The GMAT has been the most widely accepted score globally for MBA admissions. According to recent GMAC data, the GMAT score is accepted by over 7,700 programs at more than 2,400 business schools globally while the GRE is accepted at around 1,300 business schools.
However, the recent years have seen an increasing number of business schools accepting GRE scores in order to diversify their applicant pool.
In fact, the GRE share has been seeing a rise in the recent years. Based on U.S. News & World Report data, P&Q reported that 31 of 54 programs now have 25% of candidates using the GRE score for their applications compared to just 23 in 2022. But it’s also true that the GRE numbers are not rising across all schools – 20 schools reported a decline in GRE submissions.
Which is more popular for MBA admissions: GMAT or GRE?
Many business schools especially the top ones are open to receiving either of the scores. Some programs also mention this on their website that they have no preference for one test over the other. Let’s see what the top business schools have to say:
‘Prospective graduate students should take the test that they feel the most comfortable with,’ says Lawrence Mur’ray, executive director of admissions and financial aid at Tuck School of Business, ‘These two exams are designed to be a little bit different. They should just take advantage of the many, many options for practice exams for both of these to figure out which one is going to give them the best presentation of a test score,’ he adds.
Since the GRE can be used for applying to other programs like the Masters (including MiM), dual degree programs, doctoral programs, specialized Master’s in business programs, JD programs, candidates who lack clarity about their post-graduate study plan can use this score to broaden their study options.
However some top recruiting companies in the most sought-after fields like investment banking, management consulting, and financial services, may take into account the GMAT score of job applicants, so candidates with career interests in these areas need to consider this aspect as well.
Though most of the top schools accept the GRE score, it would be a good idea to shortlist the schools you wish to apply to and check if the schools you’re targeting encourage applicants to submit the GRE score as well.
GMAT vs GRE survey results
Our consultants regularly get queries from prospective applicants who are anxious about which test to take for MBA admissions. So we had posted a poll on our social media channels (LinkedIn and YouTube) way back in May, 2021. Here’s what we found.
Poll results in 2021
These were the findings of the survey:
- The GMAT beat the GRE in the MBA race…by a huge margin!
- The poll results were quite similar across the two channels (LinkedIn and YouTube): 21.2% voted in favour of GRE, while an astounding 78.7% gave GMAT the thumbs up
- The bottom-line: 3 out of 4 applicants preferred the GMAT over GRE.
Four years down the line, with the number of GRE test-takers increasing in MBA admissions, we decided to take another poll to see if the tide has turned. Here’s what the survey revealed.
Poll results in 2025
Though the margin has decreased from 3:1 to 2:1, GMAT is still more popular and continues to dominate the MBA landscape.
But before you take a call on which one you should select in 2026, take a look at how the two differ. There may be one that fits your needs better than the other, regardless of how other applicants may have voted in the surveys.
GMAT vs GRE: Key differences
| GMAT | GRE | |
|---|---|---|
| Owned by | GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) | ETS (Educational Testing Service) |
| Test Sections | -Quantitative Reasoning (21 questions) -Verbal Reasoning (23 questions) -Data Insights (20 questions) |
-Analytical Writing (1 section) -Verbal Reasoning (2 sections) -Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections) |
| Test duration | 2-hour, 15-minute exam, with an optional 10-minute break | 1 hour, 58 minutes |
| Test format | 64 questions – attempt the 3 sections in any order. 10 min optional break after the first or the second section | 5 sections – attempt Analytical Writing section first followed by Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, unidentified/unscored sections in any order, no break in between |
| Test fee | Cost depends on location. In USA & India, it costs $275 at test center & $300 online | Fee is $220 except in China where it is $231.30 |
| Score range | GMAT (Focus Edition) total scores range from 205 – 805. | Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning scores range from 130-170 in one-point increment Analytical Writing from 0-6 |
| Validity | 5 years | 5 years |
The GMAT has a slightly longer duration than the GRE. The GMAT Focus Edition was launched in November 2023. Students could opt for either the classic GMAT or the GMAT Focus version. However, from 1st February 2024, the classic GMAT exam was discontinued and GMAT Focus took over.
But the Classic GMAT test scores continue to be valid for a 5-year period. On the GMAT Focus Edition, a score of 645 corresponds to a 700 on the classic GMAT exam. This is on account of the new score scale.
Since only one version of the GMAT exam is now available, the ‘GMAT Focus Edition’ is now referred to as the GMAT exam. The GMAT Focus Edition has total score ranging from 205 to 805, whereas the classic GMAT had a total score range of 200-800.
How many times can I take the GMAT/GRE?
The GMAT allows you 5 attempts during a rolling 12-month period with a 16 days gap in between. The older version had a lifetime limit of 8, at present there are no lifetime limits.
The GRE can be taken 5 times in a year with a 21-days gap between 2 successive attempts. There is no limit to the number of times you can take the GRE.
GMAT vs GRE: Which is easier?
Both the GMAT and the GRE are computer-adaptive tests – the difficulty level goes up or down depending on whether your answers are right or wrong. However, The GMAT is question-level adaptive – answering correctly increases the difficulty level within the same section. The GRE, on the other hand, is section-level adaptive, where your performance in one section determines the difficulty of the next.
Many candidates find the Quantitative section in the GMAT tougher compared to the GRE however the GRE has more geometry questions. GMAT allows use of calculators only in the Data Insights section whereas in case of the GRE, calculators can be used in the Quantitative Reasoning section.
Candidates with engineering backgrounds generally find the GMAT to be easier. Among engineers, the GMAT score breakdown typically shows a higher Quant score than Verbal.
The Verbal section in the GRE may seem more challenging than that of the GMAT with a strong focus on advanced vocabulary. Many non-engineers, especially those from liberal arts backgrounds may prefer the GRE over the GMAT.
Engineers who have already appeared for the GRE in order to apply for the their Master’s may choose to use their score to apply to an MBA program.
The best way to decide between the two exams is to look at a few sample questions of the GRE and GMAT and compare the GRE syllabus with the GMAT syllabus.
We’ve worked with clients who’ve switched exams to achieve a desirable score and secure an admit. Here’s one such story: Michigan Ross MBA with scholarship after 3 years and GMAT-to-GRE switch
Can I review or change answers in GMAT and GRE?
In the GMAT exam, there’s a ‘Question Review & Edit’ tool that gives you the option to bookmark up to 3 questions which you’d like to review/update later. After you’ve completed a section, you can go back to the ‘Question Review & Edit’ screen for that section before moving on to the next section.
The GRE offers a greater flexibility with test-takers having the option of choosing which questions within a section they’d like to answer first. They can also go back and change answers within a section.
GRE to GMAT conversion
How would you compare a particular GRE score to a GMAT score to know which one is stronger? If a business school accepts both the scores, which one would you want to submit? ETS provides a tool that helps in GRE to GMAT conversion.
Still confused? Our team has helped thousands of MBA aspirants get into the top business schools, often with scholarships. Many had low GRE and low GMAT scores. Drop us a line at info@mbacrystalball.com if you need help with your application.
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A couple of additional points for your comparison table: official GMAT score reports are typically available 3-5 days after the exam, whilst GRE scores are usually available 8-10 days after the test. If candidates need to retake the exam for any reasons, the need to wait 16 days btw GMAT exams, whilst they need to wait 21 days between GRE exams. When you’re working towards tight deadlines, a few days can make a big difference