GMAT vs GRE: Which Exam to take for MBA in Abroad Universities?

Subhashri Roy
Updated on Feb 27, 2023 04:33 PM IST

Confused between GMAT and GRE? Check out this article where we tell you the major differences and similarities between the two internationally acclaimed tests. GMAT and GRE are both equally accepted examinations across various universities abroad, so check out the differences here.

Table of Contents

Willing to pursue MBA abroad? If you are wondering whether your GRE score would be accepted instead of GMAT by the top international b-schools, you will be relieved to know that most of the universities abroad now accept the GRE scores for admission to MBA programmes. More than 1,200 MBA programmes are available on the basis of GRE in the USA alone. However, there are a few universities that accept only GMAT scores.

You can choose either of the exams on the basis of the universities that you are targeting and your strengths in the aptitude domain. In order to find out the exam in which you will perform better, you must understand the type of questions asked and the distribution of sections. Following is the syllabus and pattern of GRE and GMAT

You can check out the differences between GRE and GMAT for MBA abroad from this video.

GMAT vs GRE - Differences in Exam Pattern

One of the major differences one may be able to witness between the tests is the exam pattern. The exam pattern for GMAT and GRE, while may seem similar, there are distinctive differences between the two. Check out the table below to learn more about the difference between GMAT and GRE Exam pattern.

Verbal Section:

This section tests the verbal skills of a candidate with the help of reading assessment and checks how well a candidate comprehends what they read. Critial reasoning, sentence completion or correction, and vocabulary are other important competencies based on which a candidate is evaulated.

Type of Questions	GMAT	GRE
Reading Comprehension	Reading comprehension in the GMAT exam will be more focused on business-related subjects. Less than one-third of the verbal section of the exam will comprise reading comprehension questions.	Half of the verbal section of the exam will be based on reading comprehension questions. Few of the critical reasoning questions will also be asked in the reading comprehension format.
Critical Reasoning	These type of questions are a major part of the GMAT exam as they test your reasoning as well as analytical skills.	GRE also includes critical reasoning in its verbal syllabus but comprises fewer critical reasoning questions.
Sentence Completion/ Correction	GMAT comprises 14 to 15 sentence correction questions where your grammar and syntax knowledge of the language will be tested.	GRE comprises sentence completion questions in MCQ format where you will be required to fill blanks on the basis of most favourable options given to you
Importance of Vocabulary	GMAT does not give too much importance to vocabulary and is more focused on testing the verbal reasoning skills of candidates	Vocabulary has a big role in this exam and most of the sentence completion questions will be based on the strength of vocabulary and understanding of words.

Quantitative Section:

Questions in this section will be asked from topics like Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, Data Interpretation, Number Theory and Probability. GMAT will comprise more statistical and data interpretation questions than GRE. Also, GMAT has tougher quantitative section than GRE.

Name of the Exam	Type of Questions
GMAT	Data Sufficiency: These questions will comprise information in the form of two sentences and a question will be asked. Candidates will be required to answer whether the information is the statements is sufficient to answer the question or not. Multiple Choice Questions: These will be asked in the usual 'question and four option' format from various topics of the mathematics section.
GRE	Quantitative Comparison: In these, you will be given the data as well as the question. Two quantities will be given to you and you will be required to tell whether the two quantities are greater than (A), less than (B) or equal to (C) each other. If neither of these three can be identified, you can mark option (D) i.e. cannot be determined. Multiple Choice Questions: These will be asked in the usual question and four option format from various topics of the mathematics section.

Also Read: List of Entrance Exams to Study Abroad: Dates, Apply Online Here

Analytical Writing:

In this section, writing skills of candidates are checked through essay type questions.

Exam	GMAT	GRE
Type of Essays	In GMAT, you will get argumentative topics and you will have to put forth your views regarding the topic and support them with examples.	In GRE, there are two different questions: Issue Writing: in this you have to present your views with the help of examples. Argument Writing: in this, you will have to weaken the argument and support your take with reason.
Domain of Topics	Most of the times, topics are asked from the field of business and management. Candidates must keep track of global business news as examples are necessary to support your argument.	Topics can be asked from any field. Candidates are required to understand the topics and present their views clearly. Marks are given out of 6 for both type of essays and the average is considered.
Time Allocated	30 minutes	30 minutes per task

Integrated Reasoning:

This section is included only in the GMAT exam and the time given for this section is 30 minutes. This section tests the analytical, verbal and logical skills of the candidates at the same time. The questions asked will comprise daily, true-to-life problems. The candidates will have to analyse the problem and provide logical solutions for the problem.

Also Read: 10 Foreign Scholarships For Indian Students to Study Abroad

Which Exam to Give for MBA -GMAT or GRE?

Now that you have understood the syllabus and pattern, you can choose the exam in which you will be able to perform better. For example, if you are good at analytical reasoning and quantitative section then you can appear for the GMAT exam. Whereas, if you are good at answering verbal questions and vocabulary, you can give the GRE exam for admission in MBA programmes offered by universities abroad.

Check out the video on GRE vs GMAT for MBA abroad:

Top MBA Colleges and Universities in the World

Wish to apply for an international MBA degree? Then check out this list of top MBA colleges and universities in the world that offer a range of management and business courses.

University Name	Country	Course Offered
Victoria University, Melbourne	Australia	Master of Business: Enterprise Resource Planning System Supply Chain Management Marketing Finance Management
The University of Adelaide, Adelaide	Australia	Master of Business Administration Master of Applied Project Management (Project Systems) Master of Global Food and Agriculture Business Graduate Diploma in Business Administration
University of Windsor, Windsor	Canada	Master of Business: Logistics and Supply Chain Management Human Resource Management International Accounting and Finance
Sheridan College Oakville	Canada	Graduate Certificate in Marketing Management Graduate Certificate in Advanced Manufacturing Management
University of Oxford, Oxford	UK	Executive MBA MBA Diploma in Financial Strategy Diploma in Organisational Leadership
The University of Liverpool, Liverpool	UK	Master in Management M.Sc in Business Analytics and Big Data Science
University of California, Riverside	USA	Postgraduate Diploma in: Business Management Sports Management
Pasadena City College, Pasadena	USA	Certificate in Business Administration Certificate in Marketing Merchandising

If you are interested in pursuing an MBA or a management programme in one of the many international colleges and universities, then head over to the StudyAbroad page of CollegeDekho. You will be able to choose from a sea of popular colleges for MBA or management programmes.

You can also write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com or call us at 785-9990-990 and clear your queries regarding international admissions. The team at StudyAbroad CollegeDekho wishes you all the best.

Admission Open 2025