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GRE vs GMAT for Indian Students Abroad 2025: Which Should You Choose?

SR

Sneha Reddy

Australia & New Zealand Specialist

13 May 2026Β· 5 min read
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GRE vs GMAT for Indian Students Abroad 2025: Which Should You Choose?

Why GRE vs GMAT: The Big Picture for Indian Students

Choosing between GRE and GMAT is one of the most important decisions you'll make before studying abroad. Both tests open doors to world-class universities, but they serve different programs and come with different costs. In 2025-2026, over 2.3 lakh Indian students are pursuing Master's degrees abroad, and approximately 68% take either GRE or GMAT. The key difference? GRE is accepted for almost any Master's program globally (including MBA), while GMAT is traditionally for business programs. Your choice directly impacts which universities you can apply to and how much you'll spend preparing.

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Top 3 Universities Accepting Both GRE & GMAT (QS 2025)

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  • University of Oxford (UK) β€” QS Rank: #3 β€” MBA & Master's programs accept both
  • Stanford University (USA) β€” QS Rank: #5 β€” MS & MBA programs accept both
  • National University of Singapore (NUS) β€” QS Rank: #8 β€” Master's & MBA accept both

Complete Fee Breakdown in INR (2025-2026)

Expense Item GRE Cost (β‚Ή) GMAT Cost (β‚Ή)
Test Registration Fee β‚Ή17,800 β‚Ή18,500
Coaching (3-4 months) β‚Ή35,000–65,000 β‚Ή40,000–75,000
Study Materials & Practice Tests β‚Ή8,000–12,000 β‚Ή10,000–15,000
Total Preparation Cost β‚Ή60,800–94,800 β‚Ή68,500–108,500
USA Master's Tuition/Year β‚Ή25–35 lakhs β‚Ή30–45 lakhs
Living Expenses/Year (USA) β‚Ή12–18 lakhs β‚Ή12–18 lakhs
Total Annual Cost (USA) β‚Ή37–53 lakhs β‚Ή42–63 lakhs

Best Education Loan Option for Indian Students

State Bank of India (SBI) Global Scholar Scheme

  • Loan Amount: Up to β‚Ή1 crore (100 lakhs)
  • Interest Rate: 6.5%–7.5% per annum (2025 rates)
  • Repayment Period: 15 years post-graduation
  • Processing Fee: 0.5%–1.5% of loan amount
  • Moratorium Period: Study + 6 months after graduation
  • Why Choose SBI: Fastest approval for GRE/GMAT qualified students, no collateral required up to β‚Ή70 lakhs

Visa Requirements: 3 Critical Documents You'll Need

  1. Standardized Test Score Report β€” Official GRE/GMAT score (valid 5 years) sent directly by ETS/GMAC to your chosen university
  2. Financial Documentation β€” Bank statements (6 months), parents' income tax returns (2 years), and loan sanction letter if applicable
  3. University Acceptance Letter β€” Original I-20 (USA), CAS (UK), or equivalent with valid SEVIS/visa sponsor details

Top Scholarship for Indian Students 2025

Fulbright-Nehru Master's Scholarship (USA)

  • Award Amount: Full tuition + β‚Ή20–25 lakhs annual stipend
  • Eligible Programs: Master's degrees in any field (GRE/GMAT required)
  • Application Deadline: September 15, 2025 (for 2026-27 batch)
  • Selection Criteria: Merit-based, GRE 315+ (or equivalent GMAT), strong academic record

GRE vs GMAT Quick Facts Comparison Table

Factor GRE GMAT
Best For Any Master's + MBA Business & MBA
Test Duration 3 hours 45 minutes 3 hours 30 minutes
Score Range 260–340 200–800
Attempts/Year 5 times (any time) 5 times (any time)
Score Validity 5 years 5 years
Average Score (Indians) 318 (2025 data) 720 (2025 data)
Top Universities Oxford, Stanford, MIT Harvard, Wharton, ISB

Your Final Decision Framework

Choose GRE if: You're pursuing any Master's program (Engineering, Data Science, Arts, Sciences), want maximum university options globally, or aren't sure about an MBA yet. GRE is also slightly cheaper to prepare for.

Choose GMAT if: You're specifically targeting an MBA, want to work in management consulting or finance, or applying to business-focused universities like Wharton, Chicago Booth, or ISB Delhi.

The truth? Over 71% of Indian Master's students choose GRE because it opens more doors. But if business is your calling, GMAT carries significant weight with top-tier MBA programs. Make your choice based on your career goal, not just cost savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use GRE for MBA programs in 2025?

Yes, absolutely. Over 1,600 MBA programs globally now accept GRE, including Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, and Wharton. However, GMAT is still the gold standard for business programs and admissions officers may view GMAT scores slightly more favorably for pure MBA programs.

Which test score is easier to get 320+ in as an Indian student?

Statistically, GRE is slightly easier to achieve high scores in for Indian students because the quant section aligns better with math-heavy curricula in Indian schools. Average GRE score for Indians is 318 vs GMAT at 720. However, individual performance variesβ€”take 1-2 practice tests to see which test suits your strengths.

Do universities outside USA prefer GMAT or GRE in 2025?

GRE is more widely accepted globally. UK universities (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE) accept both, but GRE is increasingly preferred for non-MBA Master's. For Canadian universities (Toronto, UBC), both are equally accepted. Always check your target university's admissions requirements first.

Can I take GRE or GMAT without coaching as an Indian student?

πŸ“š Recommended Resources on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, EduDhruv earns from qualifying purchases.

Yes, many Indian students self-study using free resources (Khan Academy for GRE, GMAC official guides) and score 310+/680+. However, 62% of successful Indian applicants use 3-4 months of coaching. Self-study works if you're disciplined, but coaching significantly increases acceptance rates at top 50 universities.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

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SR
Sneha Reddy

Australia & New Zealand Specialist

Sneha studied at the University of Melbourne and has placed 400+ Indian students into Australian and NZ universities. Expert on Subclass 500 visas and Australian PR pathways.

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