What is the GMAT? – Target Test Prep
What is the
GMAT?
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a
computer-adaptive, standardized exam that is required for admission to many
business schools. The GMAT was created by the Graduate Management Admission
Council (GMAC), which designed the exam to test the skills necessary for being
successful in the business world, skills such as critical thinking, logical
reasoning, data analysis, and basic math and English skills. Business school
admissions committees evaluate GMAT scores as key measures of how applicants
are likely to perform in their MBA programs. Although most MBA programs now
also accept the GRE, the GMAT remains the more commonly taken exam for
admission to MBA programs.
Let’s take a closer look at how the GMAT is administered, what
the format of the GMAT is and what kinds of subjects it tests, and how
test-takers can prepare for the exam.
How the GMAT
is administered
The GMAT is administered year-round at designated test centers
in most countries around the world. A proctor administers the exam in a testing
room where each test-taker sits at a computer station to complete the exam.
In 2020, GMAC introduced an online version of the GMAT, which
test-takers can sit for at home. The GMAT Online exam has the same structure
and content as the GMAT given at test centers, but the exam is monitored by a
remote proctor through the test-taker’s computer.
Let’s look at what the structure and content of the GMAT are.
The format
of the GMAT
The GMAT takes about 3.5 hours to complete (including two
optional 8-minute breaks) and is made up of four individually timed sections:
·
a 62-minute Quantitative Reasoning section consisting of 31
questions
·
a 65-minute Verbal Reasoning section consisting of 36 questions
·
a 30-minute Integrated Reasoning section consisting of 12
questions
·
a 30-minute Analytical Writing Assessment consisting of 1
“Analyze the Argument” essay task
Test-takers receive a separate score for each section and a
total score that is based on their performance in the Quant and Verbal
sections. The total score is given in 10-point increments on a scale of 200 to
800.
With the exception of the essay task, all of the questions on
the GMAT are multiple-choice. However, each section of the GMAT features distinct
question types that test a broad range of skills and concepts. The Quantitative
section features Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency questions that test high
school-level math skills in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, probability, and
basic statistics. The Verbal section features Sentence Correction, Critical
Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension questions that test your knowledge of
grammar rules and your ability to analyze arguments and understand and
interpret information in written passages. The Integrated Reasoning section
features various question types that test Quant and Verbal concepts by
presenting data in graphs, charts, and written formats.
With such a wide variety of concepts and question types to
master for the GMAT, many students wonder how to properly and efficiently
prepare for such a challenging exam. Fortunately, there are some great GMAT
prep options out there for test-takers of all ability levels.
How to
prepare for the GMAT
There are many GMAT study options available nowadays, everything
from classes and tutors to books and self-study courses, and numerous options
within each of those categories. It’s also easier than ever to find information
about the most effective GMAT prep materials on GMAT-related websites and
forums, where thousands of test-takers have posted course reviews and GMAT
debriefs.
For test-takers who are studying for the GMAT on their own,
online GMAT prep courses are a popular choice because such courses offer
maximum flexibility and are particularly useful for staying organized and
efficient throughout what can be a long and maze-like process. Target Test Prep, for
example, offers a comprehensive online GMAT prep course that provides a
customized, step-by-step study plan to guide you to your score goal, detailed
analytics to track your progress and pinpoint your weakest areas, and thousands
of realistic practice questions to prepare you for test day. And you can try the course out for
just $1 to make sure it’s right for you.
Regardless of an applicant’s undergraduate GPA or work experience, business school admissions committees tend to pay close attention to test scores, so having a reliable and effective study resource is essential if you plan to take the GMAT. Just remember, not all GMAT study resources are created equal, so it’s important to do your research!
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