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12 Sep 2022, 06:43
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So I pivoted to the GRE from the GMAT and scored 333 on the test. I thought of sharing the what I feel is different between the tests:
1. Relative Quant difficulty: The GMAT quant is indeed more difficult than the GRE quant. However, the GRE is more punishing and every mistake is penalised more in comparison to the GMAT. For instance 3 mistakes on the GRE quant would get you a 168, while 3 mistakes on the GMAT would put you in touching range of a 50/51. I honestly believe that 50/51 on the GMAT quant might carry more weight than a 168 on the GRE quant.
So for folks who are prone to make careless math errors, the GRE can actually be more punishing. However, for someone comfortable with the GMAT quant ie being able to solve Hard GMATClub quant questions accurately under 3 mins would find GRE quant easier. I feel working on GMAT quant improves speed, this in turn reduces the scope for careless mistakes on the GRE as you have the time to recheck your work after you've solved all 20 questions.
2. Verbal: I would actually differ with the common consensus that the GRE is all about the words. Yes, the words do play a part in the GRE verbal section, especially for the SE, but I think the test is more logic driven than people give it credit. I actually think that the skills needed for GRE TC and the GMAT SC have a lot of overlap. Both are very meaning driven and students scoring highly in these section parse sentences efficiently. In the harder questions, the GRE provides phrases in the answer choices. Such questions are more logically driven and vocab knowledge is not of too much help here.
In my opinion, GRE is less ambiguous for the test taker. You don't need to guess what the author wishes to convey in the TC and SE sections and you only need to understand the meaning of the sentence and logically fill in the answer choice. Most test companies are focussing on a meaning driven approach to solve GMAT SC questions. That's how I started. Unfortunately, I was able to draw multiple meanings to a sentence in my head while solving the SCs. This made things complex for me. I found the GRE to be a lot more straightforward that way as there is lesser room for one to guess.
Finally I do agree that the comfort level between vocab vs grammar rules does play a role. Habitual readers might find the GRE vocab a little more comfortable in comparison to the grammar rules driven GMAT. This was the biggest reason for me to pivot to the GRE. I found it hard to imbibe the grammar rules and apply them under the time crunch.
3. Predictability The GRE is more predictable. Candidates know that mastering statistics and charts would bring them 6 points on the test. Furthermore, the pattern of questions is also more predictable. For eg, most quant sections begin with a Quantitative comparison, have a chart question somewhere in the middle and have MCQ spread around them. Same with verbal. Most verbal sections begin with TC and have SE somewhere in the middle with RC spread around them. The GMAT can feel like the wild west. Students can plan for the GRE better.
4. The nature of the test: I personally think that this is the biggest point of difference a candidate has to consider while taking the test and is often overlooked. I think the GRE is way more test taker friendly. For someone who's a nervous test taker, knowing that I can skip a question and come back to it later is honestly a life saver. Whether one has the time to go back and check the questions or not, realising that one has the option to go back to question does help nervous test takers maintain their calm.
While GMAT continues to remain the gold standard for MBA applicants, the GRE is fast gaining prominence. I hope this proves helpful for folks looking to make a decision on which test to take.
GMATNinja would love your thoughts on this.
1. Relative Quant difficulty: The GMAT quant is indeed more difficult than the GRE quant. However, the GRE is more punishing and every mistake is penalised more in comparison to the GMAT. For instance 3 mistakes on the GRE quant would get you a 168, while 3 mistakes on the GMAT would put you in touching range of a 50/51. I honestly believe that 50/51 on the GMAT quant might carry more weight than a 168 on the GRE quant.
So for folks who are prone to make careless math errors, the GRE can actually be more punishing. However, for someone comfortable with the GMAT quant ie being able to solve Hard GMATClub quant questions accurately under 3 mins would find GRE quant easier. I feel working on GMAT quant improves speed, this in turn reduces the scope for careless mistakes on the GRE as you have the time to recheck your work after you've solved all 20 questions.
2. Verbal: I would actually differ with the common consensus that the GRE is all about the words. Yes, the words do play a part in the GRE verbal section, especially for the SE, but I think the test is more logic driven than people give it credit. I actually think that the skills needed for GRE TC and the GMAT SC have a lot of overlap. Both are very meaning driven and students scoring highly in these section parse sentences efficiently. In the harder questions, the GRE provides phrases in the answer choices. Such questions are more logically driven and vocab knowledge is not of too much help here.
In my opinion, GRE is less ambiguous for the test taker. You don't need to guess what the author wishes to convey in the TC and SE sections and you only need to understand the meaning of the sentence and logically fill in the answer choice. Most test companies are focussing on a meaning driven approach to solve GMAT SC questions. That's how I started. Unfortunately, I was able to draw multiple meanings to a sentence in my head while solving the SCs. This made things complex for me. I found the GRE to be a lot more straightforward that way as there is lesser room for one to guess.
Finally I do agree that the comfort level between vocab vs grammar rules does play a role. Habitual readers might find the GRE vocab a little more comfortable in comparison to the grammar rules driven GMAT. This was the biggest reason for me to pivot to the GRE. I found it hard to imbibe the grammar rules and apply them under the time crunch.
3. Predictability The GRE is more predictable. Candidates know that mastering statistics and charts would bring them 6 points on the test. Furthermore, the pattern of questions is also more predictable. For eg, most quant sections begin with a Quantitative comparison, have a chart question somewhere in the middle and have MCQ spread around them. Same with verbal. Most verbal sections begin with TC and have SE somewhere in the middle with RC spread around them. The GMAT can feel like the wild west. Students can plan for the GRE better.
4. The nature of the test: I personally think that this is the biggest point of difference a candidate has to consider while taking the test and is often overlooked. I think the GRE is way more test taker friendly. For someone who's a nervous test taker, knowing that I can skip a question and come back to it later is honestly a life saver. Whether one has the time to go back and check the questions or not, realising that one has the option to go back to question does help nervous test takers maintain their calm.
While GMAT continues to remain the gold standard for MBA applicants, the GRE is fast gaining prominence. I hope this proves helpful for folks looking to make a decision on which test to take.
GMATNinja would love your thoughts on this.
