GRE or GMAT?

GRE vs GMAT

United States of America is probably the first country that pops up in one’s mind while thinking of going abroad for higher education. Quality education, options to choose from a wide range of subjects, funding opportunities, and living standards have made the country one of the most sought after destinations for international students.

According to the recently published 2013 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, the number of students from Bangladesh in the USA has marked a rise by 15.5 percent to 3,828 in 2012-13.

However, to many students, GRE or GMAT appears to be the main obstacle to pursuing a degree in the USA. Once aspirants can successfully crack the required standardised tests with a good score, not only admission is guaranteed but also obtaining fund or scholarship becomes easier.

GRE and GMAT both are required for post-graduation studies. You have to seat for either one of these two tests as required by the universities. First you need to be acquainted with the admission requirements of your desired discipline and universities. In general, GMAT is required for the courses under Business Studies and GRE is applicable for courses under Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Science.

GRE

Graduation Records Examination or GRE is a computer adaptive examination which means examination has to be attended via computer. This examination system was modified in 2011. Such as, now one can shift to the next question leaving a question unsolved and can answer it later if time is available. Time span for the whole examination is 3 hours and 45 minutes. It contains six sections, with one minute break in between each section. There are two verbal, two quantitative reasoning, and one research or examinable and one analytical writing.

Written exam: Written exam always appears first. You have to write two essays- one issue task and another argument task. One or two passages will be given on any particular subject. You have to write either you agree or disagree with it. You cannot sit on the fence; rather have to present your own reasoning. A speech will be presented in the argument tusk. You have to assume which topics are presented with logic in the given speech. Score to be given range from 0 to 6.

You have to write in computer, however, automatic spell checker won’t be allowed to solve your problem with spelling.

Verbal reasoning: Each verbal part has 20 questions to be answered within 30 minutes. You have to choose the right one from 4/5 answers. Various questions like fill in the gaps, completing sentences, reading comprehension will be given. Some questions may have more than one answer; in that case, both answers should be given. And there is no credit for partial correct answer.

Quantitative reasoning: Each part has 20 questions with 30 minutes time for each. Questions will be given from geometry, algebra and general math.

Others: Research or examinable part can either be quantitative or verbal. Examinees will not be let known beforehand which part is going to appear for them. So, each component should be given equal importance during preparation.

Score: Numbering for both verbal and quantitative part are marked from a scale of 130 to 170.

GMAT

Graduate management admission test or GMAT calls for 3 hours and 30 minutes examination. There are 30 minutes for analytical writing, 30 minutes for integrated reasoning, 75 minutes for quantitative and another 75 minutes for verbal.

Analytical: One question has to be answered in this part. Students have to analyse a given passage. Score will be obtained from 1 to 6.

Integrated reasoning: Multiple questions have to be answered by explaining graphics, texts and charts. Total questions will be 12.

Quantitative: 37 questions will be given from general math, geometry and algebra.

Verbal: 37 questions have to be answered by reading comprehension and analysing passages.

Preparation: There are varieties of books available in market like Manhattan, Barons, Caplans, Princetons GRE and GMAT preparation guides. Besides, Dhaka American Centre and EMK centre offer help for registration, fees and exam preparation.

The official website of GRE: www.ets.org, or www.mba.com may come to a much help.

Courtesy: Daily Sunশিক্ষা সংক্রান্ত খবরাখবর নিয়মিত পেতে রেজিস্ট্রেশন করুন অথবা Log In করুন।

Account Benefit