GRE vs. GMAT: Strategies, Tips & Resources

If you're an international student dreaming of pursuing a Master’s or MBA abroad in 2025, the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) are two critical exams standing between you and your dream university. But don’t worry, with the right strategy, preparation, and mindset, you can conquer them!

Why GRE & GMAT matter for international students

• Gatekeepers to Top Universities: Most top graduate schools in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand require GRE or GMAT scores.
• Scholarship Opportunities: High scores can unlock financial aid and merit-based scholarships.
• Visa Advantage: Strong test scores strengthen your overall profile for student visas.

GRE and GMAT: Which one should you take?

✅ Choose the GRE if:

• You’re applying to non-business programs (Engineering, Sciences, Arts, etc.)
• You’re considering both MBA and other Master’s/PhD programs.
• You struggle with advanced math (GMAT Quant is tougher).
• You have a strong vocabulary (GRE Verbal is more vocab-based).

✅ Choose the GMAT if:

• You’re 100% focused on an MBA or business master’s.
• You excel in logical reasoning and data interpretation.
• Your target business schools prefer GMAT (e.g., Harvard, Wharton, INSEAD).
• You’re comfortable with tricky, adaptive questions.

2025 Relevance: Post-COVID, many universities have reintroduced test requirements.

GRE and GMAT Exam overview

🧠 GRE 2025: What’s New?

• Sections:
  • Verbal Reasoning (2 sections, 20 Qs each)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections, 20 Qs each)
  • Analytical Writing (1 Issue Essay + 1 Argument Essay)
• Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Scoring: 130-170 (Verbal & Quant), 0-6 (AWA)
• Key Change: More data interpretation questions in Quant.

🎯 GMAT Focus Edition 2025 (Replaces Classic GMAT)

• Sections:
  • Quantitative (Problem Solving & Data Sufficiency)
  • Verbal (Critical Reasoning & Reading Comprehension)
  • Data Insights (Integrated Reasoning + Data Analysis))
• Duration: 2 hours 15 mins (shorter than before)
• Scoring: 205-805 (new scale)
• Key Change: No Essay (AWA removed), more business-focused questions.

⚙️ Adaptive Scoring Explained:

• GRE: Adapts between sections (if you do well in first Verbal, second gets harder).
• GMAT: Adapts per question (each right/wrong answer affects the next).

💰 Cost, Test Providers & Availability:

Note: Available in 160+ countries (test centers + at-home option).

Country Specific Relevance

Country	GRE Needed For	GMAT Needed For
Australia	Optional (Melbourne, ANU)	Recommended for AGSM, Melbourne MBA
Canada	UToronto, UBC, Waterloo	Rotman, Ivey MBA
Ireland New Zealand	Some STEM programs	Limited MBA use
United Kingdom	Some MSc programs (LSE, Imperial)	Top MBAs (LBS, Oxford)
United States	MS, PhD, Engineering	MBA, Business Masters

Study Plan, Month-by-Month

📅 6-Month Plan (Ideal Balance)

🎯 Weekly Targets:

• GRE: 10-15 hours/week (split Quant/Verbal/Writing)
• GMAT: 12-18 hours/week (focus on Data Insights)

Section-Wise Preparation Tips

📚 GRE Verbal

• Vocabulary: Learn 500+ high-frequency words (use flashcards).
• Reading Comprehension: Practice 3-4 passages daily (The Economist, Scientific American).

📊 GMAT Quant

• Data Sufficiency: Master Yes/No vs. Value questions.
• Problem Solving: Speed matters, time yourself strictly.

✍️ Analytical Writing (GRE) / Data Insights (GMAT)

• GRE Essays: Follow structured templates (Intro → Examples → Conclusion).
• GMAT Data Insights: Practice multi-source reasoning (charts + graphs).

Scoring Strategy & Target Scores

Retake? If you’re less than 10 points below target, consider retaking after 30 days (GRE) / 16 days (GMAT).

Retaking the Exam & Validity

• GRE/GMAT: Scores are valid for 5 years
• GRE: Can retake once every 21 days, up to 5 times a year.
• GMAT: Can retake once every 16 days, up to 5 times a year (8 lifetime max).

Do’s & Don’ts

✅ Do’s

• Take at least 5 mock tests before the real exam.
• Take at least 5 mock tests before the real exam.

❌ Don’ts

• Cram last minute (consistency beats intensity).
• Ignore weak sections (balance prep).

Final Decision: GRE or GMAT?

Still unsure which test to take?

🎓 Field of Study & Degree Goals

• MBA or Business Master’s (MiM, Finance, etc.)? ➝ GMAT
  • Top B-schools prefer GMAT, but many now accept GRE.
• Engineering (MS, PhD)? ➝ GRE
  • Most engineering programs (CS, Mechanical, Electrical) require GRE, not GMAT.
• Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)? ➝ GRE
  • PhD programs in sciences almost always require GRE.
• Social Sciences, Humanities, Public Policy? ➝ GRE
  • GMAT is rarely accepted for non-business programs.
• Dual-Degree (MBA + MS/PhD)? ➝ GRE
  • GRE is more versatile if applying to multiple programs.

💪 Strengths & Weaknesses

• Strong in Math & Logical Reasoning? ➝ GMAT
  • GMAT Quant is tougher, but if you excel here, it can boost your score.
• Better at Vocabulary & Reading Comprehension? ➝ GRE
  • GRE Verbal is vocabulary-heavy, while GMAT focuses on grammar and logic.
• Struggle with Time Pressure? ➝ GRE
  • GMAT’s question-by-question adaptivity is more intense than GRE’s section-based adaptivity.

🏰️ University & Program Requirements

• Check your target schools!
  • Some MBA programs (like Harvard, Stanford) accept both, but others (INSEAD, London Business School) may prefer GMAT.
• Engineering & Science programs (MIT, Stanford, ETH Zurich) require GRE.

🔮 Future Flexibility

• Not 100% sure about an MBA? ➝ GRE
  • GRE keeps options open for MS, PhD, or even MBA later.
• Committed to business school? ➝ GMAT
• A high GMAT score can strengthen your MBA application.

🔁 Retake & Score Improvement Potential

• GRE allows more retakes (5x/year vs. GMAT’s 5x/year, 8x lifetime).
• If you’re inconsistent in mock tests, GRE may be safer.

Final Recommendation

✅ Take the GMAT if:

• You’re only applying to MBA/business programs.
• You’re strong in logic, data interpretation, and advanced math.
• Your dream B-school prefers GMAT.

✅ Take the GRE if:

• You’re applying to STEM, Social Sciences, or Humanities.
• You want flexibility for multiple degree options
• You prefer vocabulary-based Verbal over grammar-heavy GMAT Verbal.

Still conflicted? Take a free practice test for both and compare your comfort level!

Disclaimer: The figures, content, and information provided here are estimates based on data available as of May 2025. Please note that prices, economic conditions, and other details may change over time. We recommend using this information as a general guide only and encourage you to verify the latest details independently before making any final decisions.