WHAT IS THE GMAT TEST ?

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a pre requisite for admission to U.S. universities for business programs. It is a 3 hours and 30 minutes standardized exam designed to predict how test takers will perform academically in MBA (Masters in Business Administration) programs. GMAT scores are used by 7000 programs across 2300 graduate business schools across the world in order to make admission decisions. For e.g. ISB (Indian School of Business) in Hyderabad requires the GMAT score for one to be considered for its MBA programs.

GENERAL OVERVIEW

The GMAT test is broken up into four sections. The Verbal and Quantitative Sections are jointly scored on a scale of 200 to 800 points. The Analytical Writing section is scored on a separate scale of 0 to 6, while the Integrated Reasoning section on a scale of 1 to 8.

The GMAT can be attempted once every thirty days and only upto five times in one calendar year. Registration for the GMAT can be 6-24 months in advance and requires a valid passport and payment of an exam fee of US $250.

You can register at: www.mba.com

THE CONTENT

Analytical Writing: The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) consists of one 30-minute writing task of analysis of an argument. The new GMAT replaced analysis of an issue by Integrated Reasoning section. This section requires test takers to critique an argument based on its reasoning.

Integrated Reasoning: The Integrated Reasoning section measures your ability to understand and evaluate multiple sources and types of information – graphic, numeric, and verbal, as they relate to one another; use quantitative and verbal reasoning to solve complex problems; and solve multiple problems in relation to one another. The integrated reasoning section tests students’ ability to analyze and synthesize a compilation of data, presented in different forms such as words, charts, and tables. There are 12 questions in the integrated reasoning section of the exam and duration is of 30 minutes.

Quantitative: The Quantitative section of the GMAT has 31 questions that test takers are given 62 minutes to complete. Many of the math questions are high school level – there is no calculus or trigonometry – but test takers should be sure they have confidence in their knowledge of the basic concepts, rules and equations for these mathematical subjects. It consists of two types of questions: data sufficiency and problem solving, both of which test application of various basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry.

Verbal: The verbal section of the GMAT gives you 65 minutes to answer 36 multiple-choice questions. The questions are designed to test your ability to comprehend written material, evaluate arguments, as well as identify and correct grammatical errors. Your performance on the GMAT verbal section will receive a scaled score of 0–60. It consists of questions of three types: reading comprehension, critical reasoning and sentence correction. . The sections measure the test taker’s ability to read and comprehend written material, reason and evaluate arguments, and correct written material to conform to standard written English.

OTHER INFORMATION

To check where the GMAT® is administered in your city, visit the official search page.

For further information visit: http://www.mba.com

GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council.

The GMAT test has four parts– Quantitative reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment  and Integrated Reasoning.