In today’s evolving era, master’s or professional degrees play a vital role, and they have an exclusive place, as they offer advanced skills, specialised information, and improved employment opportunities. Of course, undergraduate programs do offer foundational learning, but master’s degrees are designed to offer a deeper dive into a certain field of study whether it is business, engineering, healthcare, science or humanities. Furthermore, obtaining a graduate degree, specifically abroad, presents a great chance for networking and international exposure. Interacting with other students, instructors, and business experts from various cultural and professional backgrounds is advantageous for students attending overseas universities. In addition to improving intercultural understanding, this exposure aids in the development of a worldwide professional network, which can be beneficial for career progression.
So, after having so many reasons to pursue a master’s degree from abroad, you are mulling over going to universities abroad to do the master’s program but here comes the catchy part: when thinking of going abroad for graduate level, the students get confused about which exam to appear for entry – is it GRE or GMAT? Of course, both are predominant, but it totally depends on the field of study you are thinking of pursuing. First, let’s take the basic understanding of the GMAT and GRE, then proceed with which one to choose for a top-notch program abroad.
What are GMAT and GRE?
GMAT
GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is a standardized exam used by graduate business schools, especially for MBA programs, to measure a candidate’s readiness for graduate-level work. It basically tests analytical thinking, quantitative and verbal reasoning, and data analysis skills.
Format – Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Verbal Reasoning (VR), Data Insight
GMAT Purpose – The purpose of the GMAT is to evaluate if a candidate is prepared for the graduate business program challenges and opportunities.
Validity – 05 – 05 Years
Time – 2 hours and 15 minutes long
Scoring – 205-805 (GMAT focus edition)
200-800 (GMAT Exam 10th Edition)
Administration – The GMAT is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
Global Acceptance – More than 7600 programs in 2400 business schools in 114 countries
Official Link – https://www.gmac.com/gmat-other-assessments
Please note – The GMAT Focus edition is a revised version of the GMAT exam. The new version is more focused towards key business school skills like critical reasoning
GRE
GRE, or Graduate Record Examinations, is also an entrance exam, required to get enrolled in universities abroad for master’s and business-related programs. The GRE helps graduate schools assess and compare applicants from all walks of life, ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation of each candidate, no matter their background. It measures the applicant’s preparation for graduate study, particularly for sciences, engineering, and business.
Format – Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning
GRE Purpose – The purpose of the GRE is to offer a uniform way to evaluate students’ mathematical, verbal, and analytical abilities irrespective of their educational experience.
Validity – 05 Years
Time – 1 Hour and 58 Minutes
Scoring – 130-170 (verbal & Quantitative), 0-6 in (Analytical Reasoning)
Administration – Educational Testing Service
Global Acceptance – Recognised by more than 10,000 programs in 1,300 business schools
Official Link – https://www.ets.org/gre.html
GRE vs GMAT 2025: Key Differences
| Parameter | GRE | GMAT |
| Purpose | Enrolment is mainly in business schools for MBA program | Enrollment to mainly in business schools for MBA program |
| Question Paper | Multiple-choice, essay, sentence equivalence, numeric entry, text completion | Multiple-choice, data sufficiency, critical reasoning, problem solving, sentence correction |
| Paper Adaptivity | Segment-adaptive: the level of difficulty varies according to the performance of a segment. | Question-adaptive: each question’s difficulty varies. |
| Test Frequency | All through the year | All through the year |
| Level of Math Difficulty | Intermediate; emphasizes fundamental ideas with a hint of complexities. | Greater, with a focus on problem-solving and adequate data |
| Ideal For | MS programs | Business programs |
| Flexibility | Gives you the option to select which scores to send (ScoreSelect). | enables the delivery of particular test results (Score Preview). |
Luckily, both the entrance exams are for students who are willing to pursue a program at the graduate level, and we have already understood the definition plus basic differences. Now let’s understand which one to choose or which one is best for you.
GMAT and GRE: Which one to choose?
GRE and GMAT are pretty popular amongst international students, but selecting the better option for an individual depends on their academic objectives and desired job path:
Go for the GRE if –
- You submit applications to numerous graduate schools, including MBA, PhD, and MS.
- You favour an exam that emphasizes both verbal and mathematical skills in a more equal manner.
- You feel more at ease with general math concepts and language.
Go for the GMAT if
- Specifically, you are applying to MBA and Executive MBA programs at business schools.
- You possess excellent analytical and mathematical abilities.
- Targeting prestigious business schools where the GMAT is more well-known is your goal.
Willing to go to Germany for a master’s program and curious to know, is it mandatory to appear for the GRE to get admission in Germany?
