GMAT VS GRE

What is the GMAT?


The GMAT or Graduate Management Admissions Test is for the most part a required part of the admissions process for full time business schools. The GMAT test is a standardized 3 part exam which helps admissions officers select the very best of applicants. It measures basic verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills that an applicant is expected to have developed over the years of formal education and professional work experience.

What is the GRE?

The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) is part of the admissions process for graduate school programs. This is not business specific like the GMAT test and is used for all types of graduate programs. Some business schools are beginning to accept the GRE along with the GMAT but the number is very limited and the GMAT is to be considered the standard for business schools.

GMAT vs GRE:

The GMAT and GRE are very similar tests in that they both test analytical writing, math and verbal. The GMAT also tests Verbal-Critical Reasoning and Quantitative-Data Sufficiency which are not found on the GRE. The GRE contains problems on vocabulary and word relationships that the GMAT does not test on.

Overall business school applications are on the rise and your GMAT score has become that much more important. MBA programs are counter cyclical to the economy which means that as the economy falls individuals flock to MBA programs to further their education and provide a much needed boost to their resume.

The math or quantitative section of the GMAT is by far the most different and is often a challenge as most  applicants have been in the professional workplace for a few years and there advanced math skills have diminished. In order to regain there knowledge or learn for the first time students are searching for resources to help them score well on the math section. Study guides and classroom courses are common resources used when a student prepares for the GMAT.