The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is one of the most wellknown examinations for admissions into MBA programs.
GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) is the body that conducts the examination, and it doesn't have any set eligibility criteria for the same. Yet, there should be complete adherence to the eligibility guidelines of the college/university where the applicant wishes to get admission post the examination. Here are some essential criteria required to attempt the GMAT test.
The examination fee is $275 (application), which equals INR 20,600 approximately. Extra charges are applicable if the candidate wishes to change the preferred center or reschedule the examination. Those not appearing for the examination will have to bear the total fee.
| Section of Examination | Question Count and Timing | Type of Questions | Range of Scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing Assessment | 1 question and 30 minutes | Analyzing any passage/argument | 0-6 (via 0.5 point increments) |
| Integrated Reasoning | 12 questions and 30 minutes | Interpreting Graphics, Reasoning from multiple sources, Analyzing Tables, Two-part analytical questions | 1-8 (increments in 1 point each) |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 31 questions and 62 minutes | Solving Problems and Data Sufficiency | 6-51 (increments in 1 point each) |
| Verbal Reasoning | 36 questions and 65 minutes | Critical Reasoning, Comprehension and Reading and Correcting Sentences | 6-51 (increments in 1 point each) |
The GMAT examination pattern is as follows:
Aspirants may choose to take two breaks of 8 minutes (optional) throughout their examination. Here’s taking a closer look at the GMAT exam syllabus.
GMAT is a 3.5-hour test, and an aspirant can score a maximum of 800 points. It evaluates the candidate's abilities on various parameters. Here is the section-wise syllabus details:
a. Argument Essay-These deals with the analysis of any argument/reasoning and then the presentation of the candidate’s own argument in this regard.
b. Issue Essay-- Aspirants will have to write essays on issues given to them and the word count is roughly 600. They may provide their own opinions in support of/against the issue provided.
a. Table Analysis- This measures the ability of aspirants to analyze and sort tables containing specific data.
b. Two-Part Analysis- This tracks candidates’ abilities with regard to complex problem-solving. They may be quantitative, verbal or both.
c. Multi-Source Reasoning- Candidates will be measured on the basis of their ability to analyze data from various tables/sources, text passages, and graphics.
d. Graphics Interpretation- Candidates will be assessed on information interpretation in graphical images like pie charts or curves and graphs.
a. Data Sufficiency: Candidates have to analyze problems of quantitative nature, identify vital data and determine necessary data for problem solving. Topics contained here include Elementary Algebra, Geometry, Ratio Proportions, Arithmetic, Exponents and Roots, Integers and their Properties, Linear Equations, and Permutation and Combinations.
b. Problem Solving: Candidates have to deploy analytical reasoning techniques and logic for problem-solving.
a. Critical Reasoning: This section tracks abilities to evaluate and create arguments while formulating strategies or action plans.
b. Reading Comprehension: Candidates have to demonstrate the ability to create inferences, absorb logical connections between vital points, understand statements and words and follow quantitative concepts and how they are developed. Reading skills include application, inference, main idea, logical structure, style, and support for an idea.
c. Sentence Correction: This section will deal with correcting grammar and sentence structure. Aspects like subject-verb agreement, rhetorical sentence construction, unseen passages, finding errors, countable and uncountable, misplaced modifiers, and parallelism will be important in this section.
