The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT™) serves as a computer adaptive test (CAT), designed to evaluate specific analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading proficiencies in written English. It is utilized for admission to graduate management programs, such as Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs. Owned and administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the GMAT evaluates analytical writing and problem-solving capabilities, along with addressing data sufficiency, logic, and critical reasoning skills deemed crucial for real-world business and management achievements.
GMAT, a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council, is accepted by over 7,000 programs at around 2,300+ graduate business schools worldwide as part of their selection criteria for various graduate management programs, including MBA, Master of Accountancy, Master of Finance, and others.
In 1953, the precursor of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) emerged as a consortium of nine business schools. Their objective was to devise a standardized test aiding business schools in selecting qualified applicants.
Effective January 31, 2024, the original GMAT will be phased out and replaced by the new GMAT Focus. The revamped format comprises three sections: Verbal, Quantitative, and Data Insights, with scoring ranging from 205 to 805 in 5-point increments. This version is notably succinct, lasting only 2 hours and 15 minutes, encompassing 64 questions across three sections, devoid of a writing assessment.
The GMAT Focus Edition, being the latest iteration, emphasizes the skills requisite for thriving in a graduate management program:
Quantitative Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
Data Insights
This edition, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes (with an optional 10-minute break), entails 64 questions distributed as follows:
Quantitative Reasoning: 21 questions in 45 minutes
Verbal Reasoning: 23 questions in 45 minutes
Data Insights: 20 questions in 45 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning evaluates foundational algebraic and arithmetic knowledge applied to problem-solving, consisting of 21 Problem Solving questions. Verbal Reasoning assesses reading comprehension and critical reasoning skills through 23 Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning questions. Data Insights gauges candidates’ ability to analyze and interpret data for real-world business scenarios, encompassing 20 questions across various formats like graphics, tables, and verbal information.
The GMAT Focus Edition can be undertaken both at test centers and online, facilitated by global partners. Results are based on performance across all three sections, valid for five years, enabling flexibility in sending scores to desired institutions.
Scores range from 205 to 805, with intervals of 10, and section scores range from 60 to 90. There is a penalty for incomplete sections, where unfinished questions impact the final score. Following the exam, candidates can select schools to receive their score reports, ensuring focus on test performance without immediate concern for score dissemination.
