Is GMAT or GRE better for MBA admissions? The short answer to this question is that business schools, in general, don’t prefer one test over the other. Most business schools, especially those at the very top, take a holistic approach to your application, so worrying about how business schools interpret your choice of a specific test is meaningless.

Instead, you should invest your time and effort into creating a stellar application that ticks all the boxes. Add different things such as work experience and credible references to your application, so that you stand out amongst the pool of other applicants.

Currently, hundreds of business schools worldwide accept the GRE, and this number is growing exponentially every year. Whichever school you are interested in, the chances are that they take the GRE as well as the GMAT.

Since both tests are applicable, the choice of which test you should take depends on you and not the school. No school that I know of explicitly favors one test over the other. If they accept both tests, then that’s it; any further questions about which one they prefer over the other are irrelevant.

Now to help you decide which test you should take, ask yourself the following questions.

Are you better at Quant or at Verbal?

This question, in my opinion, is the most important of all. The GMAT has a considerably harder math section that includes a question type called data sufficiency. On the other hand, GRE has a more straightforward quant section that doesn’t deal with data sufficiency questions, thus making it a bit easier.

However, when it comes to the verbal section, then it is the opposite. GRE has a more challenging verbal section that includes learning over 600+ words and deciphering arcane and boring passages. Therefore, it depends on your personal preferences. Are you more inclined towards verbal or quantitative questions? I would say, take a sample test for both of them and then make a decision.

Are you good at mental calculations? 

Keep in mind that unlike GRE, GMAT does not have an on-screen calculator. On the GMAT, you will have to do all the calculations either in your head or on a piece of paper. This is an important point because many people dread doing even simple calculations on their own. Some people are not as fast and rely on a calculator. If you are one of those people, then GMAT might not be for you.

Are you only applying to business programs? 

An important thing to keep in mind is that, unlike GRE, the GMAT is solely applicable for admissions related to business programs. If you want to apply to multiple disciplines, then GRE is the better choice as it can also be used to apply to hundreds of other programs besides business.

If you think you are better at math and want to apply to business schools exclusively, then your clear choice should be GMAT; however, if the business is not your first choice and want to try your luck at different programs, then GRE is the clear winner.

What schools are you applying to?

This question is not as pertinent today as it was a few years ago, but still, it’s good to know beforehand if your school of choice accepts both tests or not. If your dream school only accepts GMAT, then, unfortunately, you don’t have much say in the matter and would have to choose the GMAT despite your preference.

To help you figure out if your school accepts GRE or not, here is an extensive list provided by ETS. To make searching easier, press “CTRL+F” in your web browser and then type the name of the school you are interested in. If it’s on the list, a yellow mark will appear on the scroll bar.

If you don’t find your school, then don’t worry; ETS may not have added it to the list yet. In this case, the best thing to do is to visit the school’s website and see the relevant information there. You can also email them to ask if they accept GRE or not.

I am still undecided; what do I do?

If you are still undecided, I would recommend taking a diagnostic test for both the exams and seeing how you do. This is by far the best thing you can do to get a basic idea of which test you are more comfortable with. If the schools you are applying to accept both the tests and apply exclusively to business programs and feel equally comfortable with both tests’ math and verbal sections, then try out both the tests.

ETS offers two free practice tests on their website. All you need to do is make an account. As for GMAT, you can find official free practice tests here.

In conclusion, choosing which test to determine is a subjective matter since business schools generally don’t prefer one over the other. Ask yourself all the relevant questions, and better yet, take diagnostic tests for both exams and compare your results. By the end of it, you should have a clear answer to which test you are more comfortable with. Worrying about how different universities will perceive your choice of a test is a meaningless affair. Instead, work on your overall application, which is what matters.