GMAT: Graduate Management Admission Test

Introduction

The GMAT is a 4 hour exam  designed to determine an applicant's eligibility for admission into graduate-level business programs. Nearly all management institutes globally require GMAT scores from applicants for admission to the masters of business administration (MBA) program. Read more to find out details on GMAT prep, GMAT practice test, GMAT registration, GMAT questions, GMAT scores and GMAT test dates.

The GMAT test is a computer adaptive test, which means that only one question at a time is presented to an applicant. The multiple choice questions in the quantitative and verbal sections are adjusted to the ability level of the test taker. Essentially the computer test system will not advance to the next question without an applicant's response to the current question. All questions must be answered.

Why GMAT is Important?

GMAT is extremely important for those students who are interested in continuing their education in business administration. Mainly because schools globally use the test as a criterion for admission into a wide range of graduate and business management programs such as MBA, masters of finance, accountancy, marketing and many others.

Test Structure

The GMAT test measures abilities in four broad categories: verbal, quantitative, analytical writing and integrated reasoning. It does not test specific subject knowledge.

Areas of Measure	Coverage	Questions	Time Duration
Verbal Reasoning	Critical Reasoning Sentence Correction Reading Comprehension	41 Questions	75 Minutes
Quantitative Reasoning	Problem Solving Data Sufficiency	37 Questions	75 Minutes
Analytical Writing	Writing Asignment on One Topic	One Topic	30 Minutes
Integrated Reasoning	Graphic Interpretation Multi-Source Reasoning Two-Part Analysis Table Analysis	12 Questions	30 Minutes

 Section Overview

• The verbal section measures the ability to read and comprehend written material, reason and evaluate arguments and correct grammar and sentences.

• The quantitative section measures the ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative problems, and interpret graphic data. Questions require knowledge of arithmetic, elementary algebra and common concepts of geometry.

• The analytical writing section consists of one 30-minute writing eassy which include analysis of an argument. It is important to be able to analyze the reasoning behind a given argument and write a critique of that argument.

• Integrated reasoning is a new section designed to measure an applicant's ability to evaluate data presented in multiple formats from multiple sources.

Tips to Prepare for GMAT

Practice Tests:  Take a GMAT practice test. Students can download  practice tests from the official MBA website or find online test prep companies and stores. It is crucial that students time themselves appropriately to accurately examine their strengths and weaknesses.

Test Prep Courses:  Students should use  study materials  like the GMAT test preparation software and study materials from the offical MBA website, which aims at simulating the actual test experience by using retired questions from previous GMAT exams.

Computer Skills: The GMAT requires test takers to have an understanding of how to perform basic computer tasks, including scrolling, using a mouse, and navigating through the test questions. Most people are familiar with how to perform these basic tasks, but it is always a good idea to review them. Many test preparation companies offer applicants the chance to practice selecting answers and moving on to subsequent questions, both of which will help the test taker to feel more comfortable and confident.

Score

GMAT scores are valid for five years, applicants' receive five scaled scores on a GMAT test.

1. Quantitative Ability score (on a 0-60 scale)
2. Verbal Ability score (on a 0-60 scale)
3. Total score (on a 200-800 scale)
4. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) score (on a 0-6 scale)                                                  
5. Integrated Reasoning score ( on a scale from 1 to 8)

For each of the scaled scores, applicants also receive a percentile ranking from 0-99%. Percentile rank in each section reflects an applicant's performance in each section relative to all the GMAT test-takers.

Fees

The cost of the exam is US $250.

Registration

Applicants can register for the GMAT either online at mba.com or by calling one of the test centers. To schedule an exam, an appointment must be made at one of the designated test centers. The GMAT may not be taken more than once within 31 days, even if the scores are canceled. Official GMAT exam study materials are available on the mba.com online store and through third-party stores and vendors.

Test Dates and Location

The GMAT test does not have specific scheduled dates – applicants can schedule their appointment directly with a local test centre.  Applicants can  schedule their GMAT exam year round at various test centres in the U.S., Canada and other countries. The appointments are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, so please be sure to schedule accordingly.

Retaking GMAT

Applicants are allowed to take the GMAT test more than once. However,  applicants are not allowed to take the GMAT Test more than once within any 31 calendar days or more than five (5) times within any 12 month period.