GMAT Overview
GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admission Test. It is a standardized aptitude test with a pre-defined syllabus and is required for admission to many of the world's leading Business Schools.
The GMAT score is generally accepted as one of the most valid and reliable testing schemes in graduate business schools. The exam is designed to measure the skills students require to succeed in the challenging curriculum. Being a computer-adaptive exam, it is one that assesses the student's verbal, quantitative and analytical writing skills rather than a handwritten test. Being computer-based, the GMAT exam can determine the student's ability by selecting questions based on previous answers. As the student progresses with the exam, the difficulty of questions alters in accordance with the number of correct or incorrect answers given.
Test Format
The GMAT consists of four sections
- AWA (Analytical Writing Assessment)
- Integrated Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
The following sections will compose the Next Generation GMAT test
Sections | Questions |
Time |
Analytical Writing Assessment (Analysis of an Argument) |
1 |
30 mins |
Integrated Reasoning |
12 |
30 mins |
Optional Break |
|
|
Quantitative |
37 |
75 mins |
Optional Break |
|
|
Verbal |
41 |
75 mins |
Total Duration |
about 4 hours inclusive breaks and tutorial |
Brief on Each Section
The Analytical Writing Assessment section of the test measures your ability to think critically and communicate complex ideas through writing.
The Analysis of an Argument task tests your ability to formulate an appropriate and constructive critique of a specific conclusion based on a specific line of thinking.
Integrated Reasoning section will assess the data analysis skill of a candidate. It will consist of four types of questions:
- Graph analysis
- Table analysis
- Two way analysis
- Multi source analysis
The Quantitative section of the GMAT exam measures your ability to reason mathematically, solve quantitative problems, and interpret graphic data. This section contains the following types of questions:
- Problem Solving
- Data Sufficiency
The Verbal section of the test measures your ability to understand and evaluate what you read and to recognize basic conventions of standard written English. The section contains the following types of questions:
Reading Comprehension (Reading and comprehending the given text, and answering the questions based on the same)
- Critical Reasoning (Reasoning and evaluating arguments)
- Sentence Correction (Correcting the data by following the standard conventions of writing)
Computer-Adaptive Format
In a computer-adaptive test, questions are chosen from a very large pool of test questions categorized by content and difficulty and presented one at a time.
The test is constantly targeting your individual ability level. In each section, your answer for each question will determine the level of your next question.
Consequently, you must enter an answer for each question and you may not go back to make changes. If you answer a question incorrectly by mistake or correctly by lucky guess, your answers to subsequent questions will lead you back to questions that are at the appropriate level of difficulty for you.
Scoring
- Essays are scored on a scale of 0 - 6 in 0.5 increments.
- Integrated Reasoning section is scored on a scale of 1 - 8 in 1 point increment.
- Quantitative section is scored on a scale of 0 - 60 in 1 point increment.
- Verbal section is scored on a scale of 0 - 60 in 1 point increment.
- Scaled scores of Quantitative and Verbal sections are added to create a score on the scale of 200 - 800 in 10 points increment. 650+ score is considered good score.
FAQs
Q. What is a Computer Adaptive Test?
A. In a computer-adaptive test (CAT), questions are selected according to the student's level of intelligence. It starts with a question of average difficulty, and the correctness of the answer sets the difficulty level of the subsequent question. This pattern continues until the student gets to the end of the section and their ability on that subject has been measured.
Q. What admission strategy must an applicant apply to increase the chances of acceptance at a Business School?
A. It is imperative that students put importance on their GMAT tests as well as their application essays. Their applications should exhibit their readiness for pursuing a programme at the Business School and speak of their willingness to contribute to the school environment.
Q. Is it advisable to re-take the GMAT if the score received in the first attempt is low?
A. Students must make a concerted effort to prepare for the GMAT the second time and then retake the exam, if they feel that their GMAT test scores do not reflect their actual capabilities.
Q. For what duration is a GMAT score valid?
A. A GMAT score is valid for 5 years. While a student can retake the exam to improve upon scores, Business Schools will have access to all your scores registered for the last 5 years. Hence, candidates are advised to prepare thoroughly before sitting for the exam.
Q. When do I consider myself ready to take the GMAT?
A. Our 48 hour module is specifically customized and designed to make a candidate 'exam ready'. However if a student is deemed to be under prepared, we offer a combination of extra tutoring, further mock tests and result oriented strategic sessions to prepare the student to appear for the GMAT.
Q. Where can I get more information about the GMAT?
A. Please fill in the enquiry form available on the webpage and we will get back to you at the earliest. Alternatively, you may walk into the nearest Prolific centre or give us a call. Details of all our offices are listed in the 'Contact Us' page on our website. Our counsellors or faculty will be happy to assist with any GMAT queries.
Miscellaneous Details
Score Validity: 5 years
Test Fee: $250
Score reporting time: 2 weeks (app)
Nature of Test: Computer based test
Test Repetition Policy: Once calendar month and five times a calendar year
Rescheduling fee: $50
Registration Mode: Mail/ Online/ Telephone/ Fax