7799996602GATE v/s GRE: WHICH EXAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
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If you’re considering pursuing higher education, you may be wondering which exam to take: the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). While both exams are standardized tests that assess your readiness for graduate-level study, they are designed for different purposes and target different audiences. In this article, we’ll compare and contrast GATE and GRE to help you make an informed decision about which exam to take.
What is GATE?
GATE is a national-level exam conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to assess the aptitude and knowledge of engineering and science students for admission into postgraduate programs in engineering, technology, and architecture. GATE scores are also used by some Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in India for recruitment purposes.
The exam is conducted online and consists of multiple-choice questions and numerical answer type questions. It is held once a year in February and the results are declared in March. GATE scores are valid for three years.
What is GRE?
GRE, on the other hand, is an international-level exam conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to assess the readiness of students for graduate-level study in various fields, including engineering, science, humanities, and business. GRE scores are used by universities and colleges around the world to evaluate applicants for admission into their graduate programs.
The exam is conducted online and consists of three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The Verbal and Quantitative sections are multiple-choice questions, while the Analytical Writing section requires you to write two essays. GRE scores are valid for five years.
Exam Format and Content
GATE and GRE differ significantly in their exam format and content.
| Factors | GATE | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Structure and Content | GATE is a computer-based exam that consists of 65 questions and is divided into three sections - General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and the core engineering subject chosen by the student | GRE is also a computer-based exam that consists of six sections - Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. The GRE has an additional unscored research section, and the exam takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete. |
| Scoring and Interpretation | GATE is scored out of 1000, and the results are used to determine the rank of the student. The exam scores are used by the admitting institutes to determine the eligibility of the student for admission. | GRE is scored out of 340, with a separate score for Analytical Writing. The scores are used by universities to evaluate the applicant’s readiness for postgraduate study. |
| Use | GATE Score is primarily used for admission into engineering and technology postgraduate programs in India. | GRE is used for admission into postgraduate programs in various fields of study around the world. The GRE scores are used by universities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia for admissions. |
| Preparation | GATE Exam requires a deep understanding of the engineering subject chosen by the student, as well as good proficiency in mathematics and general aptitude, and requires a more specialized approach. | GRE Exam requires good verbal and quantitative reasoning skills, as well as excellent analytical writing skills, and the preparation for GRE requires a more generalized approach. |
| Application Fee | GATE is relatively less expensive compared to GRE. The cost of the GATE exam is approximately INR 1500 ($20). | The application cost of the GRE exam is approximately $205, as students may need to spend money on coaching and study materials. |