Overview
You’ve done your research and discovered the graduate program of your dreams – one that has a world-class faculty, sounds like a good match for your personal, academic and career interests, and is in an ideal location to top it all off. So how do you differentiate your application from others? One pretty good way of doing so is by doing well in your admissions test, especially if you’re worried about your undergraduate GPA! In this section, we will cover the major admissions tests required for entry to MBA and graduate programs globally.
There are TWO main tests that MBA programs and graduate schools use to evaluate applicants:
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test intended to assess certain analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills in written English for use in admission to a graduate management program, such as an MBA program.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
The GRE is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in the United States and Canada.
Comparison Table
So which test(s) should I take? To help you make the most informed decision, we have drawn up a table comparing the tests. If you wish to know about specific test formats and content, please click on the desired test pages to learn more.
Test |
GMAT |
GRE |
Programs accepting test |
Most graduate business and management schools worldwide accept the GMAT, including top B-schools like:
- Stanford Graduate School of Business
- UPenn Wharton
- Harvard Business School
- Columbia Business School
- INSEAD
- IE Business School
|
Most Masters and Doctoral degree programs in leading universities globally accept the GRE. Some graduate business and management schools also accept the GRE in place of GMAT.
|
Registration |
https://accounts.gmac.com/Account/Register
|
https://www.ets.org/gre/
|
Test Fees |
USD 250
|
USD 205
|
Duration |
3 hours 7 minutes (excluding optional breaks)
|
3 hours 45 minutes (including 10-minutes break)
|
Attempts Allowed |
Can be taken once every 16 days, maximum 5 times in a rolling calender take the GMAT exam once every 16 calendar year (365 days) and 8 times in a lifetime.
|
Can be taken once every 21 days, maximum 5 times in a rolling calender year (365 days).
|
Test Frequency |
Throughout the year
|
Throughout the year
|
Test Format |
Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)
|
Computer-based test with Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) elements
|
Results Release Date |
Within 20 days (email)
|
Approximately 10-15 days (online)
|
Validity |
5 years
|
5 years
|