GMAT vs GRE : Difference, Marking Scheme, Scoring Range, Syllabus, Structure

GMAT and GRE, both are standardized test that are used for admission in graduate schools. Both provides the same facility but different focus and structure. GMAT is designed to test business and management skills, while GRE is a more generalized test covering wide range of subjects. 
GMAT is usually known for admission in business schools, while GRE is used for graduate programs (including business and law schools). But, multiple business schools accept both GMAT and GRE tests. 

The goal of the GMAT and GRE is to gain admission to graduate business programs. The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is only intended to confirm a candidate's admission to business schools for MBA programs, even though the majority of institutes worldwide accept the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) as a gauge of the candidate's caliber for graduate-level target programs and master's level programs.

Difference between GMAT and GRE

GMAT and GRE, both are standardized tests used for graduate school admissions, but there are some differences that sets them apart :

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) : 

• Primarily used for business school admissions
• Tests the skills relevant to business and management studies
• Quantitative section has often hard maths questions to solve
• Verbal section includes Section Correction, Critical Reasoning, and Reading
• Comprehension questions
• Scoring ranges from 200 to 800, having separate scores for Verbal and
• Quantitative sections
• The duration of GMAT is 3 hours and 30 minutes
• The cost of GMAT is $250

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)

• Accepted for most graduate programs, including business and law schools.
• Covers wide range of topics and subjects
• Quantitative section tends to be more straightforward and includes a calculator for all quantitative problems
• Verbal section includes Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension questions
• Scoring ranges froom 130 to 170, for both the verbal and quantitative sections
• The duration of GRE is 3 hours and 45 minutes
• The cost of GRE is $205

GMAT vs GRE Marking Scheme

Standardized exams such as the GMAT and GRE are required for admission to graduate programs at US universities as well as those in Canada, Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. While the GRE is a more general test covering a larger range of disciplines, the GMAT is primarily designed to measure skills essential to business and management degrees.

The key difference between GMAT vs GRE Marking Scheme

Scoring System : 

The GRE is assessed on a scale of 130-170 for both the verbal and quantitative portions, with a cumulative score range of 260-340. The GMAT is graded on a scale of 200-800.

Test Structure : 

GMAT has a fixed structure, having four sections - Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal, whereas, GRE has six sections. The AWA section appears first, and the rest of the sections can appear in random order - Verbal Reasoning, Unscored, Research, Quantitative Reasoning, and Experimental .

Adaptiveness : 

Question difficulty on the GMAT is adaptive, meaning it changes based on how well a test-taker does. Because the GRE is section adaptive, a test-taker's success in the previous part 2–3 determines how difficult the subsequent section will be.

Focus of the test : 

While the GRE is a generic exam meant for entrance to graduate programs ranging from an MFA in poetry to a PhD in astrophysics, the GMAT is meant to evaluate skills that are important in business school.

GMAT vs GRE Scoring

For getting admission for graduate schools on basis of these exams, you should aim to understand the scoring system of both of the tests. The table given below will provide you the scoring range of both of these exams :

GMAT vs GRE Syllabus

Standardized exams such as the GMAT and GRE are required for graduate school entrance, albeit they are usually linked to distinct programs.
The GRE is more frequently required for admission to Master's programs because it covers a wider range of topics, including quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and analytical writing, whereas the GMAT is typically required for admission to MBA programs because it places a heavy emphasis on quantitative and analytical skills that are particularly relevant to business.

The key difference between GMAT and GRE syllabus 

Analytical writing : 

Both of the exams consist of an essay section, but topics are different. GMAT exam requires an argumentative essay, while the GRE requires an issue-based essay.

Verbal : 

Verbal Test skills are included in both of the exams, but GMAT exam focuses on math and analytical skills, whereas GRE includes more questions regarding topics like algebra, arithmetic, geometry, and data interpretation.

Integrated Reasoning : 

The GRE lacks an Integrated Reasoning component, but the GMAT features one that assesses students' abilities in data processing and interpretation.

GMAT vs GRE Structure