Preparing for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is crucial for aspiring business leaders who want to secure a spot in top MBA and other graduate management programmes. Recognised worldwide, the GMAT is a critical assessment tool that enables business schools to evaluate each applicant’s potential for success in rigorous academic and professional environments.
Key highlights:
- What is the Graduate Management Admission Test?
- Exam Structure of the GMAT Graduate Management Admission Test
- Eligibility Criteria for the Graduate Management Aptitude Test
- Top Tips to Prepare for the GMAT Admission Test
- Cost of the GMAT
What is the Graduate Management Admission Test?
The GMAT is a standardized test used by MBA and Management colleges to assess a student’s core skills, such as analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, verbal aptitude, and integrated reasoning. It can be quite competitive, requiring significant preparation.
A Quick Glimpse at the Graduate Management Test
| Who administers the GMAT? | Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) |
| GMAT accepted by: | ~2,400 universities and organisations for ~7,700 programmes |
| Number of countries that accept GMAT | ~110 |
| Who should appear for GMAT? | MBA aspirants |
| Duration of exam | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
Also Read: CAT or GMAT for an MBA Abroad
Exam Structure of the GMAT Graduate Management Admission Test
The GMAT Focus Edition, launched on 1 February 2024, has revamped its structure. The updated format includes three primary sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights.
Quantitative Reasoning Section
The Quantitative Reasoning section is all about testing your mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills. It isn’t about complex mathematics. Instead, it’s about how well you can apply basic arithmetic, algebra, and word-problem skills under pressure.
- Number of questions: 21
- Time: 45 minutes
- Question types: All multiple-choice
- Topics covered: Arithmetic, algebra, and word problems
Verbal Reasoning Section
The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to read and understand written material, reason, and evaluate arguments. It’s designed to assess how well you can extract information from text and think critically.
- Number of questions: 23
- Time: 45 minutes
- Question types: All multiple-choice
- Topics covered: Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning
In Reading Comprehension, you will analyse passages and answer questions about main ideas, supporting details, and inferred information. In Critical Reasoning, the focus shifts to evaluating arguments. You will identify assumptions, draw logical conclusions, and assess the strength of arguments. Active reading and careful analysis are key to success in this section.
Data Insights Section
The Data Insights section in the new GMAT Focus Edition will test your ability to interpret data from various sources, a crucial skill in today’s data-driven business world.
- Number of questions: 20
- Time: 45 minutes
- Question types: Multiple formats
- Topics covered: Data interpretation (from tables, graphs, charts, etc.) and Data Sufficiency
- Topics covered: Data interpretation (from tables, graphs, charts, etc.) and Data Sufficiency
About one-third of the questions are about Data Sufficiency problems. Here, your goal isn’t to solve the mathematics problem but to determine if there’s enough information to do so. The format tests logical reasoning and decision-making skills, mirroring real-life scenarios where managers must make judgments based on incomplete data.
Also Read: Everything you must know about GMAT 2024
Eligibility Criteria for the Graduate Management Aptitude Test
Candidates should meet the following eligibility criteria:
Age Requirements for GMAT Entrance Test
Candidates must be at least 18 years old to register for the GMAT.
Educational Qualifications
GMAT candidates should have at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
Number of Attempts
Candidates can take the GMAT up to five times within a rolling 12-month period. They cannot attempt the test more than eight times and should maintain a gap of 16 days between attempts.
Top Tips to Prepare for the GMAT Admission Test
Effective preparation for the GMAT involves:
- Familiarising yourself with each section’s question types with the help of Graduate Management Admission Test practice questions
- Practising with official GMAT resources, including the GMAT Official Guide
- Taking mock tests to improve time management
Cost of the GMAT
The cost of the GMAT exam varies depending on the format. To appear for an exam at a test centre, you will have to pay ~USD 275. The GMAT online exam is ~USD 300.
With this information, you can plan your GMAT preparations. If finances are creating a roadblock in your MBA aspirations, you can opt for an education loan in India to study abroad. At Avanse Financial Services, we offer 100% financing, quick loan sanctions and flexible repayment options. To learn more about education loans, student loan interest rates, etc., please contact us.
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