GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test) and GRE Differences

One of the Major Differences Between the GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test) and GRE is that GMAT is organized by the Graduate Admission Management Council (GMAC) and Contains Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning While GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for graduate programs and also contains Quantitative, Verbal and Experimental or Research Section.

An advanced education forges one’s career or enterprise forward. Whether you desire to go to graduate school or business school – it is an important step in one’s life and career. In order to achieve this, you must write certain examinations (LSAT, IELTS, TOEFL, EJU, GRE, GMAT, etc). The GRE and GMAT are amongst the most sought after, with the former being the most preferred for graduate studies and the latter for business and management programs.

GMAT

The GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test) is organized by the Graduate Admission Management Council (GMAC). It is a computer-based standardized examination taken majorly by candidates aspiring to study management courses, including MBA, MSc. Accountancy, MSc. Finance amongst others.

Founded in 1965 and accepted by more than 7, 000 business and management programs in circa 2. 300 graduate business schools globally, the GMAT assesses the possibility of graduate student success in business school.

It is formulated to assist business schools and candidates understand their readiness for the rigorousness and intellectual activities you will experience in a graduate management program. These skills, the GMAC says, are important prerequisites for classes and activities you will face in a graduate program commencing from Day 1.

It has four sections:

– Analytical Writing Assessment
– Integrated Reasoning
– Quantitative Reasoning
– Verbal Reasoning.

The AWA assesses one’s critical thinking skills and measures how one communicates ideas. Candidates are given an argument to analyze critically and write a critique of it in 30 minutes. Basically, it is all about how you analyse an argument. Only a topic is given and the duration is 30 minutes. One’s score in this section does not count into the final assessment. The IR section evaluates candidates’ ability to process information presented in multiple formats from different sources.

According to the test makers, this is necessary for an increasingly data-driven economy. This section has four question types: Table Analysis, Graphics interpretation, Multi-source, reasoning, and two-part analysis, and is slated to be done in 30 minutes. The quant section of the examination assesses one’s knowledge of quantitative reasoning, problem-solving skills, interpretation of data, and analyzing a piece of given information accurately.

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Knowledge of secondary school (high school) mathematics is important: Geometry, algebra, arithmetic, etc. There are two types of questions here: Problem-solving and data sufficiency. Where the former assesses your ability to reason quantitatively and solve problems, and the latter for understanding and analyzing a problem and noting relevant information while discarding irrelevant information. Calculators are not allowed in the quant section of the GMAT.

Finally, the verbal section deals with your analyses of information and drawing a conclusion. It assesses your ability to read and understand written material, gauge arguments, and sentence corrections. Both the quant and verbal sections are slated to be completed in 75 minutes respectively.

GRE

Its history dates back to 1969 and is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for graduate programs in North American schools, and other parts of the world. The GRE, according to test makers, evaluates one’s verbal and quant reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills. It is not related to a specific field of study, but skills developed over a long period of time are vital for all. Unlike the GMAT which has four sections, the GRE has six arranged in three.

Namely:

Analytical Writing Section (involving two separately timed issues and arguments). Duration is 30 minutes.

Quantitative (contains 2 sections and 20 questions per section; evaluates problem-solving skills based on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, and data analysis. Unlike the GMAT, the GRE provides a calculator in its quant section). Time is 35 minutes per section.

Verbal (Ditto as the quant, it has 2 sections and 20 questions per section; assesses the ability to analyze written information and harmonize information extracted from it. Also assesses the understanding of relationships among parts of sentences and the recognition of words and concepts). The duration for a section is 30 minutes.

An experimental or research section: Here, takers are given a similar format of the quant and verbal questions. However, they are not told which of the quant or verbal is experimental. Although it does not add or reduce your overall score, you cannot detect which section is experimental thereby ensuring you don’t skip a section – for your own good.

Additionally, you could be lucky not to face an experimental section on exam day. However, if it is research, you’ll be told it is research thereby giving you the opportunity to skip it. The experimental section is not included in the paper-based exam. ETS says it is to gauge candidates for future questions.

According to US News

The GRE is flexible due to the fact that it can be used for graduate studies as well as management programs (e.g. MBA). The GRE is currently accepted by over 1, 200 universities that offer business and management programs. As earlier stated, the GMAT is accepted by over 7, 000 business and management programs.

So if you are going to a business school, it is advisable to write the GMAT. However, if you’re opting for graduate studies, the GRE is perfect. If you might have a change of plans and aspirations, then write the GRE.

DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE GRE AND GMAT

GREGMAT
Allows calculator in the quant sectionCalculators are not allowed. A working paper is provided to aid in solving.
Approximately 581, 000 persons take the GRE annually.Taken by circa 261, 000 persons annually.
Costs US$ 205 (fee reduction is available to US residents who demonstrate financial incapability)US$ 250
Administered at computer-based centres globally.Ditto as the GRE
Administered in paper-based formats in places where computer-based testing is unavailable.No paper-based administration. Strictly on the computer.
3 hours 45 minutes3 hours 30 minutes P.S. Effective from 16th April, the time will be reduced by 30 minutes.
You can skip a question in a section and return to it later.You cannot skip a question. A question must be answered before you move to the next.
Combined score: 260 – 340Combined Score 200 – 800
Verbal: 130 – 170Verbal: 0 – 60
Quant: 130 – 170Quant: 0 – 60
Analytical Writing Skill: 0 – 6Analytical Writing Skill: 0 -6

POINTS TO NOTE

Verbal: In the GMAT, you are tested on grammar and comprehension, while the GRE evaluates your ability with complex and uncommon words. Basically, if you are good at having a memory of complex vocabulary, the GRE is preferable.

Quant: The math in this section is secondary school mathematics. However, with the inclusion of integrated reasoning which is quite challenging, the GMAT quant section gets tougher, especially for those not very versed in mathematics. Most people who have taken both examinations say the GMAT is rigorous quantitatively, while the GRE is verbally more challenging.

The GRE can be used in place of the GMAT, but the GMAT cannot be used to replace the GRE. This depends on a program’s requirements and institution.

Finally, it is important to research the school and program’s requirements before you make a decision on the exam to be written. The GMAT is a tried and tested examination for B-school, but the GRE provides another opportunity for students who might change their career plans in the business world.

By Uchechi Moses

Credit: Jarushub

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