What are the key differences between GMAT and GRE? 

Many students seek to study abroad to get a higher education and establish a brighter future. While earning solid academic background is crucial, clearing entrance tests is an equally important admission. Writing the GMAT or GREs is vital to looking at globally acceptable business colleges.  

However, very few know the distinction between the GRE and the GMAT! 

The GRE is the Graduate Record Examinations, whereas the GMAT is the Graduate  Management Admission Test. 

The primary distinction between the GMAT and GRE is that the GMAT is utilized for business school admissions. At the same time, the GRE is used for admittance to various graduate schools, including business schools. 

GRE and GMAT enable colleges to examine the talents and abilities of students in numerous variables such as abstract reasoning, mathematics, and more. But there is always uncertainty about whether to study the GMAT or GRE?. Thus to assist you better,  this blog contains all crucial data linked to GRE versus GMAT. 

Before you can answer popular questions such as which is difficult, the GMAT or the GRE,  or what is the difference between the GRE verbal section and the GMAT verbal section,  let’s examine the fundamental distinctions between these two examinations;

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GRE vs. GMAT eligibility requirements 

There are no hard and fast rules when appearing for the GMAT or GRE. Both,  however, must meet a certain standard, such as: 

• There is no specified age limit. Permission from a parent is required for students under the age of 18 years to appear for the test. 

• An undergraduate degree is required. 

• Applicants should have a valid passport. 

GRE Vs. GMAT Curriculum Summary  

There are particular distinctions between the GRE and GMAT curriculum. The topics will be different depending on the test areas you choose to study for. We’ve put together a  curriculum summary for both courses to understand better.

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Section-wise comparision:  

1. Verbal Section 

GMAT: 

It evaluates your ability to interpret written content, analyze arguments, and find and rectify mistakes. Following are the types of questions included; 

• Read a passage and answer questions about it. Many questions urge you to draw inferences from reading or assessing an argument. It is referred to as reading comprehension. 

• Reading questions start with a brief paragraph. The paragraph is followed by a question that demands analysis and application. Critical reading sections are shorter and may contain facts you must interpret. 

• Part or all of a sentence is highlighted in these questions. Under the statement are five possibilities to reword the highlighted piece, with the first echoing the original. You’ll pick the correct answer. This quiz tests grammar and communication. 

GRE: 

GRE Verbal Reasoning tests your ability to analyze and make inferences from written excerpts, identify essential points in texts, summarise passages, and interpret words, phrases, and whole quotes. Following are the types of  questions included; 

• You’ll be given a text and asked big picture and detailed questions. It is referred to as reading comprehension. 

• These questions have a brief section with one or more blanks. You’ll get a  list of words to fill each space; choose the best one and complete the text.

• You’ll be given one sentence with a blank and six response alternatives. You must select two choices that both fit the phrase and have the same meaning, referred to as sentence equivalence questions. 

2. Quantitative Section 

GRE and GMAT quantitative parts cover comparable math ideas but in distinct ways. 

GMAT: 

There are two sub-sections, Quantitative and Integrated Reasoning. They assess math skills in the GMAT. 

Firstly, Quantitative Section includes problem-solving and data sufficiency problems. In Problem Solving, you may have to solve equations, understand graphs, or assess data. They’re like other standardized math problems. And in data sufficiency, you’ll be given a question and two statements. One, both,  or neither statement may answer the question; you must select the answer accordingly. 

Secondly, the Integrated Reasoning Section assesses quantitative skills, including visual interpretation, two-part analysis, table analysis, and multi-source reasoning. Each tests your ability to evaluate and comprehend facts to solve challenges. 

GRE: 

In GRE, the quantitative section measures these skills such as Algebra, Arithmetic,  Statistics, and Geometry. Most questions are multiple-choice, although there may be numeric entry questions where you must enter the exact answer. Quantitative Comparison questions may also be included. You’ll be provided  Quantities A and B, and you will have to determine their relationship. 

3. Analytical Writing 

The essay sections of the GMAT and GRE are pretty identical. The themes are selected at random from a large pool. You have 30 minutes to complete each essay. In addition, the evaluation criteria and techniques are practically identical. The primary distinction is that the GRE requires two essays, whereas the GMAT needs one. 

GMAT: 

The GMAT essay, also known as the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA),  assesses your critical thinking and communication skills. You will be required to write an essay analyzing the logic behind a specific argument. You have 30

minutes to compose the essay. There are no particular length limitations for the  GMAT essay. Though it should be comprehensive. 

GRE: 

The GRE essay tests your ability to clearly explain complex concepts, investigate assertions and evidence, support ideas with relevant arguments, and maintain a  well-focused, cohesive analysis and your knowledge of standard written English. There is no evaluation of particular subject knowledge in this section. 

Unlike the GMAT, there are two analytical writing tasks, each with a time  limit of 30 minutes; “Analyze an Issue” and “Analyze an Argument.” 

• The “Analyze an Issue” challenge tests your ability to think critically on a  broad interest issue and write coherently about it. The Issue task gives a general viewpoint. There are guidelines on how to reply. You must analyze the topic and argue with reasoning and examples. You must say your stance. 

• The “Analyze an Argument” task requires you to assess a provided argument. Instead of agreeing or disagreeing with the argument’s position, seek logical weaknesses.  

4. Integrated Reasoning 

There are 12 integrated reasoning problems on the GMAT. Information supplied in graphs and tables must be synthesized, combined, and manipulated. GRE  doesn’t have any such section. 

Let us now analyze the differences as per vital components of the test: 

• Question/section adaptiveness 

The GMAT is adaptive for each question. If you answer a question correctly, the next question will be somewhat more challenging. 

In contrast, the GRE is section-adaptive. There are two sub-sections inside a part,  for example, verbal; if you answer the first sub-section correctly, the second sub-section will be more challenging. 

• Revisiting previously answered questions 

Because of the question-adaptive structure, you can’t skip, go back, or revise your answers in the GMAT.  

On the other hand, GRE does not impose any such limitations; you can hop over the previously answered questions. 

• Vocabulary expectations: 

The GRE is a word-heavy test. An average Indian test-taker is likely to encounter words they have never heard of during the exam. Developing a GRE-specific vocabulary during the training period is critical.

The GMAT primarily evaluates your critical reasoning and comprehension abilities through readings and sentence correction problems. Your vocabulary isn’t a big deal to it. 

• Usage of a calculator to solve Quant: 

You can use a calculator on the quant section of the GRE. Due to the nature of many of the questions on the GMAT, there is no provision for this. 

Scoring 

To comprehend how to score conversions function, it is essential to deconstruct how each exam’s scores are scaled. 

On the GRE, your score might range anywhere from 260 to 340. Scores on the GMAT range from 200 to 800. The results of each test are broken down here for your convenience. 

Sections

GMAT  

Scoring Scale

GRE Scoring  Scale

Integrated Reasoning 

1-8

Not  

Applicable

Analytical Writing 

0-6 

0-6

Verbal 

0-60 

130-170

Quanitative 

0-60 

130-170

Total Score(Combined) 

200-800 

260-340

The GRE, where each section ranges from 130 to 170 points. The range of total GRE scores is from 260 to 340. “Perfect” would be a score of 170 on the Quantitative section and 170  on the Verbal section, for a total score of 340. 

The GMAT composite score can vary anywhere from 200 to 800. However, this only accounts for the Quantitative and Verbal sections of the exam; Integrated Reasoning and the Analytical Writing Assessment are graded separately. The number of questions answered correctly is converted into a point total ranging from 200 to  800. 

GRE vs. GMAT toughness level 

How challenging is the GRE compared to the GMAT for students? What’s the simplest one? Here’s a quick outline to help you better understand this question:

• If you want to succeed, you must realize that the GRE and GMAT are aptitude examinations to see if you’re up to the task. Consequently, both tests are challenging. As for GMAT vs. GRE, many exam takers say the GRE is simpler. 

• On the other hand, because of the difficult Quantitative part, many applicants believe the GMAT is more complicated. The verbal component of the GRE is also challenging for most students to score well on because of the high demand for solid vocabulary. 

Some students may struggle with the GRE’s Verbal component, while others may struggle with the GMAT’s Mathematical sections. 

Final Note  

Although most business school candidates prefer the GMAT to the GRE, business schools frequently accept GRE scores as part of their admissions criteria. As a result, you may choose the test which best reflects your academic skills. The  GRE is acceptable for many if you’re contemplating graduate schools or want choices. If you’re committed to business school, take the GMAT. The GMAT may be better if your quantitative abilities are stronger than your verbal talents.  

Consider the GRE if you are a strong writer. The GRE might be more difficult for non-native English speakers because of the language used. The GRE structure lets you flip around and reread your answers if you like. Some exam takers may feel more confident as a result of this. Lastly, Some employers, especially the investment and business consulting firms, require GMAT scores when applying for jobs. If you have certain employers in mind,  taking the GMAT before business school might save you time later. 

I hope this blog has helped you comprehend the difference between GMAT and GRE. All the very best for your preparation and exam.

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