If you’re wondering what the GMAT is, then you’re at the right place. By the end of this article, you will have a complete understanding of the GMAT exam, what it stands for and the overall structure of the exam. From GMAT meaning to the GMAT paper, we will cover everything you need to know before you plan on taking the test.
Understanding the GMAT Test
The GMAT test is a standardised test conducted by GMAC – Graduate Management Admissions Council – for the purpose of filtering applicants applying to Master programmes at business schools around the world. Currently, according to GMAC, over 2300 business schools accept the GMAT exam as part of their admission requirements and nearly 7000 masters’ programmes require GMAT scores for admitting students. The GMAT exam is a computer adaptive test and can be taken at test centres and online. The cost of registering for the exam is $250 which amounts to about INR. 18300 (subject to foreign exchange rates at the time of registrations).
GMAT Meaning
Wondering what GMAT stands for? Graduate Management Admission Test is the full form of this exam. Now that you know the GMAT meaning, let’s tell you that this exam is particularly designed for and used by graduate students looking to enter into professional management courses ranging from finance to marketing at top-tier business schools around the world. You’d be pleased to learn that all IIMs in India also accept the GMAT, apart from CAT, as per their admission requirements. Furthermore, the only business school outside the IIM block to accept the GMAT is the Indian School of Business. Now that we know what the GMAT is and what it stands for, let’s begin to understand the GMAT paper.
GMAT Exam Structure
The GMAT exam is a computer-adaptive test and is 3 hours and 7 minutes long. The total score range of the exam is 200 to 800. While this range is a cumulative score of your performance in the verbal and quant section of the GMAT exam, the exam has a scoring pattern for each of its sections too which we will discuss further in detail.
The GMAT exam has four sections: analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning. Mentioned below is a breakdown of the GMAT exam structure and each of its section’s scoring pattern.
Analytical Writing Assessment
The analytical writing assessment is a 30-minute-long section where you are required to critique an argument presented to you. You have logically and cohesively put forth your opinion. The GMAT AWA section is scored on a scale of 0-6 with a half-point increment.
Integrated Reasoning
The integrated reasoning section of the GMAT requires you to answer a set of 12 MCQs based on your interpretation of data which is presented to you in a visual format. You are given 30 minutes to answer these questions. The section is scored on a scale of 1-8 with a single point increment
Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning
The quant and verbal reasoning sections are the most important sections of the GMAT exam because the cumulative scores of these sections contribute to your total scores. While you will be provided with a total of 62 minutes to answer 31 questions for the quant section, the verbal reasoning section, on the other hand, will have 36 questions that are to be answered within 65 minutes. To ace the quant and verbal sections, you are expected to have good knowledge of both strong Maths and English grammar concepts.
Mentioned below is an overview of each section with its scoring and duration:
| GMAT Section | Duration | Score Range |
| Analytical Writing | 30 minutes | 0-6 with half-point increment |
| Integrated Reasoning | 30 minutes | 1-8 with single-point increment |
| GMAT Quantitative Reasoning | 62 minutes | 6-51 one-point increment |
| GMAT Verbal Reasoning | 65 minutes | 6-51 one-point increment |
Now that we have given you a brief of the GMAT exam, you’re better positioned to begin your preparations and plan your schedule.
