The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are two of the most widely used standardized tests for admission to postgraduate programs in the United States and Europe. Both tests are designed to evaluate a candidate’s analytical thinking skills, but they differ in terms of format and grading system. The GMAT and GRE are used to evaluate and compare candidates from all over the world. Let’s take a closer look at their differences.
The type of graduate degree that a student is interested in pursuing determines which test is more appropriate: this is the main difference between the two tests.
The GMAT is designed for students who are interested in MBAs or other graduate programs related to Business Administration. It assesses a student’s ability to succeed in a business school and includes questions that examine skills such as analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning.
The GRE, on the other hand, is a more general test that is used to assess skills relevant to a broader spectrum of graduate degrees. It can evaluate a student’s ability to successfully navigate a wide range of subject areas, such as the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities. In the GRE, students are examined in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.
It is important to note that there are graduate programs that will accept either test, if the program focuses on a field where the two tests overlap.
Structure
The GMAT and GRE also differ in terms of their format.
The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, which means that the level of difficulty of the questions is adjusted to the candidate’s performance in previous questions. The level of difficulty is adapted per question in the Data Insights, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning sections. The two latter sections evaluate a candidate’s ability to solve complex mathematical problems, as well as comprehend and analyze language questions while the Data Insights section evaluates candidates’ ability to assess data from multiple sources.
The GRE is also a computer-adaptive test. However, in this case, the questions’ level of difficulty is adjusted per question unit. All students receive questions at the same level of difficulty for the first unit, while subsequent units’ difficulty is adapted based on their performance in the initial unit. The GRE comprises five units: two Verbal Reasoning, two Quantitative Reasoning and one Analytical Writing.
Grading system
The grading system is yet another difference between the GMAT and GRE.
The GMAT’s grading scale ranges from 205 to 805; the higher the score, the better the candidate’s performance.
In contrast, the GRE’s grading scale ranges from 130 to 170 for the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections, and a separate score is awarded to the Analytical Writing section on a scale from 0 to 6.
The grading systems of the GMAT and GRE can be confusing, so it’s important to understand the way in which grades are calculated by the algorithm. The factors that affect the overall grade are the number of correct answers given by a candidate; the level of difficulty of the questions that were answered, whether correctly or incorrectly; and, statistically, the comparative performance of a candidate in certain questions, compared to the other candidates.
Validity
The GMAT and GRE results are only valid for a certain period of time, after which they can no longer be used as part of an application to graduate programs.
The GMAT’s score is valid for up to 5 years after the date of the examination. This means that you need to submit your application in the 5 years after receiving your GMAT results, otherwise you will have to retake the exam to receive a new, valid score.
The same is the case for the GRE: test results are valid for up to 5 years after the examination date. If you do not submit your university applications within this 5 year time frame, you will need to take the exam again to receive a new, valid score.
Please note that some universities or specific graduate programs may have special policies with regard to how long test scores are considered valid (for instance, they may consider results valid for only 2 years after the date of the exam, instead of 5). It is always advisable to make sure you understand and have the correct information about the programs you are considering applying to.
Cost
The cost of taking the GMAT and GRE is different. At the time of writing, taking the GMAT costs approximately €275, while taking the GRE costs €220. However, the cost of the examination may vary depending on factors such as your location, so contact the test center of your choice to find out the most updated information.
Which test should I choose?
Deciding between the GMAT and the GRE is contingent on the graduate program that you are interested in applying to. If you wish to pursue a Master’s related to management, such as an MBA, the GMAT is usually the required exam. However, some business schools also accept the GRE, so it is worth it to check the specific requirements of the school you’re applying to.
If you are interested in a graduate degree that is not in the field of business, such as psychology or a technical school (e.g. Engineering), then the GRE is the more appropriate choice. As mentioned previously, the GRE is a general test designed to evaluate a student’s ability to thrive in a broad range of subject areas.
It’s important to do your research and determine which exam is either required or preferred by the graduate programs you intend to apply to.
Both the GMAT and GRE are examinations that require rigorous preparation, as well as dedicated study time on the part of the student. It is important to approach the exam with a clear study plan and familiarize yourself with the types of questions you can expect. With the right guidance and mindset, you can be sure to succeed in either exam and get one step closer to being admitted to the graduate program of your choice.
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