The GRE General vs GMAT: Similarities and Differences

The GRE General and GMAT are two of the most popular standardized tests for graduate school admission. While the GRE General is commonly used for admission into a wide variety of master’s and doctoral programs, the GMAT is specifically designed for admission into graduate business programs. If you’re trying to decide which test to take for your graduate business school application, it’s important to understand the similarities and differences between the two tests.

Similarities:

1. Both tests measure verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills.
2. Both tests are computer adaptive, meaning that the difficulty level of the questions adjusts based on your performance.
3. Both tests are widely accepted by graduate programs, including business schools.

Differences:

1. Test Structure: The GRE General is structured in six sections, with two verbal, two quantitative, one analytical writing, and one unscored research section. The GMAT, on the other hand, is structured in four sections, with one verbal, one quantitative, one integrated reasoning, and one analytical writing section.
2. Content: While both tests measure similar skills, the GRE General places more emphasis on vocabulary and reading comprehension, while the GMAT places more emphasis on data sufficiency and critical reasoning.
3. Scoring: The GRE General is scored on a scale of 130-170 for verbal and quantitative sections, and 0-6 for analytical writing. The GMAT is scored on a scale of 0-60 for verbal and quantitative sections, and 0-6 for analytical writing.
4. Business School Requirement: While many business schools accept both the GRE General and GMAT, some schools may have a preference or requirement for one test over the other. It’s important to check with the specific schools you’re applying to for their test requirements.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, the decision to take the GRE General or GMAT depends on your individual circumstances and goals. If you’re applying to a graduate business program, the GMAT may be the better choice, while the GRE General may be a better fit for other graduate programs. Be sure to research the specific requirements of the programs you’re applying to and weigh the similarities and differences of each test before making your decision.