Two Major Test Changes, One Admission Season: How to Navigate the New GMAT and GRE

Over the last decade, business school admissions have undergone a series of gradual changes, but few transformations have been as visible and consequential as those made recently to the GMAT and GRE exams. The revised versions—officially rolled out in late 2023—have not only changed the format and length of the tests but have also redefined what these exams are intended to measure and how they reflect the evolving priorities of graduate programs and test takers alike. The new GMAT Focus Edition and the shortened GRE are both direct responses to shifts in test-taker expectations, institutional feedback, and competitive dynamics within the graduate admissions testing space. Understanding the reasoning behind these changes is the essential first step in preparing effectively for either exam.

The most obvious and immediate transformation has been the dramatic reduction in testing time. The original GRE lasted nearly four hours, while the traditional GMAT took just over three hours to complete. Today, both tests clock in at under two hours. The new GRE format was launched first, slashing its total time almost in half, and shortly afterward, the GMAT Focus Edition was released with a similarly streamlined structure. These changes were not made arbitrarily or in isolation. Instead, they reflect deep market research, technological innovation in adaptive testing, and a desire by test makers to realign the exams with the actual demands of graduate-level education and the preferences of test takers.

One of the key motivators behind these revisions is the changing landscape of standardized testing as a whole. Over the past few years, a growing number of MBA and graduate programs have begun to adopt more flexible admissions requirements, including test-optional policies. This has, in turn, placed considerable pressure on standardized test creators to demonstrate the value and relevance of their products. In the case of the GMAT, which was facing increasing competition from the GRE, the changes were a strategic move aimed at reasserting the exam’s importance as the preferred tool for evaluating MBA candidates. According to insiders, the GMAT’s revisions were the culmination of several years of internal review, with input from both test takers and business schools to determine what skills are most relevant and which aspects of the test could be streamlined or removed.

The GRE’s changes appear to be more reactive than proactive. The decision to cut the length of the exam while retaining the same structure and content areas was primarily driven by test taker feedback and a desire to stay competitive with the GMAT. While the GRE serves a broader audience than the GMAT—being used for a wide range of graduate and professional programs—its creators recognized that shorter exams are increasingly viewed as more efficient and less intimidating. In that sense, the shorter GRE can be seen as a direct response to the rollout of the GMAT Focus Edition. Even though the GRE did not change its content or format significantly, the decision to reduce the number of questions per section reflects a larger trend toward shorter, more focused assessment tools in standardized testing.

In the case of the GMAT, the format changes are more dramatic and reflect a philosophical shift in how the test evaluates readiness for business school. The GMAT Focus Edition eliminates both the Analytical Writing Assessment and Sentence Correction from the verbal section. In their place, the test places greater emphasis on Data Insights, a section that blends elements of the old Integrated Reasoning portion with new content that evaluates analytical thinking, chart reading, and decision-making skills using data from multiple sources. This pivot is aligned with feedback from business schools that have increasingly expressed a preference for applicants with strong analytical and quantitative abilities. In removing certain verbal content and elevating the role of data analysis, the GMAT Focus Edition aims to be more relevant to the skills MBA programs actually value and teach.

Another motivator behind the redesign was to address concerns related to prep time and test fatigue. Historically, the GMAT has been known for requiring substantial preparation, particularly for non-native English speakers who often struggled with the language-heavy sections like Sentence Correction. By removing those sections, the test becomes more accessible to a wider audience while also reducing the overall cognitive load during the exam. This aligns with a broader mission to make the GMAT not only shorter but also more inclusive and user-friendly. While some critics might argue that shortening the test could compromise its reliability, GMAC—the organization behind the GMAT—has countered that the revised exam employs a more advanced computer adaptive algorithm. This enhanced algorithm allows the test to zero in on a candidate’s true ability level more efficiently, maintaining reliability while reducing the number of questions required.

The ability to revisit and revise answers in the GMAT Focus Edition also represents a significant shift in test-taking philosophy. Traditionally, the GMAT’s adaptive structure did not permit test takers to change their responses after submission. This often led to anxiety and poor time management, as candidates felt pressured to get every question right the first time. Now, with the ability to go back and revise up to three answers per section after completing it, test takers have more flexibility to manage their time and stress more effectively. This change does not undermine the adaptive nature of the test but rather complements it by providing a buffer for human error and momentary lapses in concentration.

Despite the differences in approach between the two exams, the driving force behind their redesigns remains largely the same: the need to stay relevant in a world where standardized testing is under increasing scrutiny. Test takers today are more informed, more selective, and more vocal about their preferences than ever before. They expect tests that are fair, efficient, and aligned with the skills they will need in their graduate programs and careers. Business schools, too, are re-evaluating the role of standardized tests in the admissions process, increasingly looking for assessments that add value and predictive power without imposing unnecessary burdens on applicants.

Another important element to consider is the strategic timing of these changes. By launching the GRE’s new format just ahead of the GMAT Focus Edition, ETS—the company behind the GRE—was able to position itself as being responsive and agile. Meanwhile, GMAC’s more comprehensive overhaul reflects a longer-term vision for what the GMAT should represent in the future. These strategic decisions hint at an ongoing rivalry between the two exams, one that is likely to continue evolving as both organizations vie for dominance in the graduate admissions testing market.

In summary, the changes to the GMAT and GRE are far more than cosmetic. They reflect a deep recalibration of what these tests are designed to measure and how they intend to serve both test takers and admissions committees. Whether prompted by competition, feedback, or technological advancement, the new versions aim to deliver a more focused, relevant, and efficient testing experience. For candidates, understanding the motivations behind these changes is not just interesting—it’s essential. It helps clarify what to expect, how to prepare, and which test might align best with their personal strengths and admissions goals. As we move forward in this exploration, we’ll take a closer look at the structural and content differences between the two exams and provide guidance on how to decide which path is right for you.

Comparing the Structures and Content of the GMAT Focus and Shorter GRE

With the recent updates to both the GMAT and GRE, many applicants are now facing a fundamentally different decision than in previous years. Historically, the choice between the two exams often came down to program preference, personal strengths, and how comfortable an applicant felt with certain sections. But now, with both exams having undergone significant changes—particularly in length, structure, and content—there is a new set of variables to consider. Understanding how the two tests compare side-by-side is critical to making an informed decision about which one suits you best. In this section, we’ll break down each exam’s layout, scoring, and focus areas in order to highlight the new contrasts and implications for test takers.

The GMAT Focus Edition is designed to be a more streamlined and skills-targeted version of the traditional GMAT. The full test now takes approximately two hours and fifteen minutes to complete, which is about an hour shorter than the previous version. It consists of three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Each section is 45 minutes long and contains 20 questions. This evenly balanced structure reflects GMAC’s intention to give equal weight to verbal and quantitative skills, while also elevating the importance of data interpretation and integration.

In contrast, the new GRE format is also significantly shorter, now clocking in at just under two hours. However, the structural design of the GRE remains closer to the original version. It retains two sections each of Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning, with reduced numbers of questions in each. The Analytical Writing component has also been reduced to a single essay rather than two. Unlike the GMAT, which removed the essay entirely, the GRE maintains some writing component, consistent with its broader role in assessing readiness for a variety of graduate programs beyond just business school.

The biggest divergence in the GMAT Focus Edition is its elimination of the Analytical Writing Assessment and the Sentence Correction portion of the Verbal section. Sentence Correction had long been one of the most difficult and polarizing parts of the GMAT, especially for non-native English speakers. Its removal is not just a nod to fairness, but also an acknowledgment that these particular grammar skills are not directly predictive of business school success. The Verbal section of the GMAT now focuses exclusively on Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension, skills that are more closely tied to what students encounter in business case analysis and strategic decision-making.

On the other hand, the GRE retains its Verbal Reasoning format with a heavy emphasis on vocabulary. This includes Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence questions, which rely on a strong command of language nuance and context. For many applicants, this distinction can be the deciding factor. Those with a stronger math background and less confidence in vocabulary and grammar may find the GMAT Focus Edition more approachable. Conversely, those who are more comfortable with language-based reasoning and less confident with quantitative data interpretation might gravitate toward the GRE.

Another significant area of change in the GMAT Focus Edition is the prominence given to the new Data Insights section. This part of the test is a fusion of the old Integrated Reasoning section and new question types designed to assess a test taker’s ability to interpret and synthesize data from multiple sources. This includes charts, tables, and brief passages that mimic real-world business data scenarios. While the old Integrated Reasoning section existed in the traditional GMAT, it was scored separately and often ignored by schools. Now, Data Insights is fully integrated into the main scoring structure, making it a core competency for success on the test.

In contrast, the GRE’s Quantitative sections remain more traditional. They include standard math topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation. Although the GRE does include some questions involving charts and graphs, the depth and complexity of data analysis is less than what is found in the GMAT Focus Edition. In many ways, the GRE’s math is more straightforward but includes tricky wording that can trip up test takers who rush or misread questions. The GRE also allows the use of an on-screen calculator throughout the Quantitative section, while the GMAT Focus Edition provides a calculator only in the Data Insights section. This difference may influence the strategy of those who prefer to rely on calculator-supported problem solving.

The scoring systems for the two exams are also distinct. The GMAT Focus Edition uses a total score range of 205 to 805, a revision from the traditional GMAT score range of 200 to 800. All three sections—Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights—are equally weighted in determining this total score. This uniform weighting encourages balanced preparation across all three areas. The GRE, by contrast, has separate score ranges for each of its three main sections. Verbal and Quantitative sections are each scored between 130 and 170, while the Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6. The total GRE score is typically reported as the sum of the Verbal and Quantitative scores, meaning the writing score is viewed as supplemental.

For students, this difference in scoring may influence how strengths and weaknesses are evaluated. On the GMAT, poor performance in one section has a more direct impact on your total score. The GRE’s segmented scoring can sometimes allow applicants to balance a lower math or verbal score with a stronger one in the other area. Additionally, many schools are more familiar with GMAT scoring benchmarks and may interpret them more quickly in the context of MBA admissions, though this is beginning to change as GRE scores become more common.

One of the most student-friendly updates in the GMAT Focus Edition is the ability to review and change answers within each section. After completing a section, you can revisit any question and revise up to three responses. This is a significant shift from the traditional GMAT format, where you could not return to previous questions once you had moved forward. While the GRE has always allowed review within a section, the GMAT’s new policy represents a major improvement in test-day flexibility. This allows test takers to avoid the common trap of spending too much time on a single difficult question. They can instead mark it, move on, and return to it later if time permits.

This difference in approach to pacing and revision may affect how students prepare. For the GMAT Focus Edition, developing an efficient system for flagging tough questions and moving on quickly is now a viable strategy. On the GRE, that flexibility has long existed, but the shorter format now places greater pressure on students to work efficiently without sacrificing accuracy. For both exams, time management remains a key factor in achieving a high score.

Another notable change in the GMAT is the ability to select which order you take the sections in. This gives students more control over their testing experience, allowing them to start with the section that plays to their strengths or helps build confidence. The GRE does not offer such customization; the order of sections is fixed. For many test takers, this extra degree of freedom on the GMAT can be a small but meaningful advantage in managing test-day anxiety.

Ultimately, the differences between the two exams are more pronounced than ever. While both have become shorter and more efficient, their core philosophies remain distinct. The GMAT Focus Edition is designed with a clear emphasis on business-relevant reasoning skills, data interpretation, and streamlined logic-based verbal analysis. The GRE remains a more generalist exam, with broader applications and a stronger emphasis on vocabulary and traditional academic skills.

Choosing between them should depend on a number of factors: your academic background, your comfort with various types of questions, the schools you’re applying to, and the kind of preparation you’re willing to undertake. In the next part of this series, we’ll explore how to decide which test best suits your strengths and ambitions, and how recent changes should influence your test selection strategy.

Choosing Between the GMAT Focus and Shorter GRE: How to Decide Which Test Is Right for You

With both the GMAT and GRE now restructured into shorter, faster-paced versions, the decision-making process for test takers has taken on a new layer of complexity. Historically, the choice between the two exams was guided largely by the expectations of specific MBA programs, the applicant’s undergraduate background, or simple personal preference. But with changes to exam format, scoring systems, and tested skills, applicants must now consider how the nuances of each test align with their individual strengths, goals, and preparation style. In this section, we examine how to approach the decision strategically and what personal, academic, and professional factors should guide your test selection.

The most obvious factor to consider is whether your target business schools accept both exams. While nearly all top MBA programs now accept either the GMAT or the GRE, a few still favor the GMAT for certain applicant profiles, especially those pursuing finance or consulting. That said, the preference gap between the two exams has narrowed significantly in recent years. The GMAT Focus Edition, with its updated structure and content, is being positioned as an even stronger predictor of business school success than its predecessor. Still, you should confirm directly with each program whether there are hidden preferences, especially for dual-degree tracks or niche concentrations.

Once exam acceptance is verified, the more difficult task is determining which test plays better to your academic strengths. If you come from a humanities or social sciences background and feel confident in your reading comprehension, vocabulary usage, and essay writing, the GRE may still be the better fit. Despite its shorter format, the GRE continues to test a broad range of verbal reasoning skills that often feel more intuitive for students with a liberal arts education. Its math section, while tricky in wording, covers a limited range of high school-level topics. For students with weaker math skills but strong verbal and writing ability, the GRE provides a way to offset weaknesses with strengths.

In contrast, the GMAT Focus Edition appeals to students who are comfortable with logical problem solving, pattern recognition, and integrated data analysis. Its removal of Sentence Correction reduces the language barrier for non-native speakers and refocuses verbal assessment on argument evaluation and reading comprehension. Its Data Insights section is ideal for applicants who enjoy working with spreadsheets, charts, and multi-source data interpretation. For those with a business or STEM background, the logic-heavy structure of the GMAT Focus Edition can feel more natural and aligned with how they already approach problem-solving tasks.

Another consideration is how you plan to study and how much time you realistically have to prepare. The shorter formats of both exams have removed some of the fatigue factor, but they’ve also increased the intensity of each question. Mistakes now carry more weight. The GRE’s retention of a writing section may mean added time spent practicing essay construction and reviewing sample prompts. The GMAT Focus Edition, with no writing requirement, allows students to focus entirely on multiple-choice strategy and quantitative logic.

If you’re someone who performs better when able to revisit and correct earlier mistakes, the GMAT Focus Edition’s new feature of answer review and editing may be especially valuable. Being able to mark and change up to three answers after finishing a section allows for more dynamic pacing. The GRE has always allowed movement within sections, but the shorter test length now makes timing more critical. You’ll have fewer questions to cushion any missteps, so careful pacing remains essential no matter which exam you choose.

It’s also important to consider what kind of learner you are. Some students thrive on pattern recognition and rule-based systems. For them, the GMAT’s Quant and Data Insights sections provide a structured and predictable environment to demonstrate skill. Others prefer a broader, more flexible approach to problem-solving and may find the GRE’s verbal and math sections more forgiving. The GRE tends to reward a holistic understanding of content, while the GMAT often rewards precision, strategy, and error minimization.

Another dimension to weigh is the relative difficulty of achieving a competitive percentile score. In general, GMAT scores are more tightly clustered in higher percentiles due to the focused applicant pool of MBA-bound students. The GRE, used for a wide array of graduate programs, has a more diverse test-taking population. As a result, top GRE scores in the Quant section can be more difficult to achieve due to competition with math-heavy applicants from technical disciplines. Conversely, verbal scores on the GRE may skew lower among technical applicants, providing a potential edge for strong writers and readers.

If you’re applying to programs that request multiple scores or allow you to submit both GRE and GMAT results, consider taking full-length diagnostic tests for each. Use official practice exams, if possible, and simulate real test-day conditions. Review how you felt during each section, where you struggled, and where you excelled. The results of these diagnostics often provide immediate clarity about which test format better suits your natural test-taking tendencies. Don’t just look at your raw score—analyze your pacing, accuracy, and confidence as well.

There is also a strategic layer to consider when it comes to score reporting. The GRE offers a feature called ScoreSelect, which allows you to choose which scores to send to schools. You can take the test multiple times and only report your best performance. The GMAT Focus Edition, similarly, allows score reporting after seeing your result, giving you more control than in the past. However, if you cancel your GMAT score, some schools may still see that cancellation on your score report, depending on how they request data. The GRE’s flexibility here can be an advantage for those who may need multiple attempts.

Consider your timeline as well. If you are taking the exam close to your application deadlines, you’ll want to ensure you can send scores quickly and that your study time is as productive as possible. The GMAT Focus Edition tends to reward structured, disciplined study with a heavy emphasis on practicing under timed conditions. The GRE may offer more leeway in terms of content review and mental flexibility, but its vocabulary-heavy verbal section can require weeks of word memorization. If you’re short on prep time and strong in math, you may lean toward the GMAT Focus Edition. If you’re naturally strong in reading and writing, the GRE may give you an edge with less prep.

Ultimately, your decision should be driven by self-awareness and research. Avoid choosing based solely on what others recommend or what appears popular in forums. What works for one applicant might be a disaster for another. Take a hard look at your academic profile, your study habits, and the expectations of your target programs. Then align your decision with the test that gives you the best chance to showcase your strengths. In the next section, we’ll dive deeper into how these changes might affect the future of graduate admissions and what applicants should watch for in the evolving role of standardized testing in business school acceptance.

The Evolving Role of Standardized Testing in MBA Admissions

As both the GMAT and GRE undergo substantial structural changes, the broader question arises: what is the future role of standardized testing in MBA admissions? The redesigns are not occurring in a vacuum—they reflect shifts in educational philosophy, admissions strategy, and student expectations. In this final section, we explore how business schools interpret these new exams, how test scores interact with other application components, and what long-term implications these changes may have for the MBA admissions landscape.

For years, the GMAT stood as the de facto standard for business school admissions. Its quantitative rigor and logical reasoning elements were seen as strong proxies for success in core MBA coursework. The GRE, originally designed for a wide array of graduate fields, gained traction slowly in the business world but steadily carved out a niche among applicants seeking flexibility, especially those applying to joint-degree programs or coming from nontraditional backgrounds. With the GMAT Focus Edition and the newly shortened GRE, both exams now reflect a market that prizes efficiency, candidate well-being, and accessibility alongside rigor.

Admissions offices are well aware of the pressures facing today’s applicants. The pandemic, economic uncertainty, and a growing critique of standardized testing as a gatekeeper have led many schools to reevaluate the weight placed on scores. Some top programs have experimented with test-optional or test-flexible policies, while others continue to view scores as a vital element of their holistic review. The updates to both exams represent attempts by test makers to remain relevant in this evolving context, offering schools meaningful data while reducing the burdens placed on applicants.

From the perspective of admissions committees, shorter tests provide advantages and challenges. On one hand, they ease the logistical and emotional load on applicants, which can help expand the applicant pool and reduce barriers for underrepresented candidates. On the other hand, fewer questions mean fewer data points, which can make it harder to distinguish between borderline candidates. This makes it even more important for applicants to treat the test as one piece of a larger narrative—one that must be supported by strong essays, recommendations, work experience, and academic records.

The shift in test content also reveals what skills MBA programs increasingly prioritize. The GMAT Focus Edition’s emphasis on data analysis and integrated reasoning aligns with the demands of modern business, where executives must interpret complex datasets and make decisions quickly. The de-emphasis of grammar and sentence correction suggests that schools are less interested in testing traditional language mechanics and more focused on high-level reading and critical thinking skills. Similarly, the GRE’s decision to maintain its generalist approach while shortening the exam indicates a continued belief that broad reasoning skills, rather than deep specialization, remain valuable at the graduate level.

In light of these trends, applicants should think of standardized tests not as the defining element of their candidacy, but as one of several levers they can pull to strengthen their application. A high score may help offset a weaker GPA, compensate for limited work experience, or boost confidence when applying to competitive programs. However, a merely average score does not doom an application—especially if the candidate demonstrates excellence elsewhere. Business schools increasingly seek applicants with leadership potential, curiosity, resilience, and clarity of purpose—traits that are difficult to measure with a multiple-choice test.

At the same time, schools may use test scores as a tool for managing yield and shaping class composition. A strong GMAT or GRE score can help signal to a program that a candidate is academically prepared and serious about their application. It may also influence scholarship decisions, as many merit-based awards use test scores as a baseline filter. This means that while schools might say they do not “require” high scores, competitive applicants often still submit them, creating a kind of shadow standard that savvy applicants should recognize.

There are also practical considerations. Some post-MBA employers, particularly in consulting and finance, may ask for your test score during the recruiting process. In such cases, having a competitive GMAT or GRE score can provide an edge, even if the school itself was test-flexible or test-optional. If your target industry values quant-heavy thinking or analytical precision, a high GMAT Focus score can serve as a long-term professional credential, not just a means of gaining admission.

Another element to consider is test retaking strategy. The redesigns may reduce the need for multiple attempts, especially if students can achieve competitive scores with less prep time. However, both GMAC and ETS allow for retesting, and serious applicants may still benefit from taking the test more than once. The shorter format may make this less exhausting and more feasible, particularly for working professionals who struggled to find time for extensive test prep in the past.

In terms of international applicants, the test changes also have implications. Many non-native English speakers previously struggled with the GMAT’s Sentence Correction section. Its removal could level the playing field, allowing these applicants to better showcase their analytical skills. Similarly, the GRE’s unchanged content but shorter duration may help international test takers conserve mental energy while navigating a verbal section rooted in complex English vocabulary. Business schools remain committed to global diversity, and these exam updates may help them better evaluate candidates from a wide array of linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

The bottom line for test takers is this: standardized testing is evolving, but not disappearing. It remains a valuable signaling tool—for both schools and applicants. The GMAT Focus Edition and the shorter GRE are not easier tests; they are streamlined tests designed to measure core competencies more efficiently. This requires smart preparation, careful self-assessment, and strategic alignment with your overall application story.

If you are beginning your MBA journey, consider starting with a clear-eyed inventory of your strengths and challenges. Take diagnostic tests for both exams, compare your experiences, and consult with admissions experts if possible. Set a realistic timeline for preparation and remember that consistency often matters more than intensity. Focus on building foundational skills and test-taking confidence, not just chasing practice scores.

As business education adapts to a world of rapid change, your ability to present a compelling, authentic, and well-balanced application will matter more than ever. Your test score may open the door, but your vision, experience, and ambition will determine how far you go once inside. By understanding the intent behind these exam changes and aligning your test strategy with your unique profile, you can maximize your chances of success—not just on test day, but throughout the admissions process and beyond.

Final Thoughts

The updates to the GMAT and GRE mark a pivotal shift in how MBA admissions testing is evolving to meet the needs of a changing applicant pool and a changing world. These changes are not superficial tweaks—they reflect deeper shifts in how analytical ability, time efficiency, and applicant experience are being prioritized by test makers and admissions offices alike. Shorter exams mean less fatigue, more manageable preparation timelines, and potentially broader accessibility for applicants from diverse backgrounds and professional paths.

Yet with these benefits come new strategic considerations. The removal of certain question types and the introduction of others signal what business schools now value more: data literacy, decision-making under pressure, and the capacity to extract insights from complex information. As a result, applicants must shift their preparation focus and rethink which exam best showcases their strengths. A strong vocabulary or grammar background might still point toward the GRE, but for those with more quantitative or business-oriented skill sets, the GMAT Focus may now feel far more tailored and welcoming.

It’s also important to recognize that standardized tests are no longer the gatekeepers they once were. While scores still matter—especially for scholarships, post-MBA job prospects, and competitive programs—they are just one piece of a broader narrative. Schools want applicants who bring leadership, purpose, and intellectual curiosity into the classroom. A great score can help, but it won’t replace genuine impact, thoughtful essays, or meaningful recommendations.

Ultimately, the new GMAT Focus and shorter GRE offer a more focused, user-friendly testing experience that aligns better with how MBA programs evaluate candidates and how candidates want to demonstrate their readiness. If you’re strategic, self-aware, and well-prepared, either exam can help you put your best foot forward. The key is to treat the test not as a hurdle, but as a tool—one that you can use to support a much richer, multidimensional story about who you are and why you’re ready for business school.

Approach your preparation with clarity, practice with purpose, and enter the test with confidence. These exams may be shorter, but their impact—on your application, and on your future—can still be significant.