Understanding the structure of the Shorter GRE and the GMAT Focus Edition is essential when deciding between the two tests. Key differences include their sections, the order in which they appear, their adaptive nature, and the options to skip, flag, and edit questions. Let us understand each of the features in detail:
Section Type
The Shorter GRE features three main sections: Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. In contrast, the GMAT Focus Edition comprises the Data Insights, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning sections.
While both tests include three core sections, the Shorter GRE divides them into five parts with varying lengths. Conversely, the GMAT Focus Edition maintains a straightforward approach with three equal-length sections.
For Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning, the two tests are quite similar. However, the Shorter GRE splits these sections into two shorter parts each. Therefore, the GRE has two shorter Quantitative Reasoning sections and two shorter Verbal Reasoning sections.
Interestingly, the total time spent on the Quantitative and Verbal sections is nearly the same for both tests. The primary difference is their structure: do you prefer shorter, more focused sections or longer, continuous ones? This is a matter of personal preference. The longer GRE typically alternates between Quantitative and Verbal sections, and the shorter version will likely follow the same pattern, though format changes are always possible.
Additionally, the new GRE includes an Analytical Writing section with one fewer task, which the GMAT Focus Edition does not have. Instead, the GMAT Focus Edition introduces the Data Insights section.
Shorter GRE: Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning
GMAT Focus Edition: Data Insights, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning
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The GRE divides its three sections into five shorter sections of different lengths, whereas the GMAT Focus has three slightly longer sections, each with the same duration.
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Order of the Sections
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GMAT Focus Edition
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Shorter GRE
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The GMAT Focus Edition allows you to decide the order in which you want to tackle the three sections, giving you control over your test-taking strategy.
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The new shorter GRE has a fixed starting point with the Analytical Writing section. After that, the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and any unidentified/unscored sections can appear in any order.
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Shorter GRE: Computer chooses.
GMAT Focus Edition: You choose.
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The GMAT Focus allows you to choose the order in which you complete the test sections. In contrast, the GRE always starts with Analytical Writing, followed by Quantitative and Verbal sections in a random, alternating sequence.
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Suggested: GMAT Focus Edition Syllabus 2025
Computer Adaptivity
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GMAT Focus Edition
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Shorter GRE
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The GMAT Focus Edition uses a question-adaptive system. This means your performance on previous questions in that section determines the difficulty of each question. Correct answers lead to tougher questions, while incorrect answers bring easier ones.
If you do well in earlier sections, the first question in a new section may be more challenging than the initial questions of the test.
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The shorter GRE, on the other hand, is section-adaptive for the Verbal and Quantitative sections. Humans grade the Analytical Writing section after the test and don't follow this adaptivity model.
In a section-adaptive test, the difficulty within a section remains consistent regardless of your answers. Instead, your performance in the first Quantitative section determines the difficulty level of the second Quantitative section. Similarly, your performance in the first Verbal section affects the difficulty of the second Verbal section.
Importantly, the adaptivity is contained within each section. Your performance in Verbal doesn't affect the difficulty of the Quantitative section, and vice versa. Each section's adaptivity operates independently.
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Shorter GRE: section-adaptive
GMAT Focus Edition: question-adaptive
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The GMAT Focus Edition adapts at the question level, with some influence between sections. The GRE, however, adapts at the section level, with no interaction between different section types.
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Skip, Flag, and Edit
Due to their different adaptive mechanisms, the GRE and GMAT have distinct rules for navigating and changing answers within a section.
Shorter GRE
The GRE, being section-adaptive, allows you to skip within a section. You can answer questions in any order, flag questions for later review, and change your answers as often as you like within the allotted time.
Nothing in a GRE section is final until the time runs out, allowing you to revisit and revise your answers as needed.
GMAT Focus Edition
On the other hand, the GMAT Focus Edition is question-adaptive, meaning your navigation within a section is more restricted. You must answer each question before moving on to the next, with no option to skip, leave questions blank, or answer them out of order.
However, the GMAT Focus does allow you to edit answers to up to 3 questions per section. While you must initially select an answer to proceed, you’re not completely "locked in." You can flag questions for review, enabling you to return and revise your answers if time permits.
Shorter GRE: Skip, flag, unlimited editing
GMAT Focus Edition: No skipping, flagging, edit up to 3 answers per section.
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The GRE lets you skip questions and revise your answers as often as you want within a section. In contrast, the GMAT Focus does not allow skipping around. You can only edit up to 3 answers per section.
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Suggested: GMAT Focus Edition - Score Chart and Percentiles
