Many think of the GMAT as a business-focused exam and the GRE as more general, but that is actually an outdated notion - all top 25 business schools now accept the GRE.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.
The GRE is a standardized test for all types of graduate schools, including business and law schools. It is created and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).
The GRE exam is hosted by ETS and costs $220 to register. Participants have 3 hours 45 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 essays.
Two essays prompts, 30min each
- "Analyze an Issue" task
- "Analyze an Argument" task
Two sections, 30min each
- 20 questions per section
Two sections, 35min each
- 20 questions per section
One section, 35min
- Either Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning
- 20 questions
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
Analytical Writing | Two essays prompts, 30min each
|
Verbal Reasoning | Two sections, 30min each
|
Quantitative Reasoning | Two sections, 35min each
|
Research | One section, 35min
|
The Analytical Writing section will always be first. The first 20-question section will be randomly determined; however, the subsequent sections will alternate thereafter. So whatever section you see first, you'll get three of. The unscored research section will be one of those three sections.
The GRE is an adaptive test. This means that it changes in response to student performance. Unlike the GMAT (which is adaptive by question), the GRE is adaptive by section. As a result the number of questions you answer correctly on your first graded verbal or quant section will determine how difficult your second graded verbal or quant section will be. Provoking harder second sections is rewarded with 'free' scaled points and access to the top-percentile scores.
While ETS does mention a paper-based test taking option for the GRE, unless you live in an extremely remote part of the world or you have an explicit accommodation from ETS, you should expect to sit for the computer-based exam. And while this has historically meant that students must take the GRE at a secure testing center, ETS recently relaxed its regulations, allowing students to sit for the exam at home. This process involves certain technical requirements and engaging a virtual proctor; however, this change gives students an unprecedented amount of control over where and when they take the test.
The Quantitative Reasoning section measures your ability to:
- understand, interpret and analyze quantitative information
- solve problems using mathematical models
- apply basic skills and elementary concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis
The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to:
- analyze and draw conclusions from discourse; reason from incomplete data; identify author's assumptions and/or perspective; understand multiple levels of meaning, such as literal, figurative and author's intent
- select important points; distinguish major from minor or irrelevant points; summarize text; understand the structure of a text
- understand the meanings of words, sentences and entire texts; understand relationships among words and among concepts
The Analytical Writing section measures your ability to:
- articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
- support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
- examine claims and accompanying evidence
- sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
- control the elements of standard written English
A brief introduction to Achievable GRE.
You'll need a robust vocabulary to get a high score on the GRE. Achievable's learning engine helps you learn and review GRE vocabulary words so you'll remember them on exam day.
We explain each principle tested in various contexts so that you can quickly internalize the many quant principles tested in the GRE. We also offer a practically endless bank of randomizable practice problems that have been crafted to accurately imitate the exam.
We teach you the strategies you need to attack each question type while focusing on the nuances and motifs ETS likes to stress. Each of our meticulously crafted verbal questions includes a robust explanation.
We give you a gameplan for both essay types, so you can be completely prepared before the exam even starts. Our highly accurate machine-learning automated scorer grades your practice essays very similarly to ETS's e-rater, so you can accurately evaluate your skills.
GRE resources
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. For 1-on-1 tutoring, feel free to book a lesson with him directly.
