Overview
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer based adaptive standardized exam used by many graduate schools of business in the U.S and several countries around the world, to determine a student’s ability to succeed in an MBA program. The exam is delivered in nearly 100 countries across the world. The GMAT contains three sections – verbal, quantitative and analytical writing. Although the test has both verbal and quantitative and sections, it is not an English or a math test. Rather, it is a test of a student’s critical thinking and analytical skills.
The GMAT exam is delivered via computer in individualized workstations. The exam is computer-adaptive in nature, and selects questions based on a candidate’s previous answers, which allows for the exam to determine a test taker’s true ability.
Exam A-B-Cs
There are a total of 78 multiple choice questions on the GMAT and two 30 minute Analytical Writing Assessments. The format and length of the GMAT exam is currently as follows:
Section
| Section | Time Permitted | #of questions Format |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal | 75 min | 41 questions |
| Reading Comprehension | ||
| Critical Reasoning | ||
| Sentence Correction | ||
| Optional break: 8 minutes | ||
| Quantitative | 75 min | 37 questions |
| Problem Solving | ||
| Data Sufficiency | ||
| Analytical Writing Assessment | 60 min | Two 30 minute essays i. Analysis of an issue ii. Analysis of an argument |
The Adaptive Nature of the GMAT
The Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GMAT are adaptive in nature. As stated earlier, there are a total of 41 multiple choice questions in the verbal section and 37 in the quantitative. At the beginning of each section, you will be presented with a question of average difficulty. If you answer this question correctly, the next question will be harder. If you did not answer the question correctly, the next question presented to you will be simpler. But, remember, the easier the questions you answer, the lower your score! That’s right! Your score is adjusted based not only on the number of questions you answered correctly, but the difficulty level of these questions. You may or may not realize the adjustment of difficulty levels, but the computer is adapting the questions to your ability, and continuously recalculating the scaled score as you progress through each section of the test.
Obviously, the more the questions answered, the better the computer’s idea of your skills, and the more information it has to place you in the correct score range. This means the questions at the beginning of the section have more weightage than those at the end of the section. This translates to a higher percentile ranking leading to a more competitive score.
Scoring
The GMAT has a maximum score of 800. The official GMAT report consists of four parts:
- Verbal Scaled Score (on a scale from 0 to 60)
- Quantitative Scaled Score (on a scale from 0 to 60)
- Total Scaled Score (on a scale from 200 to 800)
- Analytical Writing Assessment Score (on a scale from 0 to 6)
The total score is a scaled combination of the verbal and quantitative scaled scores and is indicative of the candidate’s overall performance on the multiple choice sections of the test. An algorithm is used to take into account the following factors while computing the scaled score for the verbal and quantitative sections:
- the number of questions answered within the time permitted
- the number of questions answered correctly
- the statistical characteristics (including level of difficulty) of the questions answered
While the total GMAT scores range from 200 to 800, most candidates score in the 400-600 range. Top business schools typically look for a score of 700 or higher.
The AWA portion of the GMAT is independent and scored on a scale of six points. It has no impact on the total scaled score. For this reason, the AWA section is often neglected by students. We recommend students pay attention to this section, because business schools do! See the rating corresponding to the point value below.
6 Outstanding
5 Strong
4 Adequate
3 Limited
2 Seriously Flawed
1 Fundamentally Deficient
0 Did Not Follow Assignment (wrong topic, in a foreign language, gibberish, etc.)
NR Did Not Submit Essays
Top B-schools like to see at least a 4 on the AWA. The vast majority of GMAT test takers average at least a 3. All that B-schools are looking for is a reasonable ability to write persuasively on a given topic. Being able to prove this with your AWA score will only strengthen your application. And, should the quality of your application essay be far superior to your writing on the AWA, look out! You may leave the admissions office wondering if you wrote the application yourself. Don’t give the schools a reason to say no to your application based on the performance on the AWA. Focus on the other sections, but spend some time on the AWA as well.
Click here for more information from GMAC on AWA scoring.
When do I receive the Scores?
The scores for the multiple choice sections of the GMAT are available to you right after completion of the test. Remember that you will receive the scaled GMAT score. You must decide whether or not to keep the score. A high percentile ranking indicates good performance. If you choose to keep your score, you will be able to view the total scaled score along with the individual verbal and quantitative scaled scores. A student who chooses to cancel the score is not allowed to view the detailed report.
However, the AWA is graded twice – once by computer for grammar and structure and once by a human primarily to check the persuasiveness of the essay. If you choose to keep your GMAT score, you will receive the official GMAT score report that includes your multiple choice and AWA scores, via snail mail in about two weeks.
Fees & Registration
The fee to take the GMAT is US $250. You must take the GMAT at a recognized testing center. There are several permanent testing centers in the U.S, Canada, and U.S Territories that allow for year round registration. Many international sites offer tests at certain times of the year. Supplementary locations offer the test on a certain day of the year and these centers offer only the paper and pencil version of the test.
For a list of testing centers, or more information regarding supplementary locations, please go to www.mba.com and Find a Test Center. Once you have selected your test center, the next step is to schedule an appointment to take the test. Appointments for centers in the U.S, Canada, and U.S Territories can be scheduled by calling 1-800-463-8669 (GMAT-NOW) or by calling the test centers directly.here for more information from GMAC on AWA scoring.
