Difference between the same and identical

[Sivaramakrishnan.S]

Test No. incompl/advan-78 "GMAT Verbal Quiz", question 7

I asked you to bring back a different one but you've brought a similar one back that's exactly the ......... as the first one.

(a) equivalent
(b) apparent
(c) same
(d) identical

Test No. incompl/advan-78 "GMAT Verbal Quiz", answer 7

I asked you to bring back a different one but you've brought a similar one back that's exactly the same as the first one.

Correct answer: (c) same

Your answer was: incorrect
I asked you to bring back a different one but you've brought a similar one back that's exactly the identical as the first one.
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I think both same and identical have the same meaning .Please tell me the difference between the two words

[Alan]

You would have to change the sentence if you wanted to use identical and write: identical to the first one instead of the same as You are right the meanings are similar except that identical means exactly the same.
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