You’ve decided to go to business school. Great.
Now comes the first real boss fight: GMAT or GRE? Both tests claim to be your golden ticket to top B schools. And both have their diehard fans. Some swear by the GMAT’s quant rigour; others call the GRE the flexible all-rounder. But how do you decide? Because honestly, it’s not just about the test; it’s about how it fits your story. The choice you make says something about how you think and how you plan.
Let’s break it down.
Why This Decision Actually Matters
A few years ago, when I was helping a student pick between the two, he asked, “Does it really make a difference? Won’t the school just look at my essays?”
I laughed. Then paused because it’s not a silly question at all.
Business schools are data-driven places; they love a good number. Your test score doesn’t define you, but it absolutely shapes how admissions officers read your essays, recommendations, and resume. It’s context. It’s a signal. So yeah, this choice matters. If you’re aiming for top-tier schools (think Harvard, Wharton, or INSEAD), you’ll notice something interesting: most students still take the GMAT. But that’s slowly changing.
According to GMAC’s 2025 report, the volume of students submitting GMAT fell by 19%. In India, that number is climbing even faster among students from non-engineering backgrounds. If you want to dive deeper into test prep insights, check out Rostrum’s latest articles on admission trends and exam strategies.
GMAT vs GRE: The Big Picture
At first glance, both tests look similar – quant, verbal, and reasoning sections.
But under the hood? They test very different skills.
- GMAT: Built for business thinking – logic-heavy, data-driven, and focused on decision-making under pressure.
- GRE: Broader and more academic, testing analytical writing, vocabulary depth, and critical reasoning.
If numbers make sense to you, GMAT feels like home. If you love words, patterns, and essays, the GRE might be your zone. Think of it this way: GMAT speaks in Excel formulas. GRE speaks in metaphors. If you want to compare them directly, here are their official resources:
The Pros of Taking the GMAT
Why do so many MBA applicants still rely on the GMAT? Let’s decode that.
- It’s tailor-made for business schools: the GMAT was literally created for business schools. Admissions committees trust it because it’s aligned with what MBA coursework demands – analytical writing, data analysis, and problem solving.
2. It sends a strong signal: scoring well on the GMAT’s quant section is like saying, “I can handle finance, operations, and data analysis.” It’s proof of your business readiness.
3. Scholarships often prefer it: according to Poets & Quants, over 60% of MBA scholarships at top programs reference GMAT scores.
4. Corporate recognition: many consulting and finance firms (McKinsey, BCG, Goldman Sachs) still ask for GMAT scores during recruitment, even post-MBA.
So yeah, GMAT says: “I speak business fluently.”
The Cons of Taking the GMAT
Now for the not-so-glamorous parts.
- Quant can be brutal: if math isn’t your best friend, GMAT’s logic-based quant can feel punishing. It’s less about formulas and more about traps.
- You can’t skip questions: unlike the GRE, GMAT locks you in. That means time management becomes an art form, so make sure you review the questions thoroughly.
- Prep fatigue is real: GMAT prep often feels like marathon training. You’ll improve, but slowly. I once told a student, “You’ll learn more about patience than algebra.” He didn’t believe me. A month later, he texted: “You were right. I’ve learned inner peace.” That’s the GMAT for you, humbling but strangely rewarding
The Pros of Taking the GRE
And now, the underdog that’s been quietly taking over MBA admissions.
- Flexibility: GRE scores work for multiple programs, not just business school. Economics, public policy, psychology – you can apply to all with one score. It’s perfect for students still exploring career options.
- Verbal advantage: if words, reading comprehension, and writing come easily, the GRE gives you a clear edge.
- Familiarity: Indian students who’ve prepared for exams like CAT or SAT often find GRE logic more natural.
- Psychological comfort’: GRE’s interface feels more student-friendly, a small thing, big difference when you’re three hours deep into test mode.
The Cons of Taking the GRE
Silent bias still exists: let’s be honest, some top schools still prefer the GMAT, even if they don’t say it outright. Data from 2023 showed that average GMAT scores dominate MBA class reports at schools like Booth, Kellogg, and Columbia.
Quant is simpler: that’s not always good. If your quant section looks “too easy,” it might fail to show you can handle MMBA-level analytics.
Scholarship advantage is weaker: some merit-based scholarships still weigh GMAT more heavily, especially for finance-focused programmes. So yes, GRE is more flexible, but GMAT might signal stronger readiness for MBA rigour.
How Top B-Schools View Each
Here’s the truth: most top schools now accept both.
Harvard, Stanford, INSEAD, LBS, Oxford, Cambridge – you name it, and all paper tests. But look closely at the data. When you check class profiles, GMAT averages still dominate, sometimes by 80-90%.
At Rostrum, we often show students how these trends work in real time. One student, Mehak, aimed for London Business School. Her GRE verbal was stellar, but her quant lagged slightly. We worked on storytelling and quantitative coursework in her essays. She got in. The point? A somewhat unconventional score can work if your story fills the gaps.
You can read more such real journeys on Rostrum Education’s blog.
My Personal Take (And a Tiny Change of Mind)
For years, I was a GMAT loyalist. It just felt more… serious, like the “proper” test for business school. But after mentoring hundreds of students, from engineers to designers to chess players. I realised something: the GRE gave many of them a fairer shot. For some, the GMAT quant was a dealbreaker. For others, the GRE’s essay section felt like an open field. One of my favourite cases? A student named Riya, a filmmaker from Delhi, is applying to NYU Stern. Her storytelling skills were incredible, but she dreaded math. We switched her from GMAT to GRE. Her GRE verbal score? 331. Admitted. Scholarship. I changed my tune. It’s not about which test is “better”. It’s about which one highlights your strengths. If words are your superpower – own it. If logic is your jam – embrace it. The proper test is the one that lets you shine without breaking your spirit.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About the Test, It’s About You
Here’s the part most guides skip: the exam is just a tool. It won’t guarantee a seat, and it won’t ruin your chances. What will? Lack of clarity. Self-awareness is the underrated superpower in admissions. Once you understand how you think, choosing between GMAT and GRE becomes simple. So before you buy another prep book or take a mock test, pause.
Ask yourself:
“Which test tells my story better?”
Once you’ve got that answer, you’ll know exactly where to start.
Still unsure which test fits your goals?
FAQs
Q1: Do top business schools prefer GMAT over GRE?
Not officially. Most top business schools state clearly that they accept both tests equally. That said, reality is more nuanced. Some programmes, especially finance-heavy or quant-intensive ones, still report more GMAT scores in their class profiles, which can signal historical preference rather than a formal rule.
Q2: Is the GRE easier than the GMAT?
It depends on where your strengths lie. The GRE Quant section is generally more forgiving, with simpler math concepts and less data sufficiency. But the GRE Verbal section is a different beast altogether, with dense vocabulary, tricky sentence equivalence, and reading passages that punish shallow reading. If you’re strong in math but weaker in vocab, the GRE may not feel “easier” at all.
Q3: Can I switch from GRE to GMAT later?
Yes, you can, but don’t underestimate the transition. The content overlaps, but the mindset doesn’t. The GMAT is all about logic, precision, and pacing under pressure, while the GRE allows more flexibility and brute-force problem-solving.
Q4: What score should I aim for?
Always start with each school’s middle 80% score range, not the top number you see on rankings websites. That range tells you where real admits land. A slightly lower score that fits your overall profile, work experience, goals, academics, and leadership often works better than chasing an unrealistic score that drains time and energy.
