What is GMAT?

The Graduate Management Admission Test is a computer-adaptive standardized test in mathematics and the English language for measuring aptitude to succeed academically in graduate business studies. It is delivered via computer at various locations around the world. The current fee to take the test is US$250.

Why take the test?

The GMAT exam is the assessment of graduate management candidates - designed with management faculty to measure the skills students need to succeed in today’s challenging curricula.

Business schools commonly use the test as one of many selection criteria for admission into graduate business administration programs (e.g. MBA, EMBA, etc.) principally in the United States, and also in other English-speaking countries.

The test structure

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) consists of three main parts, the Analytical Writing Assessment, the Quantitative section, and the Verbal section. You have three and a half hours in which to take the exam, but plan for a total time of approximately four hours.

The GMAT score

Scores are valid for five years from the date you take the exam until the date of matriculation, so GMATWorkshop recommends you to take the test early when you have time and energy. The earlier you invest in this test, the more time and options you’ll have later on.

The GMAT composite score, composed of the quantitative and verbal sections, is the common GMAT score people talk about and ranges from 200 to 800 (the AWA score is separately reported). About two-thirds of test takers score between 400 and 600. The score distribution resembles a bell curve with a standard deviation of approximately 100 points, meaning that the test is designed for 68% of examinees to score between 400 and 600, while the median score was originally designed to be near 500.

The Verbal and Quantitative scores range from 0 to 60, but in your score report you’ll see a maximum of 51 only as it is converted from the standard score range (You don’t have to know the exact rules here; just try as hard as possible to get a maximum score you can get!!).

The AWA score is an average of the two independent ratings for each section: Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument. These average scores can range from 0 to 6 in half point intervals. The writing score is usually available two weeks after you take the test.

The algorithm GMAC used to build the GMAT score is quite complicated. The system recognizes a silly mistake you make and it can treat the mistake as an outlier, so you don’t have to worry about one or two missed questions. Finally, although the first several questions are important, we recommend you to pay the same attention to the remaining questions.

Required scores by most schools: 600+.
Required scores by top schools: 680+.

GMATWorkshop is your reliable expert to give you more information about the score requirement from your desired program. We have extensive cooperation with most reputable schools in Asia Pacific, and top tier programs in Europe/the United States. If you want to know more programs that can fit your needs, feel free to write to us at info@gmatworkshop.com.

1. Analytical Writing Assessment

   The GMAT exam begins with the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA).

   The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) of the GMAT is designed as a direct measure of your ability to think critically and to communicate your ideas. The AWA consists of two 30-minute writing tasks―Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument.

   The issues and arguments presented on the test concern topics of general interest related to business or a variety of other subjects. A specific knowledge of the essay topic is not necessary; only your capacity to write analytically is assessed.

   Each of the two essays in the Analytical Writing part of the test is graded on a scale of 0 (the minimum) to 6 (the maximum):

   • An essay that is totally illegible or obviously not written on the assigned topic.

   • An essay that is fundamentally deficient.

   • An essay that is seriously flawed.

   • An essay that is seriously limited.

   • An essay that is merely adequate.

   • An essay that is strong.

   • An essay that is outstanding.

2. Quantitative Section

   Following an optional 5-minute break, you begin the Quantitative Section of the GMAT exam. This section contains 37 multiple-choice questions of two question types―Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving. Problem-Solving and Data-Sufficiency questions are intermingled throughout the section. You will be allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section.

   The quantitative section measures the ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative problems, and interpret graphic data.

   The quantitative section require knowledge of :

   • arithmetic,

   • algebra,

   • some statistics, and

   • some critical concepts of geometry and coordinate geometry.

3. Verbal Section

   After a second optional 5-minute break, you begin the Verbal Section of the GMAT exam. This section contains 41 multiple choice questions of three question types―Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. You are allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section.

   Sentence Correction (SC)

   The Sentence Correction section tests a test taker’s knowledge of American English grammar, usage, and style.

   Sentence correction items consist of a sentence, all or part of which has been underlined, with five associated answer choices listed below the sentence. The first answer choice is always the same as the underlined portion of the sentence. The remaining four answer choices contain different phrasings of the underlined portion of the sentence. The test taker needs to select the best answer choices in terms of correct expression, effective expression, and proper diction.

   Critical Reasoning (CR)

   This tests logical thinking. Critical thinking items present an argument that the test taker is asked to analyze. Questions may ask test takers to strengthen or weaken an argument, draw a conclusion from an argument, or identify assumptions of an argument. Questions of this type ask the examinee to analyze and evaluate the reasoning in short paragraphs or passages. The examinee should select the best answer to the question without making assumptions violating common sense.

   Reading Comprehension (RC)

   Reading comprehension tests how well you understand the passage and the information in it. The passages are typically 200 to 350 words, covering topics from social sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, and business. Each passage has three or more questions based on its content. The questions ask about the main point of the passage, some details mentioned in the passage, or require you to logically inferr from the passage, or need you to tell the author’s tone or attitude.

   Overall, the Verbal section of the GMAT measures your ability to :

   • read and comprehend written material,

   • reason and evaluate arguments, and

   • correct written material to conform to standard written English

   To register for the test, please visit http://www.mba.com. If you are based in Beijing/Shanghai/Hong Kong, you are advised to book the test at least one month in advance of your desired date. If you need assistance or any other information, please write to info@gmatworkshop.com.