GRE vs. GMAT: The Complete Guide for MBA Applicants

Published by ETS | Updated March 2026 | 10-minute read

If you're preparing to apply to business school, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to take the GRE or the GMAT. Today, 92% of business schools accept the GRE alongside the GMAT — and at schools like Harvard Business School, Chicago Booth, and Stanford GSB, roughly 42–44% of recent incoming classes submitted GRE scores. Both tests are valid, and the right choice depends on your individual strengths, goals, and circumstances.

This guide covers the key differences between the two exams — test content, scoring, cost, program flexibility, and score control — so you can make an informed decision about which test is the best fit for your MBA application.

The GRE General Test, developed and administered by ETS, measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. It is one of the most widely accepted graduate admissions tests in the world, used by programs across more than 160 countries — including the vast majority of MBA programs.

GRE Test Sections:

• Verbal Reasoning (130–170): Measures reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence.
• Quantitative Reasoning (130–170): Tests mathematical reasoning and data interpretation across arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
• Analytical Writing (0–6): Requires written analysis of an issue and an argument.

The GMAT, administered by GMAC, is a graduate management admissions test accepted primarily by business schools. The current version was redesigned in 2023 and features three sections focused on the quantitative, verbal, and data reasoning skills relevant to MBA-level study.

GMAT Sections:

• Quantitative Reasoning: Problem-solving using arithmetic and algebraic concepts.
• Verbal Reasoning: Critical reasoning and reading comprehension.
• Data Insights: Data literacy, multi-source reasoning, and graphical interpretation — added in the 2023 redesign.

The GMAT produces a composite score on a 205–805 scale.

Test Content and Skills Assessed

The GRE and GMAT measure overlapping but distinct skill sets. The GMAT’s structure — particularly its Data Insights section — is closely tailored to quantitative and data reasoning in a business context. The GRE covers verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing across a broader academic scope. Applicants with strong quantitative and data analysis skills often find the GMAT well-suited to their abilities; those with strong verbal or writing backgrounds may find the GRE a better fit. Neither test is objectively harder.

The Writing Section

The GRE includes an Analytical Writing section scored 0–6. The GMAT removed its writing component in its 2023 redesign. Notably, some business schools are beginning to require applicants to submit writing scores separately — and those applicants must schedule a standalone 30-minute GMAC writing assessment at an additional cost of $30. For applicants with strong written communication skills, the GRE’s built-in writing section provides an opportunity to demonstrate that ability without a separate test. Whether a writing score carries weight varies by program.

Answer Flexibility and Test Format

On the GRE, you can answer questions in any order within a section and change your answers as many times as you like. An on-screen calculator is available during both Quantitative Reasoning sections. On the GMAT, questions must be answered in order and you can change at most three answers per section — a constraint of its question-level adaptive design. Note: the GMAT provides a calculator only in the Data Insights section, not in Quantitative Reasoning. The GRE uses section-level adaptivity, giving test-takers greater flexibility within each section.

Cost

The GRE costs $220 in the United States. The GMAT costs up to $300 — and applicants whose target schools require a writing score will need to add a separate $30 GMAC writing assessment, bringing the potential total to $330. That makes the GRE up to $80 less expensive per attempt on its own, or up to $110 less when writing assessment costs are factored in. For applicants weighing costs across a full application cycle — especially those planning multiple attempts — this difference is worth factoring in.

Program Reach

The GRE is accepted by MBA programs as well as by law schools, PhD programs, public policy programs, and dual-degree pathways such as JD/MBA, MBA/MPH, and MBA/MPP. The GMAT is accepted primarily by business schools. For applicants considering multiple types of graduate programs or pursuing a dual degree, the GRE’s broader acceptance is a practical consideration.

Score Control

Both tests offer score control, but they work differently. The GRE’s ScoreSelect® option allows test-takers to designate which session’s scores to send at any point within the five-year validity period. The GMAT’s Score Preview feature lets test-takers view unofficial scores after testing and decide in that moment whether to send them — a per-session decision. Applicants who prefer a multi-attempt approach may find ScoreSelect® more accommodating.

Prior GRE Score Considerations

GRE scores are valid for five years. Applicants who took the GRE during or after undergraduate study may have a score already on file that is current enough for MBA applications, or that provides a useful baseline for a targeted retake. For those applicants, the GRE may represent a more efficient path than beginning preparation for an unfamiliar exam.

A common question from applicants is: how does my GRE score translate to a GMAT score? ETS does not publish a score conversion table for GRE vs. GMAT.

The more useful question is: is my GRE score competitive for the programs I’m targeting? Most schools publish the median GRE scores of their admitted classes — that’s the most relevant benchmark. If you have questions about how a specific program evaluates GRE applicants, their admissions office is the best source.

Yes — and adoption has reached a tipping point. Today, 92% of business schools accept the GRE alongside the GMAT, including every top-ranked MBA program. For the Class of 2027, Harvard Business School reported 44% of its incoming class submitted a GRE score; Chicago Booth reported 42%; and Stanford GSB reported 44%. These programs evaluate GRE and GMAT applicants through the same holistic admissions process — same committee, same criteria, same weight given to your full application.

Applicants should verify acceptance policies directly with each school before applying, as requirements can vary by program and year.

Yes — and research shows the GRE predicts MBA success just as accurately as the GMAT. ETS validity studies conducted in partnership with business schools consistently show that GRE scores are comparably predictive of first-year MBA academic performance. This is the research basis on which 92% of business schools now accept the GRE at scale.

What this means practically: submitting a GRE score to business school does not put you at an admissions disadvantage. Programs that accept both tests evaluate all applicants through the same process. Your GRE score is a fully accepted, research-backed credential for MBA admissions.

Many MBA applicants choose the GRE because it offers flexibility, fit, and long-term options:

• Keeps multiple paths open. The GRE is accepted for MBA programs as well as law, public policy, and PhD programs — ideal for applicants considering dual degrees (JD/MBA, MBA/MPP, MBA/MPH) or still weighing graduate options. One test, one score, many doors.
• Reflects a broader academic profile. The GRE measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing — skills built across business, humanities, social sciences, and STEM backgrounds alike. It rewards a wider range of academic preparation than the GMAT’s data-focused design.
• The writing section is built in. The GRE includes Analytical Writing scored 0–6. The GMAT removed its writing component in 2023. As some schools begin requiring a separate GMAC writing assessment ($30 extra), the GRE’s all-in-one format is a practical advantage.
• Meaningfully less expensive. At $220 versus up to $300 for the GMAT (or $330 with writing assessment), the GRE is up to $80–$110 less per attempt. For applicants planning multiple attempts, this adds up.
• An existing GRE score may already work. GRE scores are valid for five years. If you took the GRE in college or earlier in your career, check it against the median GRE scores published in your target schools’ class profiles before committing to GMAT preparation.
• Greater score control. ScoreSelect® lets you choose which scores to send — schools only see what you share. The GMAT’s Score Preview is a per-session decision only.

Both tests are accepted at most programs, so the decision typically comes down to individual fit.

• What are your target programs? If applying only to business school, both tests are equally viable. If applying to dual-degree programs or other types of graduate school, the GRE’s broader acceptance is an advantage.
• What are your strongest skills? Take a diagnostic test for each. The format that aligns better with your natural strengths will generally produce a stronger score with comparable preparation.
• Do you have an existing score? If you have a valid GRE score from the past five years, check it against the median GRE scores in your target schools’ class profiles before committing to GMAT preparation.
• What is your budget? The GRE costs $220 versus up to $300 for the GMAT (up to $330 if a writing assessment is also required). That’s a meaningful difference across multiple attempts.