About the 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.
What’s the takeaway? A high score on the GMAT will have a direct, positive impact on your business school application.
GMAT Exam Structure
An Assessment of the Skills That Matter Most in Business
The GMAT™ Exam Has Four Sections:
- Analytical Writing Assessment—measures your ability to think critically and to communicate your ideas.
- Integrated Reasoning—measures your ability to analyze data and evaluate information presented in multiple formats.
- Quantitative Reasoning—measures your ability to analyze data and draw conclusions using reasoning skills.
- Verbal Reasoning—measures your ability to read and understand written material, to evaluate arguments and to correct written material to conform to standard written English.
In total the test takes just under 3 1/2 hours to complete, including two optional breaks.
Structure of the GMAT™ Exam
The GMAT Exam has four separately timed sections. You will have the opportunity to take two optional eight-minute breaks during the exam.
| Test Section | Time Limit / Number of Questions | Question Types | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing Assessment |
|
Analysis of an Argument | 0-6 (in 0.5-point increments) |
| Integrated Reasoning |
|
Graphics Interpretation, Table Analysis, Multi-source Reasoning, Two-part Analysis | 1-8 (in 1-point increments) |
| Quantitative Reasoning |
|
Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving |
6-51 (in 1-point increments) |
| Verbal Reasoning |
|
Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction |
6-51 (in 1-point increments) |
Control Your Test Taking Experience
When you arrive at your test center, you have the flexibility to choose from three options for your exam's section order:
- Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal
- Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
- Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
This choice simply gives you more control and flexibility to take the GMAT exam based on your strengths and testing preferences. Read more about selecting your exam’s section order.
The GMAT Exam is Computer Adaptive. What Does That Mean?
The Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections of the GMAT are computer-adaptive, meaning the difficulty of the test tailors itself in real-time to your ability level. This feature allows the exam to assess your potential with a higher degree of precision and deliver scores that business schools trust.
Here’s how it works: The first question you receive in either the Verbal or Quantitative sections will be of medium difficulty. As you answer each question, the computer scores your answer and uses it as well as your responses to any preceding question to select the next question. If you answer the first question correctly, the computer will usually give you a harder question. If you answer the first question incorrectly, your next question will be easier. This process continues until you complete the section, using responses to all previously answered questions, at which point the computer will have and accurate assessment of your ability in that subject.
You will not be able to skip, return to, or change your answers to questions. This is because the computer uses your response to each question to select the next one.