Test Overview
The Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT, is an important part of the business school application process. The GMAT is a multiple-choice, computer-based and computer-adaptive standardized exam that is often required for admission to graduate business programs (MBA) globally.
The GMAT is developed and administered by testmaker GMAC to provide business schools with common measures of applicants’ preparedness for graduate-level academic work. Business school admission committees look at your GMAT score, along with work experience, academic record, and supporting materials, to assess your readiness for the rigors of an MBA program.
What’s the takeaway? A high score on the GMAT will have a direct, positive impact on your business school application.
What is On The GMAT
The GMAT contains four distinct section types, although you’ll use the same critical thinking and analysis skills throughout the test, just like you will during your MBA coursework.
The content on the GMAT is broken down into four scored test sections, two of which are scored separately, and two of which are scored separately but are also combined to generate your composite score:
- Analytical Writing Assessment <<
- Integrated Reasoning <<
- Quantitative <<
- Verbal <<
GMAT test takers are able to choose the order in which they take GMAT test sections. You will choose your section order at the test center following the computer tutorial and just before you begin your test. There are three orders you will be able to choose from:
- Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative, Verbal
- Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
- Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
The Analytical Writing Assessment section of the GMAT is scored separately from 0 to 6 in half-point increments. The Integrated Reasoning section is also scored separately on 1–8 scale, in one-point increments. The Quantitative and Verbal sections each have a scaled score of 0–60. They are then combined to generate a score on the 200–800 scale, with 10-point increments, you’re probably most familiar with. Your score on the 200–800 scale, in 10-point increments, reflects the level of difficulty of the questions you answered correctly using a proprietary GMAC algorithm.
How is GMAT Scored?
The GMAT is a Computer-Adaptive Test, or CAT. On the GMAT, the CAT actually adapts to your performance as you’re taking the test.
When you begin the GMAT, the computer assumes you have an average score and gives you a question of medium difficulty. As you answer questions correctly, the computer serves up more difficult questions and increases its estimate of your ability. And vice versa, as you answer incorrectly, the computer serves up easier questions and decreases its estimate of your ability. Your score is determined by an algorithm that calculates your ability level based not only on what you got right or wrong but also on the difficulty level of the questions you answered.
GMAC’s algorithm that determines your 200 to 800 score is often misunderstood, and there are many myths surrounding “cracking” the algorithm. The best way to “beat” the algorithm is to be prepared. However, because the adaptive nature of the test doesn’t allow for “skipping” questions, you will need to pace yourself and strike a balance between spending valuable time answering difficult questions correctly and possibly running out of time before you finished the test. There are significant penalties for leaving questions unanswered at the end of the exam.
For the Analytical Writing Assessment, your essay receives a score from one human reader and a computerized program, using a holistic 6-point scale. The Integrated Reasoning section is not adaptive, but as with the Quantitative and Verbal sections, you cannot leave questions unanswered or return to previous questions. The IR section is scored on a 1 to 8 scale.
You will receive your unofficial GMAT score immediately following the test, when you will have the option
What is a good GMAT score?
When considering your GMAT score goal, it’s always a good idea to look at the mean or average GMAT score of admitted applicants to the MBA programs you’re considering applying to. This will give you a good baseline
The Quantitative and Verbal sections of the GMAT are each scored from 0 to 60, with the mean score for Quantitative at 39 and the mean score for Verbal at 27. The score business schools and MBA programs pay the most attention to is the combined 200–800 score scale, where the mean score is 552.
You can use the tables below to see the relationship between scaled scores and the test-takers achieving them:
What is On The GMAT
Leading business schools and management education programs worldwide recognize the GMAT as the most effective predictor of success.
You may already be on a career path, but you know that a management education will lead to even greater opportunities. Your continued success starts with the GMAT.
Consisting of four main parts delivered in English and administered in test centers around the world, the GMAT exam measures verbal reasoning, mathematical reasoning, integrated reasoning analytical and writing skills that you have developed over time. The examination helps graduate programs/faculty assess your qualifications for advanced study in business and management. Your scores are good/valid for five years, so you have the ability to start your graduate studies now or down the road.
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) of the GMAT is designed as a direct measure of your ability to think critically and to communicate your ideas.
The AWA consists of one 30-minute writing task — Analysis of an Argument.
The arguments presented on the test concern topics of general interest related to business or a variety of other subjects. A specific knowledge of the essay topic is not necessary; only your capacity to write analytically is assessed.
Analysis of an Argument
For the Analysis of an Argument section, you will need to analyze the reasoning behind a given argument and write a critique of that argument. You are not being asked to present your own views on the subject.
Integrated Reasoning
The Integrated Reasoning section consists of four question types, which require you to analyze and synthesize data in different formats and from multiple sources. Graphics Interpretations, Two-part Analysis, Table Analysis and Multi-Source reasoning.
Two types of multiple-choice questions are used in the Quantitative section of the GMAT exam—Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency.
The Quantitative section of the GMAT measures the ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative problems, and interpret graphic data.
Problem-Solving and Data-Sufficiency questions are intermingled throughout the section. Both types of questions require knowledge of:
- Arithmetic,
- Elementary algebra, and
- Commonly known concepts of geometry.
Three types of multiple-choice questions are used in the Verbal section of the GMAT® exam—Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction.
The Verbal section of the GMAT exam measures your ability to:
- Read and comprehend written material,
- Reason and evaluate arguments, and
- Correct written material to conform to standard written English.
You will need an international passport as a form of identifying document on the day of the examination.
At least two months of good preparation is required for the GMAT examination
