GMAT Test Introduction

GMAT EXAM

GMAT score is accepted by more than 2100 universities globally. It has become one of the major examinations in India for students aspiring to study in Top B-Schools across the world. Apart from CAT, GMAT is very much preferred by students because GMAT opens up a lot of options for students worldwide and mostly the experienced latter tends to give GMAT because they find so much scope after that and a lot to learn in Top Business Schools.

GMAT EXAM Structure

GMAT consists of 4 Parts i.e. Verbal, Quant, AWA (analytical writing assessment) and IR (Integrated reasoning).

Now every part of a GMAT exam is built to test something of a candidate like:-

  • AWA measures how to analyze an argument in written form
  • IR measures the skills used to analyze and synthesize information
  • Quant measures Data sufficiency and Problem solving
  • Verbal measures Reading comprehension (RC), Critical reasoning (CR), and Sentence correction (SC) skills.

MARKING SCHEME FOR GMAT

Marks in a GMAT exam are calculated based on various criteria like the number of questions you get right, difficulty level of question etc.

Let us understand this better with this table.

Total Score
  • 200–800
  • Reported in 10-point increments
Based on:
Math and Verbal section results

For particular sections:-

Quantitative Score

     

  • 6-51
  • Reported in 1-point increments

    •  

Based on:
  • the number of questions you get right
  • levels of difficulty for questions you get right
  • the number of questions you answer
Verbal Score

     

  • 6-51
  • Reported in 1-point increments

    •  

Based on:
  • the number of questions you get right
  • levels of difficulty for questions you get right
  • the number of questions you answer
Integrated Reasoning
  • 1–8
  • Reported in 1-point increments
Based on:
number of questions answered correctly
Analytical Writing Assessment
  • 0–6
  • Reported in half-point increments
Average of
scores assigned by two readers

GMAT EXAM Pattern:-

Topic No. of Questions Question Types Duration
AWA(Analysis of Argument) One topic Analysis of Argument 30 Minutes
IR(Integrated Reasoning) 12 Multi-Source Reasoning Graphics
Interpretation Two-Two Part Analysis
Table Analysis 		30 Minutes
Quant 31 Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving 62 Minutes
Verbal 36 Reading Comprehension
Critical Reasoning
Sentence Correction		 65 Minutes

Detailed Syllabus for GMAT exam:-

Verbal Ability and AWA

GMAT VA & AWA
S.NO. Section Topic
1 Sentence Correction SC Intro and Subject Verb Agreement
2 Sentence Correction Modifiers
3 Sentence Correction Tenses
4 Sentence Correction Pronouns
5 Sentence Correction Parallelism & Comparison
6 Sentence Correction Idioms
7 Critical Reasoning CR Intro & Assumption
8 Critical Reasoning Strengthen & Weaken
9 Critical Reasoning Flaw & Evaluate
10 Critical Reasoning Inference & Paradox
11 Critical Reasoning Bold Face
12 Reading Comprehension RC Warm Up
13 Reading Comprehension RC Main
14 Reading Comprehension RC Final
15 Analytical Writing Assessment Argument Writing

Quantitative Ability and Integrated Reasoning:-

GMAT QA & IR
S.NO. Section Topic
1 Arithmetic Number Tree, Factors & Multiples HCF & LCM
2 Arithmetic Divisibility & Remainders, Factorials ,Cyclicity
3 Arithmetic Sequence & Progression
4 Arithmetic Statistics
5 Arithmetic Set Theory & Venn Diagrams
6 Algebra Linear Equations
7 Algebra Exponents & Roots
8 Algebra Quadratic & Polynomial Equations
9 Algebra Functions & Inequalities
10 Geometry Angles, Line & Triangle
11 Geometry Quadrilaterals & Polygons
12 Geometry Circles
13 Geometry Mensuration
14 Geometry Coordinate Geometry
15 Word Problems Ratio & Proportion
16 Word Problems Averages, Mixtures & Alligations
17 Word Problems Percentages
18 Word Problems Profit, Loss & Discount
19 Word Problems Simple & Compound Interest
20 Word Problems Time, Speed & Distance
21 Word Problems Time & Work
22 Word Problems Permutation & Combination
23 Word Problems Probability
24 Integrated Reasoning Graphics Interpretation
25 Integrated Reasoning Table Analysis
26 Integrated Reasoning Two Part Analysis
27 Integrated Reasoning Multi Source Reasoning

Some important points about the GMAT exam:-

  • GMAT is a Computer Adaptive Test. This means that the testing software adapts to your performance as you progress through the test. Therefore, your performance on each question will determine the difficulty level of the next few questions in the exam. Consequently, the GMAT score is calculated on your ability level i.e. on the basis of the difficulty level of questions that you solve correctly and not just the number of questions that you get right.
  • Only Verbal and Quant sections are computer-adaptive. IR and AWA are not adaptive in nature
  • GMAT does not allow you to go back to questions you’ve already answered. It only shows one question at a time and does not allow you to see the next question until you’ve answered the current one.

GMAT Exam structure

Prior to July 11, 2017, all test-takers had to take the test in that exact order as defined by GMAC. However, this is no longer the case.

You can choose the order in which you want to take the sections, just before your exam begins.

  • Original Order – Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, <Break 1>, Quantitative, <Break 2>, Verbal
  • Verbal, <Break 1>, Quantitative, <Break 2>, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
  • Quantitative, <Break 1>, Verbal, <Break 2>, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

Note:- Break between the sections is optional and duration of one break is 8 minutes.

As per GMAC, “There is no “correct” or “recommended” section order to select. This choice simply gives you more control and flexibility.”

Top 10 universities which accepts GMAT score are:-

GMAT VA & AWA
Ranking School Location Average GMAT Score
1 Stanford Graduate School of Business US 732
2 Harvard Business School US 730
3 INSEAD France 709
4 University of Pennsylvania: Wharton US 732
5 CEIBS China 685
6 London Business School UK 708
7 University of Chicago: Booth US 731
8 MIT: Sloan US 728
9 Columbia Business School US 732
10 UC Berkeley: Haas US 726

Source: http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-ranking-2023