About the GMAT Test

The Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT, is required by most business schools in North America for admission to MBA programs. Increasingly, the GMAT test is being required by schools in Europe and Asia as well. Most GMAT test takers start preparing 3-6 months before the actual test date. 

The GMAT is a 3.5-hour computer-adaptive test that tests you on basic verbal, math and analytical abilities. Plan for about four hours for the entire process. The GMAT test currently consists of three sections, in this order:
 Analytical Writing - two essay questions, 30 minutes per essayQuantitative - 37 multiple choice questions, 75 minutesVerbal - 41 multiple choice questions, 75 minutes

The GMAT test adjusts to your individual ability level. At the start of the GMAT math and GMAT verbal sections, you are typically presented a question of medium difficulty. However, you should not count on the first question being a medium-difficulty question: on occasion, the GMAT has been known to start off the test with a 700-800 level question. If you correctly answer a question, the GMAT test will increase the difficulty of the next question. If you answer incorrectly, you will be given a less difficult question. This process continues until you complete the section.

Only one question at a time is presented. Because the computer scores each question before selecting the next one, you may not skip, return to or change your responses to previous questions.

The GMAT score report consists of four scores:
Total GMAT score, range 200~800Quantitative score, range 0~60Verbal score, range 0~60Analytical Writing Assessment score, range 1~6, which does not contribute to your Total GMAT score

Your GMAT scores for the GMAT math and verbal sections are determined by how many questions you answered, how many you answered correctly, and how difficult the questions were.

For additional details on what your scores mean, see Understanding Your Score Report on the official GMAT website.

Your GMAT score is valid for five years.

The GMAT can be taken at any time of the year, subject to certain restrictions such as holidays and seat availability at a test center. To find a test center, register for the GMAT test in Austin, or find out more, visit www.mba.com.

The GMAT test is scheduled to change in June 2012. A new 30-minute "integrated reasoning" section will require you to analyze information from multiple sources and formats, including graphics, evaluate how the various data points relate and determine the correct outcome.

The current GMAT verbal and math sections will remain unchanged, but you will complete one 30-minute essay question instead of two.

GMAC has provided a brief video describing the new section.

Stay tuned for more information.