All about GMAT

Graduate Management Admission Test

The Graduate Management Admissions Test, better known by the acronym GMAT (pronounced G-mat), is a standardized test for determining aptitude to succeed academically in graduate business studies. The test is used as one of the selection criteria by most respected business schools globally, most commonly for admission into an MBA program.

The Graduate Management Admissions Test is one of many factors schools use when reviewing applications for admission; it is typically balanced with work experience, grades in previous schools, recommendation letters and other admissions criteria.
The fee to take the test is currently US$250, worldwide.

The Test

Scores are valid for five years from the date the test taker sits for the exam.

Analytical Writing Assessment 
Quantitative and Verbal Sections 
Changes to the Graduate Management Admissions Test

Required Scores

Most schools do not publish the median, average, or minimum acceptable score for the Analytical Writing Assessment section of the test.

Most schools do not publish a minimum score. Schools do generally publish the average and median score of their latest intake. While these should be used as a guide, applicants must remember that half of all successful applicants will have scored below the median mark.

At nearly all of the top business schools that are commonly listed in popular magazines and ranking services, the scores will average in the upper 600s. According to Fortune magazine, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, commonly regarded as one of the top business schools in the US, reports an average score of 714; INSEAD, a business school with a highly international student body, reports an average score of 706. Other, less prestigious schools, will have average scores that may be in the 500s or even less. It may be possible to overcome a low test score with impressive real world accomplishments, good undergraduate performance, contributing to the diversity of the student body, outstanding references, or a good essay.

GMAT Eligibility

Anyone and everyone is eligible for taking the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). There is no minimum educational qualification requirement for taking the test. The test scores are valid for five years, i.e., most universities accept scores up to five years old. But it is always better if scores are recent (not older than 2 years).

When is the GMAT given?
The GMAT is given year round during normal business hours. There is often one week during each month in which the test is not offered.

How many times should I take the GMAT?
Most people are better off preparing thoroughly for the GMAT, taking it one time and getting their top score. You can take the test as often as you like, but many business schools will average your scores. You should call the schools to which you are applying to find out their policy. Then plan your strategy accordingly.

Can I cancel my score?
Yes. When you finish the test, the computer will offer the option of canceling the test or accepting it. If you cancel the test, neither you nor any school will see your score. If you accept the test, the computer will display your score and it will be available to all schools.

GMAT Details

The GMAT(Graduate Management Admission Test) exam is a computer-adaptive test (CAT), which means that questions are selected as a candidates takes the exam. At the start of each multiple-choice section of the GMAT ,CAT exam, candidates are presented a question of middle difficulty. As a candidate attempts each question, the computer scores the answer and uses it to determine which question to present next. As long as a candidate answers correctly to each question, questions of improved difficulty are offered. Whenever a candidate enters the incorrect responses, the computer generally presents questions of lesser difficulty. Next question reflects both the previous performance and the requirements of the test design, which means that different test takers will be presented different questions. Question selection is based on the responses to the previous questions and the GMAT CAT adjusts to an individual ability level. As a result, a candidate gets few questions that are either too easy or too difficult to answer.

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) examination consists of three main parts the Analytical Writing Assessment, Quantitative section, and Verbal section.

Analytical Writing Assessment
The analytical writing section requires one to
write - two short essays in thirty minutes each. The first is the Analysis of an Issue, in which a candidate needs to analyze the issue presented and explain his/her views on it. The second essay is Analysis of an Argument, in which a given argument has to be critically analyzed and evaluated.

For both the essays, the emphasis is on the "Analytical" part and not on the "Writing" part. This implies that a concise essay with well-reasoned points written in simple English will be looked upon more favorably than an essay which falls short on the analytical aspects even though it reflects excellent writing skills.

A five-minute break follows the two essays. The computer gives you the option to take this break or to move directly to the subsequent section. Even if a candidate finishes the essays before the stipulated sixty minutes, the break will still be of five minutes. It is advisable to utilize this break by gearing oneself up for the tougher sections that follow subsequently.

Quantitative Section
The 37 questions in this section comprise two kinds of questions: Problem Solving (PS) and Data Sufficiency (DS). The two kinds do not have a definite break-up; usually there are around 20 PS and 17 DS questions. This section tests the level of Mathematics which is comparable with the level of Class 10 exams, with questions on Number Systems, Percentages, Fractions & Decimals, Algebra (including Quadratic Equations), Geometry (including Basic Coordinate Geometry), Ratio & Proportion, Area & Volume of 2-D and 3-D diagrams, Probability etc. This list is not exhaustive; questions from beyond these topics may also be asked.

While the Problem Solving question requires one to solve a mathematical problem directly and choose the right answer, the Data Sufficiency is of a trickier variety. Each problem comprises a question followed by two statements, which may or may not lead to the answer to the given question. This is what a candidate needs to ascertain - whether the given statements can be used to answer the question or not and if so, whether the statements can be used independently or in conjunction. Each of the five answers options presents five possibilities that arise in this case and candidate has to apply the basic principles of mathematics with strong logic to solve them.

Verbal Section
The verbal section in GMAT requires the basic skills of correct English coupled with reasoning and analysis. The 41 questions, to be attempted in 75 minutes, consist of three types: Sentence Correction (SC), Critical Reasoning (CR) and Reading Comprehension (RC). The three types are intermingled, with no fixed number for each type. The break-up of the questions among SC, CR and RC could be 14-14-13 or 15-13-13 or any such combination.

Graduate Management Admission Test Application Details

The test taker must first select a GMAT test center location. Most of the test centers are in permanent locations and offer the Computer-Adaptive GMAT exam throughout the year. Each test center operates on its own schedule and can accommodate varying numbers of test takers. Test takers choose the most convenient location for them. Candidate’s can register for GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) ONLINE, or by Phone, or by Mail.

Registering by Phone: You may call up Prometric Testing (P) Ltd. Delhi office until 12:00 noon on the working days to register. Make sure to call at least THREE BUSINESS DAYS before the test date.

GMAT TEST Registration Procedure effective Jan 1, 2006

Online registration Option: You can sign up to take the GMAT by logging on to REGISTER TO TAKE THE GMAT. You can check available dates and the GMAT testing Centers closest to your place of residence. You can then register to take the GMAT on any weekday (Monday Through Friday). This is probably the easiest and the fastest procedure. It is unclear how frequently cancellation of test appointments is updated on the online system in order to reflect test availability dates accurately. If you are unable to find a GMAT test date of your choosing, you may want to call the GMAT test registration telephone numbers listed below and confirm that the online information about the available dates for GMAT testing is accurate.

Registering by Fax:

If registering by fax, you must send your fax at lest SEVEN DAYS prior to your first choice of the test day.

Registering by Mail/Courier: Fill in the form, get the draft made (if you are not paying by credit card) and submit these to the Prometric Testing (P) Ltd., at New Delhi either by hand or by registered post/courier. You must send the documents at least THREE WEEKS before your choice of a test day.

On receipt of your documents, an appointment will be scheduled for you to test at the Prometric Testing (P) Ltd. Confirmation of the date, time and location of the appointment will be sent to you.

Most colleges and universities have the forms. You can also get them directly from the Graduate Management Admission Council by writing to:

Pearson VUE
Attention: GMAT Program
PO Box 581907
Minneapolis, MN 55458-1907

or Call 1-800-717-4628