Difference Between GMAT and GRE with Proper Definition and Brief Explanation

GRE or the Graduation Exam is a standardized eligibility test for graduate programs in the United States. GRE is not specific to any particular field of study and the GRE general test measures the candidate’s verbal reasoning, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and analytical skills.                                         Difference Between GMAT and GRE

GMAT , or Graduate Management Admission Test , is a measure of aptitude that specifically matches eligibility for graduate-level business study programs. It is a standardized computer-adapted test that assesses the candidate’s mathematical ability and English language.

Comparative graph                    Difference Between GMAT and GRE

GMAT versus GRE comparison chart

GMAT	GRE
Acronym for	Graduate Management Admission Test	Graduation exam
Administrative body	Created by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) and administered by ACT Inc. and Pearson Vie.	Created and managed by Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Test cost	$ 250	$ 160 as of March 2010
Emphasis theme	High School Math, English – (Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Sentence Correction, Grammar), Writing Skills.	Vocabulary, advanced English comprehension, mathematical and analytical reasoning.
Allotted time	Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.	Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Test sections	1.) Analytical writing – Argument analysis – 30 minutes 2.) Integrated reasoning – 30 minutes. 2.) Quantitative – 75 minutes 3.) Verbal – 75 minutes.	Verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing.
Official Websites	www.mba.com	www.ets.org
Test developers	Vie Pearson	ETS

Contend: GMAT vs GRE

• 1 The Test Structure
• 2 Applicability
• 3 Sections Covered
• 4 Testing Approach
• 5 preparation
• 6 administration
• 7 scoring pattern
• 8 Video that provides information on GRE and GMAT

The test structure

GRE evaluates the candidate on:

• Analytical Writing: assesses critical thinking, analytical writing ability, and the ability to communicate and understand complex ideas simply and clearly.
• Verbal Reasoning: tests reading comprehension skills, analogical reasoning skills, and ability to analyze written material.
• Quantitative Reasoning: assesses problem-solving ability with a primary focus on basic concepts of algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and data analysis.

In addition to the general test, subject competence can be assessed with the GRE subject tests available for eight subjects, namely Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Computer Science, English Literature, Physics, Mathematics and psychology..

GMAT assesses the candidate on verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills. The first section is AWA or Analytical Writing Assessment followed by Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections. The sections are similar to GRE but the focus of the questions is different.

Applicability

Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, is a test used by graduate programs to evaluate applicants. Law Schools and business schools generally do not accept GRE scores. Basically, the GRE has two forms: Subject Tests (Computer Science or Psychology) and GRE General Test.

Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT serves as an admissions test specifically for business schools. These business schools usually mention their requirements on their website. Also, some economics and finance programs make use of the GMAT score.

Covered sections

Although, the basic sections in GRE and GMAT are the same: quantitative, verbal and analytical writing, the subcategories and the basic structure differ in the two exams. The quantitative comparison in the first section in GRE can be equated to the sufficiency of data in the same section in GMAT. The first section is for 45 minutes on GRE and 75 minutes on GMAT. Reading Comprehension is the only common thread in the Verbal section of both tests.

Testing focus

It has been understood that GMAT places more emphasis on logic while GRE tests the candidate’s vocabulary. Despite having the Analytical Writing section on the GRE and GMAT exams, the difference in the focus of the tests is evident as GRE has more sentence endings, reading comprehension, antonyms, and analogies, while the same section on GMAT focuses on sentence correction and critical thinking. Also, it is generally seen that a higher GMAT score is directly proportional to higher math ability.

Preparation

The cost to take the GRE test is $ 160 (subject to reduction) as of March 2010. Power Prep is prep software offered by ETS that comprises sample questions and the structure typically used in a GRE test. Test preparation companies like Princeton Review and Kaplan help familiarize applicants with the dynamic nature of GRE.

The cost of taking the GMAT exam is $ 250. Preparation aids such as self-study GMAT books, online or live GMAT preparation courses, or private classes help applicants complete the exam successfully.

Administration

The GRE and GMAT tests are taken online, timed, and made up of 3 main sections. Both GRE and GMAT were initially administered by Educational Testing Service, but today, only GRE is administered by this body and GMAT is administered by a company called ACT Inc. that prepares the test questions and CAT software, and the exam. It is delivered to test centers around the world. The world through Pearson Vie.

Punctuation pattern

The CAT (Computer Adaptation Testing) format is used in both GRE and GMAT, where the most difficult questions are worth much more than the easier ones. To achieve a higher score, the answer is to correctly answer many difficult questions. GRE provides three different scaled scores. Quantitative and Verbal are marked on a scale of 130 to 170 and Writing is marked on a scale of 0 to 6. Total score is marked in the range of 230 to 340.

GMAT provides four separate scaled scores. Quantitative and Verbal are marked on a scale of 0 to 60 and Writing is marked on a scale of 200 to 800. The overall score is a scale of 0 to 6.

Today, many business schools accept the GRE or GMAT score for the purpose of admissions.

Video providing information on GRE and GMAT

This video provides some guidelines on which exam to take for your MBA:

GRE or GMAT: Which test to take for your MBA?