GMAT Focus Exam Guide
How to Choose Between the GMAT and GRE (2026)
Both tests are widely accepted, but they differ in structure, content, purpose, and how admissions committees interpret them. Here's a clear breakdown.
GMAT vs GRE: Quick Comparison
Purpose
GMAT Focus Edition
🎯 Designed specifically for business and management graduate programs
GRE
🎓 General graduate admissions test used across many disciplines
Sections & Timing
GMAT Focus Edition
✅ Quantitative Reasoning (45 min)
✅ Verbal Reasoning (45 min)
✅ Data Insights (45 min)
❌ No Analytical Writing section
GRE
✅ Quantitative Reasoning (47 min over 2 sections)
✅ Verbal Reasoning (41 min over 2 sections)
❌ No Data Insights section
✅ Analytical Writing (1 essay, 30 min)
Adaptive Format
GMAT Focus Edition
🔄 Question-by-question adaptive (question difficulty depends on previous answers)
GRE
🔄 Section-adaptive (the second section difficulty depends on your first section performance)
| Category | GMAT Focus Edition | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | 🎯 Designed specifically for business and management graduate programs | 🎓 General graduate admissions test used across many disciplines |
| Sections & Timing | ✅ Quantitative Reasoning (45 min) ✅ Verbal Reasoning (45 min) ✅ Data Insights (45 min) ❌ No Analytical Writing section | ✅ Quantitative Reasoning (47 min over 2 sections) ✅ Verbal Reasoning (41 min over 2 sections) ❌ No Data Insights section ✅ Analytical Writing (1 essay, 30 min) |
| Adaptive Format | 🔄 Question-by-question adaptive (question difficulty depends on previous answers) | 🔄 Section-adaptive (the second section difficulty depends on your first section performance) |
Warning: Both Exams Have Changed Recently
Both the GMAT and GRE have undergone significant changes in recent years. Many online resources and AI tools still refer to the old exam formats, so be careful when researching! Always verify that the information you're reading applies to the current versions of the exams.
GMAT Focus Edition (2023):
Removed Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), shortened exam duration, introduced Data Insights section (replacing Integrated Reasoning), and changed scoring scale to 205-805.
GRE (2023):
Shortened exam duration, removed one Analytical Writing essay (now only "Analyze an Issue"), reduced number of questions, and changed section timing. The exam is now faster-paced with less time per question.
Quantitative Reasoning Section
Types of Questions
GMAT Focus Edition
Multiple Choice (only)
GRE
Quantitative Comparison (QC)
Multiple Choice (MC)
Numeric Entry (NE)
Data Interpretation (DI)
Math Topics
GMAT Focus Edition
Arithmetic (fractions, ratios, percentages), Algebra (linear equations, quadratics, inequalities), Word Problems (rates/work, mixtures, averages), Number Properties (primes, factors, remainders), Basic Statistics (mean, median, range, standard deviation)
GRE
Similar topics to GMAT, but includes Geometry and less emphasis on Number Properties
Calculator
GMAT Focus Edition
❌ Not allowed on Quant section
GRE
✅ Allowed on all Quant sections
Average Time per Question
GMAT Focus Edition
2 min 09
GRE
1 min 45
Exam Focus
GMAT Focus Edition
More logic focused (more time per question but more thinking required)
GRE
More direct numerical reasoning focused (less time per question but mainly about calculations)
| Category | GMAT Focus Edition | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Types of Questions | Multiple Choice (only) | Quantitative Comparison (QC) Multiple Choice (MC) Numeric Entry (NE) Data Interpretation (DI) |
| Math Topics | Arithmetic (fractions, ratios, percentages), Algebra (linear equations, quadratics, inequalities), Word Problems (rates/work, mixtures, averages), Number Properties (primes, factors, remainders), Basic Statistics (mean, median, range, standard deviation) | Similar topics to GMAT, but includes Geometry and less emphasis on Number Properties |
| Calculator | ❌ Not allowed on Quant section | ✅ Allowed on all Quant sections |
| Average Time per Question | 2 min 09 | 1 min 45 |
| Exam Focus | More logic focused (more time per question but more thinking required) | More direct numerical reasoning focused (less time per question but mainly about calculations) |
Verbal Reasoning Section
Types of Questions
GMAT Focus Edition
Reading Comprehension (RC)
Critical Reasoning (CR)
GRE
Reading Comprehension (RC)
Text Completion (TC)
Sentence Equivalence (SE)
Reading Topics
GMAT Focus Edition
Business, economics, science, social science passages
GRE
Denser and more academic vs GMAT
Average Time per Question
GMAT Focus Edition
1 min 57
GRE
1 min 31
Exam Focus
GMAT Focus Edition
Precision, logic, structure, business-style reasoning
GRE
Vocabulary, meaning nuance, quick memory recall, reading endurance
| Category | GMAT Focus Edition | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Types of Questions | Reading Comprehension (RC) Critical Reasoning (CR) | Reading Comprehension (RC) Text Completion (TC) Sentence Equivalence (SE) |
| Reading Topics | Business, economics, science, social science passages | Denser and more academic vs GMAT |
| Average Time per Question | 1 min 57 | 1 min 31 |
| Exam Focus | Precision, logic, structure, business-style reasoning | Vocabulary, meaning nuance, quick memory recall, reading endurance |
Data Insights Section
Types of Questions
GMAT Focus Edition
Data Sufficiency
Multi-Source Reasoning
Table Analysis
Graphics Interpretation
Two-Part Analysis
GRE
❌ No Data Insights section (table/graph interpretation are covered in Quant section)
Calculator
GMAT Focus Edition
✅ Allowed on Data Insights section
GRE
—
Average Time per Question
GMAT Focus Edition
2 min 09
GRE
—
Exam Focus
GMAT Focus Edition
Prioritization and logical reasoning with data and business analytics, (e.g. typical skills required in business-focused roles)
GRE
—
| Category | GMAT Focus Edition | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Types of Questions | Data Sufficiency Multi-Source Reasoning Table Analysis Graphics Interpretation Two-Part Analysis | ❌ No Data Insights section (table/graph interpretation are covered in Quant section) |
| Calculator | ✅ Allowed on Data Insights section | — |
| Average Time per Question | 2 min 09 | — |
| Exam Focus | Prioritization and logical reasoning with data and business analytics, (e.g. typical skills required in business-focused roles) | — |
Analytical Writing Section
Types of Questions
GMAT Focus Edition
❌ No Analytical Writing section (GMAT dropped it since no longer considered as relevant by business schools)
GRE
Analyze an Issue (1 essay, 30 minutes)
Average Time per Question
GMAT Focus Edition
—
GRE
30 min
Exam Focus
GMAT Focus Edition
—
GRE
Critical thinking, argumentation, written communication
| Category | GMAT Focus Edition | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Types of Questions | ❌ No Analytical Writing section (GMAT dropped it since no longer considered as relevant by business schools) | Analyze an Issue (1 essay, 30 minutes) |
| Average Time per Question | — | 30 min |
| Exam Focus | — | Critical thinking, argumentation, written communication |
Good Reasons to Choose One Test or the Other
Choose the GMAT if:
- You're applying to mainly business school programs (MBA, MiM, MiF, etc.)
- You want a stronger academic signal — especially in Quant
- You are seeking scholarship leverage
- You want maximum your chances of getting a consulting or investment banking role
Choose the GRE if:
- You are applying to multiple types of programs (public policy, economics, dual degrees, etc.)
- You love to learn vocabulary
- You're good at doing simple maths calculations under pressure
- You dislike the GMAT's Data Insights section
Wrong Reasons to Choose One Exam Over the Other
Many applicants make their test choice based on misconceptions. Here are common mistakes and the reality behind them.
Wrong Reasons to Choose GRE
Wrong Reason
Choosing GRE because you're not good at maths
Reality
GMAT Quant is actually more about breaking down problems and thinking logically rather than the math you did at school (which is actually more what the GRE Quant is about!).
Wrong Reason
Choosing GRE because your undegraduate was in a non-quantitative or business degree
Reality
Studying for the GMAT and getting an ok Quant score will actually reassure business schools a lot more that you can cope with the analytical side of the degree
Wrong Reason
Choosing GRE because you think it's easier to get into a top business school with it
Reality
Minimum GRE scores of schools are often misleading since outlier profiles tend to take the GRE (they get in thanks to their unique profile rather than because of their GRE score!)
Wrong Reason
Choosing GRE because it will be easier to get to your target business role with it
Reality
Preparing for the GMAT also prepares you for the kind of skills you need to do well in business school or post-business school roles (which is not so much the case with the GRE)
Wrong Reason
Choosing GRE because you're good at writing / think you'll do well in the Analytical Writing section
Reality
Business schools don't really care about AW anymore!
| Wrong Reason | Reality |
|---|---|
Choosing GRE because you're not good at maths | GMAT Quant is actually more about breaking down problems and thinking logically rather than the math you did at school (which is actually more what the GRE Quant is about!). |
Choosing GRE because your undegraduate was in a non-quantitative or business degree | Studying for the GMAT and getting an ok Quant score will actually reassure business schools a lot more that you can cope with the analytical side of the degree |
Choosing GRE because you think it's easier to get into a top business school with it | Minimum GRE scores of schools are often misleading since outlier profiles tend to take the GRE (they get in thanks to their unique profile rather than because of their GRE score!) |
Choosing GRE because it will be easier to get to your target business role with it | Preparing for the GMAT also prepares you for the kind of skills you need to do well in business school or post-business school roles (which is not so much the case with the GRE) |
Choosing GRE because you're good at writing / think you'll do well in the Analytical Writing section | Business schools don't really care about AW anymore! |
Wrong Reasons to Choose GMAT
Wrong Reason
Choosing GMAT because you have more time per question and you don't like being time pressured
Reality
GMAT questions often require more steps, more thinking and more thinking so the time pressure can be high too!
Wrong Reason
Choosing GMAT because your memory is not so good and you won't be able to learn all the vocabulary
Reality
Actually memory also helps a lot for the GMAT since it's about pattern recognition
| Wrong Reason | Reality |
|---|---|
Choosing GMAT because you have more time per question and you don't like being time pressured | GMAT questions often require more steps, more thinking and more thinking so the time pressure can be high too! |
Choosing GMAT because your memory is not so good and you won't be able to learn all the vocabulary | Actually memory also helps a lot for the GMAT since it's about pattern recognition |
How GMAT Panda can help
We break down Quant into simple, intuitive explanations that finally make it feel logical instead of overwhelming, even for people with no math/business background.
If the GMAT is the better strategic choice for you (and for most business school applicants, it is) we make the hardest part of the test manageable and confidence-boosting.
Ready to Ace the GMAT?
If the GMAT is the right strategic choice for your business school application, GMAT Panda makes the hardest part manageable. We break down Quant into simple, intuitive explanations that build confidence instead of overwhelm.