The GMAT is an internationally recognized standardized exam specifically designed to assess the skills and abilities of individuals seeking admission into graduate business and management programs, such as MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs. It is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).
The GMAT is widely used by business schools and institutions around the world as part of their admissions process. It provides a standardized measure of an applicant’s readiness for the academic rigors of graduate business education and verbal reasoning of MBA and MS aspirants in Finance.
est Sections: The GMAT consists of four main sections:
a. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA): In this section, you are presented with an argument and required to analyze and critique it in a written essay format.
b. Integrated Reasoning (IR): The IR section assesses your ability to interpret and analyze complex data presented in various formats, such as tables, graphs, and multi-source reasoning questions.
c. Quantitative Reasoning: This section evaluates your mathematical and quantitative skills, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
d. Verbal Reasoning: The verbal reasoning section measures your ability to understand and evaluate written material, analyze arguments, and correct written material to conform to standard written English.
Computer-Adaptive Test (CAT) Format: The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the difficulty level of the questions adapts based on your performance. The test adapts to your ability level by presenting questions of varying difficulty. The computer selects each subsequent question based on your previous responses.
Scoring: The GMAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, with 10-point increments. The quantitative and verbal sections contribute to the overall score, ranging from 0 to 60. The AWA section of the exam is evaluated and assigned a separate score ranging from 0 to 6, while the IR section is scored on a scale of 1 to 8.
Test Duration: The total testing time for the GMAT is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, including optional breaks.
Test Centers: The GMAT is administered at authorized test centers located in various cities around the world. You can find a test center near you on the official GMAT website.
The GMAT consists of four main sections, each designed to assess different skills and abilities.
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA): This section requires you to analyze and critique an argument within 30 minutes. You need to present your ideas clearly and effectively in a written essay. This section evaluates your ability to think critically, construct logical arguments, and communicate your thoughts coherently.
Integrated Reasoning (IR): Integrated Reasoning (IR): The IR section assesses your aptitude to interpret and analyze intricate data presented in different formats, including tables, graphs, and multi-source reasoning questions. This section comprises 12 questions that must be completed within a time frame of 30 minutes. This section measures your skills in synthesizing information from different sources, evaluating relationships between data points, and solving problems using both quantitative and verbal reasoning.
Quantitative Reasoning: This section assesses your mathematical and quantitative skills. The Math section encompasses multiple-choice questions that encompass various topics including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. It consists of 31 questions to be completed in 62 minutes. This section measures your ability to reason quantitatively, interpret and analyze data, and make logical conclusions.
Verbal Reasoning: The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to understand and evaluate written material, analyze arguments, and correct written material to conform to standard written English. The GMAT Test is of two types – One is conducted Online, and the other is conducted at Test Centre’s. Students have the choice to choose any one as per their convenience.
he GMAT serves as an important criterion for evaluating the readiness and aptitude of candidates for these programs.
Admissions Criteria: Many business schools use the GMAT as a standardized measure to assess applicants’ academic abilities, skills, and potential for success in their programs. It provides a consistent benchmark for evaluating candidates from diverse educational backgrounds.
Quantitative and Verbal Aptitude: The GMAT assesses an individual’s quantitative and verbal reasoning skills, which are essential for business studies. Business schools look for candidates who demonstrate proficiency in these areas to ensure that students can handle the analytical and communication demands of their programs.
Comparability: By requiring the GMAT, business schools can compare candidates on a standardized basis. It allows them to assess applicants fairly and objectively, as the exam provides a consistent measurement of skills and abilities.
Predictor of Success: Research has shown a correlation between GMAT scores and academic performance in business programs. Business schools often consider GMAT scores as an indicator of an applicant’s potential for success in their program.
Previously, students were typically allowed to take the GMAT exam only twice. However, the restriction has been lifted, and students are now permitted to take the exam up to five times per year. It is important for students to observe a 16-day gap between two consecutive exams. The number of times students can attend the exam in their lifetime is 8.
The GMAT does not have strict eligibility criteria. However, it is primarily taken by individuals who are interested in pursuing graduate business and management programs, such as MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs.
Educational Background: The GMAT is typically taken by individuals who have completed their undergraduate education or are in the final stages of their undergraduate studies. While there is no specific academic requirement, most business schools that require the GMAT expect applicants to have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
Programs and Institutions: The GMAT is primarily used for admission into graduate business and management programs. It is accepted by thousands of business schools worldwide. If you are planning to apply to a specific program or institution, it’s important to check their admission requirements to verify if the GMAT is necessary or if they accept alternative exams such as the GRE.
Testing Age: There are no age restrictions for taking the GMAT. Individuals of all ages can take the exam if they meet the educational requirements mentioned above.
Retake Policy: There is no restriction on how many times you can take the GMAT. However, there are specific policies regarding the frequency of retaking the exam. You can take the GMAT once every 16 calendar days, up to a maximum of five times within a rolling 12-month period. It’s important to keep in mind that business schools may consider all your GMAT scores within the past five years when evaluating your application.
Identification Requirements: To take the GMAT, you must have valid identification documents, such as a passport or government-issued ID, that meet the requirements set by the GMAT test center. Any student holding a graduate degree from a recognized college or institution is eligible to take the GMAT exam. GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) has not specified any maximum qualification requirement for students to participate in the exam.
The fees for the GMAT vary depending on the region and currency. The following information provides an overview of the GMAT exam fees as of my knowledge cutoff date in September 2021.
Base Registration Fee: The base registration fee for the GMAT is typically around US $250 globally. This fee covers the cost of scheduling and taking the exam.
Rescheduling Fee: If you need to change your GMAT test appointment, you may be required to pay a rescheduling fee. The rescheduling fee is usually around US $50. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, GMAC temporarily waived the rescheduling fee to provide more flexibility to test-takers. It’s advisable to check the current policy regarding rescheduling fees on the official GMAT website.
Additional Score Reports: When you take the GMAT, you can select up to five schools or programs to receive your score reports for free. If you want to send your scores to additional schools or programs, each additional score report typically incurs a fee. The fee for each additional score report is usually around US $35.
Enhanced Score Report (ESR): The Enhanced Score Report is an optional detailed analysis of your GMAT performance. It provides additional insights into your test performance, including a breakdown of your scores by question type. The ESR fee is typically around US $30.
Cancellation Refund: If you decide to cancel your GMAT score immediately after taking the exam, you may be eligible for a partial refund of the base registration fee. The amount of the refund varies, and it’s advisable to review the cancellation refund policy on the official GMAT website for the most accurate information. If the GMAT exam is taken online in a home-based environment, the cost is $250. However, if it is taken at a test center, the fee is $275.
The GMAT Exam has four sections, mainly Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative Reasoning (QR) and Verbal Reasoning (VR).
GMAT Test Details:
GMAT Test Fee Information:
Here, we lay down the crucial differences between the top exams, GMAT and GRE.
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You can visit the official website to register for the GMAT test and follow to below process to register for the GMAT.
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It is always better to start booking slots before 3-4 months ahead instead of waiting till the last minute. During the peak season like the intake period, finding a slot at that time will be difficult.
For the candidates who are planning to start preparing for GMAT, here are some quick tips to prepare for GMAT
A good GMAT score is 650-690. Scoring 700+ on GMAT is great for getting into top business schools for MBA
You can re-schedule your GMAT test at least before 24 hours. But you need to pay the re-scheduling charges of $10.
GMAT scores will be valid for 5 years from the date of your examination. You can attempt the exam and plan your education within 5 years, which is not an issue at all.