What is needed for a business school application may vary depending on the school. It may include official transcripts, recommendation letters, application essays, and standardized test scores.

The top b-schools tend to require a Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or GRE test score to standardize and objectively compare all applications. This helps schools to evaluate candidates in a fairer manner across different professional, academic, and geographical backgrounds. 

Most schools show no preference between the GMAT or the GRE. Yet, more than 80% of students rely on the GMAT exam to get into top US MBA programs, and nine in 10 students take the GMAT to apply for top European schools. 

So, why do more MBAs take the GMAT instead of the GRE?

The GMAT is more widely accepted

The GMAT is a standardized entrance exam used specifically for business schools and MBAs. The GRE, on the other hand, is a general graduate exam accepted by a variety of non-business graduate programs. 

Not only has the GMAT been the number one test for b-school admissions, but it also demonstrates your firm commitment to doing an MBA. 

“The fact that it is used by leading business schools around the world emphasizes that it is the premier test for business school applicants,” says Stephanie Kluth (pictured), director of admissions at ESMT Berlin. 

The GMAT measures the most relevant skills for MBA programs. Each of the three sections—quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data insights—targets a specific skill you will further hone during your studies and develop for your post-MBA career.

“It gives us a subjective evaluation that complements the candidate’s professional, educational, and personal achievements,” Stephanie adds. 

Furthermore, the GMAT is accepted by 2,400 b-schools in more than 7,700 programs while the GRE is accepted by more than 1,300. According to the 2020 Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) application trends survey, seven out of 10 applicants used GMAT scores when applying to MBA programs ranked in the top 100 of the Financial Times Global MBA rankings. 

“I felt that it was a safer bet to take this test in case I found myself considering a school that only accepted the GMAT,” says Louise Andersson (pictured below), an MBA graduate from Copenhagen Business School.

The GMAT offers more choice and flexibility 

With the GMAT, it’s more flexible to book or amend a test booking, whether you’re taking the exam online or at a test center.

There is minimal difference between taking the GMAT online or at a test center. The key distinction between the two options lies in the material provided. At a test center candidate are given five sheets of laminated paper for their answers, whereas when doing the GMAT online they have access to an online whiteboard. 

During the test, GMAT candidates have flexibility as to the order they answer each section. The GRE requires answers to each section in a fixed order. 

A further reason why MBA students opt for the GMAT over the GRE is that they can send their online score to up to five schools for free, with additional score reports costing $35 per school. GRE test scores can only be sent for free to up to four schools before candidates have to pay $35 per school. 

The GMAT does not involve building a large vocabulary 

International students whose first language is not English tend to also prefer taking the GMAT over the GRE. 

The GRE tests college-level academic English, requiring you to know and know how to use difficult vocabulary. In preparation for the verbal reasoning and analytical writing section, students may need to memorize between 500 to 1000 words and their definitions. 

The GMAT, however, tests English grammar but not English vocabulary, making it easier for international students to score highly. 

The GMAT can be useful for employers 

More MBAs take the GMAT over the GRE for its usefulness when applying for post-MBA roles in at Fortune 500 companies. 

Several employers, especially in top-tier consulting firms, consider GMAT scores in job applications. Taking the GMAT can therefore help give candidates a competitive advantage. 

“Since the GMAT was developed by and for business schools, it gives GMAT test-takers the edge over GRE test-takers,” says Stephanie. 

When preparing for the GMAT or the GRE you’re investing time and money but opting for the GMAT could help you to sharpen your skills and knowledge specifically for business schools and your future career.