GMAT or GRE Easier?
As the competition heats up between GMAT and GRE as the leading test for business school admission many potential MBAs are weighing the question: is the GMAT or GRE easier? Here’s a chart to help you decide whether the GMAT or GRE will be easier for you and below that is further analysis to help you pick which test to tackle. For a granular comparison of the tests you can also check out our GMAT vs GRE article.
Is the GMAT or GRE Easier?
| GMAT Easier | GRE Easier |
| Great at verbal reasoning | You have an outstanding vocabulary |
| Solid Grammar skills | Not afraid of numbers but don’t like puzzles |
| Like puzzles | Preferred the ACT to the SAT |
| Not intimidated by standardized tests | Standardized tests have never been your strong suit |
GRE is easier than GMAT if:
Table of Contents
-You have an impeccable vocabulary
-You are good at quant but not great with test pressure or puzzles
Why? A majority of the GRE verbal section is based on vocabulary. If you are passionate about words then you’ll love the GRE verbal. On the quant side the GRE and GMAT cover very similar content though the GRE tests that content in a more straightforward way. So you do need quant skills for the GRE but the application is slightly easier. In addition, the format of the GRE is easier than that of the GMAT. Although it is delivered on a computer it still resembles a paper test in that you can skip questions and return to them. It also doesn’t change the difficulty of questions based on your responses. The GMAT computer adaptive test structure challenges most test takers. You can’t return to questions. Once you confirm an answer it’s done! Also, as you answer questions correctly the difficulty of subsequent questions increases. With practice and strategy you can overcome the GMAT CAT. No problemo. But, ultimately, it does present a thornier format.
GMAT is easier than GRE if you:
-Have fantastic verbal reasoning skills
-Have solid grammar skills
-Like puzzles
Although GMAT quant produces great anxiety amongst future MBAs it is the verbal section that’s more important for most people aiming for 700+ GMAT scores. Yes, you do need to do well on the quant as well but unless you score in the 90th%+ on verbal your shot at a stratospheric GMAT score is severely limited. Here’s a detailed look at GMAT Percentiles. And, unfortunately, verbal skills are usually tougher to improve. Of course you can go from a verbal zero to hero but it just tends to take longer to develop those core reasoning and reading skills. So if you’re starting off stupendously on verbal the GMAT could well be easier for you than the GRE.
Verbal Reasoning translates to GMAT Quant
Also, even if you’re rusty at math you may find that once you get in a GMAT quant mindset those reasoning skills translate to quant success. After-all, although the GMAT Quant is a math section the actual math part is very basic. Whether on a quant or verbal question the GMAT is always testing reasoning skills. Are you judging other people’s poorly written emails? You may find GMAT sentence correction very easy and even, yep I’m going to say it, fun. So again, most people think GMAT and math but the verbal is a key factor.
The GMAT is easier to study for
Quick note on study materials for both tests. Even if you fall into the profile indicating a GRE preference note that there are far fewer official GRE questions to practice on. So although you may start off with a GRE advantage it could be that you have a tougher time improving your GRE score due to a lack of official practice questions and practice tests.
The GRE is easier but at what cost?!
Maybe no cost. It could even provide an advantage. But that depends. Whether the GMAT or GRE is easier isn’t the only question one should consider in selecting one or the other for MBA admission. As of 2018, for most people the GMAT is a better bet but there are outliers who could improve their chances for admission to top schools by taking the GRE. An important GRE note: the equivalent GRE score averages at top schools, at least the ones who’ve released the statistics, are lower than what you would need on the GMAT. For a rundown on comparing scores here’s an article on GRE to GMAT conversion.
Is the GMAT or GRE Easier?
Hopefully we’ve shed some light on what skills might make you better suited for the GMAT or GRE. Keep in mind that it is really at the extremes that one test would be significantly more difficult than the other. For most, the tests will be very similar with the GMAT, at least at the beginning of your preparation, slightly tougher.