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GRE vs GMATGMATGREMBA AbroadTest Prep
Quick Answer: GRE or GMAT for Indians?
- Applying for MS → Take GRE
- Applying for MBA only → Take GMAT
- Applying for both MBA + MS → Take GRE (accepted everywhere)
- Strong at Maths, applying to top MBA → Take GMAT (traditional preference remains)
GRE vs GMAT: Key Differences
| Factor | GRE | GMAT |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted for | MBA + MS + PhD | MBA primarily |
| Sections | Verbal + Quant + Writing | Verbal + Quant + Data Insights |
| Score Range | 260–340 | 205–805 |
| Quant Difficulty | Moderate | Hard |
| Verbal Focus | Vocabulary heavy | Logic/Critical Reasoning |
| Duration | ~2 hrs | ~2.25 hrs |
| Cost (India) | $220 (~₹18k) | $275 (~₹23k) |
| Validity | 5 years | 5 years |
What Business Schools Actually Prefer
GMAT was the gold standard for decades, but today:
- 100% of top MBA programs accept GRE
- Harvard, Wharton, Kellogg, LBS all treat GRE and GMAT equally (per their official statements)
- However, GMAT still has a slight historical prestige for pure MBA programs
For MS programs, virtually all programs prefer GRE. GMAT is not accepted by most MS programs in engineering or sciences.
Which is Harder for Indians?
- GRE Verbal — Harder for Indian students due to vocabulary-heavy Text Completion questions
- GMAT Verbal — Focuses on Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction, more logical
- GRE Quant — Easier for Indian engineering graduates (150–168 range)
- GMAT Quant — Harder, more Data Sufficiency problems, tricky wording
Typical Indian student outcome: GRE 315–325 | GMAT 680–720 (roughly equivalent)
Score Conversion Table
| GRE Total | GMAT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 325–330 | 750–780 |
| 320–324 | 720–749 |
| 315–319 | 680–719 |
| 310–314 | 640–679 |
| 305–309 | 600–639 |
When to Choose GMAT
- You are applying exclusively to top-10 MBA programs
- You are strong at Data Sufficiency and Critical Reasoning
- Your target school has a noticeably higher average GMAT than GRE acceptance rate
Common Mistakes
- Taking both tests without a clear strategy — pick one and master it
- Underestimating GMAT Verbal (Indian students typically score 20–30 percentile)
- Not using official practice tests from ETS/GMAC
Conclusion
For most Indian students, GRE is the safer choice due to its wider acceptance. Take GMAT only if you are applying exclusively to top MBA programs and excel at logic-based verbal sections.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do MBA programs prefer GMAT or GRE?
All top MBA programs now accept both equally. However, GMAT still has a slight edge at a few traditional programs. Harvard, Wharton, and LBS explicitly state no preference.
Is GRE easier than GMAT for Indian students?
GRE Quant is easier for most Indian engineering graduates. But GRE Verbal (vocabulary) can be harder. GMAT Verbal is logic-based which some find more manageable.
Can I use GRE for MBA in USA?
Yes — 100% of top-50 US MBA programs now accept GRE. The GRE can be used for MBA, MS, and PhD applications simultaneously.
How long is GRE/GMAT score valid?
Both GRE and GMAT scores are valid for 5 years from the test date.
