Many think of the GMAT as a business-focused exam and the GRE as more general, but that is actually an outdated notion - all top 25 business schools now accept the GRE. When choosing between the GRE vs. GMAT, you should now consider the other features of the test and testing pool to give yourself the best chance of success. Here are three reasons why the GRE is a better option:
1. The GRE only requires math, not logical reasoning
One of the hardest parts of the GMAT quantitative sections is logical reasoning, in which you have to answer questions that combine logic questions with math. The GRE has no such questions, and this makes the test itself easier and also gives you one less thing to have to study as you prepare for the exam.
2. The GRE can be used for any program
Not sure whether you want to be an MBA or a specialized master's degree in your field of work? With the GRE, you only need to prepare for one exam and your results will be applicable to any program.
3. The GRE has a less punishing adaptive format
Both the GRE and GMAT are "adaptive tests", which means they get more or less difficult depending on how you do on previous questions. The GMAT adapts every question, which means it can ramp up in difficulty very quickly if you get a lot of questions right. The subsequent questions can be very difficult and it takes a lot of time and energy to prepare for them on the chance you get to see them. On the other hand, the GRE only adapts after each section, so the question difficulty varies a lot less. This makes it easier for you to prepare for and you'll more consistently prepare for the questions you'll actually see on the exam.
4. It is easier to get into a top business school with the GRE
Below, we list some of the top business schools in the world and their GMAT and GRE percentile scores. As you can see, most of these programs have a considerable gap in percentiles, meaning that you only need to be in the top 15% of applicant GRE scores to have a median chance of getting into UPenn Wharton, vs. a top 4% score for the GMAT.
Getting a top score on the GRE can dramatically improve your chances of being accepted by top universities. Below are the percentile cutoffs for GRE scores based on data from the makers of the GRE, ETS.org:
| Percentile | Quantitative | Verbal | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99th | 170 | 169 | 6.0 |
| 90th | 167 | 162 | 5.0 |
| 80th | 162 | 158 | 4.5 |
| 70th | 159 | 155 | |
| 60th | 156 | 153 | 4.0 |
| 50th | 153 | 151 |
The GRE takes about four hours to complete including breaks. There are seven sections: two essays and five quantitative and verbal sections, one of which will be an unscored "research" section. You always take the two essay sections first, then there will either be a verbal or quantitative section third and they alternate between verbal and quantitative after that. This means you'll be taking three of one type (i.e. verbal or quantitative), and two of the other. The unscored research section is always the type you're taking three sections of. There is a 10-minute break following the third section.
Matt personally studied for the GRE without internet connection in the Atlas Mountains. If that piques your interest, you're welcome to ask him how that went! He loves telling a good story. Feel free to contact him directly at Apply Confidently.
