GRE Vs GMAT Test
March 2016
Who can opt for giving the GRE and GMAT?
Students who wish to pursue their MS or MBA can give the GRE. However, only some colleges accept GRE for MBA. The GMAT on the other hand, can be given by students who want to pursue a career in management.
What are the registration fees for the GRE and GMAT tests?
In order to appear for a GRE or a GMAT, students need to pay registration fees in order to appear for the exam.
GRE: The registration fee is INR 22,500 for the general test and INR 14,500 for the GRE subject test
GMAT: The standard registration fee would be INR 22,996, and for the online GMAT, it would be INR 25,086.
Can I retake the GRE or GMAT if I'm not satisfied with my score?
Yes, you can reappear for the GRE and GMAT if you are not satisfied with the score. Both tests have a specific retake limit that you would be aware of:
- GRE can be taken every 21 days, which is around 5 times within a 12-month period.
- In the case of the GMAT, you can retake it once every 16 calendar days, but not more than five times within the 12-month period.
Does the GRE and the GMAT have the same sections?
Yes, both the GRE and the GMAT have Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing sections, however the GMAT does have an Integrated Reasoning section, which is not included in the GRE.
What factors should I consider beyond test scores when applying to graduate programs?
When applying for a graduate programme, it is necessary to consider a wide range of programmes, such as:
- Undergraduate GPA
- letters of recommendation
- experience into research
- personal attainment or statement of purpose
- experience into research
- work experience in the relevant field.
- In activities where you have demonstrated leadership roles, teamwork would be an added advantage.
- financial considerations
- Career opportunities
What type of questions does the GRE and GMAT have?
The Verbal part of the GRE consists of Reading Comprehension, Discrete questions, and AWA. This AWA consists of two types of essays, one issue essay and one argument essay, while the Quantitative section consists of Problem Solving the Verbal section of the GMAT includes Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning and AWA. Quantitative includes Problem Solving and Data sufficiency.
How much emphasis do GRE and GMAT place on quantitative vs verbal reasoning skills?
The GRE and GMAT focus on their respective parts, which focus on qualitative as well as quantitative skills.
- Both have a significant impact on quantitative skills. Coming to the GMAT, the quantitative part is considered more challenging as it is tailored as per the business programs. The GRE also covers a broader range of mathematical topics at a medical level.
- The GRE as well as the GMAT place a strong focus on verbal reasoning in different ways. The GRE focuses on vocabulary and reading comprehension, whereas the GMAT focuses on critical thinking and grammatical correctness in a business context.
What are the best resources for studying for the GRE vs GMAT test?
When preparing for GRE or GMAT tests, having access to high-quality resources is of utmost importance.
- On the official website of GRE, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) provides official material for GRE, including practice tests, sample questions, and yes-taking strategies.
- Take full-length practice tests under timed conditions.
- Also, there are a lot of websites that give online tests for both the GRE and the GMAT
GMAT:
- There are practice tests that are arranged by the Graduate management admissions council (GMAC).
- There are reference books such as GMAT quantitative and verbal review guides that contain practice questions and detailed explanations.
How many questions appear on the GRE and GMAT exam?
The GRE has a total of 100 questions, which is inclusive of the experimental section, however only 80 questions out of the given 100 are graded. The Verbal and Quantitative section both consist of 40 questions each. The GMAT has a total of 78 questions, verbal has 41 questions with a total of 75 minutes allotted for this section, while quantitative has 37questions with a similar time frame.
Are there any official practice tests available for the GRE and GMAT?
GRE practice tests are available through the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test includes two free official practice tests and three paid official practice tests. Coming to GRE specifically, the practice tests are available and are named Power Prep Online on the Education Testing Service (ETS) for both free and a fee. Coming to GMAT, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) offers free GMAT Prep software. This is a full-length practice test that simulates the actual GMAT. Also, there are additional practice tests on purchase, which is an extended range of practice to help takers prepare more thoroughly.
How is the GRE and GMAT scored?
The GRE is scored out of a total of 340 and is broken down into Verbal (170) and Quant (170) Essays are not included in this score, each essay is graded out of 6, but an average of both essays is taken.
The GMAT is scored between a range of 200-800 overall; each section is further sub-scored on a scale of 0-60. Here the Analytical Writing is scored on a total of 6.
How is the GRE and GMAT different?
GRE is a section adaptive test. It means if you have solved a section correctly, the next section will have a higher difficulty level. The GMAT in turn is a question adaptive test. A correct answer increases the level of difficulty for the next question, and an incorrect answer will lead to a less difficult question.
How much time should I dedicate to studying for the GRE vs GMAT?
The amount of time taken to study the GRE and GMAT varies depending on the ability, skill set, and familiarity of the test format. However, here is the standard time you can dedicate: GRE: On average, it is advised to plan and dedicate 2 to 3 months of study. Start with action tests and focus on verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. GMAT: You may allocate 3 to 4 months for the preparation. Focus on Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning.
Are there any graduate programs that accept both GRE and GMAT scores?
Yes, there are graduate programmes that accept both GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) scores for admission. This is most commonly seen in business schools. Below are the programmes accepting both the GRE and the GMAT.
- MBA
- Master of Finance and Master of Accounting Programmes
- Master of Public Policy and Public Administration Programmes
- Dual-degree programmes related to management or business
Which test, GRE or GMAT, is better suited for my desired graduate program?
Appearing for a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) would totally depend on your desired field of choice and the specific requirements of the program. Here is how you can make an informed decision regarding the GRE and GMAT:
GRE:
- GRE is accepted in a variety of fields, such as business, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and engineering.
- The GRE is accepted by most of the graduate fields.
GMAT:
- GMAT is accepted by top business schools.
- Preferred by most of the business's specialised fields