Your passport to an MBAWhat is the GMAT ?
The GMAT is the graduate Management Admission Test and is run by ETS (the Educational Testing Service), wich also runs such exams as TOEFL, TOEIC and GRE.
How long is the test ?
The test takes about 3 ½ hours.
Who should take the GMAT ?
Students wishing to study for an MBA in most universities in the USA or Canada are required to take the GMAT.
What score do I need ?
The score range of the GMAT is from 200 to 800. The score you need will depend on which institution you wich to study at. For example, to study in an MBA programme at Stanford university you need a score of 730, whereas to participate in an MBA programme at the University of Pittsburgh you need a score of 620. You will need to check with institution you intend to study at to find out what score you require.
What does the test consist of ?
The GMAT consists of three main parts :
* Analytical writing Assessment ;
* Quantitative section ;
* Verbal section.
The GMAT begins with the Analytical Writing Assessment. This section consists of two separate writing tasks : Analysis of an Issue, and Analysis of an Argument. Test takers are allowed 30 minutes to complete each essay.
Then follows the Quantitative section, which contains 37 multiple- choice questions of two question types : *Data Sufficiency* Problem Solving.
Test takers are alowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section.
Lastly there is the Verbal Section, wich contains 41 multiple-choice questions of three question types- *Reading Comprehension* Critical Reasoning* Sentence correction.
Test-takers are allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section.
The two multiple-choice sections (Quantitative and Verbal) are delivered in a computer-adaptive format. Questions in these sections are dynamically selected as you take the test.
Therefore, your test will be unique, and the multiple-choice questions will adjust to your ability level. There may be two optional 5-minute breaks between the three sections of the GMAT.
How is the GMAT scored ?
The Quantitative section and Verbal section are each scored from 0-60. You’ll receive an overall scaled score, ranging from 200-800, which is the combination of your Quantitative section score and your Verbal section score. Your score is determined by :
*The number of questions you answer ;
*Whether you answer the questions correctly or incorrectly;
*The level of difficulty and other statistical characteristics of each question.
The questions in an adaptive test are weighted according to their difficulty and other statistical properties, not according to their position in the test.
The 200-800 cumulative score is what business schools primarily use.
The Analytical Writing Assessment gives you a score from 1 to 6. This section measures your ability to write a short analytical essay under timed conditions. It is scored by a computer program designed to analyse analytical writing ability called the "E-rater Robot".
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized assessment—delivered in English—that helps business schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. Schools use the test as one predictor of academic performance in an MBA program or in other graduate management programs.What the GMAT Measures
The GMAT exam measures basic verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills that you have developed over a long period of time in your education and work. It does NOT measure:
- your knowledge of business,
- your job skills,
- specific content in your undergraduate or first university course work,
- your abilities in any other specific subject area, or
- subjective qualities—such as motivation, creativity, and interpersonal skills.
Format and Timing
The GMAT exam consists of three main parts, the Analytical Writing Assessment, the Quantitative section, and the Verbal section.
Analytical Writing Assessment
The GMAT exam begins with the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). The AWA consists of two separate writing tasks—Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument. You are allowed 30 minutes to complete each one.
Quantitative Section
Following an optional ten-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. You will be allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section.
Tests preparation materials
- Official GMAT Course preparation
- Success to GMAT (Online course with CDs)
