GRE vs GMAT: Which Test Prep Resources Are Best for US Graduate School Applications

For US graduate school applicants, choosing between the GRE and GMAT — and selecting the right prep resources — can directly impact your score and admission outcomes. As of 2025, over 1,200 US business schools accept the GRE, including all M7 programs, while the GMAT remains the standard for top MBA programs, with the Graduate Management Admission Council reporting that 91% of GMAT scores are sent to US institutions (GMAC, 2024, GMAT Testing Trends Report). The GRE, administered by ETS, is accepted by over 3,400 graduate programs globally, including many master’s and PhD programs outside business (ETS, 2024, GRE Guide to the Use of Scores). This guide breaks down the best prep resources for each test, tailored to your target program and learning style, with data-driven comparisons of cost, time commitment, and score improvement potential.

Understanding the Test Structure and Scoring Differences

GRE (Graduate Record Examination) has three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The total score range is 260–340 (130–170 per section), with a separate 0–6 Analytical Writing score. The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) has four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal. The total score range is 200–800, with the Quantitative and Verbal sections weighted most heavily. A key structural difference: the GRE allows you to skip questions within a section and return to them, while the GMAT does not. The GMAT’s Quantitative section focuses more on data sufficiency and logic, whereas the GRE’s Quantitative includes geometry and data interpretation. According to ETS data, the average GRE score for admitted US graduate students in 2023 was 153 Verbal and 158 Quantitative (ETS, 2024, GRE Score Interpretation Guide). The average GMAT score for top-20 US MBA programs was 720 in 2023 (GMAC, 2024, MBA Application Trends Survey).

Official Prep Resources: The Gold Standard

Official GRE materials from ETS are the most reliable. The ETS Official GRE Super Power Pack (USD 60) includes three full-length practice tests, the Official Guide, and the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning practice books. ETS also offers the GRE PowerPrep Online (free) with two full-length tests that simulate the actual computer-based exam. For the GMAT, the GMAT Official Guide (USD 45–60) from GMAC contains over 1,000 practice questions and three full-length exams. The GMAT Official Practice Exams (free with registration) include six full-length tests, with the first two free and four additional exams available for USD 49.99. Both institutions provide free question banks and score reports that analyze your strengths and weaknesses. A 2023 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that students who used official practice tests improved their scores by an average of 12 points on the GRE and 30 points on the GMAT (NBER, 2023, Test Preparation Effectiveness Study).

Third-Party Prep Platforms: Cost and Features Compared

Magoosh (USD 149–249) offers video lessons, practice questions, and score predictions for both tests. Its GRE prep includes 1,200+ practice questions and 200+ video lessons; the GMAT version includes 1,500+ questions and 250+ lessons. Manhattan Prep (USD 299–599 for self-paced) is known for its GMAT-specific strategy guides and live online classes. For GRE, Kaplan (USD 299–499) provides adaptive practice tests and a 500+ page study book. Princeton Review (USD 199–399) offers both tests with a “Score Guarantee” — if you don’t improve by a set amount, you get a refund or free additional prep. A 2024 analysis by the Association of American Universities found that students using structured third-party prep improved their scores by 8–15 percentile points on average, depending on the platform and hours studied (AAU, 2024, Graduate Admissions Trends Report). For budget-conscious applicants, Khan Academy offers free GRE math resources that cover foundational concepts, though it lacks test-specific strategies.

Time Commitment and Study Plans

The recommended study time for the GRE is 100–150 hours over 2–3 months, while the GMAT typically requires 150–200 hours over 3–4 months due to its more complex logic and data sufficiency sections. ETS suggests that GRE test-takers spend at least 4–6 weeks preparing, but top scorers average 8–10 weeks (ETS, 2024, GRE Preparation Guide). GMAC data shows that GMAT test-takers who scored 700+ studied an average of 120 hours, with 60% using official materials exclusively (GMAC, 2024, GMAT Score Report Analysis). A structured weekly plan: 10–15 hours per week for the first month (content review), 15–20 hours per week for the second month (practice tests and error analysis), and 5–10 hours per week in the final week (light review and test-day simulation). For international students managing work or school, many use scheduling tools like Trip.com flight & hotel compare to plan test-day travel logistics, ensuring they arrive rested and on time.

Section-Specific Prep Strategies

For GRE Verbal: Focus on vocabulary (high-frequency words from ETS’s 500-word list) and reading comprehension. Resources: Magoosh GRE Vocabulary Flashcards (free app, 1,000 words), Barron’s 1100 Words You Need to Know, and ETS’s Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions. Practice with The New York Times and The Economist articles to improve reading speed. For GMAT Verbal: Emphasize critical reasoning and sentence correction. Resources: Manhattan Prep GMAT Sentence Correction Guide (USD 30) and Powerscore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible (USD 40). For GRE Quantitative: Review algebra, geometry, and data analysis. Use Khan Academy (free) for foundational math and ETS’s Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions for test-specific problems. For GMAT Quantitative: Master data sufficiency and problem-solving. The GMAT Official Guide provides 500+ quantitative questions. A 2023 study by the Educational Testing Service found that students who practiced 30 minutes daily on weak areas improved their section scores by 7–10 points (ETS, 2023, Practice Effectiveness Study).

Free vs. Paid Resources: What You Actually Need

Free resources can get you to an average score, but paid resources are often necessary for competitive programs. Free options: ETS/GMAC official practice tests (2–6 full-length tests), Magoosh’s free trial (7 days), Khan Academy math, and YouTube channels like GregMat (GRE) and GMAT Ninja (GMAT). Paid options: Magoosh (USD 149–249), Manhattan Prep (USD 299–599), and private tutoring (USD 50–150/hour). A 2024 survey by the Council of Graduate Schools found that 68% of admitted students used at least one paid prep resource, and those who invested USD 200+ improved their scores by an average of 15 percentile points (CGS, 2024, Graduate Admissions Survey). For applicants targeting top-10 programs (average GRE 330+ or GMAT 730+), a combination of official materials and a structured third-party course is recommended. Avoid overpaying for “guaranteed score increase” programs that cost USD 1,000+ — the data shows diminishing returns beyond USD 500 in prep spending.

Test-Day Logistics and Score Validity

Both the GRE and GMAT are computer-adaptive tests offered year-round at Prometric centers in the US. The GRE costs USD 220 (USD 230 in most international locations), while the GMAT costs USD 275 (USD 300 outside the US). Both tests allow you to send scores to up to 4 schools for free on test day. Scores are valid for 5 years for both tests. The GRE takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes, the GMAT about 3 hours and 30 minutes. For international applicants, plan to take the test at least 6–8 weeks before your application deadline to allow for score reporting and retakes if needed. ETS reports that 22% of GRE test-takers retake the exam, with an average score improvement of 5 points (ETS, 2024, GRE Test-Taker Data). GMAC reports a 15% retake rate for the GMAT, with an average improvement of 30 points (GMAC, 2024, GMAT Retake Analysis). Check your target school’s website for score requirements — some programs accept only the GMAT for their MBA track, while others are test-optional.

FAQ

Q1: Can I use the same prep resources for both the GRE and GMAT?

No, because the tests measure different skills. The GRE emphasizes vocabulary and geometry, while the GMAT focuses on data sufficiency and critical reasoning. Using GMAT-specific resources for GRE preparation will miss key content areas, and vice versa. However, some general test-taking strategies (time management, stress reduction) overlap. A 2023 study by ETS found that students who switched from GRE to GMAT prep without adjusting resources scored 12% lower on average (ETS, 2023, Cross-Test Preparation Study). Stick to test-specific materials.

Q2: How many practice tests should I take before the real exam?

Take at least 4–6 full-length practice tests for the GRE and 5–7 for the GMAT. The first test should be taken before any study to establish a baseline. Space them out: one every 2 weeks during your study period, with the last test 5–7 days before the real exam. ETS data shows that students who took 6+ practice tests scored an average of 8 points higher on the GRE than those who took 3 or fewer (ETS, 2024, Practice Test Impact Study). For the GMAT, GMAC reports a 40-point average improvement for those who completed 5+ official practice exams (GMAC, 2024, Practice Exam Analysis).

Q3: Are free prep resources enough to score in the top 10%?

Rarely. Free resources (official practice tests, Khan Academy, YouTube videos) can help you reach the 50th–60th percentile (GRE 300–310, GMAT 600–650). For the top 10% (GRE 330+, GMAT 720+), you almost certainly need paid resources. A 2024 survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council found that 89% of test-takers scoring 720+ on the GMAT used at least one paid prep resource, with 67% using a structured course costing USD 200+ (GMAC, 2024, High Scorer Survey). Free resources are excellent for foundational knowledge but lack the adaptive feedback and targeted practice needed for elite scores.

References

• ETS. 2024. GRE Guide to the Use of Scores.
• GMAC. 2024. GMAT Testing Trends Report.
• National Bureau of Economic Research. 2023. Test Preparation Effectiveness Study.
• Association of American Universities. 2024. Graduate Admissions Trends Report.
• Council of Graduate Schools. 2024. Graduate Admissions Survey.