The A-Z of GMAT

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Exam Overview

GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admission Test.

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.

It is the most widely accepted exam for MBA admissions worldwide. Approximately 2200+ MBA schools accept GMAT scores.

Also, there are a total of 650 testing centers in 114 countries that administer the GMAT Exam.

Conducted By: GMAC

What is a Computer-Adaptive Test?

The GMAT is a Computer-Adaptive Test, implying that the examination adapts to the performance of the candidate as s/he is taking the test.

• When a candidate begins the exam, the computer gives a question of medium difficulty.
• As the candidate answers the questions correctly, the computer serves up more difficult questions and increases its estimate of ability. Vice versa also happens, as the candidate answers incorrectly, the computer serves up easier questions and decreases its estimate of ability.
• The score is determined by an algorithm that calculates the candidate’s ability level based not only on what you got right or wrong but also on the difficulty level of the questions s/he answered.

Note: The Integrated Reasoning section is not adaptive.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section add_icon=”true” title=”Exam Dates” tab_id=”exam-date”][vc_column_text]

Exam Date

There are no fixed official GMAT dates.

The candidates can choose any date according to their convenience and availability.

In case they need to retake the GMAT exam, they can do so after 16 days.

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Eligibility Criteria

It is a must for candidates to go through the eligibility criteria of the MBA schools they are targeting.

Age criteria

• Minimum18 years of age – If the candidate is between 13 to 17 years old, they should have permission in writing from their parents or legal guardian
• No upper age limit for the candidate

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

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Exam Pattern

GMAT contains four sections, two of which are scored separately, and two of which are scored separately, and all four are combined to generate composite score:

• Analytical Writing Assessment
• Integrated Reasoning
• Quantitative
• Verbal

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

• Number of Questions: One : “Analysis of an Argument” [Essay Writing]
• Duration: 30 mins
• Score Range: 0-6 [half-point increments] –This section is scored separately (i.e., not included in 200–800 point score)
• Essays are scored by a human grader and a computer grading system, and the two scores are averaged for the final score. If the ratings differ significantly, then another human reads and scores the same essay.

Integrated Reasoning

• Number of Questions: 12 (many with multiple parts)
• Duration: 30 mins
• Score Range: 1-8 [one-point increments]
• Multi-Source Reasoning questions, Graphics Interpretation questions, Two-Part Analysis questions, Table Analysis questions

Quantitative

• Number of Questions: 31 [14–15 Data Sufficiency questions & 16–19 Problem Solving questions]
• Duration: 62 mins
• Score Range: 0-60 [one-point increments]
• Questions based on basic math concepts, including arithmetic and number properties, algebra, and geometry
• Candidate cannot leave questions unanswered or return to previous questions

Verbal

• Number of Questions: 36 [Approximately 12 RC questions, 10 Critical reasoning questions, & 14 Sentence correction questions]
• Duration: 65 mins
• Score Range: 0-60 [one-point increments]
• Candidate cannot leave questions unanswered or return to previous questions

Note

The order of the these sections is chosen by the candidate just before s/he begins the exam. The available options are as below:

1. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative, Verbal
2. Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
3. Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

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GMAT Score Calculation

The below table is based on two year data of GMAT aspirants. It is for indicative purposes only.

Percentile	Total GMAT Score
Top 10% of all test takers	710
Top 25% of all test takers	650
Top 50% of all test takers	580
Below 50th percentile of all test takers	570

Students admitted to the most competitive MBA programs have average scores in the 710 range, putting them in the 90th percentile or higher.

Other Important Points:

• The candidate will receive the unofficial GMAT score immediately after the test and they will have the option to keep or cancel this score.
• Scores obtained in Verbal and Quantitative sections are combined to generate a score on the 200–800 scale, with 10-point increments. Thus, these two sections hold the highest weightage for admission.
• Mean scores for the sections and total are as under:
  • Verbal – 27
  • Quantitative – 39
  • Integrated Reasoning – 4.2
  • AWA – 4.4
  • Overall – 552

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Costs

The fee of taking the GMAT Exam is US $250 (Rs.18000 – Rs.18500).

Changing the center or rescheduling of exam date will incur additional costs.

• GMAT Cancellation Fee:
  • If you cancel the exam 1 to 14 days before the test date then you will be charged $200 and $50 will be refunded.
  • If you cancel the exam 15 to 60 days prior to the appointment then you will be charged $175 and $75 will be refunded.
  • If you cancel the test more than 60 days prior to the appointment then you will be charged $150 and will receive $100 as a refund.
  • Moreover, the test appointment cannot be canceled or modified within 24 hours of the scheduled test and time.

• GMAT Rescheduling Fee:
  • If you reschedule the exam 1 to 14 days before the test date, you have to pay US$150.
  • If you reschedule the exam 15 to 60 days prior to the appointment then you have to pay US$100.
  • If you reschedule the exam more than 60 days before the test date then you have to pay US$50.

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