Many graduate programs nationwide mandate that applicants provide either a GRE score or a GMAT score. While the GMAT is predominantly employed in business school applications, and the GRE is commonly utilized for other graduate disciplines, several programs allow applicants to decide which exam results to submit. When faced with the option to choose between the two exams, opt for the one you feel more confident mastering. Given that both tests are computer-based and share some similarities across sections, a thorough examination of the specific content in each test is necessary for making an informed choice. To commence this comparison, analyze the sections on each test:
GMAT
GMAT Test Section | #. of questions | Question Types | Timing |
Analytical Writing Assessment | 1 Topic | Analysis of Argument | 30 Minutes |
Integrated Reasoning | 12 questions | Multi-Source Reasoning Graphics Interpretation Two-Part Analysis Table Analysis | 30 Minutes |
Quantitative | 31 Questions | Problem Solving Data Sufficiency | 62 Minutes |
Verbal | 36 Questions | Reading Comprehension Critical Reasoning Sentence Correction | 65 Minutes |
Total Exam Time | 3 hours, 7 minutes |
GRE
GRE Test Section | #. of questions | Question Types | Timing |
Analytical Writing Measure | 2 Topics | Analyze an Issue Analyse an Argument | 30 minutes 30 minutes |
Quantitativa (x2) | 20 Questions in each of the two sections (40 total) | Multiple-Choice: Select One Multiple-Choice: Select One or More Numeric Entry Quantitative Comparison | 35 minutes per section (70 mins total) |
Verbal (x2) | 20 Questions in each of the two sections (40 total) | Text Completion Sentence Equivalence Reading Comprehension | 30 minutes per sections (60 mins total) |
Total Exam Time | 3 hours, 10 minutes |
Each examination consists of Quantitative, Verbal, and Writing components, but the table illustrates that the types of questions within each section differ.
Quantitative Section
A notable distinction between the GMAT and the GRE is that the GRE provides an on-screen calculator for use during the Quantitative sections, whereas the GMAT does not permit the use of a calculator.
Conceptually, the Quantitative sections of both exams are quite similar, focusing on high school-level arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. The most common question type on each test is multiple-choice, where you are presented with a question and several answer options. Here is an example:
If 2x + 4 = 16, then x =
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 5
(E) 6
The correct answer is (E). The GRE introduces a slight variation on multiple-choice in that some questions could potentially have more than one correct answer choice, and a test-taker must select all the correct answers to receive credit. However, the multiple-choice questions on both exams are quite similar overall.
The major differences between the two quantitative sections are in the remaining question types: the GMAT has an additional problem type called Data Sufficiency, and the GRE offers two additional types called Quantitative Comparison and Numeric Entry.
Data Sufficiency questions on the GMAT consist of a question followed by two different statements, numbered (1) and (2). For example:
Is the integer x odd?
(1) x is the product of two different prime numbers.
(2) x is divisible by 7.
The answer choices test your ability to evaluate whether the information in the two statements is sufficient to lead to a consistent solution to the problem:
(A) if (1) alone is sufficient to solve the problem
(B) if (2) alone is sufficient to solve the problem
(C) if both statements together are sufficient to solve the problem
(D) if each statement alone is sufficient to solve the problem
(E) if the statements together are not sufficient to fully answer the question
The answer above is (E), meaning that even when you know x is the product of two primes AND is divisible by 7, it still cannot be known whether x is always odd. While this problem is considered to be at the easier end of the spectrum, data sufficiency problems can be extremely challenging and incorporate algebra, arithmetic, and geometry.
The GRE offers its own unique math problems—Quantitative Comparison and Numeric Entry. Numeric Entry questions are fairly straightforward in presentation: instead of selecting from several possible answer choices (multiple-choice), a test-taker must supply their own answer.
Quantitative Comparison questions, or "Quant Comp," as they are often called, are unique because they do not require a "solution" per se; you simply must compare two values to determine their relationship. Each problem contains two columns, labeled Quantity A and Quantity B. In each column is a number, a variable, an expression, or a statement:
Column A | Column B |
1/5 of 65 | 6/11 of 31 |
If the quantity in Column A is greater, choose (A) as your answer. Opt for (B) if the quantity in Column B is greater. Select (C) if the quantities in both columns are equal. If the relationship cannot be determined from the given information (the relationship varies), choose (D). The correct answer to the problem above is (B). Quantitative Comparison questions assess arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
While many students initially find both Data Sufficiency and Quantitative Comparison questions challenging, regular practice makes them more manageable. It is commonly acknowledged, however, that Data Sufficiency is more challenging to master, and the math on the GMAT is consequently considered by most to be more difficult than the math on the GRE.
Verbal Section
The only commonality between the verbal sections of the GMAT and GRE lies in the Reading Comprehension question type. Reading Comprehension questions involve a passage of 100 to 400 words, followed by one to six multiple-choice questions.
The GMAT introduces two additional Verbal question types: Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction. Critical Reasoning questions present a brief statement or argument (typically two or three sentences) and assess your ability to use logic to evaluate the statement, offering multiple-choice answers. Sentence Correction questions feature a sentence in which a part is underlined, evaluating your proficiency in identifying and correcting errors in grammar and usage within the underlined portion.
Similarly, the GRE includes two extra Verbal question types: Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence. Text Completion questions consist of a sentence or short passage with one, two, or three words or phrases missing. From the answer choices, you must choose the missing word(s) that best align(s) with the overall meaning of the sentence. Sentence Equivalence questions present a single sentence with one word missing, requiring you to select the two answer choices that both logically complete the sentence and yield sentences with equivalent meanings. These question types evaluate your capacity to comprehend sentence context and assess your vocabulary.
Writing
Both the GRE and GMAT feature a 30-minute essay analyzing an argument, wherein the prompt directs you to assess an argument for its questionable assumptions and overall validity. Additionally, the GRE includes a second 30-minute essay in which the prompt requires you to adopt a stance on an issue and articulate an argument supporting your position with specific examples.
Integrated Reasoning
The GMAT includes a distinctive section known as "Integrated Reasoning." According to the test makers, this section, consisting of four question types and a total of 12 questions, assesses your ability to integrate data for solving complex problems. The skills tested in this section involve synthesizing information from graphics, text, and numbers, evaluating relevant information from diverse sources, organizing information to identify relationships, and solving multiple interrelated problems by combining and manipulating data from various sources. Essentially, you are presented with charts, graphs, tables, or other data sets and tasked with interpreting and manipulating them to provide meaningful answers to the posed questions. The significant challenge lies not only in the substantial amount of information presented but also in the interactive nature of the figures, often requiring rearrangement of rows, columns, inputs, etc., before answering questions.
Scoring
Both the GRE and the GMAT employ an adaptive exam format, though with slight variations. The GMAT's computer-adaptive format selects each question based on your performance on the previous question(s), requiring you to answer questions sequentially without the option to skip or revisit prior questions.
On the other hand, the GRE follows a section-adaptive approach: the second sections of Verbal and Math adjust (becoming more difficult or easier) based on your overall performance in the first section of Verbal and Math, respectively. This allows you to skip questions and navigate within a section, similar to traditional paper-based exams.
The GRE reports three scaled scores:
A Quantitative score on a 130-170 scale, in 1-point increments
A Verbal score on a 130-170 scale, in 1-point increments
An Analytical Writing score on a 0-6 scale, in half-point increments
The GMAT provides four distinct scores:
A Quantitative Score on a scale of 0 to 60, in 1-point increments
A Verbal Score on a scale of 0 to 60, in 1-point increments
A Total Score on a scale of 200 to 800, in 10-point increments
An Analytical Writing score reported on a 0-6 scale, in half-point increments
For the GMAT, the Quantitative and Verbal scores serve as section scores, and these two section scores are combined to determine the Total Score. The Total Score, familiar to GMAT test-takers, is presented on the renowned 200 to 800 scale, where 200 is the lowest score, and 800 is the highest score (similar to the SAT scale encountered in high school).
Considerations
Now that you have gained a better understanding of the distinctions between the GMAT and the GRE, here are some factors to take into account when deciding between the two tests:
If you possess robust mathematical skills but perceive your English skills, particularly vocabulary, as weaker, the GMAT may be a suitable choice.
If your English skills are highly proficient, especially if your vocabulary surpasses your grammar knowledge, but you feel less confident in math, the GRE might be the more appropriate option.
If your verbal and math abilities are relatively balanced, the GRE could be a fitting choice.
If the program you are applying to places specific emphasis on either Quantitative or Verbal scores, such as Engineering or English, opting for the GRE might be advantageous.
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