Difference between GRE and GMAT
Entry into a graduate degree program can be a difficult task and you will be expected to go through a qualifying test of some sort. Two of the more important tests in this regard are the GRE and the GMAT, both of which are essential steps to take in your path toward a graduate degree. Which one is best for you? Let's take a look!
Profile
The GRE or Graduate Record Exam is a test that is typically given to potential applicants to graduate schools that are not business oriented. Among the courses in which the GRE is required are psychology, history, and engineering. This test is intended mainly to measure a candidate's ability to cope up with graduate level studies via questions that deal with verbal and quantitative skills as well as analytical reasoning.
As for the GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test, it is commonly administered to applicants to business school graduate programs. Unlike the GRE, this test strictly measures academic ability by way of verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing. It is also important to note that the GMAT does not actually test business competence or knowledge in business specific subject matter.
Procedure
Nowadays, the GRE is primarily a computer adaptive test or CAT, which simply means that it is taken only with a computer, as opposed to written down. Each test taker is given questions in a sequence, with the displayed question having to be answered before the next question will be presented. The questions also become increasingly more difficult, and are chosen depending on your previous answers.
The GMAT is also given as a CAT–has been since 1999, in fact–and is often required from applicants to business schools as well as certain graduate finance and economics courses.
Difficulty
While both tests have their own share of difficulties, GMAT is widely considered to be more difficult than the GRE. Its questions related to math and reading comprehension are considerably more difficult for instance, although some non-native English-speaking applicants tend to have a hard time with the vocabulary requirements of the GRE as well.
Similarities and Differences
GRE
- Typically given to potential applicants to non-business oriented graduate schools
- Often required for psychology, history, and engineering courses
- Intended mainly to measure a candidate's ability to deal with graduate level studies
- Questions deal with verbal and quantitative skills and analytical reasoning
- Is primarily a computer adaptive test or CAT
- Vocabulary requirements may be difficult for non-native English-speaking applicants
GMAT
- Required by almost all major business schools
- Also often required by graduate economics programs
- Commonly administered to applicants to business school graduate programs
- Measures academic ability by way of verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing
- Does not test for business competence or knowledge in business specific subject matter
- Primarily a computer adaptive test or CAT
- Widely considered to be more difficult than the GRE
