Shortened GRE vs. GMAT Focus: Which Test Suits Your Business School Goals?
A Comprehensive Admissions Guide for Ambitious Graduates
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, Last Updated :
Mar 17, 2025
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Choosing the right entrance exam is a pivotal step for professionals aiming to secure a spot in a prestigious MBA or other graduate business programs. Recent updates to both the GRE and the GMAT have changed their formats, timing, and question types—leaving many applicants unsure which route offers the best advantage.
This article offers a clear-cut comparison of the shortened GRE and the new GMAT Focus. You’ll learn about each exam’s content, structure, cost, and scoring system. By the end, you’ll have the insights needed to make an informed decision on which test can support your goals, whether you’re determined to join a top business school or exploring flexible graduate pathways.
The GRE and the GMAT are both accepted for most MBA admissions, yet each serves distinct purposes. The GRE, offered by ETS, also works for a wide range of Master’s, PhD, and law programs. The GMAT, developed by GMAC, is primarily geared toward business schools. These distinctions can influence your decision if you remain open to different graduate degrees.
The GRE claims a larger annual test-taking population—approximately 340,000—partly because it caters to multiple disciplines.
Around 110,000 individuals opt for the GMAT each year, reflecting its niche focus on management education.
For potential costs, the GRE sits at around $220, while the GMAT can go up to $275 (at a test center) or $300 (online).
Both exams recently underwent major changes aimed at cutting down test time. The GRE now takes around 1 hour 58 minutes, with a mandatory 10-minute break, while the GMAT spans about 2 hours 15 minutes, including an optional 10-minute break.
Key Scoring Differences
The GRE uses a 260–340 scale for combined Verbal and Quant, plus a 0–6 Analytical Writing score.
The GMAT uses a 205–805 scale, dividing the overall result among Verbal, Quant, and Data Insights (each scored 60–90).
Percentile charts vary widely. It’s wise to compare how your target schools interpret GRE vs. GMAT scores.
2. Exam Content: What You’re Tested On
Both tests measure reasoning and analytical skills, but the shorter formats introduced in 2023 have shifted question counts and removed entire sections.
GRE Content
Verbal: Includes reading comprehension, text completion (filling in blanks with the best-fit words or phrases), and sentence equivalence (choosing two words to form a logical sentence). A key element is advanced vocabulary.
Quant: Features problem-solving in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, plus data interpretation and quantitative comparisons. An on-screen calculator is permitted.
Analytical Writing: Now includes just one “Analyze an Issue” essay, requiring you to present and defend an argument.
GMAT Focus Content
Verbal: Covers reading comprehension and critical reasoning, dropping sentence correction.
Quant: Primarily problem-solving but is considered more rigorous than GRE Quant. Plane geometry has been removed.
Data Insights: Combines elements of what was formerly Integrated Reasoning with data sufficiency. You’ll evaluate charts, graphs, and tables to answer multifaceted questions.
One primary distinction is that GRE problems in Verbal rely heavily on vocabulary, while GMAT Verbal focuses more on logic and argumentation. For Quant, the GMAT is often deemed more complex, though skilled test-takers may find the GRE’s approach equally challenging if they struggle with time constraints or test anxiety.
3. Structure and Format Considerations
GRE Structure
Verbal Reasoning: 27 total questions across two sections (18 minutes and then 23 minutes).
Quantitative Reasoning: 27 total questions across two sections (21 minutes and then 26 minutes).
Analytical Writing: One 30-minute essay.
Overall Timing: Approximately 2 hours 8 minutes, including a 10-minute break.
The GRE is section-adaptive, meaning the difficulty of a second Verbal or Quant section depends on your performance in the first. Within each section, you can answer or change responses in any order as time allows.
GMAT Focus Structure
Verbal: 23 questions in 45 minutes.
Quant: 21 questions in 45 minutes.
Data Insights: 20 questions in 45 minutes.
Overall Timing: Around 2 hours 15 minutes, including an optional 10-minute break.
The GMAT is question-adaptive. Each correct or incorrect answer influences the next question’s difficulty. However, GMAT Focus now allows test-takers to flag and review questions, changing up to three answers at the end of each section, an update that offers more flexibility than before.
4. Pros and Cons of Each Exam
A clear-eyed comparison of advantages and drawbacks can guide your decision if you’re on the fence.
GRE Pros
Accepted for a wide variety of graduate programs, offering flexibility if you remain undecided between Master’s, PhD, or MBA routes.
No dedicated data insights or integrated reasoning component, focusing on Verbal and Quant.
You can modify your answers within a section without strict limits, making it easier to revisit flagged questions.
Lower cost ($220 vs. up to $300 for the GMAT).
GRE Cons
While business schools accept GRE scores, some admissions committees may still show subtle preference for the GMAT.
The heavier emphasis on vocabulary can be a stumbling block if you’re not used to memorizing complex word lists.
GMAT Focus Pros
Slight advantage at some business schools, which historically rely on GMAT scores as a key applicant metric.
No essay is required, eliminating the analytical writing section.
Allows up to three answer changes per section—an improvement from the older format that locked responses immediately.
Question-level adaptive design provides a more precise calibration of difficulty.
GMAT Focus Cons
Not suitable for other graduate programs, limiting utility if you pivot away from business school.
More challenging Quant content, a drawback for those aiming to avoid higher-level math.
Inclusion of Data Insights means an extra skill set to master beyond Verbal and Quant.
5. Practical Steps for Deciding
Compare Practice Scores: The simplest way to see where you excel is by taking an official GRE practice test and an official GMAT test. Evaluate which score better positions you above your target schools’ averages.
Assess Program Requirements: Some programs strongly encourage (or even require) the GMAT. Others consider both equally. If you’re uncertain which graduate path you’ll pursue, the GRE might offer broader utility.
Understand Your Strengths: Enjoy working with data and advanced math? The GMAT’s heavier Quant and Data Insights may suit you. Prefer reading and vocabulary? The GRE Verbal section could feel more natural.
Review Test-Day Format: Section-adaptive (GRE) versus question-adaptive (GMAT) can influence your comfort level. If you like revisiting questions freely, the GRE’s approach might reduce anxiety.
Think About Time and Budget: The GMAT is slightly costlier, but a strong GMAT result may carry extra weight at certain elite business schools. If cost is a big concern, the GRE’s lower fee could be more appealing.
❗Tip: If you’re still unsure, consider completing condensed practice tests offered by reputable test prep providers. Look for official or trusted third-party simulations to gauge your performance in real test conditions.
The Bottom Line
Selecting between the GRE and GMAT Focus depends on your long-term goals, your academic strengths, and the specific MBA programs (or broader graduate options) you have in mind. Although both exams now run much shorter, the differences in content—especially the GMAT’s Data Insights section and the GRE’s significant vocabulary demands—still matter.
By evaluating practice test outcomes, verifying program preferences, and weighing the pros and cons outlined above, you can confidently pick the exam that aligns with your skills and aspirations. Whichever you choose, diligent preparation and strategic planning remain the most reliable path to a standout score.
