GRE vs GATE: Which Exam is Better?

Team Learntech
| June 10, 2024 at 3:04:56 AM UTC

The growing desire to excel in academia in the contemporary world has resulted in the need to have certain globally accepted competitive examinations to go along with the existing nationwide examinations. This helps counter the cut-throat competition that exists in the field of higher education.


Some of the globally accepted exams to get into top-notch educational institutes include GRE, IELTS, GMAT, LSAT, etc. Likewise, NEET, GATE, CUET, etc. are the Indian equivalents of such exams.

 

In this blog, we will be talking about two widely known examinations, namely, GRE & GATE, to find out the answers to some of the burning questions that young aspirants have.


GRE vs GATE: Which Exam is Better?


To find the answer to the eternal GRE vs GATE question, one must first discover the answers to queries such as:


* What is GRE?

* What is GATE?

* What are the differences between GRE and GATE?

* What are the similarities between GRE and GATE?


What is the GRE Exam?


GRE stands for Graduate Record Examinations. It is a competitive exam that is accepted by over 90 nations, such as the USA, the UK, Germany, and Japan, for admissions to various graduate courses (including entry into business and law schools) across the world. The exam is further divided into two parts: a general test and a subject test.


What is the GATE Exam? 


The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level competitive exam in India that helps candidates get admissions to various postgraduate engineering programs (M.E./M.Tech.). The test gauges the comprehension of various undergraduate-level subjects, such as Engineering, Technology, Science, Architecture, and Humanities.


Difference Between GATE and GRE Exams: 


GATE and GRE are nationwide and global competitive examinations respectively. Apart from this, there are countless differences between them. Some of the most prominent differences between GATE & GRE are as follows:



GATE 

GRE


Organising Body

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) & Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)

Educational Testing Service (ETS)


Conducted for

Admissions to several postgraduate engineering courses (M.E./M.Tech)

Admissions to  graduate, business, and law school programmes across the world


Application Fees/ Exam Fees

For SC/ST/PwD/Female applicants - INR 1,400/-


For foreign applicants - INR 2,300

For the General Test - INR 22,500


For the Subject Test - INR 14,500 


Test Site

GATE can be taken only at the allotted exam centres

GRE can be taken at home or an exam centre

Duration of the Exam

            3 hours

1 hour 58 minutes

Score validity

3 years 

5 years 



Date of Results

GATE results are announced within 30-31 days from the date of the examination

GRE Test scores are made available in the candidate’s ETS account 8–10 days after the test



Test Papers measures

The candidate should select a paper related to the discipline of the qualifying degree


The test paper includes questions that aren’t related to a specific field of study but are important for all


Similarities between GATE and GRE exams:


There aren’t too many similarities between GATE and GRE.

However, some of the major similarities between GATE and GRE exams are as follows:


  • GATE and GRE are conducted in a Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.

  • The method and purpose of the GRE Subject Test and GATE are similar. In the former, candidates are tested for their knowledge in any one of the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. This feature of the exam is similar to that of GATE. 

  • Eligible candidates can take both exams multiple times.

  • Both exams do not mention any upper age limit.


Eligibility Criteria for GRE and GATE Exam:


The eligibility criteria for GRE & GATE are quite different from each other. Although both the exams do not have any upper age limit, the other requirements to attend the exam differ widely. 


Educational Testing Service (ETS) does not mention a set eligibility criteria for candidates who wish to appear for GRE. However, since GRE is the main exam required for admissions to various graduate, business, and law school programmes globally, candidates must be able to produce the appropriate academic documents at the time of their admission.


In the case of GATE, there are certain eligibility norms. For instance, candidates must at least be in the 3rd year of their Bachelor’s degree or must have completed their Bachelor’s degree (of at least three years duration) in Engineering/Technology/Science/Architecture/Humanities.


Additionally, candidates who have completed certification courses from any professional school/s must ensure that those examinations are approved by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC to be equivalent to B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch./B.Planning, etc.

 

Pros & Cons of GATE and GRE exams:


Both GATE and GRE play a significant role in shaping the lives of students. So, candidates must assess the pros and cons of both GATE and GRE to ascertain which one suits them best.


The table below will give you a brief idea about the advantages and disadvantages of GATE and GRE.


Exam

Pros

Cons






GATE 

(Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)

Provides a path to courses such as M.E./M.Tech at some of the best institutes in India, such as IITs/IISC/NITs and several other engineering colleges across the country.

Due to its nationwide potential, many students in India take the exam, making it highly competitive.

GATE preparation helps candidates get ready for other competitive exams.

Shortlisted candidates are allocated colleges, based on the marks scored.


Exam

Pros

Cons






GRE

(Graduate Record Examinations)

The scores are accepted by various reputed institutes across the world.

The examination fee is on the expensive side.

As the exam is in the CBT form, it can be attended from an exam centre or your home.

Technical glitches may hamper the exam on rare occasions.

The GRE score is valid for 5 years, which is a longer period of validity than that of GATE.

Books and courses that help candidates prepare for the exam are expensive.


The above points are just a few among the many pros and cons of GATE and GRE. We hope we’ve helped you figure out which is better when you’re facing the GRE vs GATE issue.


Career Opportunities After GATE vs GRE Exams:


Candidates who wish to take the respective competitive examinations have an edge over others pursuing the same course. Additionally, high-end courses that require such competitive exams can further lead to numerous rewarding career options. While this is a general description, let us discuss the career opportunities available after the GATE and GRE exams in detail.


Career Opportunities after GATE:


  • Candidates with good GATE scores can work as researchers in various reputed organisations, such as ISRO, DRDO, BARC, etc.

  • An excellent GATE score will help students get placed at some of the best engineering colleges in the country. 

  • Countless PSUs, such as NTPC, IOCL, etc. hire students based on their GATE scores.


Career Opportunities after GRE:


GRE is a globally recognised exam that tests your understanding of a particular subject, including your analytical and quantitative skills. 


  • Career opportunities after the GRE exam will depend on the courses the students wish to pursue and on the GRE scores they obtain.


  • Candidates with excellent GRE scores can pursue advanced degrees in Science, Business, Law, etc. at top-notch institutes across the globe.


GRE vs GATE Exam Preparation:


As both GRE and GATE are highly competitive exams, many students may find themselves googling ‘How to prepare for GRE and GATE exam?’

The answer to this is that preparation for both these exams will vary by a huge margin due to the difference in the content of the exam, the exam pattern, and the purpose of the exams.


In the case of GRE:


  • One must exercise verbal, quantitative, and analytical reasoning.

  • One must familiarise himself/herself with the test content (for instance, the mark & review feature, the usage of scratch paper, etc).

  • One must pay attention to time management.

  • One must make effective use of GRE practice test papers.


In the case of GATE:


  • One must get an idea of the relevant syllabus.

  • Students must familiarise themselves with the exam pattern.

  • One must form a strong study plan.


Conclusion:


GRE and GATE function as gateways to pursue some of the best courses in the world of academia. Although both exams are highly competitive, the number of candidates who wish to take the exam has been increasing by leaps and bounds. We hope to have answered certain tricky questions such as ‘Which is better: GRE vs GATE?’ and ‘How to prepare for GRE and GATE exams’.


Frequently Asked Questions