GMAT vs GRE: Which test should you take in 2024

Deciding between the GMAT and GRE is a key step in your journey toward an MBA or graduate degree. Business schools widely accept both tests but they assess different skill sets and follow different formats. 

With recent changes to both exams—such as the introduction of the GMAT Focus Edition and the updated GRE Revised Format—choosing the right test requires a closer look at their content, structure, scoring, and flexibility. 

In this article, we’ll dive into the differences between the GMAT and GRE, helping you understand which exam aligns best with your strengths and goals, so you can confidently make the right choice between GMAT and GRE.

GMAT vs GRE: An Overview

The biggest difference between GMAT and GRE is that GMAT is primarily for business school admissions and GRE is accepted for a wide range of graduate programs include MBA. So, if you only want to apply for an MBA, take the GMAT and if you’re open to other graduate programs, take the GRE.

There are other differences as well between the GMAT and the GRE. This table gives you a snapshot of the main differences between the GMAT and GRE based on content, structure, and suitability.

Here’s an overview of the key differences between the GMAT and the GRE based on various parameters:

The New Formats for GMAT and GRE

Before we dive into a detailed comparison, it’s important to know that both the GMAT and GRE have undergone format changes recently. These updates are designed to make the exams shorter, more efficient, and focused on assessing the most critical skills.

• GMAT Focus Edition (2024): The GMAT Focus Edition is the updated format of the GMAT. It’s shorter than the previous version, clocking in at around 2 hours and 15 minutes. It focuses on three key sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights (which combines integrated reasoning and data interpretation). The total score ranges from 205 to 805.
• GRE Revised Format (2023): The GRE has also shortened its format, now lasting about 1 hour and 58 minutes. The new GRE consists of two sections: Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. The Analytical Writing section has been eliminated in this new format, and scores range from 260 to 340 for the Verbal and Quant sections combined.

Core Differences Between GMAT and GRE

When comparing the GMAT and GRE, several important factors come into play, including content focus, structure, timing, and scoring. Understanding these key differences can help you choose the test that best fits your strengths and your goals.

Content Focus

GMAT:
The GMAT Focus Edition emphasizes business-related skills, which is why it’s considered the preferred test for MBA programs. The GMAT is heavily geared toward problem-solving, data interpretation, and critical thinking, making it an excellent choice if you excel in quantitative analysis and logical reasoning.

The GMAT’s Quantitative Reasoning section challenges you with problem-solving questions, which test your ability to determine if there is enough information to solve a problem. These questions simulate real-world business scenarios, requiring you to think critically, often with limited information. Similarly, the Data Insights section replaces Integrated Reasoning section and Data Sufficiency questions, and focuses on analyzing data from data, tables, graphs, and charts to make informed decisions. This section highlights skills such as synthesizing information from multiple sources, which are crucial in data-driven business environments.

The Verbal Reasoning section of the GMAT, while still important, is more focused on grammar, logic, and the ability to evaluate arguments. If you’re someone who enjoys breaking down complex arguments or correcting grammatical structures in writing, the GMAT’s verbal section will align well with your strengths.

In summary, if you are strong in quantitative problem-solving and have a sharp eye for data interpretation, the GMAT’s focus on these areas may give you an edge.

GRE:
The GRE is more versatile in content, as it is designed for a broader range of graduate programs beyond just business schools. While it does assess both verbal and quantitative reasoning, its approach differs from the GMAT in several ways.

The Verbal Reasoning section on the GRE is more vocabulary-intensive and involves tasks like sentence completion, reading comprehension, and critical reasoning. The GRE is ideal if you excel in language skills, especially in understanding complex texts and contextually using vocabulary. Its questions require you to analyze the meaning of entire passages or identify appropriate word choices, making it a better fit for test-takers who enjoy reading and have a strong vocabulary.

In the Quantitative Reasoning section, the GRE covers a broader range of math concepts, from arithmetic and geometry to data interpretation. While it still requires critical thinking, the math problems are generally less tricky and logic-heavy than those in the GMAT. Additionally, the use of an on-screen calculator can make the GRE’s quant section more approachable for those who may struggle with mental math under time pressure.

Ultimately, if your strengths lie in verbal reasoning or you’re looking for a test that covers a wider range of subjects, the GRE’s focus on vocabulary and broader math concepts might be the right fit.

Structure and Timing

GMAT Focus Edition:
The GMAT Focus Edition has been redesigned to be more concise and to focus on the core skills most critical to success in business school. It now consists of three sections:

• Quantitative Reasoning: 21 questions, 45 minutes.
• Verbal Reasoning: 23 questions, 45 minutes.
• Data Insights: 20 questions, 45 minutes.

The shorter length of the GMAT Focus Edition—just 2 hours 15 minutes—makes the test faster-paced compared to the previous version, and candidates need to manage their time carefully to complete each section. The test is adaptive, meaning that the difficulty level adjusts based on your performance during the exam. If you answer questions correctly, you’ll be presented with more challenging ones, and the final score reflects the difficulty of the questions you answered correctly.

Each section of the GMAT is focused on a specific set of skills:

• Quantitative Reasoning tests your ability to solve mathematical problems and analyze data without using a calculator.
• Verbal Reasoning evaluates your reading comprehension, grammar, and ability to construct logical arguments.
• Data Insights focuses on interpreting and analyzing complex data sets, combining elements of the old Integrated Reasoning section with new data-heavy questions.

This structure requires you to perform well under pressure, especially with the limited time per question.

GRE Revised Format:
The new GRE format, shortened to under 2 hours, consists of two primary sections:

• Quantitative Reasoning: 27 questions, 47 minutes.
• Verbal Reasoning: 27 questions, 41 minutes.

The GRE’s structure allows for more time per question than the GMAT, which could be a benefit if you prefer a more measured approach to solving problems. For example, in the Quant section, you’ll have nearly double the number of questions compared to the GMAT, but the pace is slower, giving you more time to consider each question carefully. The use of an on-screen calculator also makes some of the more complex calculations less daunting.

The Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE tests your ability to read and understand complex passages, with a strong focus on vocabulary. The slower pace of the GRE, along with the type of questions asked, allows for a more methodical approach to test-taking. This structure might appeal to those who prefer to take their time analyzing texts and solving problems.

Scoring Systems

GMAT Focus Edition:
The GMAT Focus Edition has introduced a new scoring range from 205 to 805, which combines your scores from the Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights sections. Each section is equally weighted, and your performance in all three areas is combined into a single overall score.

The adaptive nature of the GMAT plays a key role in the scoring system. The test adapts to your ability level as you progress through it, meaning that answering more difficult questions correctly will boost your score more than simply answering easier questions. This makes it important to stay focused and maintain accuracy throughout the exam, as the more challenging questions have a greater impact on your final score.

This scoring system gives schools a clear indication of your quantitative, verbal, and data analysis skills, which are critical for business school success.

GRE:
The GRE scoring system remains unchanged, with a total score ranging from 260 to 340, derived from your scores in the Quantitative (130–170) and Verbal (130–170) sections. Each section is scored separately, and the two scores are added together to give a final score.

Unlike the GMAT, the GRE is not adaptive within individual sections, though the difficulty of the second section is determined by your performance in the first. This means that, while you need to perform consistently well across the test, the GRE is generally considered less high-stakes in terms of the adaptive scoring method. Additionally, the GRE allows for score flexibility with its ScoreSelect feature, enabling you to send only your best scores to schools, giving you more control over how your performance is presented.

One of the key considerations for GRE test-takers is that most business schools use a conversion tool to compare GRE scores to GMAT scores, so the differences in the scoring scales between the two tests are less important than they might initially seem. You can comfortably choose the GRE without worrying that your score will be perceived as lower than an equivalent GMAT score.

Test Flexibility and Retakes

When it comes to flexibility and retakes, both the GMAT and GRE offer options that can reduce the pressure of performing perfectly on your first attempt. However, the specifics of their policies differ, and this can influence your decision on which test to take.

GMAT:
The GMAT offers a reasonable amount of flexibility, but it is more structured in terms of retake limitations. You can take the GMAT once every 16 days, which gives you the ability to improve your score relatively quickly if needed. However, there are some limits: you can take the GMAT up to five times per year, with a lifetime cap of eight attempts. If you reach that cap, you will no longer be able to take the GMAT, so it’s important to plan your preparation accordingly.

One of the key benefits of the GMAT is that it allows you to cancel your scores immediately after taking the test. This means that if you don’t feel confident about your performance, you can choose not to report your score to schools. You’ll also have the option to reinstate your canceled scores later on if you change your mind.

Answer Review and Change Options

• Bookmarking Questions: In the GMAT Focus Edition, test-takers can bookmark any number of questions during each section. This allows them to revisit these questions later if time permits.
• Answer Changes: Test-takers can change their answers to a maximum of three questions per section. This limitation is due to the adaptive nature of the test, which requires that most answers remain unchanged for accurate scoring.
• Review Screen: After completing a section, candidates are presented with a review screen where they can see their responses and make changes to up to three answers, provided they have time left in the section

GRE:
The GRE is known for offering more flexibility than the GMAT in terms of both retakes and score reporting. You can take the GRE once every 21 days, which is slightly longer than the GMAT’s 16-day retake period, but it still provides enough flexibility for most test-takers. Like the GMAT, you can take the GRE up to five times per year, though there is no lifetime limit on the number of attempts. This can be advantageous if you want the option to take the test multiple times without worrying about reaching a lifetime cap.

One of the biggest benefits of the GRE is the “ScoreSelect” feature. This allows you to choose which test scores to send to schools. So, if you’ve taken the GRE multiple times, you can select your best scores from any of your previous attempts, which can significantly reduce the pressure during the test. This flexibility makes the GRE a great option for those who want more control over how their scores are presented to schools.

Answer Review and Change Options

• Flexibility in Answering: The GRE allows for more flexibility, enabling test-takers to skip questions within a section and return to them later. This feature is particularly beneficial for managing time effectively.
• Mark and Review Feature: Test-takers can use a “mark and review” feature to tag questions they wish to revisit. This allows them to focus on other questions first and come back if time allows.
• Unlimited Changes: Unlike the GMAT, there is no limit on the number of answers that can be changed within a section. Test-takers can review all their responses and modify any number of them before submitting the section

Who Accepts What?

In terms of acceptance by business schools, both the GMAT and GRE are widely accepted, but there are some nuanced differences.

GMAT:
Historically, the GMAT has been the go-to exam for MBA admissions, and it continues to hold that status for many business schools. Most top-tier MBA programs still tend to favor the GMAT, particularly if you are applying to programs that have a strong focus on finance, consulting, or quantitative analysis. Business schools often see a strong GMAT score as an indicator of your readiness for the data-driven curriculum and challenges you will face in these industries.

That said, the GMAT’s dominance has decreased in recent years as more schools have become open to accepting the GRE. However, if you’re targeting a very specialized MBA program or business-focused career path, such as investment banking or management consulting, the GMAT may still give you a slight edge in demonstrating your quantitative abilities.

GRE:
The GRE is accepted by more than 1,300 business schools globally, including most of the top MBA programs. While many schools once preferred the GMAT, a growing number have adopted a more flexible approach, accepting either test as part of their admissions process. The GRE has become particularly popular for applicants who are considering a wider range of graduate programs outside of business. If you’re applying to programs in the sciences, humanities, or social sciences as well as business schools, the GRE may be a better option because it allows you to keep your options open.

In some cases, admissions committees may convert your GRE score to a GMAT equivalent using tools provided by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), so the differences in acceptance are often less significant than they may seem. However, if you are set on a specialized business school or program, it’s worth checking whether the GMAT is still preferred.

Quantitative Section

The Quantitative sections of both the GMAT and GRE test your mathematical reasoning skills, but the style, difficulty, and approach to questions vary between the two.

GMAT:
In the GMAT Quantitative section, the focus is on problem-solving questions that assess mathematical reasoning through logical deduction. The previous Data Sufficiency questions, now part of Data Insights, test abstract reasoning by determining whether the provided data is sufficient to answer a question. The difficulty of the GMAT quant section is heightened by its question-adaptive nature: if a test-taker answers correctly, the questions become progressively harder; incorrect answers lead to easier questions. Additionally, the GMAT has eliminated geometry questions, shifting the focus to arithmetic and algebra.

Additionally, the GMAT does not allow a calculator during the quantitative section, which means you’ll need to rely on your mental math and reasoning skills. The math itself can be tricky, with a focus on algebra,, arithmetic, and number properties, but the lack of a calculator adds an extra layer of difficulty.

GRE:
On the other hand, the GRE Quantitative section includes a variety of question formats such as Quantitative Comparison, Numeric Entry, and multiple-choice questions. Unlike the GMAT, the GRE includes geometry and a significant number of data interpretation questions that rely on graphs and tables. Many students find the GRE quant section easier, largely due to its section-adaptive format—the difficulty of the second section depends on performance in the first section, but unlike the GMAT, it does not adapt on a question-by-question basis. Additionally, the availability of a calculator for all quantitative questions can relieve some of the pressure during problem-solving.

Verbal Section

The Verbal sections of the GMAT and GRE differ significantly in their focus and the skills they test.

GMAT:
In the GMAT Verbal section, the focus is largely on critical reasoning and reading comprehension. The critical reasoning questions emphasize logical reasoning and argument analysis, requiring test-takers to evaluate arguments, identify assumptions, and either strengthen or weaken claims. Reading comprehension questions assess the ability to understand, interpret, and analyze written passages. Notably, the GMAT Focus Edition has removed Sentence Correction questions, which previously tested grammar and usage.

The difficulty level of the GMAT Verbal section is often seen as more accessible for individuals strong in logical reasoning, though it may pose challenges for those who struggle with critical analysis. Additionally, the GMAT’s emphasis on reasoning over vocabulary makes it somewhat easier for non-native speakers compared to the GRE.

GRE:
In contrast, the GRE Verbal section places a significant emphasis on vocabulary, with question types such as Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion. These questions test the ability to understand nuanced word meanings and relationships. Like the GMAT, the GRE also includes reading comprehension passages that test comprehension and analysis skills.

The GRE Verbal section is generally considered more challenging, especially because of the heavy vocabulary demands. Many candidates need to memorize between 1,000 and 2,000 words to perform well, making this section particularly daunting for non-native speakers.

How Do You Decide between GMAT and GRE?

When choosing between the GMAT and GRE, it’s essential to consider your strengths, goals, and the specific requirements of the schools and programs you’re applying to. Here’s a quick guide to help you make your decision:

Pick the GMAT if:

• You have strong quantitative skills, especially in data analysis and logical reasoning.
• You are applying to top-tier MBA programs, particularly in finance, consulting, or other quant-heavy fields.
• You prefer a test that emphasizes business-related problem-solving and data interpretation.

Pick the GRE if:

• You have strong verbal reasoning skills or a broad vocabulary.
• You want more flexibility with test retakes and the ability to use ScoreSelect to send only your best scores.
• You are applying to a variety of graduate programs, not just business schools.

Ultimately, both the GMAT and GRE are valid options for MBA admissions, and the choice depends on which test aligns better with your strengths and preferences. Taking practice tests for both exams can help you determine which format feels more comfortable and gives you the best chance of achieving a competitive score.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between the GMAT and GRE ultimately comes down to your individual strengths and the requirements of the programs you’re applying to. The GMAT might be the best fit if you have strong quantitative skills and are aiming for a business-focused career. On the other hand, if you’re stronger in verbal reasoning or are applying to a variety of graduate programs, the GRE offers more flexibility and broader appeal.

Business schools highly regard both exams, and either choice can lead to success if it aligns with your abilities and preparation style. By understanding the core differences in content, structure, and scoring, and reflecting on your own strengths, you’ll be able to make an informed decision that maximizes your chances of achieving a competitive score. 

Whether you choose the GMAT or GRE, careful planning and focused preparation are the keys to unlocking the next step in your academic and professional journey.