All top B-School aspirants are confused about whether they should take the GMAT vs GRE for MBA, which is an easier and better option to score high? In this article, we will try to clarify which test is best for MBA aspirants. Every year almost 150,000 Indians go for studies abroad and when somebody is going for higher studies then one of the major critical elements of application is GMAT or GREs. If we compare the test takers’ data for the GMAT vs GRE for MBA last three years, out of the total test takers majority of students choose to take the GRE compared to the GMAT. If we consider the basic information about GMAT and GRE, they both are standardized entrance exams accepted by most of the foreign universities in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia. All the top-ranked universities and B-Schools accept GMAT or GRE scores to assess applicants’ analytical ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills.
People from across the globe, having different academic scores, grading systems apply to top B-Schools and that is where these standardized tests come into play, since both GMAT and GRE follow standard application across all geography.
GMAT or GRE which is better?
If an applicant is considering targeting different graduate programs (MIM, MS, MBA) then they should appear for GRE. Since GRE is accepted by wider variety of graduate programs.
If an applicant is considering majority of MBA programs or management related programs which are predominantly taught in Business schools, then they should consider appearing for GMAT exam.
Applicant needs to analyse his academic strengths and assess if applicant is strong in quant, then GMAT offers great opportunity to demonstrate their strengths whereas if applicant is strong in verbal skills and good in writing then they can prefer for GRE since this exam is a bit challenging for non-native English speakers.
GMAT is computer adaptive test, if test taker answers first two or three questions correct then the next question, they will get harder difficulty level. So based on test taker’s previous answer the next answer becomes progressively tougher or easier. Whereas in GRE it is more section adaptive, based on your performance in previous section the next section will be tougher or easier.
Some companies particularly investment banks and business consulting firms like BCG, McKinsey, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs ask for the GMAT score as a part of the job application. So if MBA aspirants have certain target Employers in their mind then they need to go ahead and research if they require GMAT or not, if MBA aspirants target is to get into these kind of companies it’s a better idea to take the GMAT beforehand and save all that amount of time and money. The GRE is designed to evaluate test taker’s verbal and quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Its verbal section majorly focused on test taker’s vocabulary and how they structure the language.
If the test taker feels that he/she has strong vocabulary and verbal skills then they can prefer GRE over GMAT, and if test taker is strong in English grammar concepts and quantitative skills then preparing for GMAT makes sense.