GRE vs GMAT vs LSAT: Choosing the Right Test for Your Goals in 2025

Choosing between the GRE, GMAT, and LSAT used to be straightforward—your career path dictated your test. Business school meant GMAT, law school meant LSAT, and other graduate programs meant GRE. That clarity no longer exists.

Today, over 90% of business schools accept the GRE alongside the GMAT. More than 120 law schools now welcome GRE scores instead of the LSAT. This flexibility sounds liberating until you realize it creates a new problem: which test actually gives you the best shot at admission?

The answer depends on your cognitive strengths, career certainty, and strategic positioning. Here's the framework to make that decision.

Understanding What Each Test Measures

The three tests aren't just different versions of the same assessment—they evaluate fundamentally different skill sets.

The GRE tests broad academic readiness through verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. It's designed for generalists entering diverse graduate programs. The verbal section emphasizes vocabulary and reading comprehension, while the quantitative section covers geometry, algebra, and data interpretation with an on-screen calculator available.

The GMAT focuses specifically on business-relevant skills. Its Data Insights section tests your ability to analyze complex information from multiple sources—exactly what you'll do analyzing quarterly reports or market data. The quantitative section is notably harder than the GRE's, with no calculator permitted and questions requiring more sophisticated problem-solving approaches.

The LSAT evaluates skills essential for legal practice: logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension of dense, argument-heavy passages. There's no math section at all. Instead, you'll spend roughly 2 hours and 25 minutes dissecting arguments, identifying logical flaws, and drawing inferences from complex texts.

The Numbers That Matter in 2025

Recent data reveals important patterns about test acceptance and applicant behavior.

For business school, Harvard Business School reports that 41% of their MBA Class of 2026 submitted GRE scores—up dramatically from just 12% in 2018. Berkeley Haas saw 53% of admits use the GRE in 2023, actually surpassing GMAT submissions. Stanford, Wharton, and Yale all report GRE submission rates between 35-40%.

Yet the GMAT retains significant advantages. According to GMAC's 2025 Corporate Recruiters Survey, 64% of Global Fortune 500 companies now consider GMAT scores when hiring—up from just 25% in 2020. That's a signal worth noting if post-graduation recruiting matters to you.

For law school, the picture is different. Despite 120+ schools accepting the GRE, only about 2% of law school enrollees submitted GRE scores in 2024. The LSAT remains overwhelmingly dominant, and for strategic reasons: law school rankings depend heavily on LSAT medians, so schools have stronger incentives to admit high LSAT scorers.

A Decision Framework Based on Your Situation

Consider the GRE if you're uncertain about your graduate path. If you're debating between law school, business school, and a master's in policy or another field, the GRE covers more options with a single test. It's also the smarter choice for joint-degree applicants pursuing programs like JD/MBA or MPP/MBA combinations.

The GRE also suits applicants who struggle with high-pressure math without a calculator or who have strong vocabularies but weaker quantitative foundations. The GRE's math section, while still challenging, is more straightforward than the GMAT's.

Choose the GMAT if you're committed to business school and want to signal that commitment clearly. Only 12% of GRE test-takers intend to pursue an MBA, whereas GMAT signals singular focus on business education. Additionally, if you're a non-native English speaker, research suggests the GMAT may be easier to prepare for since it doesn't rely as heavily on vocabulary knowledge.

The GMAT also offers better score differentiation at the top end. Moving from a 705 to a 725 demonstrates meaningful improvement, while the GRE's compressed quant scale makes similar differentiation harder—you'd need to jump from 169 to a perfect 170 just to move from the 87th to 92nd percentile.

Choose the LSAT if any target law school requires it or if you're solely focused on legal education. The test directly assesses skills you'll use in law school: constructing arguments, identifying logical fallacies, and parsing dense legal-style prose. No other test provides this preparation.

What Test Prep Looks Like for Each

Preparation strategies differ substantially across these exams.

GRE preparation typically involves vocabulary building, reviewing foundational math concepts, and practicing reading comprehension. Most test-takers find it easier to improve their GRE scores relatively quickly because rusty math skills can be refreshed with focused study. Expect 2-4 months of preparation for meaningful improvement.

GMAT preparation requires mastering data sufficiency questions (a unique format), developing calculator-free quantitative strategies, and building speed for integrated reasoning. The business-specific focus means you're simultaneously building skills you'll use in your MBA coursework. Plan for 3-6 months of serious preparation.

LSAT preparation is often the most intensive. The logical reasoning and analytical sections require fundamental changes in how you approach arguments and process information. Many test-takers spend 4-6 months in preparation, and significant score improvements typically take longer than on other tests.

Strategic Considerations Most Articles Miss

Here's what the comparison charts don't tell you: your test choice sends a signal beyond your score.

Submitting a GMAT to a business school communicates certainty about your MBA plans. Submitting a GRE—while perfectly acceptable—may prompt admissions committees to wonder if business school is your first choice. This psychological dimension rarely appears in official guidance, but admissions professionals acknowledge it privately.

For law school, submitting a GRE instead of an LSAT is still relatively unusual. While admissions officers claim no preference, you'll want an otherwise compelling application to ensure your GRE submission doesn't raise questions about why you avoided the traditional path.

The financial implications also deserve attention. Many business schools use test scores for merit scholarship decisions, and the scoring differences between tests can affect scholarship opportunities in ways that vary by institution.

Making Your Decision

Start with a practice test for each exam you're considering. The 2-3 hours invested will reveal which test format suits your cognitive style better than any article can predict.

If your scores are comparable, let your career certainty guide you. Clear MBA aspirations favor the GMAT. Clear law school aspirations favor the LSAT. Uncertainty or dual-degree interests favor the GRE.

The right test isn't universally the easiest or most prestigious—it's the one where your strengths shine brightest.

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FAQ Section (Optimized for Featured Snippets)

Which test is harder: GRE, GMAT, or LSAT?

Difficulty depends on individual strengths. The GMAT has the hardest quantitative section with no calculator permitted. The LSAT is most challenging for those with weaker verbal reasoning skills, as it contains no math but extensive logical analysis. The GRE is generally considered most accessible because it tests broader skills with more straightforward question formats.

Can I use my GRE score for business school instead of GMAT?

Yes. Over 90% of business schools accept GRE scores for MBA admissions. Top programs including Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton explicitly state no preference between tests. However, only 12% of GRE test-takers intend to pursue business school, so the GMAT may signal stronger commitment to MBA programs.

Do law schools prefer LSAT over GRE?

While 120+ law schools accept GRE scores, the LSAT remains dominant—only about 2% of 2024 law school enrollees submitted GRE scores. Law school rankings depend heavily on LSAT medians, creating institutional incentives favoring LSAT applicants. Take the LSAT if any target school requires it or if you want the most competitive positioning.

How long should I study for each test?

GRE preparation typically takes 2-4 months, as foundational skills can be refreshed relatively quickly. GMAT preparation requires 3-6 months due to unique question formats and no-calculator quantitative requirements. LSAT preparation often needs 4-6 months because improving logical reasoning skills requires fundamental changes in analytical approach.

Should I take the GRE if I'm unsure between law school and business school?

Yes. The GRE is accepted by most business schools and 120+ law schools, making it the most flexible option for undecided applicants. It's also ideal for joint-degree candidates pursuing JD/MBA or similar combinations. However, if you later decide firmly on law school, consider whether adding an LSAT score would strengthen your application.