The Graduate Management Admission Test, commonly known as the GMAT, is an integral part of the business school application process. The GMAT was developed by GMAC in order to deliver a standard measure for universities to determine an applicant’s suitability for academic level at the graduate level. Although this is not the only factor in a business application, business schools definitely consider it amongst other components such as your work experience, academic record, recommendation letters etc. In essence, scoring well on the GMAT will prove to be a vital, positive addition to your business school application.
The GMAT features multiple choice questions, and is a computer-based, computer-adaptive standardized exam that is generally a requirement of admission to most MBA programs.
The test is split into four main sections:
Section | Content |
---|---|
Analytical Writing Assessment | This section tests critical thinking and tests you on your ability to communicate ideas. |
Integrated Reasoning | This section evaluates your aptitude in analysing data presented in various formats. |
Quantitative Reasoning | This section also evaluates your aptitude in analysing data but also includes testing your ability to reason and arrive at conclusions. |
Verbal Reasoning | measures your ability to read and understand written material, to evaluate arguments and to correct written material to conform to standard written English. |
The total time for the test is 3.5 hours and this includes two optional breaks.
Test Section | Time Limit/ Number of Questions | Question Types | Score Range |
---|---|---|---|
Analytical Writing Assessment | 30 minutes 1 question |
Analysis of an Argument | 0-6 (in 0.5- point increments) |
Integrated Reasoning | 30 minutes 12 questions |
Graphics interpretation, Table Analysis, Multi-source Reasoning, Two-part Analysis | 1-8 (in 1- point increments) |
Quantitative Reasoning | 62 minutes 31 questions |
Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving | 6-51 (in 1- point increments) |
Verbal Reasoning | 65 minutes 36 questions |
Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction | 6-51 (in 1- point increments) |
The exam measures your ability in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, multi-source data analysis, and grammar. It also tests your ability to analyze and evaluate written material, think critically, and solve problems. Since the test is computer-adaptive, the test difficulty varies in real time depending on how you do on previous questions.
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