GMAT vs. GRE: Which exam is right for you?
Table of contents
- 1. The GRE only requires math, not logical reasoning
- 2. The GRE is equally good for business school
- 3. It is easier to get into a top business school with the GRE
- 4. The GRE can be used for any program
- 5. The GRE has a less punishing adaptive format
- 6. The GRE is better for test anxiety
- 7. ETS’ ScoreSelect® feature lets you hand-pick where you submit your GRE scores
- 8. The GRE is cheaper
- Conclusion: The GRE is the best option, even if you’re applying to an MBA program
When deciding between the GMAT vs. GRE, most resources you find will not give you a definitive answer. Many think of the GMAT as a business-focused exam and the GRE as more general, but that is actually an outdated notion: all top 25 business schools now accept the GRE.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 consider the other features of the test and testing pool to give yourself the best chance of success. Here are eight reasons why the GRE is a better option.
1. The GRE only requires math, not logical reasoning
One of the most challenging aspects of the GMAT math section is its emphasis on logical reasoning, where you must solve questions that blend mathematics with advanced logic concepts. Unlike the GMAT math section, the GRE math does not include these integrated logic problems. As a result, many test-takers find the GRE math section more approachable, making exam preparation for the GRE more straightforward and saving valuable study time.
According to experts, GRE math truly is less difficult compared to GMAT math. US News references Dan Edmonds, a test-prep tutor from IvyWise: “Students with stronger math skills may want to take the GMAT,” he notes. Because GMAT math involves harder quantitative questions, the applicant pool often contains other math experts, making the scoring curve steep and competition fierce.
The differences extend beyond question difficulty. The GRE exam only includes one math section, Quantitative Reasoning, while GMAT math consists of two separate sections: Integrated Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. Preparing for the GMAT requires mastering both types of quantitative questions and studying multiple problem sets. For top scores, tackling both GMAT math sections demands greater effort than the single-format approach of GRE math.
2. The GRE is equally good for business school
All of the top 25 business schools in the United States now accept both the GMAT and GRE for MBA admissions, making the choice between GMAT vs GRE for MBA applicants more relevant than ever. In fact, 90% of leading business schools across the US and Europe now welcome either exam. So, if you’re preparing your application for an MBA program, chances are strong that both the GMAT and GRE are accepted options.
Universities today are highly motivated to treat MBA candidates equally, largely due to concerns about fairness and potential legal issues in admissions decisions. As Andrea, a former Harvard Business School Admissions Officer, points out: “The majority of applicants historically have favored the GMAT, but HBS has no preference for one over the other.”
This neutrality has contributed to a significant increase in MBA applicants opting for the GRE instead of the GMAT. According to the popular website Poets & Quants, the percentage of GRE test scores submitted at the top 25 business schools more than doubled from 13.5% in 2019 to 27.8% in 2020. This trend highlights the shifting landscape of GMAT vs GRE for MBA admissions.
Below is a table showcasing MBA programs with the largest increases in GRE submissions relative to the GMAT between 2019 and 2021, a clear sign of momentum in the GMAT vs. GRE for MBA debate:
P&Q Rank | School | % GRE 2019 | % GRE 2020 | 2-Year Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
8 | UC Berkeley (Haas) | 21% | 35% | +14% |
9 | Dartmouth (Tuck) | 21% | 39% | +18% |
14 | Duke (Fuqua) | 23% | 38% | +15% |
24 | Georgetown (McDonough) | 43% | 54% | +11% |
27 | Notre Dame (Mendoza) | 24% | 37% | +13% |
29 | Washington (Olin) | 49% | 71% | +22% |
35 | Ohio State (Fisher) | 35% | 53% | +18% |
37 | Pittsburgh (Katz) | 34% | 58% | +24% |
Source: Poets & Quants
Looking at five-year trends provides even more perspective on how quickly the landscape has shifted regarding GMAT vs GRE for MBA admissions. For many top programs, the rise in GRE submissions is dramatic, especially over the past two years:
P&Q Rank | School | % GRE 2016 | % GRE 2020 | 5-Year Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
9 | Dartmouth (Tuck) | 13% | 39% | +26% |
11 | Virginia (Darden) | 8% | 28% | +20% |
13 | Michigan (Ross) | 14% | 37% | +23% |
14 | Duke (Fuqua) | 11% | 38% | +27% |
20 | Texas (McCombs) | 18% | 38% | +20% |
21 | Washington (Foster) | 6% | 27% | +21% |
24 | Georgetown (McDonough) | 22% | 54% | +32% |
27 | Notre Dame (Mendoza) | 11% | 37% | +26% |
29 | Washington (Olin) | 34% | 71% | +37% |
31 | Minnesota (Carlson) | 16% | 36% | +20% |
35 | Ohio State (Fisher) | 23% | 53% | +30% |
37 | Pittsburgh (Katz) | 22% | 58% | +36% |
39 | Florida (Warrington) | 23% | 45% | +22% |
Source: Poets & Quants
As Danielle Richie from UNC notes in Poets & Quants, “We’ve seen an increase in GRE test-takers, and expect that to continue.” Many admissions officers and consultants agree that the importance of choosing between GMAT and GRE for MBA programs continues to grow, and the GRE is now firmly established as a credible alternative for MBA admissions.
3. It is easier to get into a top business school with the GRE
Probably the most important, and often overlooked, factor when deciding between the GMAT vs. GRE is understanding the competition and how your test scores are evaluated. When you receive a GMAT score or GRE test score, you’re not just being assessed in isolation; both exams use scaled scoring, which means your results are normalized against the performance of everyone else who took that version of the test. This process, sometimes referred to as grading “on a curve,” ensures fairness if one exam session proves harder or easier than others. However, it also means that the pool of test-takers for each exam directly impacts your GRE score percentiles and GMAT score percentiles, influencing how your results compare during MBA admissions.
From a scoring perspective, the GRE score range is broader, and the quantitative section is generally less challenging compared to the GMAT. As a result, applicants with strong but not exceptional math skills may find it easier to achieve higher average GRE scores and stand out in the GRE score percentiles. You might assume that top business schools set higher standards for GRE applicants. In reality, the opposite is often true, offering a competitive edge to those who submit GRE test scores.
Below is a comparison of the fifteen leading business schools in the U.S in 2020., as ranked by US News, showing their typical GMAT score chart percentiles versus average GRE percentiles for admitted students. The data reveal a notable gap: at most elite MBA programs, achieving a median offer requires being in the top 15% of GRE scores compared to the top 4% for GMAT scores. Not only does the GRE quant section tend to be more approachable, but you also need a comparatively lower percentile to be competitive at top schools. This provides a significant advantage for many applicants evaluating GMAT vs. GRE for MBA admissions.
University | Percentile: GMAT | Percentile: GRE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | 96% | 85% | -11% |
Stanford University (GSB) | 96% | 91% | -5% |
Harvard University (HBS) | 96% | 88% | -8% |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) | 96% | 88% | -8% |
University of Chicago (Booth) | 96% | 88% | -8% |
Columbia University (CBS) | 96% | 85% | -11% |
Northwestern University (Kellogg) | 96% | 85% | -11% |
University of California - Berkeley (Haas) | 96% | 84% | -12% |
Yale University (SOM) | 94% | 91% | -3% |
Duke University (Fuqua) | 89% | 78% | -11% |
University of Michigan (Ross) | 94% | 85% | -9% |
Dartmouth University (Tuck) | 94% | 85% | -9% |
New York University (Stern) | 94% | 85% | -9% |
University of Virginia (Darden) | 92% | 81% | -11% |
Cornell University (Johnson) | 89% | 80% | -9% |
Average | 94% | 85% | -9% |
The average difference between GMAT and GRE score percentiles at these top-15 business schools is about 9%. This gap highlights how selecting between the GMAT vs. GRE can impact your chances, requiring a lower percentile on the GRE to reach the same median standing as a higher percentile on the GMAT.
Additionally, admissions trends indicate that reporting practices may further benefit GRE applicants. According to Jenna, a former NYU Admissions Officer at Stacy Blackman Consulting, “We did not have to report GRE scores to the ranking agencies, so we were much more willing to ‘dip’ in test scores if the candidate took the GRE instead of the GMAT.” This suggests that if your overall application is strong, submitting a lower GRE test score may be less detrimental than submitting a lower GMAT score.
Knowing what is a good GRE score and what are good GRE scores for top MBA programs can give you a strategic advantage. By considering the nuances of the GRE score range, average GRE scores at leading schools, and how your results fit into GRE percentile rankings, you can make an informed decision about which test best supports your MBA application goals.
4. The GRE can be used for any program
If you’re considering both MBA programs and specialized master’s degrees, the GRE offers unmatched flexibility. The GRE, administered by ETS, allows you to submit one standardized test score to a wide range of graduate programs, whether you’re applying to business schools or other graduate disciplines. This advantage means you can save significant time, effort, and money by focusing on a single exam rather than preparing for multiple tests.
The GRE covers major skills such as verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing, all components that are valued across diverse academic paths. Additionally, knowing GRE test dates in advance helps streamline your application timeline, so you can target programs efficiently. By taking the GRE, you maximize your chances of acceptance into your top-choice schools without limiting your options due to test requirements.
5. The GRE has a less punishing adaptive format
Both the GRE format and the GMAT test are considered adaptive tests, meaning the difficulty of the exam adjusts based on your performance on previous questions. The GMAT format is unique because it adapts the difficulty level with every single question, allowing the GMAT test to quickly become more challenging if you answer several questions correctly. This can make preparing for the GMAT test particularly demanding, especially when focusing on advanced GMAT math problems and complex reasoning tasks you might encounter if you perform well early on. From my own experience as a GMAT test-taker, I found that preparing for these higher-difficulty questions could be distracting. I spent significant time studying advanced topics that never appeared on my actual GMAT test, simply because I didn’t answer enough of the initial, easier questions correctly to reach those tougher ones.
In contrast, the GRE format adapts only after each section, which results in less variation in question difficulty throughout the exam. This consistency in what is on the GRE means that candidates can focus their preparation on a more predictable range of content and question types. The overall scope of what is tested on the GRE is narrower, making it less overwhelming to study and ensuring you spend your time preparing for questions you are more likely to encounter. As a result, many test takers find that the GRE format provides a more manageable and focused exam experience compared to the constantly shifting challenge of the GMAT test.
6. The GRE is better for test anxiety
Unlike the GMAT, the GRE allows you to save and return to questions on each section of the exam. This can help make the test-taking experience less stressful for many test takers. Both the GRE and GMAT are timed exams, so moving quickly through the questions makes a big difference.
On the GMAT, because it adapts after each question, you can’t skip, which means you might spend more time than you’d like on a tricky question. While you’re doing that, you’re worried about whether you’re even going to get it right (and if you don’t, you’ve just wasted that precious extra time), and even if you do get it right, you won’t know until the end and will still need to finish the remaining questions in less time.
On the GRE, skipping questions means you can quickly diagnose and move on from questions that you know are more challenging. You can focus on nailing the easy questions quickly first, then go back and know exactly how much time you have to finish the remaining, more difficult questions. This makes for a much less stressful test-taking experience that you can approach strategically rather than through brute force.
7. ETS’ ScoreSelect® feature lets you hand-pick where you submit your GRE scores
The GMAT test is well known for its strict score reporting policies, as every official GMAT score report sent to business schools will include all GMAT scores you’ve submitted within the past five years. This means admissions committees will see your full GMAT score chart anytime you apply, including each of your attempts. The GMAT format offers little flexibility in presenting your best performance, making it essential to understand how your GMAT score or even a single test result might impact your application.
By contrast, the GRE gives test-takers much more control through the ETS ScoreSelect® program. On the day of your GRE test, you can choose to send just your “Most Recent” scores or “All” scores within the GRE score range. After your test date, you also have the option to select which GRE test scores to send: Most Recent, All, or ANY from your available results for a modest fee. This system lets you strategically submit higher GRE scores depending on the program, greatly enhancing your application compared to the more rigid system of the GMAT test.
GRE test takers also benefit from being able to decide on a per-school basis which score reports to send, making the selection process far more applicant-friendly. The GMAT does not allow this level of customization; every score and essay from the past five years is reported every time. For those aiming for competitive graduate programs, understanding the differences in GRE and GMAT score reporting is a vital part of your preparation and application strategy.
8. The GRE is cheaper
If all that wasn’t enough, the GRE offers the additional advantage of being more affordable than the GMAT test. The GRE cost is $205 for each attempt, making the exam more accessible for many candidates. In comparison, taking the GMAT comes with a higher cost: each GMAT test attempt is $275. These fees can increase if you schedule either the GRE or GMAT outside the United States. However, the GRE pricing remains lower and never matches the minimum GMAT cost. This price difference, combined with factors like convenient GRE test dates and flexibility in score reporting, leads many applicants to consider the GRE test over the GMAT when choosing which exam to take for graduate or business school applications.
Conclusion: The GRE is the best option, even if you’re applying to an MBA program
The GRE exam features a quantitative section that is generally considered less challenging than the GMAT, making it more approachable for many test-takers. When comparing GMAT vs. GRE, many students find the GRE easier to prepare for and more flexible, as GRE test scores are accepted for any graduate program worldwide.
GRE vs. GMAT for MBA admissions is now a common consideration, with top business schools viewing a strong GRE score as equally competitive as a GMAT score. Additionally, choosing the GRE puts you in a less competitive applicant pool for business school admissions, giving you a strategic advantage when submitting your GRE score for these programs.
With more students recognizing these benefits, there has been a significant shift from the GMAT to the GRE exam. Understanding what is on the GRE, how long is the GRE, and knowing what good GRE scores can help you approach your application with confidence. Achieving a high GRE score can open doors to prestigious graduate business programs.
If you’re searching for a comprehensive GRE study program designed to maximize your potential and improve your GRE test scores, explore Achievable’s GRE course for free. Discover if our adaptive methodology fits your learning style and helps you target what a good GRE score is for your goals.
