While a significant number of schools, including the University of Michigan (Ross), UCLA (Anderson), and Washington University in St. Louis, do not require GMAT or GRE scores for their full-time MBA programs, taking either the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) can be a great way to strengthen your application, no matter if your dream school requires either exam. However, where it can get confusing for applicants to figure out which test to even take.

Applicants have a tough decision in picking whether the GMAT or GRE will emphasize their strengths and increase the chances of acceptance into their desired MBA programs. Here’s what you need to know about the two tests, and how they will factor into your application process. 

What is the GMAT?

The GMAT is the standardized test specifically designed for business school. It is developed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and has been used for over 70 years to help schools gauge candidate readiness. Nowadays, practically every MBA program accepts results from the test—with many requiring students to submit all results as part of their application.

• Minimum score: 205
• Maximum score: 805
• Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Sections: Quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data insights
• U.S. Cost: $275 (test center); $300 (online)

What is the GRE?

The GRE is a standardized test used for admission into graduate schools across disciplines. The test is developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS)—the same group that runs the English language proficiency exam TOEFL. Most business schools accept GRE exam scores.

• Minimum score: 130 (reasoning)
• Maximum score: 170 (reasoning)
• Time: 1 hour and 58 minutes
• Sections: Quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and analytical writing
• U.S. Cost: $220

How are the GMAT and GRE similar?

It’s important to note that when schools are evaluating your application, the function of both test scores is the same. The GMAT and the GRE are each examining your ability to make quick and strategic executive decisions, and both examinations have sections focused on quantitative and verbal reasoning.

The GMAT and GRE both charge an extra $35 per additional score report, and tests are valid for five years. Studying for each test may differ for each individual, but roughly speaking a two to five month study plan can be a good target.

“Both tests ask a lot of the same things, and they use a lot of the same kind of content,” explains John Fulmer, content director for GRE and GMAT at The Princeton Review.

Do business schools care which test I take?

A decade ago, almost everyone applying to an MBA program would have to submit GMAT scores. Now most business schools accept GRE test scores as well. More than 1,300 business schools accept scores from the GMAT or GRE for business school admissions—with a majority of programs not having a preference as to which exam students take. However, a majority of applicants submitting standardized test scores prefer the GMAT.

“It varies from school to school, but probably something like three quarters or so of students are being admitted with GMAT scores. Most of the rest are coming in with GRE scores,” says Stacey Koprince, director of content and curriculum at Manhattan Prep.

Before you weigh all the details and aspects of both tests, it is important to ensure that the business schools you are applying to do in fact accept the GRE. If one of your reach programs, for example, requires standardized testing and happens to have a preference for the GMAT, then that makes your admission test decision simple. 

If your prospective schools are indifferent, then how do you answer that inevitable question of which test to take? 

Koprince says that the GMAT is still considered the primary option for prospective MBA students, especially for those vying for a competitive program. The GRE option opens doors for students who are less sure about the graduate degree they want or are worried about performing poorly on the GMAT.

Being aware of the differences between the quantitative sections, the verbal sections, the computer adaptive formats, the writing portions, and the cost of either test can help you decide which exam you can ultimately perform the best on—and therefore, which test to take. 

Comparing GMAT and GRE submissions at select top business schools

*NYU (Stern) further reports that 14% of applicants submitted EA results, 9% received a test waiver, 6% received an NYU test waiver, and 4% submitted either the MCAT, LSAT, or DAT.

What is the difference between the GMAT and GRE verbal sections?

The GMAT consists of questions on reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction. The sentence correction questions ask you to choose an answer that expresses an idea in the most grammatically correct, clear, and concise way. 

The GRE’s verbal section includes reading comprehension, as well as sentence equivalences and text completions (in other words, you are trying to pick the right word for the job). 

For those with a strong vocabulary, the GRE may be a better fit, Fulmer explains. But, don’t let that fool you into not studying up on vocabulary, he adds since it will make up about half of your verbal score.

GMAT verbal reasoning test structure

GRE verbal reasoning test structure

What is the difference between the GMAT and GRE quantitative sections?

As one may expect, the GMAT examination focuses more on businessy problem-solving and logic-based math skills in its quantitative reasoning section. Those studying for the exam may need to freshen up on their probability and number theory skills. The GRE, on the other hand, looks more like textbook-style math questions and may require you to study topics you may have forgotten like geometry.

“IF you take the GRE you're gonna have to, you know, you're going to have to get yourself reacquainted with geometry,” says Fulmer. “The good news is, it's not sort of like crazy hard geometry, but you are going to have to relearn formulas that go with triangles and circles and quadrilaterals.”

For complicated computations, the GRE will also provide an on-screen calculator for your convenience. 

GMAT quantitative reasoning test structure

GRE quantitative reasoning test structure

The third section: GMAT’s data insights vs. GRE’s essay

The biggest difference between the GMAT and the GRE is the final section: data insights and analytical writing, respectively. 

The GMAT data insights section has five different question types:

• Multi-source reasoning
• Table analysis
• Graphics interpretation
• Two-part analysis
• Data sufficiency 

Takers get 45 minutes to answer about 20 questions. Test is seeking to gauge your ability to review, analyze, and respond to data—something that’s increasingly core to the business world.

“You're going to be doing this every day at business school. So, if it's something you're nervous about, this is a great opportunity to actually get comfortable with it,” Koprince shares.

The GRE’s analytical writing section gives test-takers 30 minutes to answer an “analyze an issue” task. Individuals are presented with an issue and instructions on ways to respond. The goal is to assess abilities in articulating and supporting common ideas, constructing arguments, and sustaining a focused and coherent discussion, according to GRE’s website.

Adaptive by question vs. adaptive by section

The GRE’s verbal and quantitative reasoning sections are computer-based multi-stage tests. This means that you are given a block of questions and if you perform well on that block, the second block of questions will be made more difficult. 

The GMAT’s verbal and quantitative sections are computer-adaptive by question, meaning that you begin with a medium-level question and as you answer questions correctly, subsequent questions will be more difficult. Because the GMAT is question adaptive, test-takers do not have the option to go back to questions they have already answered, and they must answer questions in order. Additionally, if you are performing well on the test, the difficulty level of the questions will ramp up quickly. 

So, for those that do not love standardized testing environments, the GRE could feel more comfortable since the adaptation of the exam is more broad.

How to best study for the GMAT or GRE?

For many students, looking to take the GMAT or GRE can be daunting just because it may have been a few years since they were last in school or took a standardized test. Luckily, there is a plateau of resources available to study for both exams that may be free or come with a cost:

• Practice tests
• Online or in-person study courses
• Physical study book
• Online or in-person study groups

The most important thing you can do is to create a study plan. Everyone is busy with work and life, so pushing off your studying can be unfortunately easy. But, if your long term plan is to go to business school, taking a certain amount of time each night or week will pay off in the end. If you can’t hold yourself accountable, recruit friends and family to encourage you to follow a set schedule.

What is the Executive Assessment, and is it an option for me?

The GMAC developed the Executive Assessment (EA) for executive MBA program applicants, most of whom have substantial work experience, as a measure of readiness rather than aptitude. For this reason, it is significantly shorter than the GMAT or GRE. It consists of 40 questions and is 90 minutes long. 

Koprince says that although the EA was originally for applicants to Executive MBA programs, the EA is becoming more commonly accepted by types of MBA programs other than Executive MBA programs in place of GMAT and GRE scores. The Graduate Management Admission Council regularly updates its list of programs that accept EA scores.

Some schools even accept test results from the LSAT or MCAT, which can be great news if you have already studied and taken one of those examinations.

The takeaway: take your time and do your research

In any case, MBA applicants should be willing to put considerable time into preparing for the standardized test they choose. Koprince says in preparing for either test, you aren’t preparing yourself to memorize a formula—you’re preparing to be able to problem solve. 

“You’re trying to get to the point where you're looking at something and you're able to articulate, oh, when I see X circumstance (or) set-up detail, that means I'm going to think about Y, or I'm going to do Y,” Koprince adds.

If she were in one’s shoes, the GMAT would be the test she would take for two reasons:

• It’s the exam more people take, so if you can do well and be competitive, it’s better to be on the same standard as most applicants.
• The GMAT exam materials will help you feel more comfortable with what business school will look like every day. 

However, students should pick whichever examination they feel most comfortable with taking. The best and easiest way to figure this out is by simply taking a free online practice exam of both tests. If you are strong in vocabulary, math subjects like geometry, and enjoy writing essays, then the GRE may be your best test. If reading comprehension, probability, and data insights seem easier for you, then take the GMAT.

Ultimately, you want to put your best foot forward during the application process, so it’s important to give yourself enough time to reach out to the schools you plan to apply to, evaluate all factors, decide which test you want to take, and prepare the best you can for that test. In the end, test scores are just one part of your application, but they are a critical part nonetheless.

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Frequently asked questions

Should I take the GRE or the GMAT?

If you are absolutely set on going to business school, then taking the GMAT can help you prepare for topics you will face everyday in the classroom. However, the GRE may be easier for those who enjoy vocabulary, writing, and more textbook math.

Which is more difficult between GMAT and GRE?

It depends. If you are business minded, the GMAT may prove to be an easier exam due to its data and problem-solving emphasis. For those with stronger vocabulary and writing abilities, the GRE may prove easier. The best way to figure out which is more difficult for you is to take a practice exam. 

Do business schools prefer GMAT over GRE?

Largely, no, business schools do not have a preference whether you take the GMAT or the GRE, but, more candidates tend to submit GMAT scores versus GRE scores.

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Meghan Malas contributed to this piece.