GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer-adaptive test which assesses a person’s analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal and reading skills in standard written English.This test is not designed to measure the business knowledge or the intelligence of the candidate but it requires knowledge in English grammar and basic algebra and geometry and arithmetic concepts. This test is taken in preparation for being admitted into a graduate management program, such as MBA and Masters in Finance related courses.

The GMAT exam is a computer adaptive test and not a computer based test, which means that the candidate will get one question at a time and depending on the accuracy of the previous answer, the difficulty level of the next question will be ascertained. The average scores required for universities abroad varies; top tier universities require at least 710, while middle tier universities accept 600.

For Executive MBA, GMAC has recently introduced a new Mini GMAT called Executive Assessment exam. This exam is specially designed for EMBA applicants and is of considerably shorter duration. It is meant to test analytical and logical thinking of the applicant, which is more suited for the Executive MBA course.

Importance of GMAT

• GMAT has been a test of choice for the world’s leading business schools
• Many best programs require a decent GMAT score for admission
• More than 5,900 graduate management programs global consider GMAT as the most reliable predictor of success.
• GMAT will open doors of pursuing a master’s program in your dream college.
• Many reputed universities rely on GMAT for admitting the best candidates.

 

GMAT Syllabus and Format

GMAT is a computer adaptive admission test that is designed to have a clearer picture of an applicant’s potential and by helping the admissions committee to decide whether the candidate is apt for their university or not. This admission test will test various parameters set a reminder candidate’s expertise in various areas. This Admission test is divided into 4 sections:

1. Analytical writing assessment
   This section requires the candidate to find out the reasoning behind an argument. Thus, assess candidate’s ability to think critically
2. Integrated reasoning section
   The aim to evaluate a candidate’s analytical skills to solve a complicated problem.
3. Quantitative section 
   This section is mathematical in nature to check the ability of a candidate to assess the given data systematically.
4. Verbal section
   Multiple choice question based on reading comprehension and critical reasoning questions are part of verbal section.

 

Each candidate appearing for this exam is given three and a half hours to complete all the sections.

 

GMAT Paper Pattern

Tabular representation of the GMAT examination pattern:

GMAT Test Section	Number of Questions	Question Types	Timing
Analytical Writing  Assessment	1 Topic	Analysis of Argument	30 Minutes
Integrated Reasoning	12 Questions	Multi-Source Reasoning Graphics Interpretation Two-Two Part Analysis Table Analysis	30 Minutes
Quantitative	37 Questions	Data Sufficiency Problem Solving	75 Minutes
Verbal	41 Questions	Reading Comprehension     Critical Reasoning Sentence Correction	75 Minutes
Total Exam Time			3hrs 30 minutes

 

 

GMAT Test Format

 

SECTION 1: Analytical Writing Assessment.

This is the first section of the GMAT examination which is designed to examine the analytical skills of the candidate. As per the GMAT syllabus, this section is meant to test the candidate’s ability to think critically. This section requires the candidate to find out the reasoning behind an argument and write a critique of the same and present his viewpoint by using appropriate examples and explain the answer so as to make it convincing. It is also important to make use of right grammar while presenting the answer.

In this section of analytical writing assessment, the score is measured on a six points scale. In this section, the essay is given two independent ratings and then an average of it is considered.

 

SECTION 2: The Integrated Reasoning

The section aims to evaluate the candidate’s analytical skills to solve a complicated problem. This section was introduced in June 2012. This section has 12 questions with has the be answered within 30 minutes. In this section, the candidate is given data in various forms and the candidate has to handle the data and pick up the information that is relevant and choose the right answer to each of the questions. Multiple choice answers are given to the candidates and a candidate has to choose the right option.

 

The section has four different types of questions:

1. Table Analysis
2. Graphics Interpretation
3. Multi-source Reasoning
4. Two-part Analysis

 

Table Analysis

The candidates are provided with lots of information in a tabular format and the candidates are expected to choose the right answers from the multiple statements to answer.

Graphics Interpretation

In this section, the candidate is provided with a graph or graphical image and is expected to interpret the graph and complete the statements but using one of the options

Multi-source Reasoning

In this section, the candidate has to make appropriate decisions from the choices provided and choose right options from the multiple choice options.

Two-part Analysis

In this part, the candidate is provided with choices and has to choose right option and fill the answers in a table form which has two components.

 

SECTION 3: Quantitative section

This is a test part of this admission test that tests the ability of a candidate asses the given data systematically. A candidate has to attempt 37 questions within 75 minutes to complete the section. Here the mathematical skills of the candidate are put to test. Basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry are involved in the section. This section again has two categories

1. Data sufficiency questions
2. Problem-solving question

Data Sufficiency Questions

In this, the ability to assess data systematically of candidates are tested. The candidate has to use logical and analytic skills combined with quantitative knowledge to check what data is required for suffice the answer.

Problem-Solving Questions

In this part of the section, the quantitative skill of a candidate to solve a problem using mathematical concepts is tested. In this particular section, the number of problems solving questions is greater in number.

 

GMAT Quantitative Syllabus and GMAT Maths Syllabus

• Maths Formulas List
• Integers
• Decimals
• Fractions
• Number properties
• Order of operations
• Percentage
• Ratio and proportion
• Profit and loss
• Simple and compound interest
• Speed, distance and time
• Permutation & combination
• Linear equations
• Quadratic equations
• Sets Theory
• Statistics: Average, Median, Mode, Range, Standard deviation
• Powers and roots
• Probability
• Pipes, cisterns, work, time
• Lines and angles
• Triangles
• Polygon
• Quadrilateral
• Circles
• Co-ordinate geometry
• Volume and surface area

 

SECTION 4: Verbal Section

The candidate all together has 75 minutes to answer 41 multiple choice questions in the verbal section of the GMAT examination. Questions in this section is divided into categories such as

1. Reading comprehension
   There will usually be four RC passages on the GMAT, but you might see three or five on your test. Each passage will have three or four questions attached to it, which makes for an average of 16 questions that you’ll have to answer. So, about one-third of the Verbal section of the GMAT will be RC.
2. Critical reasoning
   A Critical Reasoning (CR) argument is usually structured into facts (also sometimes referred to as premises) and a conclusion. Your job is never to question the facts of the argument but the gap between the facts and the conclusion.
3. Sentence Correction
   Sentence Correction (SC) questions are found in the 65-minute Verbal section. There will be around 11-16 sentences, each with an underlined portion that contains 0-2 errors. The job thus is to correct the errors in the given sentences.

 

Reading Comprehension

The candidate has to answer multiple choice questions based on the comprehension. It is not necessary to have a thorough knowledge of the topic.

Critical reasoning

The candidates have to answer 14 critical-reasoning questions by searching for information and identify the relevant point.
Three major tips on how to solve such questions

1. Simplify the language of the question in your mind.
2. Summarise all the important sentences of the passage in your own words.
3. Understand what is being asked and answer accordingly.

Sentence correction

In this part of the section, it is important to have good knowledge of grammar and construction of sentences. A candidate will be given will be given 5 answer choices.

 

GMAT Pattern for Verbal and Grammar

• Basic Sentence structure: Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives
• Verb Tense
• Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions
• Pronoun Agreement
• Subject-Verb Agreement
• Modifiers
• Parallelism

A great GMAT score will optimize your chances of getting admission into the best colleges. Many business schools globally regard GMAT score as a requirement for admission. A decent GMAT score is required in most of the colleges as important criteria for admission

 

Additional Info

Refer to the website: https://www.mba.com