The GMAT is the preferred test across Global B Schools  for entry into MBA programmes. It has been administered for over 60 years  and is a reliable indicator of potential academic competence.The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a test used by leading business schools (CAT Exam for TOP Indian B Schools) around the world to assess the suitability of a candidate for management programmes. 

It is a generalist test that tests a candidate’s quantitative, verbal, reasoning and writing skills. The test is not a test of business skills but rather tests cognitive skills of a high school level. Of most relevance to admission panels are the quantitative and verbal sections. 

Executive MBA’s: The executive MBA’s at IIM A,B, C, L, XLRI also accept the GMAT score as an admission input. The way business schools interpret and use these scores varies a lot depending on their policies. The average GMAT score for the ISB was 700.

GMAT Pattern

The GMAT is a four section test administered over 3 hours 7 minutes with two optional 8 minute breaks

Structure of the GMAT

Order of Sections

You have the flexibility to choose from three options for your exam's section order:

1.    Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal

2.    Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

3.    Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

Test Design Features

The GMAT General Test is a Computer Adaptive Test in which within a section the difficulty of every question changes according to the response to the previous question of the candidate. In case the answer to the previous question is right the difficulty level increases. In case the answer to the previous question is wrong the difficulty level goes down

Scoring of Sections

1. The AWA Section is scored from 0-6 in 0.5 point increments.

2. The IR  Section is scored from 1-8 in 0.5 point increments

3. The Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning scores are converted into a combined scaled score out of 800. Thus the scores we hear such as 750 or 700  are a scaled score out of 800.

Verbal Reasoning

There are three types of questions in the Verbal Section: Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning questions have sub-types that are designed to test specific verbal skills.

The verbal section of the GMAT checks a candidates skills in reading comprehension, critical reasoning and sentence correction. The essential skills tested are the ability to comprehend ideas and reasoning in written English language. Reading comprehension passages are from disparate fields of study such as social science, economics, humanities, management, physical sciences and history. The Reading Comprehension passages vary in length and can be from one paragraph to several paragraphs long.

Questions test the candidate’s ability to evaluate a point of view, understand an argument, compare two arguments, draw inferences, understand the meaning of words and statements based on context and the ability to think logically.

Sentence Correction questions are a test of the candidate’s grammatical ability in the English language. In this type of question five options are given for constructing a sentence. The test taker must select the one that is most effective and grammatically correct without altering the meaning of the sentence.

Quantitative Reasoning

There are two types of questions in the Quantitative Section – Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency. Both types of questions require some knowledge of arithmetic, elementary algebra and commonly known concepts of geometry. Rest assured that the difficulty of the questions stems from the logic and analytical skills required, not the underlying math skills. Note that you cannot use a calculator while working on the Quantitative section.

Problem Solving

Measures your ability to use logic and analytical reasoning to solve quantitative problems.

You solve the problem and indicate the best of five answer choices.

Data Sufficiency

Measures your ability to analyze a quantitative problem, recognize which data is relevant, and determine at what point there are enough data to solve the problem.

You will be given a problem that consists of a question and two statements. Using the data in the statements, plus your knowledge of math and everyday facts, you decide whether you have enough data in the statement to answer the question asked.

Integrated Reasoning

There are four types of questions in the Integrated Reasoning Section—Multi-Source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, and Two-Part Analysis. The questions involve both quantitative and verbal reasoning, either separately or in combination. There are two special features of this section: many questions require more than one response, and you will be able to use an online calculator with basic functions to answer the questions. Because the questions are designed to test your ability to integrate data to solve complex problems, you must answer all responses to a question correctly; no partial credit will be given.

For each Integrated Reasoning question type, you can sample multiple questions using the links below, and click the button at the bottom of the sample question screen to reveal the correct response.

Multi-Source Reasoning—Measures your ability to examine data from multiple sources text passages, tables, graphics, or some combination of the three—and to analyze each source of data carefully to answer multiple questions. Some questions will require you to recognize discrepancies among different sources of data. Others will ask you to draw inferences, and still others may require you to determine whether data is relevant.

Table Analysis—Measures your ability sort and analyze a table of data, similar to a spreadsheet, in order to determine what information is relevant or meets certain conditions.

Graphics Interpretation—Measures your ability to interpret the information presented in a graph or other graphical image (scatter plot, x/y graph, bar chart, pie chart, or statistical curve distribution) to discern relationships, and make inferences.

Analytical Writing Assessment

The Analytical Writing Assessment Section of the GMAT™ exam requires that you analyze the reasoning behind a given argument and write a critique of that argument. Your ability to think critically and to communicate your ideas through an essay in English is measured.

The Analytical Writing Assessment section consists of one 30-minute writing task—Analysis of an Argument. The arguments on the test include topics of general interest related to business, or a variety of other subjects. Specific knowledge of the essay topic is not necessary; only your capacity to write analytically is assessed.

The AWA has a single task involving analysis of an argument. One’s ability to understand the reasoning behind an argument and the ability to criticise the same are essential to this task. The essay one writes is evaluated by two examiners. The first is a computerised reading evaluator and the second is by an examiner appointed by GMAC. The automated essay scoring engine uses algorithms and programmed features that evaluate structural and linguistic such as variety and organization. The average of both the ratings is taken. In the situation where both the ratings differ by more than 1 point, an expert reader is called to evaluate the essay and provide a rating. The AWA is graded on a scale of 1 to 6 with 1 being minimum.

Two-Part Analysis—Measures your ability to solve complex problems. They could be quantitative, verbal, or some combination of both. The format is intentionally versatile to cover a wide range of content. Your ability to evaluate trade-offs, solve simultaneous equations, and discern relationships between two entities is measured.

Test Fees

The Test Fees in India is $250

Score Validity and Attempts

• You may take the GMAT exam: Once every 16 calendar days
• No more than five times in a rolling 12-month period
• No more than eight times total

ALL THE BEST!!

AnkGanit