GMAT vs. GRE

[Jb1210a]

Here's the backstory:

So the school I'm applying to offers a dual graduate degree of Business Administration and Master's of Science in Information Systems. The program will accept test scores from either the GMAT OR the GRE. Now I've heard that the GRE is much easier than the GMAT but I'm wondering how much, if at all.

My questions are this:
1) If you've taken both, how much easier do you think the GRE is than the GMAT, if at all?

2) Is there a possibility that the school will look at the GRE score (If I decide to take it) and look down on the fact that I took the GRE since it's considered easier?

3) Aside from the obvious differences of both (GRE is cheaper, easier, and doesn't have a data sufficiency section vs. the GMAT which is considered the superior test), are there any pros/cons to taking either test?

4) If you had the option, which test would you take knowing all of this?

[Eliseos]

This isn't really related to getting into a school at all, but from what I've seen from applying to bigger companies that ask for test scores, they've only asked for the GRE, not GMAT.

[Jb1210a]

That's actually a fairly important piece of information, may I ask what general industry you're applying to?

[Eliseos]

Software/Computer Engineering. Most of my applications have been with companies in aerospace. SpaceX, Lockheed-Martin, and I think Intel (not aerospace but yeah) all had GRE sections (or just a general score field, I'm only getting my BS in May so I haven't taken any grad exams yet). A lot of the air force/dod/navy jobs require transcripts which would have all your standardized test scores on it, but I don't think they specified any GRE/GMAT preference.

[Eliseos]

Also there is this, take it for what you will:

GRE and GMAT

GMAT (The Graduate Management Admission Test) is a computer adaptive standardized test in mathematics and the English language for measuring aptitude to succeed academically in graduate business studies. Business schools commonly use the test as one of many selection criteria for admission into an MBA program. However, there are many business schools that also accept GRE scores.
The following are criteria of certain business schools:

• Harvard Business School: Official test scores for the GMAT or GRE tests no more than 5 years old.[20]
• UVA-Darden: Will also accept a GRE score in place of the GMAT.[21]
• MIT-Sloan:The GMAT or GRE is required of all applicants and must be taken before submitting your application.[22]
• Penn-Wharton School: Official test scores for the GMAT or GRE tests.
• Stanford: Finance - The GRE is preferred, although the GMAT will be accepted.
• NYU-Stern School: The GMAT is strongly preferred, but scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) will also be accepted.
• U Chicago: For Economics - the GRE is required. For Finance - the GRE is preferred; GMAT is acceptable. For all other areas - the GRE or the GMAT are accepted.

• Ohio State-Fisher - The GMAT is required however scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are eligible for review.
• Berkeley-Haas: Without exception, all applicants to the Haas Ph.D. Program must submit official scores of either the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination.
• Columbia Business School: Accepts GRE test scores in place of the GMAT, only if applicant has not taken the GMAT within the last 5 years.
• Johns Hopkins: Accepts either GRE or GMAT scores.

In comparison with GMAT's emphasis on logic, GRE measures the test-takers' ability more in vocabulary. This difference is reflected in the structure of each test. Despite the Analytical Writing section in common, GRE has analogies, antonyms, sentence completions, and reading comprehension passages in Verbal section, while GMAT has sentence correction, critical reasoning and reading comprehension.
Also, higher mathematical ability is required on the GMAT to get a good score. The GRE is more appealing to international MBA students and applicants from a non-traditional background.[23]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GRE#GRE_and_GMAT

[Vuitton]

GMAT for you. GRE is for non-business, unless it is international business. coupled with the fact that you're also applying for a masters of science, you'll want the GRE since its math focused.

Unless you feel more comfortable with a heavy language focus?

[Jb1210a]

Yeah, as you progress more in the conversation, numerous differences about the test spring forth which makes the choice harder. I'm not sure how unique the degree I'm pursuing is, but it's designed for IT project management to be precise. The reason (after speaking with both department heads) as was pointed out above is in fact their numerous differences in what each test measures.

I was originally hoping to find someone who had taken both tests (or at least one actual test and the practice test for the other one) but I'm beginning to realize that I'm going to need to take both practice tests and compare my scores and anecdotal observations.

I've been taking a prep course for the GMAT and the teacher's aid mentioned that she aced the GRE while the GMAT was much harder from her perspective. Of course, going in tune with the general theme of the thread, she aced the GRE to get in to Georgia Tech for engineering, which supports taking the GRE over the GMAT as it is. I'll take both practice tests and post my scores and observations for additional discussion.