GRE or GMAT: Which To Choose?

Embarking on the journey to study at a foreign university is a significant undertaking. This process involves choosing a country, a university, and a field of study, considering the cost of education and living, preparing various documents, and sifting through vast amounts of information. Additionally, you must find time to prepare for entrance exams. In this article, we’ll delve into some of these exams, specifically the GRE and GMAT. You will learn about their differences, their histories, and their structures, and we’ll also help you decide which one might be the right choice for you.

1. The difference between GRE and GMAT
2. Historical Background
3. GRE Exam structure
4. GMAT Exam Structure
5. GRE and GMAT exam preparation
6. How to sign up for the exam
7. How the exam goes

Understanding the Difference between the GRE and GMAT

The GRE and GMAT are both standardized exams utilized for admission into graduate programs at numerous foreign universities. However, they serve slightly different purposes. The GRE is more universal and applicable to various majors, while the GMAT is typically chosen by students aspiring to enroll in business schools, MBA programs, or postgraduate studies in economics and management.

Historical background

The first GRE test appeared in 1949. It was created by ETS – the Educational Testing Service. It was intended for those students who had not yet decided which graduate school to choose, but wanted to continue their studies.

This test did not have a strong mathematical bias. Rather, it was oriented to the needs of educational institutions, and was more universal than the GMAT. It also had a separate subject part, and such test is called GRE Subject.

Immediately after that, in 1950s, GMAT appeared. In 1953 nine business schools united and created Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Together they came up with the test to select the most successful candidates for training.

In 60 years, the number of students enrolled in business schools increased from 2,550 to 250,000.

Beginning in 1997, the GMAT became computerized and adaptive – assignments were directly dependent on previous answers. If a student did well on an assignment, the next one became more difficult. If the question was difficult, the system gave the task easier. Since the task bank was large, this made the test unique for each student.

The exam has been administered outside of the United States since 2007.

The Structure of the GRE Exam

The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) includes:

• Analytical writing;
• Verbal reasoning;
• Quantitative reasoning.

You will have one hour to complete the first section. During this time, you will write two essays: an argumentative essay (Argument task) and an opinion essay on an issue (Issue task).

In the Issue task, the student either argues or agrees with the statement. For example: “The best way to teach is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones.”

Here it is important to show arguments in support of different points of view and explain why one of them is attractive.

Argument task is a test of logic. Students demonstrate the ability to find an error in reasoning, rather than expressing a personal opinion on an issue.

In the Verbal reasoning section, examiners test the ability to work with information while reading.

The tasks are as follows:

• Text completion – insert missing words in short texts;
• Reading comprehension – read the text and answer the questions;
• Sentence equivalence – choose words that can convey the same meaning as in the task.
• Quantitative reasoning concludes the exam, a test of school knowledge in a mathematical context. Students answer 20 questions. According to the passers, this is one of the easiest sections of the exam.

The Structure of the GMAT Exam

This test is slightly different in structure and level of difficulty.

The GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test – includes:

• Analytical Writing Assessment;
• Integrated Reasoning;
• Quantitative;
• Verbal.

The first part is an essay with 30 minutes to write. The essay is tested on two criteria: grammar and logic. A computer program evaluates grammatical design, and examiners evaluate the consistency of students’ reasoning.

The next stage is Integrated Reasoning. Here students analyze infographics – diagrams, tables, and charts – and use the information to solve 12 questions.

The Quantitative Analysis section has 37 problems from different areas of mathematics: arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and geography.

In the last part, students demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary and ability to interpret English text on any topic. The task is designed in the form of 41 questions. The time for passing is 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Preparing for the GRE and GMAT Exams

It is necessary to prepare for the exams at least for a year. A teacher who specializes in preparing for the GMAT and GRE can help.

You can also take trial tests at official test sites to find out your level and adjust the preparation process.

Signing Up for the Exams

The GRE test comes in two variants: electronic and paper. Before taking the test, you need to register on the GRE website.

The GMAT can be taken electronically at a specialized training center. You need to register at the official GMAT website beforehand. Each participant receives an individual ID-code, which on the appointed day comes to the center.

The test is paid for immediately after registration on the website by card, transfer, or personal check. Rescheduling the test costs between 10 and 50 USD, depending on how long the test is rescheduled. If this issue is discussed less than 7 days before the due date, the exam will have to be paid again in full.

How does the exam go

 On the appointed day, the student comes to the selected center. You need to bring your passport to confirm your identity and an application to take the test.

Then they collect biometric data – a scan of your palm, check your signature and take a photo of the student.

All personal belongings are deposited in a special locker. You can leave only your passport: writing utensils, drafts and headphones are issued in the center.

Before the exam, offer to fill out a form where you have to specify the school. The committee will send the results of the exam to these addresses. If it is difficult to decide, you can send the results later – the questionnaire has such a column.

In the auditorium, students take their seats according to the code they got when registering on the website.

Each computer is under video surveillance. The exam process is monitored by an inspector. If irregularities are detected, the results of the exam are annulled.

The testing program adapts and changes the questions, focusing on the answers of the passer. So, if a mistake is made, the next questions will be a little easier, and vice versa.

You can start from any section and go back to the missed questions.

After each section there is a break of 8 minutes.

Standardized tests for undergraduate and graduate programs help the university know if you can learn and do well in your studies. You should prepare for the exams at least six months in advance. A teacher who specializes in GRE and GMAT preparation can help.

Understanding the GRE and GMAT

While both exams are standardized tests, their primary difference lies in the fields they are geared towards. The GMAT is often used as a benchmark for students who intend to pursue studies in business schools, MBA programs, or postgraduate degrees in economics and management. Furthermore, a high GMAT score can enhance your appeal when applying for jobs or internships in entrepreneurship, management, finance, and IT sectors. This is because the test’s speaking section evaluates your ability to reason and logically construct your arguments, without the necessity of using highly specialized or rare vocabulary, as is the case with the GRE.

On the other hand, the GRE is more versatile, making it an excellent choice for students interested in arts and humanities. The mathematics section in the GRE is typically considered less challenging than the one in the GMAT. Moreover, the GRE includes a research component that, although not contributing to the overall score, aids in forming an impression of the student. Consequently, examiners may lean towards a student who might have narrowly missed the passing score but demonstrated a strong research acumen.

Acceptance of GRE and GMAT Test Results

Universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Austria, Australia, and other countries accept both GRE and GMAT test results.

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