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What’s the difference between the GRE vs. GMAT?

You might have heard that many who take the GRE are also taking the GMAT, or vice versa. You may be wondering which test is easier, or which is better if you plan to get your MBA. If you are wondering exactly what the differences are between GRE vs. GMAT, then this post should answer all your GMAT vs. GRE questions/a>.

GRE vs. GMAT—Which test should you take? (Infographic)

GMAT vs. GRE for MBA Admissions: Which do you need?

The GMAT is the standardized test for Business school. Like the GRE, it consists of a Verbal and Quantitative section. Unlike the GRE, the two sections are combined to give a composite score of 800. The GMAT cannot be used in place of the GRE, so unless you are going to business school, do not take the GMAT.

Unlike the GMAT, which is only taken by those going to business school, the GRE is accepted by many accredited business schools (ever hear of Stanford or Harvard?). That is not to say all the top business programs accept a GRE score. So when it comes to taking the GMAT vs. GRE for MBA admissions, always check with the business program to see which ones accept GRE scores as well as GMAT scores.

Which is harder, GRE or GMAT?

The question of which is harder (GRE or GMAT) really depends on you. That is, it depends on who is taking the test and their strengths. For those with strong Quant skills the GRE math will seem easy. The GMAT math is definitely more daunting. So if you struggle with Quant the GMAT will seem very difficult.

On the other hand if you struggle with the nuances of vocabulary and style, the GRE verbal section may be very difficult. That is not to say that the GMAT verbal is easier. But the Sentence Corrections section is more of the science of grammar, and those with logical minds tend to be more adept at quickly sifting through a morass of words to find grammatical errors. The GRE Text Completions and Sentence Equivalence questions, by contrast, are testing the art of word usage, a skill most humanities majors have been honing for years.

So should I take the GMAT or GRE?

For business school candidates, first make sure that your program accepts the GRE. If so, see which test better shows off your strengths. If you’re unsure, take a (free) official GRE practice test and an official GMAT test. You can also compare the GMAT scores of MBA programs with your achieved score. For the GRE, use these average GRE test scores.

If you score significantly better on one, then the answer is clear. If there isn’t much difference, spend a week getting a feel for each test to see which one suits your skill set better.

No matter whether you decide to take the GRE vs. GMAT, we’re here to help. Check out Magoosh GRE prep or Magoosh GMAT prep today!