ABOUT GMAT
The Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT, is an important part of the business school application process. The GMAT is a multiple-choice, computer-based and computer-adaptive standardized exam that is often required for admission to graduate business programs (MBA) globally.
Who takes the GRE
GMAC has not announced any official statement regarding qualification required to appear for GMAT. Candidates who wish to enroll for an MBA programme should possess a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
Test Structure
The GMAT contains four distinct section types, although you’ll use the same critical thinking and analysis skills throughout the test, just like you will during your MBA coursework.
The content on the GMAT is broken down into four scored test sections, two of which are scored separately, and two of which are scored separately but are also combined to generate your composite score:
Analytical Writing Assessment
| Number of questions | Number of minutes to complete AWA | Score range |
| One timed task: “Analysis of an Argument” | 30 minutes | 0 to 6 |
The Analytical Writing Assessment, or “essay” section, helps business schools analyze your writing skills. It is scored separately, and your AWA score is not used to generate your 200–800 point score. Essays are scored by a human grader and a computer grading system, and the two scores are averaged for your final score. If the ratings differ significantly, then another human reads and scores your essay.
Integrated Reasoning
| Number of questions | Number of minutes to complete IR | Score range |
| Multi-Source Reasoning questions Graphics Interpretation questions Two-Part Analysis questions Table Analysis questions 12 total questions (many with multiple parts) |
30 minutes | 1 to 8 |
Quantitative
| Number of questions | Number of minutes to complete Quant | Score range |
| 14–15 Data Sufficiency questions 16–19 Problem Solving questions 31 total questions |
62 minutes | 0 to 60 |
The GMAT Quantitative section is designed to test your content and analytical knowledge of basic math concepts, including arithmetic and number properties, algebra, and geometry. The section consists of two question types:.
- DATA SUFFICIENCY
- PROBLEM SOLVING
Verbal
| Number of Questions | Number of minutes to complete Verbal | Score Range |
| 12 Reading Comprehension questions (approx.) 10 Critical Reasoning questions (approx.) 14 Sentence Correction questions (approx.) 36 total questions |
65 minutes | 0 to 60 |
The GMAT Verbal section is designed to test your command of standard written English, your skill in analyzing arguments, and your ability to read critically. You will see three question types in this section:
- Critical Reasoning
- Sentence Correction
- Reading Comprehension
Where is it conducted
The GMAT is administered year-round at Pearson VUE centers. You can full list of testing centers and seat availability on the GMAT official site here.
It is highly recommended that you register for your preferred GMAT test date early so you can select a test date that will allow enough time for GMAT to process your scores and send them to the MBA programs you’ll be applying to. This can take up to 20 calendar days. During popular testing times, seats in Pearson VUE testing centers can be limited. You can take the GMAT once every 16 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period (365 days) and up to eight total times.
You can register for the GMAT online here. For GMAT-related questions, you can find contact information for GMAC here.
Score Reporting
The GMAT is a Computer-Adaptive Test, or CAT. On the GMAT, the CAT actually adapts to your performance as you’re taking the test.
When you begin the GMAT, the computer assumes you have an average score and gives you a question of medium difficulty. As you answer questions correctly, the computer serves up more difficult questions and increases its estimate of your ability. And vice versa, as you answer incorrectly, the computer serves up easier questions and decreases its estimate of your ability. Your score is determined by an algorithm that calculates your ability level based not only on what you got right or wrong but also on the difficulty level of the questions you answered.
GMAC’s algorithm that determines your 200 to 800 score is often misunderstood, and there are many myths surrounding “cracking” the algorithm. The best way to “beat” the algorithm is to be prepared. However, because the adaptive nature of the test doesn’t allow for “skipping” questions, you will need to pace yourself and strike a balance between spending valuable time answering difficult questions correctly and possibly running out of time before you finished the test. There are significant penalties for leaving questions unanswered at the end of the exam.
For the Analytical Writing Assessment, your essay receives a score from one human reader and a computerized program, using a holistic 6-point scale. The Integrated Reasoning section is not adaptive, but as with the Quantitative and Verbal sections, you cannot leave questions unanswered or return to previous questions. The IR section is scored on a 1 to 8 scale.
You will receive your unofficial GMAT score immediately following the test, when you will have the option to keep or cancel your score.
