ABOUT GMAT
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT is a computer adaptive test (CAT) intended to assess certain analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills in written English for use in admission to a graduate management program, such as an MBA. It requires knowledge of certain grammar and knowledge of certain algebra, geometry, and arithmetic. The GMAT does not measure business knowledge or skill, nor does it measure intelligence. According to the test owning company, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the GMAT assesses analytical writing and problem-solving abilities, while also addressing data sufficiency, logic, and critical reasoning skills that it believes to be vital to real-world business and management success. It can be taken up to five times a year.No more than 8 times total. Each attempt must be at least 16 days apart.
GMAT is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council. More than 7,700 programs offered by more than 2,400+ universities and institutions use the GMAT exam as part of the selection criteria for their programs. Business schools use the test as a criterion for admission into a wide range of graduate management programs, including MBA, Master of Accountancy, and Master of Finance programs. The GMAT exam is administered in standardized test centers in 114 countries around the world. According to a survey conducted by Kaplan Test Prep, the GMAT is still the number one choice for MBA aspirants despite the increasing acceptability of GRE scores. According to GMAC, it has continually performed validity studies to statistically verify that the exam predicts success in business school programs.
Format and Timing
The GMAT exam consists of three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights.[18] The total testing time is two hours and 15 minutes to answer 64 questions, and test takers have 45 minutes for each section.
| Section | Duration in minutes | Number of questions |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 45 | 21 |
| Verbal Reasoning | 45 | 23 |
| Data Insights | 45 | 20 |
All three sections of the GMAT exam are multiple-choice and are administered in a computer-adaptive format, adjusting to a test taker’s level of ability. At the start of each section, test takers are presented with a question of average difficulty. As questions are answered correctly, the computer presents the test taker with increasingly difficult questions, and as questions are answered incorrectly the computer presents the test taker with questions of decreasing difficulty. This process continues until test takers complete each section, at which point the computer will have an accurate assessment of their ability level in that subject area and come up with a raw score for each section.
On July 11th, 2017, the GMAC announced that from now on the order in which the different parts of the GMAT are taken can be chosen at the beginning of the exam.
Three options will be available at the test center:
Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal (original order)
Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
On July 11, 2017, GMAC announced that from now on the order in which the different parts of the GMAT are taken can be chosen at the beginning of the exam. The three options were:
Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal (original order)
Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment[19]
In April 2018, the GMAC officially shortened the test by half an hour, shortening the verbal and quantitative sections from 75 minutes each to 65 and 62 minutes, respectively, and shortening some of the instruction screens.
In October 2023, with the launched of the GMAT Exam (Focus Edition), GMAC further shortened the exam and removed the Analytical Writing Assessment section, as well as sentence correction and geometry questions. Additionally, section order selection was expanded, giving test takers the opportunity to take the exam in any order they choose. A Question Review & Edit feature was also introduced, giving test takers the ability to review all answers at the end of each section and edit up to three answers per section.
ABOUT GMAT SCORES:
Quantitative Reasoning section
The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GMAT seeks to measure the ability to reason quantitatively and solve quantitative problems. Questions require knowledge of certain algebra and arithmetic. There is only one type of quantitative question: problem-solving and data sufficiency. The use of calculators is not allowed on the quantitative section of the GMAT. Test takers must do their math work out by hand using a wet erase pen and laminated graph paper which are given to them at the testing center. Scores range from 60 to 90.[21]
Problem-solving questions are designed to test the ability to reason quantitatively and to solve quantitative problems.
Verbal Reasoning section
The Verbal Reasoning section of the GMAT exam includes the following question types: reading comprehension and critical reasoning. Each question type gives five answer options from which to select. Verbal scores range from 60 to 90.[22]
According to GMAC, the reading comprehension question type tests ability to analyze information and draw a conclusion. Reading comprehension passages can be anywhere from one to several paragraphs long.[23] According to GMAC, the critical reasoning question type assesses reasoning skills.[22][24]
Data Insights section
Data Insights is a section introduced in 2023 and is designed to measure a test taker’s ability to evaluate data presented in multiple formats from multiple sources. The Data Insights section consists of 20 questions (which often consist of multiple parts themselves) in five different formats: data sufficiency, graphics interpretation, two-part analysis, table analysis, and multi-source reasoning. Data Insights scores range from 60 to 90.
The Data Insights section includes five question types: table analysis, graphics interpretation, multi-source reasoning, two-part analysis, and data sufficiency. In the table analysis section, test takers are presented with a sortable table of information, similar to a spreadsheet, which has to be analyzed. Each question will have several statements with opposite-answer options (e.g., true/false, yes/no), and test takers click on the correct option. Graphics interpretation questions ask test takers to interpret a graph or graphical image. Each question has fill-in-the-blank statements with pull-down menus; test takers must choose the options that make the statements accurate. Multi-source reasoning questions are accompanied by two to three sources of information presented on tabbed pages. Test takers click on the tabs and examine all the relevant information, which may be a combination of text, charts, and tables to answer either traditional multiple-choice or opposite-answer (e.g., yes/no, true/false) questions. Two-part analysis questions involve two components for a solution. Possible answers are given in a table format with a column for each component and rows with possible options. Test takers have to choose one response per column. Data sufficiency is a question type unique to the GMAT designed to measure the ability to understand and analyze a quantitative problem, recognize what information is relevant or irrelevant and determine at what point there is enough information to solve a problem or recognize the fact that there is insufficient information given to solve a particular problem.
Scoring Breakdown
The GMAT Total Score scale ranges from 205 to 805, and all Total Score values end in a 5. Section scores range from 60 to 90.
Total Score
Score range: 205-805
Score intervals: 10
Standard error of measurement: 30-40 points
Quantitative Reasoning Score
Score range: 60-90
Score intervals: 1
Standard error of measurement: 3 points
Verbal Reasoning Score
Score range: 60-90
Score intervals: 1
Standard error of measurement: 3 points
Data Insights Score
Score range: 60-90
Score intervals: 1
Standard error of measurement: 3 points
About the Score Scale
If you’re familiar with the previous edition of the GMAT, you’ll notice the Total Score scale is different. This change has been made to ensure you and schools can easily distinguish between a GMAT Exam – Focus Edition and previous GMAT Exam score.
Total Score
GMAT Exam – Focus Edition: 205–805
Previous edition of the GMAT Exam: 200–800
The score scale for the GMAT Exam – Focus Edition has also been adjusted to reflect changes in the test-taking population, which has become more diverse and global. Over the years, scores have shifted significantly, resulting in an uneven distribution. The updated score scale fixes that, thus allowing schools to better differentiate your performance on the exam.
In addition to the score scale recalibration, the following key changes distinguish GMAT Exam – Focus Edition:
The Total Score is now comprised of all 3 section scores (as mentioned above)
The content areas and test constructs have been refined to narrow scope to focus on data literacy, critical thinking, and problem solving skills
The scoring algorithm has been updated
The new Question Review & Edit feature will have implications for testing behavior
Your Unofficial Score
Immediately after completing the exam, your unofficial scores for the Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, as well as your Total Score are displayed on-screen. You are not allowed to record, save, screenshot, or print your unofficial score. You will receive an email notification when your Official Score Report is available in your mba.com account.
TEST FEES
GMAT TEST FEE $275 for the in-person test and $300 for the online test
Additional Score report $35
Register for GMAT https://www.mba.com/service/login?checkGISFirst=false&returnUrl=%2fservice%2ftesting%2fgmat-exam-profile%3fsourcePageUrl%3d%2fexams%2fgmat-exam®ForGmat=true#_=_
Courtesy: GMAC.ORG and MBA.COM
