What is GMAT? 👨🏼🎓
One of the world’s most globally recognized graduate-level tests, the Graduate Management Admissions Test, also known as the GMAT, is a computer-based adaptive examination used as a standard method for admission in graduate management programs.
It also implicates that the degree of trouble for each question you get will be determined by how well you have performed in the past questions. The legitimacy of the GMAT scores prevails for five years where one can show up for the test up to 5 times each year and multiple times in the course of their life.
Many colleges acknowledge GMAT scores for their MBA, MIM and other administration related programs. It is imperative to perform well on the test because a high score can get you into your dream program and increase the chances of getting a scholarship. A portion of the top counselling firms and venture banks likewise use GMAT scores to sift through contender in their recruitment process, which is another motivation to pay attention to it.
Why GMAT? 🌐
While this is a well-known fact, GMAT scores are a proven indicator of your ability to be successful in your chosen program – it is a way of testing your ability to think and reason objectively, demonstrate your determination, enthusiasm, and desire to achieve measurable success in business schools, and most importantly increase your earning potential and open up a world of opportunities. Regardless of where you want to go and how you want to impact your career, a graduate degree in business will elevate you above everybody else. The journey to an excellent business school begins with passing the GMAT exams.
Test Structure 📝
The new GMAT test structure is essentially divided into four sections:
Analytical writing assessment – In the AWA section, you need to understand the reasons behind the discussion and write a review of it with relevant examples and explanations.
Integrated Reasoning – The IR section is designed to test your analytical skills to solve complex problems. The data is provided in a variety of formats. However, your skills depend on your ability to manage the data, select relevant information, and choose the correct answer.
Quantitative Reasoning – Quantitative Reasoning Questions are designed to test your math skills. They revolve around basic arithmetic, algebra and geometry.
Verbal Reasoning – The oral section includes reading comprehension. You will be given a passage on a topic that has multiple-choice questions based on the same thing. Critical reasoning needs to identify critical points that influence, strengthen, and weaken a given argument.
Paper Pattern
| 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) |
Note: In total, the test takes just under 3 1/2 hours to complete, including two optional breaks.
Here’s what the Average GMAT scores of some of the top B-schools in the world look like!
Fee for taking the GMAT test 💵
The cost of a single GMAT appointment in the US is $250 and includes free and unlimited score report sending. Moreover, you will be able to select your schools after you have received and reviewed your scores.
However, one must note that this cost may vary from country to country.
Visit the official website, mba.com, for location-based pricing.
If you end up giving the exam multiple times, the cost is still recurring ($250) for every attempt you make.
There are a couple of other costs one may or may not incur while appearing for the test, which is as follows:
Reschedule Fee Tiers:
- 1 to 14 days before appointment: $150
- 15 to 60 days before appointment: $100
- More than 60 days before appointment: $50
Cancel Fee Tiers:
- 1 to 14 days prior to appointment: $200 ($50 refund)
- 15 to 60 days prior to appointment: $175 ($75 refund)
- More than 60 days prior to appointment: $150 ($100 refund)
No appointment changes can be made or modified within 24 hours of the exam appointment time, and candidates who do not show up for the test will be responsible for the entire exam fee.
Did You Know? 💡
- In 1953, nine B-schools met with ETS to create what would later become the GMAT. Those schools were Harvard, Rutgers, Columbia, Northwestern, Chicago, Seton Hall, Michigan, Washington University (St. Louis), and University of Pennsylvania.
- Pre-1976 the GMAT was known as the Admission Test for Graduate Study in Business (ATGSB).
- The first five countries to offer the GMAT (which was then the ATGSB) were the U.S., Canada, England, France, and India.
- The GMAT is currently available in 113 countries – on every continent except Antarctica.
- In 1997 the GMAT exam became computerized.
Head onto gmac.com for the yearly Geographic Trend reports of test-takers across the globe.