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What is the difference between the GMAT and SAT?
Both are standardized examinations. People take the SAT for college admission while people take the GMAT for business school admission (MBA). Both exams are multiple choice and have a math/quant section and a verbal/writing section. The SAT breaks down the verbal section into "critical reading" and "writing" while the GMAT just calls it "verbal" and requires two essays.
***Question Content/Format***
-The GMAT Math emphasizes more logic than does the SAT Math, whereas the SAT Math tests one more on calculation and "plug and chug" questions.
-The GMAT Verbal is also more about argumentative logic both test writing, and critical reading.
-The GMAT is a computerized adaptive test. Questions are dynamically generated based on whether you get the question right or wrong. The SAT is a set test and every test taker on a given day will see the same set of questions (generally speaking).
***Price***
-The GMAT costs $250 globally.
-The SAT costs $45.
***Who Takes the Test***
-Nearly every high school junior/senior ~ages 16/17 in the US takes the SAT
-Self-selected students ranging from age 21-45 with ambitions of business school take the GMAT exam
***When Is It Available?***
-GMAT: Virtually any time opening that your local test center has during the typical 5 business days of the week.
-SAT: Administered 7 times per year in classroom setting in "pencil and paper" format. The SAT is quite well known in high school. Remember wayback in high school when everybody freaked out about the SAT? Guidance counselors would remind you every other day and teachers would constantly bring it up. There is much more AWARENESS about the SAT exam.
The GMAT, on the other hand, requires much more self initative. Your employer will not tell you that you need to get your act together and study for the GMAT like your guidance counselor would do. Your friends probably won't remind you either, because not all of them will be taking the exam around the same time you will take the exam. Instead of competing against every other high school kid around the age of 16 or 17, you will be competing against working professionals roughly in the age range of 21-45 who are a self-selected group of ambitious and goal-oriented individuals. No slackers will take the GMAT whereas there are plenty of slackers who take the SAT just because the school "makes" them.
The GMAT exam is much more competitive than the SAT exam and often has less awareness. This is more the reason to make sure that you ARE prepared.