What is GMAT?
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.
A high score on the GMAT will have a direct, positive impact on your business school application.
GMAT Sections :
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 – Data Insufficiency and Problem Solving
- Verbal – Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction, Reading Comprehension
GMAT Scoring :
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.
GMAT Duration :
On Test Day, you can expect to sit for the exam just over 3.5 hours, including test-taking time and optional breaks. Note that this time does not include your check-in time at the testing center. It is recommended that you arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your exam.
