Key takeaways
- Most business schools accept both the GMAT and the GRE, so pick the test where you score better in practice.
- The GMAT costs US$275 in person or US$300 online at United States prices. The GRE costs US$249 from 1 August 2026.
- The GMAT is built for business school. The GRE is also used for many other graduate programmes.
- Take one full practice test of each before you commit, under timed conditions.
Almost every school on our MBA abroad hub accepts either test. That makes the choice a practical one: which exam lets you show your best score with the least extra preparation?
How the two tests differ
| GMAT | GRE General Test | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Business school admissions | Graduate programmes of many kinds, including business |
| Main sections | Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights | Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing |
| Data skills | Data Insights tests reading tables, graphs and multi source questions | Quantitative section includes data interpretation |
| Fee | US$275 in person, US$300 online (United States pricing) | US$249 from 1 August 2026 |
| Where to check | mba.com | ets.org and the ETS India site |
Prices depend on the country where you test, so read the booking pages for India before you plan your budget.
How to choose
- Take a free or official practice test of each, under timed conditions.
- Compare your percentile on each, not the raw score.
- Read the admissions page of your top schools for any stated preference or minimum.
- If scores are close, choose the test whose questions you find less stressful.
Who tends to prefer which
- People strong at quantitative reasoning and data tables often find the GMAT natural.
- People with a stronger vocabulary and reading background may find the GRE verbal section comfortable.
- If you may also apply to other master level programmes, the GRE keeps more doors open.
If you are coming from CAT
CAT preparation builds quantitative accuracy, reading speed and data reasoning, all of which transfer. The formats differ, so do not assume the same score pattern. You can keep your CAT Quant practice and DILR practice going while you add test specific preparation, and see our note on how CAT percentiles work if you are comparing exams.
A study plan that fits around work
- Weeks 1 to 2: diagnostic test, list weak areas.
- Weeks 3 to 8: focused practice on those areas, 60 to 90 minutes on weekdays, a longer session at the weekend.
- Weeks 9 to 10: full timed practice tests and review of every error.
- Book the exam date early so that you can retake it before application deadlines if you need to.
Practise for free
Our GMAT practice hub has original questions with worked solutions on quant, critical reasoning, reading comprehension, data sufficiency and table analysis. Use them to build the habit, and take official practice tests to measure your score.
Do not forget English
A strong test score does not replace an English test if your school asks for one. Read IELTS for an MBA abroad and plan the dates together.
Fees change every year and each school sets its own. The figures here come from the schools' own pages and were checked in October 2026, so confirm them on the school site before you decide. This guide is for planning and is not an offer from any school.