The problems of the students do not seem to end. They were already having a tough time deciding between GRE and GMAT. The problems have compounded and become more complex with ETS incorporating radical changes in the GRE 2011 paper pattern, with effect from August 2011. We discussed the changes in our previous post in the section.

As stated earlier, the students are finding it very difficult to decide whether to take their GRE in the old format, which will be before June by all means or they should take GRE in the newer pattern post August. The advices issued by various preparation centers and institutes tend to enhance the confusion, because there is always a trace of commercial self interest present in all that they claim and say.

For instance, one of the GRE preparation centers that is known for having taught candidates with high GRE scores, said in one of its releases that the students who are eyeing the 2012 calendar year admissions must opt for the older pattern. This is so because they are anyway well familiar with this pattern and the results are also announced immediately. In the new version of the GRE exams, the result will be announced at least three months after the exam. From December onwards,  the results would be declared within a week or so. But for now, three months seem to be a very long time. In case, some of the candidates are not happy with their GRE scores, then they do not have sufficient time for a retake as well.

Then again, the prospects of an electronic calculator, enhanced exam duration and reason based questions are too tempting. Many candidates and academicians have welcomed the change, saying that it will test the real aptitude of the students and not just their cramming abilities (which was indeed the case in vocabulary section).

The million dollar questions still remain the same: GRE or GMAT? New GRE or Old GMAT? We are not going to go into permutations and combinations, as this will only make the problem more complex. One piece of simple advice from us would be: it is you who have to crack the exam and get good marks. Go for the test you feel comfortable with. It is your preparation that matters at the end of day. Take as many GRE practice tests as you can and go in for GRE registration for the exam date you feel you will be able to crack in the best way. Good Luck!

Might come as surprise for few of you but that is true. Here is the list of colleges in USA that accept GRE General Test scores for admission to some or all of their MBA programs.