The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test administered globally by Educational Testing Services (ETS). It is intended for students interested in pursuing graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines at top universities. These disciplines include but are not limited to, Law, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Literature, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. The GRE is widely recognized as a crucial step toward pursuing higher education in various fields.

Both the GMAT and GRE are essential tests for students preparing for their future prospects, as they enable business schools and universities to evaluate their potential for MBA and graduate degree programs. However, it’s worth noting that the GMAT and GRE differ significantly in terms of their structure, content, and focus areas. As such, it’s crucial for students to understand these differences before deciding which test to take.

Test structure

GMAT

The GMAT test is composed of four sections designed to evaluate the skills of candidates, including:

• Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
• Integrated Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Verbal Reasoning

The GMAT is a comprehensive exam that lasts 3 hours and 7 minutes (or 187 minutes), during which test-takers can take two optional 8-minute breaks. However, for the online version of the exam, only the 2-hour and 45-minute section is included, excluding the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA).

Each section of the GMAT has its own time limit and test-takers can choose the order in which they take the test. There are three variations of the test available to choose from.
• Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative and Verbal
• Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessments
• Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessments

GRE

The GRE is designed to assess a test-takers verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. The test lasts for approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes (or 225 minutes), and each section is scored on a scale of 130 to 170 with one-point increments. The maximum score a test-taker can achieve on the GRE is 340.

The GRE test is divided into three sections, each of which assesses different skills of the test-taker:
• Verbal Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Analytical Writing

Sections And Assessments

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

Analytical writing assessment (AWA)
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section is a part of both the GMAT and GRE, and it consists of one question that requires the test-taker to write a 30-minute essay. The purpose of the AWA section is to assess the candidate’s ability to comprehend complex ideas and arguments and to develop a response that is both problem-solving and persuasive, thereby evaluating their English writing capabilities.

Integrated Reasoning

The Integrated Reasoning section of the GMAT evaluates the candidate’s ability to analyze and synthesize complex data from multiple sources to solve business problems. This section tests the candidate’s skills in interpreting and organizing data presented in various formats, such as tables, graphs, and text passages.

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning (QR) section is a crucial component of both the GMAT and GRE, and it often takes up a significant amount of the test-taker’s time. This section evaluates the candidate’s ability to solve mathematical problems using concepts from arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Although the calculations required in this section are generally not advanced, they do test the candidate’s ability to apply these concepts to solve complex problems.

Verbal Reasoning

The Verbal Reasoning section evaluates a candidate’s ability to read and comprehend written material, analyze arguments, and improve written material in a professional business setting. This section tests the candidate’s effective communication skills, and it assesses their ability to rephrase and improve written material to enhance its clarity and impact.

Scoring System

GMAT

The GMAT total score ranges from 200-800 with 10-point increments.
• Writing Assessment (AWA) score ranges from 0-6 in half-point increments, with an average score of 4.5.
• Integrated Reasoning (IR) score ranges from 1-8 in one-point increments, with an average score of 4.33.
• Quantitative Reasoning (QR) score ranges from 0-60 in one-point increments, with an average score of 39.
• Verbal Reasoning (VR) score ranges from 0-60 in one-point increments, with an average score of 27.
The overall GMAT score averages 556

GRE

The GRE total score ranges from 270 to 340 in one-point increments, with an average score of 304.
• Verbal Reasoning (VR) score ranges from 130 to 170 in one-point increments and averages at 150.24.
• Quantitative Reasoning (QR) score ranges from 130 to 170 in one-point increments and averages at 154.
• Analytical Writing (AWA) score ranges from 0 to 6 in half-point increments and averages at 3.5.
The overall GRE score averages 304

GMAT vs GRE cost?

The average cost of the GMAT online exam is around $250 globally and $275 in the United States and Canada. The cost of the test varies depending on the currency and location. On the other hand, the GRE is slightly cheaper than the GMAT and costs around ₹210 in most locations. The cost is the same for both online and offline versions.

Overall, both tests require thorough preparation and practice to achieve a high score. It’s essential to understand the format and content of each exam to create an effective study plan.