offers more program options.
2. Your Strengths:
Take into consideration the levels of your mathematical and verbal skills. If you have an advantage here, a quant section of GMAT might be more accessible for you to complete. You would prefer the GRE if you are good at word knowledge and verbal skills tests.
3. Program Requirements:
Be sure to get the details about the schools you are applying to. Specific programs may have a penchant for one test over the other or place different values on the GRE and GMAT scores.
4. Test Format:
The fact that the test is section-adaptive might be less overwhelming than a computer-adaptive test like GMAT if you are worried about it.
FAQs on GMAT vs GRE 2024
1. Is GMAT Harder Than GRE?
Each one depends with his/her expertise…I suppose you refer to this when you mention strengths.” While many students claim that the GMAT’s quantitative section is harder than and the GRE’s verbal section is also considered to be more difficult in relation to vocabulary.
2. Do you Need GMAT or GRE for PhD?
A majority of the PhD programs use either the GRE or GMAT but it is advisable to check with the particular program that you are interested in.
3. Should I take the GRE or GMAT to earn an MBA?
Although MBA programs favor the GMAT, many business schools have joined the league of accepting the GRE. There are requirements that come with each target program, and the test you should take depends on those requirements.
4. Is GRE and GMAT Math the Same?
However, specific to maths, GMAT’s quantitative part is more data sufficiency and problems solving oriented, whereas GRE is more general math proficiency test.
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