GMAT vs GRE: Which Test Should You Take for Business School?
Take the GMAT Focus Edition if you are applying mainly to business school and your strengths are data analysis and logical reasoning, since its three sections are Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights, with no essay. Take the GRE General Test if you are applying to a mix of graduate, business or law programs, or you are stronger with vocabulary and want a calculator for all of Quant. The GMAT takes 2 hours 15 minutes and the GRE about 1 hour 58 minutes, and both can be taken online or at a test center.
GMAT vs GRE at a glance
| Dimension | GMAT Focus Edition | GRE General Test |
|---|---|---|
| Administered by | Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) | ETS |
| Who uses the scores | Graduate business programs | Graduate, business and law programs |
| Total time | 2 hours 15 minutes, plus an optional 10-minute break | About 1 hour 58 minutes |
| Sections | 64 questions: Quantitative Reasoning (21), Verbal Reasoning (23), Data Insights (20), 45 minutes each | Analytical Writing (30 min), two Verbal sections (12 and 15 questions), two Quant sections (12 and 15 questions) |
| Essay | None; no writing assessment | One 'Analyze an Issue' task, always first |
| Scoring | Total 205-805; the three sections contribute equally | Verbal and Quant 130-170 each; Analytical Writing 0-6 in half points |
| Calculator | On-screen calculator in Data Insights only | On-screen calculator in Quant |
| Test-day flexibility | Choose your section order; bookmark and review any question and change up to 3 answers per section | No order choice: Verbal and Quant may appear in any order, and each measure's second section adapts to your performance on the first |
| Delivery | Test center or online | At home with live proctoring or at 1,000+ test centers |
| Fee and score reports | Fee varies by location (check mba.com); scores sent to five schools free | US$249 worldwide except China (US$237.86); includes reports to 4 programs |
Choose GMAT if
- You are applying mainly to MBA or business master's programs and want the test GMAC builds for business school admission.
- You are strong at data analysis: Data Insights rewards reading tables, graphs and multi-source information.
- You prefer logic-based verbal questions (critical reasoning and reading comprehension) over vocabulary questions.
- You would rather not write an essay, since the GMAT Focus Edition has no writing assessment.
- You want test-day control: you pick the section order and can change up to 3 answers per section.
Choose GRE if
- You are applying to a mix of programs, since ETS describes the GRE as a test for graduate, business and law applicants.
- Your verbal strength is vocabulary and close reading, which Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence reward.
- You want a calculator for the whole Quant section, not only for data questions.
- You want scheduling flexibility: the GRE is offered year-round and can be retaken every 21 days, up to 5 times in a rolling 12 months.
- You want long-lasting scores: GRE scores are valid for 5 years, and ScoreSelect lets you choose which scores to send.
Is the GMAT or the GRE easier?
Neither test is objectively easier; the better choice is the one that fits your strengths. The GMAT Focus Edition leans on data analysis and logical reasoning and has no essay. The GRE leans more on vocabulary in Verbal and adds a scored Analytical Writing task. Take a timed practice set of each and compare your results.
Do business schools accept the GRE?
ETS describes the GRE General Test as a test for applicants to graduate, business and law programs. Whether a specific business school accepts it, and whether it states any preference, is set by each program. Confirm on every school's admissions page before you choose a test.
How long are the GMAT and the GRE?
The GMAT Focus Edition takes 2 hours 15 minutes for 64 questions, plus one optional 10-minute break. The GRE General Test takes about 1 hour 58 minutes across five sections, starting with a 30-minute Analytical Writing task. The GRE was shortened in September 2023 from about 3 hours 45 minutes.
How do GMAT and GRE scores compare?
The GMAT Focus Edition reports one total score from 205 to 805, with Quant, Verbal and Data Insights contributing equally. The GRE reports Verbal and Quant separately on a 130 to 170 scale, plus Analytical Writing on a 0 to 6 scale. The scales are different, so a score on one test does not map number for number onto the other.
Can I practice for both tests on KomFi Academy?
Yes. KomFi Academy has separate GMAT and GRE topics with practice questions that include full explanations, plus flashcards and a glossary. You can start on the free Basic tier, and Pro unlocks each topic's full question bank.
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Sources: GMAC: GMAT Focus Edition exam overview, mba.com: GMAT exam, ETS: GRE General Test, ETS: GRE test structure, ETS: GRE fees.