Table of contents
The GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test is a standardized test conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) for applicants seeking admission into MBA or other graduate management programs across the globe. The test is designed to measure the analytical, quantitative, verbal and reading skills of the test takers.
What is the GMAT Exam?
Overview of the GMAT Exam
The GMAT exam is a computer-based test that comprises four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative and Verbal. The test consists of both multiple-choice and essay type questions. The total duration of the test is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Why is the GMAT important for MBA applicants?
The GMAT exam is an essential component of the MBA admission process. It is a measure of the applicant’s readiness and capacity to handle the academic rigors of business school. The GMAT score is used by universities and colleges worldwide to evaluate candidates’ suitability for the MBA programs.
GMAT Exam Pattern
The GMAT exam is designed to assess a candidate’s critical thinking, analytical writing, and problem-solving abilities. The exam consists of four sections- Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal. The order of these sections is predetermined, and each section has a time limit. The AWA section consists of one writing task and is allotted 30 minutes, and the IR section has 12 problems which need to be answered in 30 minutes. The quantitative and verbal sections each have 31 multiple-choice questions and are allotted 62 and 65 minutes, respectively.
What is in the GMAT Syllabus?
Verbal Section
The Verbal section assesses a candidate’s reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction abilities. The syllabus for the Verbal section includes questions on Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. The Reading Comprehension questions are long passages followed by multiple questions. The Critical Reasoning questions assess a candidate’s ability to evaluate arguments and reasoning presented in short passages. The Sentence Correction questions assess a candidate’s grammar and sentence construction skills.
Reading Comprehension
The Reading Comprehension questions are based on passages taken from various sources such as business-related topics, social sciences, humanities, and physical or biological sciences. The passages are usually 200-350 words long and are followed by three to four questions. The questions require the test taker to understand the passage and interpret the main idea, draw conclusions, make inferences, and recognize the author’s tone or attitude.
Critical Reasoning Questions
The Critical Reasoning questions are designed to measure the candidate’s ability to evaluate, analyze and form arguments. These questions are usually in the form of short passages of a few sentences to a paragraph long, followed by a series of questions. The questions test the candidate’s ability to identify arguments in the passage, determine the author’s intent, and evaluate the reasoning used to support the argument.
Sentence Correction
Sentence Correction questions assess the candidates’ grammar, sentence construction, and ability to identify and correct grammatical errors. The questions are based on grammar and have phrases or sentences that need to be corrected. The correct answer is the one that is grammatically correct and conveys the intended meaning of the sentence.
Quantitative Section
The Quantitative section of the GMAT assesses a candidate’s logical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities in mathematical concepts. The syllabus for the Quantitative section includes Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency questions. The Problem Solving questions are based on basic mathematical concepts, word problems, and quantitative comparison questions. The Data Sufficiency questions assess the candidate’s ability to determine whether there is sufficient information to solve a problem or not.
Problem Solving
The Problem Solving questions assess the candidate’s ability to solve basic mathematical problems related to arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The questions may be presented in the form of word problems, and the candidate may use a calculator to solve these problems.
Data Sufficiency
The Data Sufficiency questions test the candidate’s ability to determine whether the information provided in the question is adequate to solve the problem or not. The questions have a statement followed by two different answer choices, and the candidate needs to determine if the information in the statement is sufficient to answer the question.
Integrated Reasoning
The Integrated Reasoning (IR) section of the GMAT assesses a candidate’s ability to analyze and synthesize complex data from multiple sources and to evaluate data using various tools. The IR section consists of questions on Graphics Interpretation, Two-Part Analysis, and Table Analysis.
Graph Analysis
The Graph Analysis questions in the IR section present complex data in the form of graphs, charts, tables, histograms, and scatterplots. The questions require the candidate to analyze the data and infer connections between the variables.
Table Analysis
The Table Analysis questions in the IR section provide data in the form of tables, and the questions require the candidate to evaluate and analyze the data presented.
Two-part Analysis
The Two-part Analysis questions in the IR section require the candidate to analyze data presented in multiple formats such as tables, graphs, and texts. The questions require the candidate to solve problems that involve analyzing multiple data sets.
Analytical Writing Assessment
AWA Section Overview
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section consists of one writing task, and the candidate is given 30 minutes to complete it. The task requires the candidate to write an essay that analyzes a given argument. The essay must demonstrate the candidate’s ability to articulate ideas, identify the argument’s logical flaws, and provide evidence to support their views.
AWA Scoring System
The AWA section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, and the score is based on the overall quality of the essay and the candidate’s ability to analyze the argument effectively.
What is the GMAT Exam Syllabus for 2023?
Changes in the GMAT Exam for 2023
The GMAC has not announced any significant changes in the GMAT exam syllabus for 2023. However, the exam pattern and format may be subject to change in the future.
GMAT Syllabus 2023 – An Overview
The GMAT syllabus for 2023 will be similar to the current syllabus and will continue to assess the candidate’s analytical, reading, and mathematical skills. The syllabus may have minor changes in the format of the exam and the number of questions per section.
GMAT Exam Score – How is it calculated?
The GMAT exam score is calculated based on the number of questions answered correctly and incorrectly by the candidate. The candidate’s score is then scaled based on the level of difficulty of the questions answered. The final score ranges from 200 to 800, and the score is valid for five years.
How to Prepare for the GMAT Exam?
Resources for GMAT Exam Preparation
There are several resources available for GMAT exam preparation, including study guides, online courses, and practice tests. The official website of GMAC provides sample questions, practice exams, and guides to prepare for the exam.
Strategies for the GMAT Verbal Section
The Verbal section of the GMAT requires practice and familiarity with the question types. Candidates should focus on improving their reading comprehension skills by reading articles and essays from various sources. Analysis of the argument’s structure and understanding of the grammar rules can also help in improving verbal scores.
Strategies for the GMAT Quantitative Section
The Quantitative section of the GMAT requires practice in basic mathematical concepts and problem-solving abilities. Candidates should focus on identifying the type of problem and choosing the right formula or method to solve them. The use of shortcuts and mental math can also help in saving time during the exam.
Source: GreatLearning Blog
