GRE vs GMAT: Which Test Gets You Into Grad School?

When you’re planning to go to grad school, you’ll likely face a simple but stressful question: GRE, a standardized test used for admission to a wide range of graduate programs, including master’s and PhDs in fields like psychology, engineering, and the humanities. Also known as Graduate Record Examination, it’s the go-to for non-business programs. But if you’re aiming for an MBA, you might hear GMAT, a test designed specifically for business and management programs, with a focus on analytical writing, data insights, and quantitative reasoning. Also known as Graduate Management Admission Test, it’s the traditional choice for MBA applicants. So which one do you actually need? It’s not about prestige—it’s about fit.

The GRE is broader. It’s accepted by over 1,300 business schools today, not just because they’re being nice, but because it works. If you’re considering a dual degree—say, an MBA plus public policy or environmental science—the GRE gives you more flexibility. The GMAT, on the other hand, is built for business. Its quant section is harder, its data insights section is unique, and admissions officers at top MBA programs still know it best. But here’s the twist: many schools now say they don’t prefer one over the other. That doesn’t mean they’re equal. It means you need to pick based on your strengths.

Take the GRE if you’re stronger in verbal, want to keep options open, or aren’t 100% sure you’ll only do an MBA. Take the GMAT if you’re confident in math, focused solely on business, and want to signal you’ve done the traditional prep. The GMAT’s integrated reasoning section tests how you handle real-world business data—something the GRE doesn’t touch. The GRE’s verbal section? It’s all about obscure vocabulary and dense reading. If you hate memorizing words like "ephemeral" or "recalcitrant," the GMAT might feel easier.

And don’t get fooled by score comparisons. A 160 on the GRE verbal isn’t the same as a 40 on the GMAT verbal. Schools don’t convert them—they look at percentiles. A 160 on the GRE puts you in the 75th percentile. A 40 on the GMAT verbal? That’s the 90th. The scales are different. The tests measure different things. And the best test is the one you score higher on.

Some people take both. That’s fine—if you have the time. But most applicants don’t need to. Pick one, study hard, and crush it. The schools don’t care which test you took. They care if you’re ready to handle their curriculum. Your essays, your work experience, your recommendations—they matter more than the test name on your application. But if your test score is weak, it can sink your chances. So choose wisely.

Below, you’ll find real insights from people who’ve taken both tests, broken-down comparisons, and what actually works when you’re trying to get into the program you want. No marketing fluff. Just what you need to know to make the right call.