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GMAT vs. GRE – Which test to take when applying for business school?
Recently, some business schools have decided to accept either the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score of an MBA applicant. Compared to the GMAT which is traditionally taken by those applying to business schools, the GRE is generally taken by those interested in pursuing non-business graduate level degrees. It is acceptable for disciplines ranging from Engineering to Philosophy to Education or International Affairs, to name just a few.
Some business school programs have chosen to begin accepting the GRE score as a means to broaden their applicant pool by encouraging increased applications from those with diverse interests, those with economic hardships and those with difficulty to get to a GMAT test center.
Specific reasons include the following:
• Student Backgrounds: The GRE is taken by students applying to various graduate programs. Thus accepting the GRE will streamline the business school application process for students who are not exclusively interested in business.
• Price: The GRE is less expensive than the GMAT ($140 vs. the $250). The higher GMAT test fees may limit the pool of GMAT test takers, especially when you consider the cost of multiple re-takes.
• Geographical Reach: The GRE is also given in more locations than the GMAT. Thus accepting it in theory increases the applicant pool to include candidates from more remote parts of the world or without access to adequate finances to be able to travel to a GMAT testing center.
The move to make the GRE an optional exam for MBA applicants is occurring slowly on a program to program basis. The following are a few programs that have recently opened their doors to GRE test takers: MIT Sloan School of Management, University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School, IE Business School, and Stanford Business School. Though increasing, the number is limited in comparison to the vast array of MBA programs in the world.
A comparison of the two tests highlights the particular similarities and differences between the exams in practice. The differences between the two exams are most apparent in an analysis of their Verbal and Quantitative sections.
• Total Score: The GRE includes 3 sections and each section is given a score from 200 – 800, making a maximum total score of 2400. The GMAT has a total score from 200 – 800, the Writing section scored between 0 and 6 is presented separately.
• Total Sections: The GRE and GMAT both are made up of Verbal, Quantitative and Writing Sections. The Writing Sections of both tests are fairly similar including two essays, one on an issue and one on an argument.
• Verbal Section: Unlike the GMAT, the Verbal Section of the GRE tests vocabulary knowledge out of context. Meantime, the test is changing with more critical reading passages.
• Quantitative Section: The Quantitative section of the GRE is largely acknowledged as less challenging than that part of the GMAT. Currently, the GRE does not have a Data Sufficiency section and requires an overall lower level of Math proficiency as it is used for English PhD students too. However, the ETS (Educational Testing Service), the creator of the GRE, announced that it is adding more data interpretation questions and increasing the general difficulty level. In general, top business schools would be looking for fairly high percentile scores on the GRE, especially on the Quantitative Section.
An Additional Note: In June 08, the ETS announced that it is adding a new non-cognitive portion to the GRE, starting in July 2009, to make the test more relevant to business schools. The section will be known as the Personal Potential Index, or PPI.
When making a decision about whether or not to take the GMAT or the GRE, you should consider whether the schools you apply to accept the GRE score. If they are open to it, then consider the following:
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