The signature test for graduate business degrees, the GMAT consists of four sections: Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and the Essay. Scores range up to 800; averages in the top programs tend to exceed 700, sometimes significantly. In spite of a decline in the number of GMAT test-takers over the past decade, the share of admits to top-25 programs providing GMAT scores is still roughly between 60% and 80%, positioning the exam at about three times the popularity of the GRE.
The GRE is an assessment tool commonly used in multiple academic fields. The test has been growing in popularity among MBA students, with about 20%-30% submitting their scores today, up from a few percent a decade ago. The GRE differs from the GMAT primarily in that it is considered lighter on quant. The test contains four sections: Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing and Experimental. Scores range from 130 to 170 in both verbal and quantitative categories, with the average top-school student scoring around 160 or slightly higher.
Traditionally used in executive education, the EA is currently accepted by five of the top 25 full-time MBA programs. As it was designed for more experienced professionals, its content and preparation are less demanding than both the GMAT and the GRE. Tests last 90 minutes and include three sections: Integrated Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. All three contribute equally to the overall score, which ranges from 100 to 200. Because the test is relatively new for MBA admissions and has been used only sparingly, data on scores distribution have been limited.
International applicants to top graduate business schools whose native language is not English are also required to take an English proficiency test, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants are encouraged to inquire about the type of language tests required and accepted by the business school of their choice.
