Difference between GRE | TOEFL | IELTS | GMAT Exams

This article will give you a better understanding of the differences between four commonly used tests in higher education and immigration: GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS. We will dive into the purpose behind attempting these tests, how they are administer these test, their scoring, the fees, and who can benefit from taking each test. GMAT, GRE, TOEFL and IELTS are probably the most popular exams when it comes to higher education abroad or immigration opportunities. Although the GMAT and GRE are purely used for academic purposes, the TOEFL and IELTS have a wide range of benefits, from academic admissions to employment and immigration Even though, that the TOEFL is the oldest test of language proficiency, IELTS continues to grow in popularity.

All About IELTS

The IELTS Will test you in four major areas, namely, Reading, writing, listening and speaking. The score in each module ranges from band 0-9. The average score or the overall score you must target is between band score 7 to 8.

The IELTS scores range from 0 to 9 Band, where 9 denotes an expert user. Generally, a score of 6.5 or higher will get you into a university on the IELTS Academic. However, the minimum score for the IELTS General is 7.5, although this may vary depending on the type of application. Furthermore, the fee for taking the IELTS Exam is Rs. 16200.
There are 2 types of IELTS exams that you can write depending on your purpose, they are:
1 IELTS Academic: The IELTS Academic is given by candidates who are planning to apply for higher studies abroad.
2 IELTS General: The IELTS General is given by candidates who are looking to migrate to an English speaking country or are applying for a job.

Difference between TOEFL & IELTS

(IELTS International English Language Testing System) and (TOEFL) Test of English as a Foreign Language both assess the candidate’s proficiency in four skills, assuming the candidate is not a native English speaker. Such test types assess a student’s language comprehension skills in four subtests: reading, writing , speaking, and listening. This ensures that the prospective student has the background skills to complete high school and college course work at a foreign university.

TOEFL Scoring

When you take the TOEFL, you get scores for reading, listening, speaking, and writing, each ranging from 0 to 30. Your total score is the sum of these four scores, and it can go up to 120. The number of correct answers you get is called your raw score. However, because each section has different difficulty levels and numbers of questions, your raw score is converted to a scaled score on a 0 to 30 scale.

This scoring system is a bit intricate because the percentage of correct answers doesn’t precisely match the final scaled scores. Although ETS (Educational Testing Service) doesn’t reveal the exact conversion formula for reading and listening, you can find general score concordances for speaking and writing sections within broad ranges.

Details of the GRE

The GRE, or Graduate Record Exam, is a standardized test required for admission to many Master’s degree programs, particularly in the USA, Germany, and some renowned universities in Canada. Widely favored by engineering graduates aspiring to pursue advanced studies abroad, the GRE serves as a crucial step in the application process for those seeking a master’s degree.

GRE Exam Details

The GRE Exam, which is now accessible online, spans a duration of 3 hours. It comprises three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Notably, the Analytical Writing section is the first part of the GRE Exam. Each section has a specific time limit, necessitating strategic time management for test-takers to complete the exam within the allocated timeframe.

In the GRE, they check how well you understand complex English texts. You have to use this understanding to answer questions that test your analytical reasoning skills. This test structure highlights the need to manage time well and use smart strategies to succeed.

Who should take the GRE?

The GRE test score is one of the most popular test for graduate school admissions – especially in Germany and the USA – and is a gateway to pursuing higher studies abroad. Consequently, anyone with an undergraduate degree can decide to take the test, as it is a pre-requisite for those wishing to further their education in a foreign country after having completed their undergraduate studies from their home country.

GRE for Business Schools

Business schools in the US accept either the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for a Masters in management program. Even though the GMAT is usually for business school applications, if you have taken the GRE and have a valid score, you may use your GRE score as a substitute for the GMAT score for Business school applications.

All About the GMAT

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardized test whose scores are for business schools and MBA programs across the globe in over 1200 B-Schools and is an integral part of the admissions process. The purpose of the GMAT is to assess a student’s aptitude level including analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning. The score from the GMAT is one of the most important factors considered when evaluating a student’s application for admission.
GMAT Exam Fee, duration and exam centres.

GMAT Exam Fee, duration and exam centres.

The GMAT exam scores you on a scale of 200-800 points and is divided into four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Quantitative, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning. The exam typically takes about three and a half hours to complete. The GMAT Exam fee is $250 and the exam is available online at any of the Prometric Centres.

How to book the GMAT Exam.

You’ll need to create a GMAT account on the official website and register – there’s a registration fee of USD 250. Plus, you’ll get access to official preparation material from MBA.com. Moreover, you can take the exam up to 5 times a year with a minimum of 16 days between each attempt, and registration is open all year round. Just remember that you can only attempt the GMAT 8 times in your lifetime.

Scoring on the GRE & GMAT

When deciding between the GMAT and GRE, it’s essential to assess your skills and familiarize yourself with each exam’s content. While both tests include online components and cover some common topics, a significant difference lies in their scoring systems: the GMAT has a total score of 800, while the GRE provides separate quantitative and verbal scores, resulting in a total of 340.

If your goal is not business school-related, the GRE is the appropriate choice, as the GMAT cannot substitute for it. It’s worth noting that the quantitative sections on both tests share similarities. Ultimately, the decision on which exam to take depends on your specific needs. If you’re applying for a Master’s program in science, the GRE is recommended, while the GMAT is suitable for those aiming for a management program.