GMAT vs GRE - Please help

Question

Hi all,

I am planning to apply for a B school which accepts both GMAT and GRE (99% of B schools now do). I have written GRE about 6 to 7 years ago for my Masters and found the Quant section quite straight forward. I have lost touch with Academics including the Quant area. GMAT Quant and Verbal sections seem way more tougher than GRE. Especially, the Quant section is killing me from the timing standpoint. I could barely finish the questions in both the mock tests I gave with a month of preparation.

Although a part of me asks me to switch to GRE and get it out of my way for my application process, one part of my brain is asking me to take up the challenge and go for GMAT. Here are the two questions I would like to ask

1) Is there is any difference between GMAT and GRE for the selection criteria in B schools? The schools say they accept both the scores. If then, why do people waste so much of time, money and energy on GMAT when GRE is comparatively easier.

2) Is GRE really easier than GMAT? Or did the MGMAT CAT 1 just bowled me over with its complexity and my inexperience?

3) I just have around 45 days of time to write my GMAT/GRE if I want to apply for this fall. I am applying for a part time evening MBA program, so I can apply in the last round of deadline.

Any information, suggestion or motivation would be highly highly apppreciated.

Thank you,
Abhi

KarishmaB · Answer

I would not say that one exam is easier than the other. The two are different and hence hard to compare. A person fresh out of engineering might find GRE easier. A person who loves to solve puzzles and other mind games might find GMAT easier - it will vary from person to person. Since you have taken GRE before, you have the benefit of identifying with it and hence may find GMAT more troublesome. If you really get down to it, I don't think you will find GMAT difficult. Of course the GRE questions will not seem that straight forward either since you have been out of touch for many years.

Schools do accept both scores nowadays. Do they have a bias toward GMAT scores? Perhaps they do. Think about it - they have been using GMAT scores for a long time and have been convinced of its predictive ability time and again. They have recently started accepting GRE scores and hence they are comparatively untested. But since they are accepting both scores, at the end of the day, a great GRE score should do for you what a great GMAT score would do. Of course, the call is yours!

GeneralEducation · Answer

Hi Abhi,

Even i would like to go with Karishma. It's not possible to compare GMAT and GRE. GMAT is always preferred by most of the schools, however GRE might act as a back up. All I would suggest prepare hard and take more Mock tests to get a grip on things.

Hope this helps:  https://goo.gl/LT72yk

Regards,
Neha

abgmat08 · Answer

Hi Karishma and Neha,

Thank you for getting back to me. I have taken a GRE prep test and score 312 with zero preparation. I felt the Quant was way easier and the scoring pattern was better than the GMAT. That has created more dilemma now. However, as you said I will prepare for GMAT and give it a shot. If you know of any further information please let me know.

Thank you,
Abhi

OptimusPrep · Answer

The tests are different and it depends on you and your skills which is easier for you. Nevertheless I would go for the GMAT. Optimus Prep has students for GRE and GMAT and usually the GMAT clients achieve their target score and GRE students have a hard time studying although they also heard the rumor that GRE is way easier.

GMAT vs GRE - Please help

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