{"id":46861,"date":"2019-09-03T06:30:48","date_gmt":"2019-09-03T13:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=46861"},"modified":"2019-09-01T07:02:14","modified_gmt":"2019-09-01T14:02:14","slug":"should-you-take-the-gmat-or-the-gre-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/should-you-take-the-gmat-or-the-gre-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Take the GMAT or the GRE?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Should-you-take-the-GMAT-or-the-GRE.jpg\" alt=\"Should You Take the GMAT or the GRE?\" class=\"wp-image-46862\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Should-you-take-the-GMAT-or-the-GRE.jpg 700w, https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Should-you-take-the-GMAT-or-the-GRE-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We get a lot of questions about the GMAT and GRE, such as: Is there an advantage to taking one exam over the other? What are the secrets to studying effectively and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/how-to-overcome-gre-test-anxiety-and-perform-at-your-best\/\">beating test anxiety<\/a>? How can I get the best possible score?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most b-schools now accept the GRE (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ets.org\/gre\/revised_general\/about\/mba\/programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">you can see the full list here<\/a>), which means you can weigh your options and decide whether the GRE or GMAT will increase your chances of acceptance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Factors to consider when choosing between the GMAT and GRE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pro GMAT<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re an unmistakable candidate for the GMAT if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>At least one of the b-schools you\u2019re applying to doesn\u2019t accept the GRE.<\/li><li>You plan on a post-MBA career in investment banking or management consulting. In that case, you should&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/reports.accepted.com\/mba\/gmatscorewebinar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">take the GMAT<\/a>&nbsp;since such recruiters sometimes use GMAT scores as a screening tool.<\/li><li>The wording on one of your target schools\u2019 websites indicates (if you read between the lines) that the GRE is accepted, but not preferred. (We\u2019re seeing this less frequently.)<\/li><li>You score higher on GMAT practice tests than on GRE practice tests.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pro GRE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You should opt to take the GRE instead of the GMAT if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>You\u2019re fresh out of college and aren\u2019t sure exactly what to do next, but feel prepared to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/reports.accepted.com\/grad\/dominate-test-gre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">take the GRE<\/a>. You may as well go ahead and take it \u2013 the scores remain usable for up to five years. Maybe you\u2019ll use your scores for a future b-school application, or maybe for some other grad program.<\/li><li>You want to save money and\/or will have trouble getting to a GMAT testing center. If that sounds like you, go ahead and take the GRE (obviously provided that your target schools accept it). The GRE is cheaper, and there are more testing centers throughout the world.<\/li><li>You score higher on practice GRE tests than on practice GMAT tests AND your target schools accept the GRE.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For most applicants, it\u2019ll come down to where you get higher scores on practice tests. If you repeatedly do better on the GMAT practice tests than on the GRE, then that\u2019s the exam you should take, hands down. Of course, if it\u2019s impossible for you to get to a GMAT testing location, then the decision again becomes quite obvious, and you should opt for the GRE. Weigh your options, see what makes the most sense for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to prepare and take the exam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some applicants set themselves a specific amount of preparation time to get their best score, then choose target programs based on their qualifications at that point (including the test score). Other applicants select programs first, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/selectivity-index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">determine a target test score based on the program\u2019s average<\/a>&nbsp;\u2013 and then prepare with that target in mind, scheduling the exam when their scores on practice exams are close to that target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both of these are reasonable strategies. Do what works for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which test prep option is right for you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You have a lot of options when it comes to studying for standardized tests \u2013 which route is best will depend on how you learn and what areas you need to strengthen. Especially if you know you\u2019re someone who experiences test-taking anxiety (or you\u2019ve struggled with standardized tests in the past), preparation is the key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>One option is&nbsp;<strong>self-study<\/strong>, using traditional books and online study aids (such as sample questions and practice exams).<\/li><li>For a more structured approach, you could use an&nbsp;<strong>online course<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 these usually incorporate videos and instructional guides, along with self-paced study material and exams.<\/li><li>If you learn best in a classroom environment, then a traditional&nbsp;<strong>test prep class<\/strong>might be best for you.<\/li><li>And if you\u2019re someone who responds best to individual interaction (or if you know you have very specific areas you need to focus on in your preparation), then&nbsp;<strong>tutoring<\/strong>, either in person or online, may be the best choice.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Choose the best option for you based on the score improvement you are looking for, your budget, and personal preferences. If you only are looking to improve slightly over your practice exam, self-study may be fine. If you are trying to raise your score significantly, then allow plenty of time and consider a course or tutoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whichever preparation method you choose, study consistently and steadily to achieve your goals!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Our expert MBA admissions consultants can give you personalized advice on which test to take and help you with any other aspect of your business school application. Check out our\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/services\" target=\"_blank\">MBA Admissions Consulting Services<\/a>\u00a0to learn how we can help you get ACCEPTED!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/reports.accepted.com\/mba\/how-to-create-a-competitive-mba-profile\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/hubfs\/hub_generated\/resized\/0ef80d7e-1f29-4222-9f34-6e6eca8b771e.jpeg\" alt=\"Get your guide!\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/services?utm_campaign=Blog&amp;utm_medium=blog_bio_mba&amp;utm_source=blog\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/accepted_admissions_consulting.jpg\" alt=\"Accepted\" class=\"wp-image-64552\" width=\"47\" height=\"32\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For 25 years, Accepted has helped business school applicants gain acceptance to top programs. Our outstanding team of MBA admissions consultants features former business school admissions directors and professional writers who have guided our clients to admission at top MBA, EMBA, and other graduate business programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, INSEAD, London Business School, and many more.\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/services\">Want an MBA admissions expert\u00a0to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/reports.accepted.com\/mba\/5-effective-stress-reducing-solutions-for-gmat-success\" target=\"_blank\">Five Effective Stress-Reducing Solutions for GMAT\/GRE Success<\/a>, a free webinar<br>\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/e-gmat-a-new-and-better-approach-to-gmat-prep-episode-304\/\">E-GMAT: A New and Better Approach to GMAT Prep<\/a>, a podcast episode<br>\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/how-to-overcome-gre-test-anxiety-and-perform-at-your-best\/\">Making Friends With the GRE: How To Overcome Test Anxiety and Perform at Your Best<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/gmat-or-gre\/\">This article<\/a>\u00a0originally appeared on\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">blog.accepted.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">help you get accepted<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We get a lot of questions about the GMAT and GRE, such as: Is there an advantage to taking one exam over the other? What are the secrets to studying&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,939,775,113,243],"tags":[1894,574,174],"class_list":["post-46861","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mba","category-accepted","category-admission-consultants","category-applications","category-blog","tag-gmat","tag-gmat-strategy","tag-gre","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46861","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46861"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46861\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46863,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46861\/revisions\/46863"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46861"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46861"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46861"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}