GMAT PREPARATION
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Overview
The Graduate Management Admission Test is a computer adaptive test intended to assess certain analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills in written English for use in admission to a graduate management program, such as an MBA program.
Annual number of test takers: More than 200,000 (2019)
Knowledge / skills tested: Quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, integrated reasoning, analytical writing
Score / grade validity: 5 Years
Countries / regions: 650 test centers in 114 countries.
Purpose: Admissions in graduate management programs of business schools
Developer / administrator: Graduate Management Admission Council
The GMAT Exam is Computer Adaptive
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.
Overview
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.
Support Services for International Students
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Structure of the GMAT Exam
Test Section | Time Limit / Number of Questions | Question Types | Score Range |
Analytical Writing Assessment | 30 minutes | Analysis of an Argument | 0-6 |
Integrated Reasoning | 30 minutes | Graphics Interpretation, Table Analysis, Multi-source Reasoning, Two-part Analysis | 1-8 |
Quantitative Reasoning | 62 minutes | Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving | 6-51 |
Verbal Reasoning | 65 minutes | Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction | 6-51 |
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.
What is the Eligibility criteria for the GMAT exam?
As such, there is no set eligibility criteria set by GMAC, the body conducting GMAT for appearing for the GMAT exam. However, one should always meet the eligibility criteria set by the university/college one aspires to get into after giving the GMAT.
Age criteria
- The candidate must have completed 18 years of age
- There is no upper age limit of the candidate
- If the candidate is between 13 to 17 years old, they should have permission in writing from their parents or legal guardian
Educational qualification
- GMAC has not announced any official statement regarding qualification required to appear for GMAT
- Candidates who wish to enroll for an MBA programme should possess a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university
GMAT Exam Fee
The application fee for the GMAT exam is $250, which would translate to INR 17,000 approximately. Also, if the applicants want to change the center or reschedule the test then they will be charged $50 extra.
- GMAT Cancellation Fee: If you cancel the exam more than 7 days before the test date then you will be refunded US$80. Also, if you cancel within the 7 days of the test date then you will not get any refund. Moreover, the test appointment cannot be canceled within the 24 hours of the scheduled test and time.
- GMAT Rescheduling Fee: If you reschedule the exam more than 7 days before the test date you have to pay US$60.00 fee. Also, if you reschedule the exam within the 7 days of the test date you have to pay US$250.00 fee. Moreover, the exam cannot be rescheduled within the 24 hours of the scheduled test date and time.
How to Register for GMAT?
According to GMAC, you can register for the GMAT exam 6 months before the Graduate Management Admission Test date or latest by 24 hours before the GMAT exam date, however, the slot is not available at the last moment. Therefore, it is suggested to book your preferred slot well before the planned exam date.
Ways to registers for GMAT:
- Online
- Phone
- Postal mail
There are six steps to register for the GMAT Exam and also different steps to schedule the GMAT exam. You can read the complete steps to register for the GMAT Exam here.
GMAT Exam Dates
There are no fixed official GMAT dates, you can choose any date according to your convenience and availability. In case you need to retake the GMAT exam you can do so after 16 days. You can take or retake the GMAT exam after every 16 days. You can appear for the exam a maximum of five times a year. Ideally, candidates are recommended to register themselves two to three months before the exam date. If you register online or by phone, you can get yourself registered as late as 24 hours before the exam date. But it is safer to stick to early registration as you will then have a set schedule to prepare for the exam accordingly. Even the coaching institutes recommend you to register at the earliest available date so that you have a wide window of time to prepare.
TEST PREPARATION
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