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Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

What is GMAT?

The letters GMAT stand for Graduate Management Admission Test. Your GMAT score plays a very crucial role in ensuring that you get admitted to the postgraduate management program of your choice.

Who should take GMAT?

Students interested in pursuing MBA or other postgraduate degrees at most business schools in the US and some other countries have to appear for GMAT. The test is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (www.mba.com).

GMAT Format (Structure)

The maximum duration of a GMAT is 3 hours and 40 minutes. Before the actual test begins there is an introductory Computer tutorial. You can go through it at your own pace.

The GMAT has the following sections.

• Analytical Writing Assessment (60 minutes)
• Quantitative section (75 minutes)
• The verbal section (75 minutes)

Analytical Writing Assessment

The Analytical Writing Assessment section is divided into two parts: Analysis of an Argument (30 minutes) and Analysis of an Issue (30 minutes).

You should be able to express complex ideas clearly and effectively. Excellent command over English language is a must. You should be able to support your views with relevant arguments and examples and sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion. There will be an optional 5 minutes break after this.

The Quantitative Section

The quantitative section has two parts – problem solving and data sufficiency. There will be questions from Algebra, Arithmetic and geometry. The problem solving section will have 23 to 24 questions, while the data sufficiency section will have 13 to 14 questions.

To score well in the quantitative section, you should have excellent knowledge of mathematical formulae. The data sufficiency section will have more questions on logical reasoning rather than numerical solutions. There will be an optional five minute break after the quantitative section.

The verbal Section

The verbal section has three parts - Critical Reasoning (14 to 15 questions), Reading Comprehension (4 passages with 12 to 14 questions) and Sentence Correction (14 to 15 questions)

The verbal section measures an individual’s ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information from it. You should be able to analyze and recognize relationships between words and concepts.