By Jen Kedrowski, MBA Admissions Consultant, mbaMission and former GMAT/GRE Instructor & Curriculum Manager
If you are planning to apply to MBA programs in the near future, you might be wondering which admissions exam you should take as part of the application process. You want to be sure to choose the exam that is the best fit for you—the one that will most effectively showcase your abilities and add to your applicant profile.
In this post, we offer insight into the different exam options for applying to business school to help you identify the best one for you.
Do you really need to take an exam to apply to MBA programs?
The reality is that the majority of MBA programs require a standardized test as part of the application process, typically either the GMAT or the GRE. A smaller number of programs accept the Executive Assessment exam.
A number of U.S. MBA programs have begun offering test waivers in recent years, but those schools vary from one application season to the next, so be sure to contact the programs you are interested in directly to verify whether applying for a test waiver is an option. Test waivers are typically granted on a limited basis, and the admissions committees will need to see solid alternate evidence of quantitative, analytical, and academic strengths before issuing a waiver to an applicant.
For most applicants, however, an exam is required. Business schools use your exam score, in combination with your academic performance as an undergraduate, in predicting your ability to manage the academic rigor of their MBA program. Exam scores alone do not get applicants “in” to specific programs, but scoring well below a school’s average can hold a candidate back and become a roadblock to acceptance. In addition, at schools that are particularly competitive, many candidates will submit strong test scores, so you need to score as high as possible on your test to maximize your chances.
GMAT versus GRE versus EA: What are the main differences?
The GMAT exam is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and tests Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. The GMAT has an extensive history in the business school world. The exam’s first iteration was established more than 70 years ago.
The GRE exam is administered by ETS and was initially an admissions test for a broad range of graduate school programs. It tests Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Business schools began accepting the GRE almost two decades ago, and over time, GRE submissions for MBA programs have been steadily increasing.
A third admissions exam, the (EA), is accepted by a small but growing number of full-time MBA programs (including Columbia Business School, NYU Stern, UVA Darden, Duke Fuqua, Texas McCombs, and Georgetown McDonough). The EA was created by the same organization that created the GMAT, initially for applicants to Executive MBA (EMBA) programs. It tests a similar range of skills as the GMAT, including Quantitative, Verbal Reasoning, and Integrated Reasoning—which involves data interpretation.
With respect to differences in content, be aware of the following:
- The GMAT prioritizes data analysis and quantitative reasoning most extensively.
- The GRE includes vocabulary, geometry, and analytical writing (the GMAT and EA do not).
- The EA includes Sentence Correction (grammar) questions.
- The EA is the shortest of the three exams (by a small margin; see chart later in this post).
- Generally, all three exams test a similar range and level of quantitative facts, concepts, and formulas (with the exception of some geometry on the GRE).
- All three are adaptive exams, meaning that the difficulty level adjusts based on your performance while you are in the process of taking the test.
- All three exams also test your time-management and strategic decision-making abilities.
GMAT versus GRE versus EA Comparison Chart
| GMAT | GRE | EA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Length | 2 hours, 15 minutes | 2 hours | 90 minutes |
| Sections | 3 sections, 64 questions (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights) | 5 sections, 55 questions (2 Quantitative Reasoning, 2 Verbal Reasoning, 1 Analytical Writing) | 3 sections, 40 questions (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning) |
| Scoring | Overall score: 205–805 Subscores: 60–90 for each section | Quantitative score: 130–170 Verbal score: 130–170 Writing score: 0–6 | Overall score: 126–174 Subscores: 0–20 for each section |
| Quantitative Section Details | 21 questions, 45 minutes Question types: Problem-solving Topics: Number properties, algebra, arithmetic, statistics | 2 sections (12 questions in 21 minutes and 15 questions in 26 minutes) Question types: Quantitative comparisons, multiple choice, numeric entry, and data interpretation set | 14 questions, 30 minutes Question types: Problem-solving and data sufficiency Topics: Number properties, algebra, arithmetic, statistics |
| Verbal Section Details | 23 questions, 45 minutes Question types: Reading comprehension and critical reasoning | 2 sections (12 questions in 18 minutes and 15 questions in 23 minutes) Question types: Reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence | 14 questions, 30 minutes Question types: Reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction |
| Data Insights or Integrated Reasoning Section Details | 20 questions, 45 minutes Question types: Data sufficiency, multi-source reasoning, table analysis, graphics interpretation, and two-part analysis | N/A | 12 questions, 30 minutes Question types: Multi-source reasoning, table analysis, graphics interpretation, and two-part analysis |
| Analytical Writing Section Details | N/A | 1 question, Analyze an Issue, 30 minutes | N/A |
| Calculator Usage | Available on-screen for Data Insights section only | Available on-screen for Quantitative section | Available on-screen for Integrated Reasoning section only |
| Flexibility within Sections | Review and edit up to three questions per section, if time allows | Skip, go back, and review any questions within active section | Limited ability to review and change answers at specific points within each section |
| Exam Attempts | Five attempts permitted in a rolling 12-month period; eight attempts in a lifetime | Five attempts permitted in a rolling 12-month period; no lifetime limit | Four attempts in a lifetime; two maximum attempts at a test center, and two maximum attempts online |
Which exam(s) will your target programs accept?
Virtually all MBA programs (full-time, part-time, EMBA) accept either the GMAT or the GRE exam. Most EMBA programs accept the EA, in addition to the GMAT and GRE. Multiple full-time and part-time programs now accept the EA as well. GMAC maintains a comprehensive list of all programs that accept the EA, so check that list regularly for the latest updates.
Do MBA programs prefer one exam over another?
Many applicants worry that even though a school says it will accept several different exam options, it might prefer one test over another. However, this is simply not true. Programs want you to take the exam that will best showcase your strengths and ability to handle the business school curriculum!
Although the GMAT has a long history of being the primary exam for MBA programs, that does not mean it is “preferred.” And the percentage of MBA applicants who submit GRE scores has continued to increase over the years. At many top programs, 40% or more of candidates submit GRE scores.
Rather than feeling compelled to take the GMAT simply because it has a longer history with business schools, do your research to determine which of the exams is truly the best option for you, your skills, and your test-taking abilities.
Which exam is best suited for you?
You will need to consider many different factors as you compare the GMAT, GRE, and EA. Business schools have generally had more consistent GMAT averages over time and strive to ensure that those averages do not dip much. GRE averages have a wider range of variability, and Quant and Verbal subscores are still looked at separately. In addition, the percentage of candidates who submit a GRE score has historically been smaller than the percentage who submit GMAT scores at most programs. Given all of these factors, until recently, at least, some schools were able to be slightly more flexible in accepting applicants with below-average GRE (or EA) scores—but not below-average GMAT scores—if the rest of their profile was strong.
According to Jeremy Shinewald, founder/president of mbaMission,
“Schools are protective over their GMAT averages. If you are naturally a strong-test taker and can see yourself lifting a program’s average, you might want to take the GMAT. If you’re not a natural test taker, you might want to pursue the GRE. That doesn’t mean that business schools will accept any old GRE score, though; test takers should still seek to perform at or near the school averages.”
That said, GMAT scoring has changed this past year, with a new scale and new percentiles, so how focused business schools will be on specific GMAT averages and thresholds going forward remains to be seen.
Here are some scenarios when each exam might be particularly suited for certain applicants:
- You might be best suited for the GMAT exam
- if you consider yourself particularly strong in quantitative reasoning and data analysis, since these are very prevalent across the GMAT.
- if you are a strong test taker in general and feel confident that you can achieve a GMAT score that could benefit programs with respect to their averages.
- if you are a non-native English speaker and/or feel the GRE vocabulary or EA grammar questions would be difficult or time intensive for you.
- if you have taken a GMAT practice test and feel you could excel with this exam!
- You might be best suited for the GRE exam
- if you consider yourself particularly strong in verbal reasoning and complex vocabulary.
- if you feel you are not the strongest standardized test taker but prefer GRE questions to EA questions (or your target programs do not accept the EA).
- if you feel your quantitative and/or data analysis skills are on the weaker side.
- if you are applying for any specialized master’s degree programs that require the GRE.
- if you have taken a GRE practice test and feel you could excel with this exam!
- You might be best suited for the EA exam
- if you are applying to EMBA programs and/or other MBA options that accept the EA.
- if you consider yourself particularly strong in grammar and data analysis.
- if you feel you are not the strongest standardized test taker and prefer EA questions to GRE questions.
- if you prefer the shortest possible exam length available.
- if you have taken an EA practice test and feel you could excel with this exam!
How should you decide which exam to take for MBA admissions?
After considering the advice we have presented thus far and confirming which exams your target programs accept, the simplest way to decide which exam is best suited to you is to take practice tests.
Taking a practice test enables you to experience that particular exam to see how you feel about the experience, structure, and/or question types and determine whether you prefer it to any of the other exams. Practice tests also offer you a very rough diagnostic test score, which might not necessarily reflect what your final score will be after you have spent the appropriate amount of time preparing but will allow you to compare your performance on different exams, thereby providing some insight into which test you might have the most potential with.
Here are some links to get you started:
Try a free online practice GMAT Focus exam.
Try a free online practice GRE exam.
Try free online practice EA questions. (Note: You will need to pay a fee to access a full-length practice EA exam.)
If you have taken several practice exams and still are not sure which one to focus on—or if you would like additional advice on test preparation—feel free to reach out for a free 30-minute consultation with one of our MBA admissions experts. We offer these complimentary advice consultations on a weekly basis across multiple time zones.
How should you prepare for your chosen exam?
Most candidates prepare for the GMAT for somewhere between two and six months. Taking a targeted prep course and/or working with a tutor can further strengthen your quantitative and verbal foundations and maximize your score.
Should you take the same exam multiple times?
Retaking an exam will not negatively affect your chances of admission, because business schools will consider your highest score in their evaluation of your candidacy. We therefore recommend considering a retake if you feel you could improve your score and/or you are below your desired target for your intended business school(s).
Should you take multiple different exams?
Some applicants take more than one of the three admissions tests (if accepted by their target programs). Why might you choose this approach? A large proportion of the preparation you do for any one exam will carry over and apply to the other exams, as well. If you struggle to reach or surpass the score averages at your target programs after several attempts, you might want to consider trying a different exam, even before devoting extensive prep to it, just to see whether you might perform better on it instead.
What qualifies as a “good” GMAT/GRE/EA score?
Two key considerations determine a “good” test score. These are the (1) percentiles and (2) average scores at your target school(s). Do your research on both to get a sense of how your score would compare. Feel free to reach out to us with questions about your scores and candidacy anytime.
How have the GMAT and GRE changed recently?
In 2023, the GMAT exam was revamped and renamed the GMAT Focus. It was shortened overall, and certain elements, such as Sentence Correction (grammar) and Analytical Writing, were removed. As of July 2024, what had been referred to as the GMAT Focus exam became the only GMAT option available and is now therefore known simply as the GMAT exam.
The GRE exam has not changed with respect to content, but the length of the test was shortened. No changes have been made to the EA recently. The three exams are now more similar in length, following the changes to the GMAT and GRE.
Stacey Koprince, curriculum director at Manhattan Prep, has the following to say about the recent GMAT test changes:
“With the recent changes to the GMAT, the testmaker has removed some elements that were less relevant to business school, such as geometry and grammar, and elevated the emphasis on skills more important to business school, such as data analytics.
The GMAT has in fact become notably more friendly for test takers, without grammar rules to memorize. The GRE still maintains testing vocabulary, which can be time intensive for many test takers.”
Overall, we recommend that you be intentional with respect to your test choice. Take several practice tests initially, research your target school requirements, and then determine which approach and exam you should focus on. Feel free to reach out to us with questions along the way.
Do you have questions about your test plan or MBA application profile?
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