Most business schools accept two graduate school entrance exams: the Graduate Record Examinations General Test (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). MBA applicants can decide which test to take—or, at many B-schools, skip submitting scores altogether if they’d rather not.
In an October 2021 survey of nearly 100 MBA programs, 34% said they had not only waived standardized test requirements during the pandemic but were also considering making test-optional admissions a permanent policy.
The survey—conducted jointly by Kaplan, an educational services company, and its subsidiary Manhattan Prep, which specializes in MBA test prep—found that even among schools open to applications without test scores, 88% still considered high scores a plus in admissions.
During the pandemic, both the GRE and GMAT introduced remotely proctored online versions, and these digital options will remain available even after the pandemic ends.
“Covid-19 has definitely affected standardized testing like the GRE and GMAT, but your strategy for choosing which test to take shouldn’t change,” says Nellie Gaynor, an MBA and graduate admissions counselor at IvyWise.
“Applicants should pick the test that aligns with their academic strengths to give themselves the best shot in admissions,” adds Gaynor, a former Wharton School admissions director. Trying practice versions of each test can help decide which one to focus on, she notes.
Bara Sapir, founder of City Test Prep, warns that preparing for at-home exams can be tricky.
“Even though you’re at home, don’t underestimate the rules and setup—they can be stressful,” she says. “You’ll need to clear your space of all objects, living or not, and even everyday noises aren’t allowed.”
Stanford Graduate School of Business, like many others, treats GRE and GMAT scores equally. “We don’t favor one test over the other,” their website states.
Dennis Yim, Kaplan’s director of live online courses, points out that since most B-schools accept both tests, figuring out a school’s preference matters less now than it once did.
Stacey Koprince of Manhattan Prep says one old argument for taking the GRE over the GMAT no longer holds.
“Today, the scores you need to be competitive are pretty similar across most programs,” she explains. “For example, Stanford’s average GMAT is 738, while their average GRE scores are 165 verbal and 165 quant—both are excellent and roughly equivalent.”
Koprince also notes that full-time MBA programs are increasingly accepting the Executive Assessment, a test designed for experienced professionals and commonly used for executive MBA admissions. The GMAT’s administering body, GMAC, created this test, making it a viable alternative to the GMAT and GRE in some cases.
GRE vs. GMAT: Key Differences
| Section | GRE | GMAT |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 1-hour analytical writing (two 30-min tasks), two 35-min quantitative sections, two 30-min verbal sections, plus one unscored experimental section. | 30-min analytical writing, 30-min integrated reasoning, 62-min quantitative, 65-min verbal. |
| Scoring | Verbal & quant: 130–170 each. Analytical writing: 0–6. | Total score: 200–800. Subscores: writing (0–6), integrated reasoning (0–8), quant & verbal (6–51). |
| Format | Second-section difficulty adjusts based on first-section performance. Available at test centers or home. | Correct answers lead to harder questions. Virtual proctoring available. |
| Cost | $205 (higher in China/India). | Varies by region; $275 in the U.S. |
| Length | ~3 hours 45 mins. | ~3.5 hours (with optional breaks). |
8 Factors to Consider When Choosing Between the GRE and GMAT
- Test Focus
The GMAT is designed specifically for business school, while the GRE is broader, covering everything from poetry MFAs to astrophysics PhDs, says Chris Kane of Menlo Coaching. - Value of a High Score
Some experts argue top-tier GRE scores aren’t weighted as heavily as 700+ GMAT scores, though ETS (which administers the GRE) disputes this, stating MBA programs seek diverse academic backgrounds. - Math Skills
GMAT quant is generally tougher, making it a better choice for strong math students, says IvyWise’s Dan Edmonds. However, if you prefer logic over geometry, the GMAT might feel easier. - Language Skills
The GRE’s verbal section includes more obscure vocabulary, which can be challenging for non-native English speakers. - Career Goals
Some consulting and investment banking firms have historically required GMAT scores, says Koprince. Two of her clients who used GRE scores for MBA admissions later had to take the GMAT for job applications. - Test Anxiety
The GRE lets you skip and return to questions, which can ease stress, says Erfun Geula of GRE Compass. However, Bara Sapir notes that too much flexibility can backfire for indecisive test-takers. - Test-Prep Materials
Official practice tests from ETS (GRE) and GMAC (GMAT) are crucial—unofficial materials often don’t match the real exam’s difficulty, warns Kane. - Score Reporting Policies
GMAT reports all valid scores from the past five years, while GRE test-takers can choose which scores to send via the ScoreSelect feature.