GRE OR GMAT? Confused?

Graduate and postgraduate students are getting increasingly confounded between choosing from GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) and GRE (Graduate Record Exam) for pursuing a prestigious business degree abroad. Starting 2006-07, with a view to enhance student diversity, many business schools had begun admitting students on the basis of GRE scores, traditionally used for admission criteria for engineering, history, science, psychology etc. Within a span of three years, over 800 b-schools accepted GRE; the acceptance having grown by 200%. It included premium business and Ivy League schools such as Yale, Wharton, Harvard Business Schools, INSEAD, Columbia University, Stanford and MIT. With this crucial option, more and more students are trying to figure which test would work to their advantage. The scores of both the tests are valid for 5 years and the sections of the test are almost similar. Although both the tests are equally competitive, there are some aspects in which they differ. 1. Cost and Accessibility: The GMAT ($250) is more expensive than GRE ($140). This can be a crucial factor since many students opt for retakes. The number of test taking centres is greater for GRE. 2. What does it test: The GRE and GMAT are both made up of verbal, analytical writing and quantitative sections. A key differentiator is the prominence of vocabulary in the verbal section of GRE. In GMAT however, critical reasoning (which does not form a part of GRE) accounts for one third of verbal section. The quantitative sections are relatively similar comprising number theory, arithmetic, statistics, algebra, geometry and probability; as also is the writing sections. 3. Preparation Time: Evaluate where you stand in terms of skill sets for the respective sections. Take diagnostic GMAT and GRE preparation test which will help analyze this. 4. Difficulty levels: The difficulty is entirely subjective and is dependent on the student profile, strengths, expertise and skills. Every assessment involves different skillsets. Both tests also require the same amount of preparation and time management skills. 5. Acceptability: While GMAT is acceptable in all B schools, GRE is still gaining ground, although rapidly. B-Schools have statistics on GMAT but not much on the GRE and it is only recently that US News started including GRE Scores in their ranking comparison charts which plays a major role in increasing the perception of the GRE as on par with GMAT. Though GMAT still remains the clear option for students who want to pursue a business degree, students who want to pursue a dual degree like MBA and public policy or engineering students who aren't sure of whether to pursue an MS or MBA, opt for the GRE. It is important to do your homework. Contact the admissions department of your shortlisted schools and check with them regarding their admission criteria. You can then accordingly evaluate your skill sets through mock GMAT GRE tests and understand which testing method suits your profile better. Keep in mind your long term objectives and career aspirations which can provide a major cue for you to decide between the two tests.