GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test
This is one of the most reliable test exams for graduate studies. It is important to note that leading business schools and management education programs worldwide recognize the GMAT as the most effective predictor of success.
As you look forward to experiencing greater opportunities, management education becomes imperative. The GMAT is a standardized, multiple-choice, computer-based and adaptive exam which happens to be one of the main requirements for business school application. You may already be on a career path, but you know that a management education will lead to even greater opportunities. Your advancement into the business school begins with the GMAT. What’s the highpoint? A great score on the GMAT has a direct overwhelming status on your application.
Consisting of four main parts delivered in English and administered in test centres across the world, the GMAT exam measures your command of basic arithmetic, geometry, algebra, data analysis and grammar. It also measures your analytical prowess relating to verbal reasoning, mathematical reasoning, integrated reasoning and writing ability that have been developed over time to solve problems. Critical thinking and information analysis are of great importance to an outstanding score. The examination helps graduate programs/faculty assess your qualifications for advanced study in business and management. Your GMAT score is valid for a period of five years, so you have the opportunity to begin your graduate studies journey now so as to explore the world of business and management.
What are the GMAT sections?
- Verbal
- Quantitative
- Integrated Reasoning
- Analytical Writing Assessment
The Verbal section on the GMAT
This section is designed to test students’ abilities in the command of written English as well as the ability to critically analyze arguments. You will be required to make deductions from given structures and evaluate arguments leading to sound judgments and plan of action. It consists of three distinct question types;
- Critical Reasoning – the ability to reason and evaluate arguments,
- Reading Comprehension – the ability to read and comprehend written material,
- Sentence Correction – the ability to correct written structures to conform to Standard English.
Quantitative
The GMAT Quantitative section is designed to measure test takers’ analytical knowledge of basic mathematical concepts; elementary algebra, known geometry, arithmetic and number properties. This section is divided into two question types:
- Data Sufficiency (14 – 15 questions)
- Problem Solving (16 – 19 questions)
62 minutes = 31 questions
This section requires you to understand given data and graphical illustrations and interpret them quantitatively.
Integrated Reasoning
The Integrated Reasoning section consists of four question types, which measures your ability to analyze and synthesize data in different formats ranging from Multiple-Source Reasoning, Graphics Interpretations, Two-Part Analysis, and Table Analysis. It has 12 questions in 30 minutes.
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) of the GMAT
This section is designed as a direct measure of your ability to think critically and convey ideas comprehensively. The AWA section consists of one 30-minutes writing task, which is scored separately from 0 to 6 in half-point increment. This section gives business schools the avenue to analyze your writing skills. The AWA score is not included in the overall aggregate score grade of 200 – 800.
Here, you will be presented with a short argument (topics of general interest related to business or other aspects) similar to what you will encounter in a Critical Reasoning type of question on the Verbal section. You’re only required to critique and analyze the author’s argument, evidence and reasoning. Therefore a well-grounded knowledge of the essay topic is not necessary.
What is a good GMAT score?
Before taking your exam and when considering your goal, it is advisable to always look at the mean or average GMAT scores of previous applicants who were admitted to the MBA programs you’re considering.
The Verbal and Quantitative sections of the exam are scored distinctively from 0 to 60, with the mean scores at 27 and 39 respectively. But the MBA pays most attention to the combined score scale of 200 – 800, with a mean score of 552.
The table below shows the relationship between scaled scores and test takers records
Percentile | Total GMAT Score |
|---|---|
Top 10% of all test takers | 710 |
Top 25% of all test takers | 650 |
Top 50% of all test takers | 580 |
Below 50th percentile of all test takers | 570 |