GMAT vs. GRE: Navigating Changes & Strategies for Success

With the recent introduction of GMAT Focus, understanding the differences between the GMAT and GRE is more important than ever.

Jennifer Jackson, an admissions consultant at Stratus Admissions Counseling, recently highlighted key considerations about the two exams and offered insights into how prospective applicants can optimize their test-taking strategies.

NEW GMAT FOCUS

Compared to the classic version of the GMAT, the new GMAT Focus places a stronger emphasis on business skills and executive decision-making. The GMAT Focus officially replaced the classic GMAT back in February this year.

The new GMAT Focus, according to Kaplan, includes the following changes:

• Changed the testing durations for each section (Quant + Verbal + Data Insights) to 45 minutes
• Changed the scaled Total score range from 200 – 800 to 205 – 805
• Renamed Integrated Reasoning to Data Insights
• Removed the Essay section
• Removed all grammar
• Removed most geometry
• Removed sentence correction problems
• Weighs data analysis skills more heavily in your score

CONSIDER SCORE CANCELLATIONS AND RETAKES

Both the GMAT and GRE allow you to view your score immediately after you complete the test, and you can cancel your score immediately if you aren’t satisfied. For both the GMAT and GRE, you can also choose to have your cancelled score reinstated within 60 days.

You’re allowed to sit for the GMAT once every 16 calendar days, with a maximum of five attempts within a 12-month period. Keep in mind that any online GMAT attempts count towards your five-attempt limit per year. The GRE can be taken once every 21 days, with a cap of five attempts within a 12-month timeframe.

Ultimately, Jackson says, it doesn’t matter which test you take as B-schools don’t have a preference.

“The first thing you should do is decide between the GMAT and the GRE. All MBA programs accept either, so you should take the one on which you can score higher,” Jackson says. “To determine which exam is a better fit for you, we encourage you to take a diagnostic test for each to see how you perform in both formats.”

AIM FOR THE 80% RANGE

While business school admissions is holistic, test scores play an important role in determining your ability to succeed in an MBA program. Typically, Jackson recommends applicants to consider MBA programs where their test score is within or above the school’s 80% range.

“It is ideal to have a score you are happy with by late spring so you can create a list of target schools and start working on your essays for Round 1 in May or June when the prompts come out,” Jackson says. “Those deadlines in September (and January for Round 2) come fast and furiously, and you will be happy that you planned ahead and completed your testing early so you could focus on the rest of the application.”

Sources: Stratus Admissions Counseling, Kaplan

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