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GREGMATTest PrepMBAMS
Quick Answer: GRE or GMAT — Which Should You Take?
Take GRE if you're applying for MS/PhD programs in STEM, or MBA programs that accept both. Take GMAT if you're targeting top MBA programs (Harvard, Wharton, Kellogg, LBS) or business-focused graduate programs. Most MS programs prefer GRE; most MBA programs prefer GMAT.
GRE vs GMAT: Which Should You Take?
Quick answer: Take GRE if you're applying for MS/PhD. Take GMAT if you're targeting top MBA programs.
Key Differences
| Feature | GRE | GMAT |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | MS, PhD, some MBA | MBA primarily |
| Quant | Moderate | Harder (business math) |
| Verbal | Heavy vocabulary | Critical reasoning |
| Score | 260–340 | 200–800 |
| Duration | 3h 45m | 3h 7m |
| Cost | $220 | $275 |
| Validity | 5 years | 5 years |
GRE Acceptance by Country
- USA: Accepted at 90%+ of universities for MS and MBA
- UK: Many business schools now accept GRE
- Canada: Most programs accept GRE
- Australia: Growing acceptance
When to Choose GMAT
- Targeting top 20 MBA programs (Harvard, Wharton, Booth, Kellogg)
- Score in the 700–730+ range for competitive schools
- The school explicitly prefers GMAT
When to Choose GRE
- Applying for MS in CS, Engineering, Data Science
- Applying to MBA programs that explicitly accept GRE
- Want to hedge and apply to both MS and MBA programs
- Budget concern (GRE is $55 cheaper)
Score Requirements for Indian Students
GRE for MS in USA:
- CS/Data Science: 320+ (Quant 165+)
- Engineering: 315+
- Business: 310+
GMAT for MBA:
- Top 10 schools: 720+
- Top 25 schools: 680–720
- Top 50 schools: 640–680
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