GMAT
Test Structure
GMAT Appointment Preparation Score & Score Report
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standard assessment examination to assess a candidate's eligibility as a potential business and management student. Business Schools utilize the score generated in GMAT exam to comprehend and analyze a candidate's qualification. Appearance in GMAT allows candidates to be eyed by the best Business Schools. An mba.com profile increases a candidate's probability of being selected for a top Business School. It also allows candidates to access details of Business Schools and their selection criteria. GMAT provides the path to undertake a Graduate Business degree. Students from diverse nationalities and disciplines take GMAT for a better future in Business and management.
GMAT exam is available globally at an expense of $250. GMAT can be taken at a number of centers all around the globe. Over 1900 Business Schools use GMAT scores for admission to Graduate Business programs. GMAT requires preparation duration of three to six months. This varies with a candidate's discipline, motivation and personal preference. A lot of online resource is currently available for preparation for GMAT and practice software can also be accessed. There are numerous MOCK tests available for candidates appearing for GMAT to acclimatize them to the test pattern. Students also study in study groups for GMAT; many students do prefer to study individually. Preparatory courses and tutoring facilities are also available for a hassle-free GMAT preparation.
GMAT exam does not assess a candidate's business awareness and knowledge. There is no assessment of job skills, motivation or inter-personal skills. It does not call for an expertise in the candidate's field of study either.
How long is the Score valid?
GMAT scores are valid for a period of 5 years and thus provide a lot of flexibility in choosing one's immediate options. A candidate can take GMAT more than once; however, all the scores are represented in the official GMAT score report.
Who can take the GMAT exam?
GMAT can be taken by candidates who have willingness for some or all of the following:
- high wage
- job stability
- support work environment
- fast career advancement
- Makes a difference in people's lives
- intellectually stimulating
- to become a leader and role model for others
- to be your own boss
- opportunities to travel around the world
GMAT provides an opportunity to pursue one's Graduate Business Degree abroad. There are several advantages of studying internationally. Studying abroad can cater to the demand for a high quality education which is not available in a candidate's country. Broadening of international experience brings forth more international exposure and provides improved career opportunities. An international degree allows candidates to study from a world class institute. By appearing for GMAT, a candidate can avail all these opportunities.
GMAT Test Structure
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Sections
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Assessment
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Analytical Writing Assessment
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2 sections
30 Minutes for each
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Quantitative Assessment
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37 multiple choice Questions
Data sufficiency and problem solving
75 minutes
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Verbal Section
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41 multiple choice Questions
75 minutes
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The multiple choice questions are dynamically selected for the correct option. Based on the response, the next question varies in difficulty. There is a pool of questions of varying difficulty levels and while a correct response brings a tougher question, a wrong one brings an easier one.
A mistake or guess in the GMAT exam leads one back to a difficulty level where one was able to respond correctly. Guess work must be avoided in GMAT otherwise they bring down the scores significantly. There are number of test taking strategies a candidate must understand before he/she appears for the test:
- Allotted time must be used wisely.
- Directions and format of each section must be known in advance.
- The clock must be checked periodically to remain aware of the time and progress of the test.
- To review directions, one can click the help icon.
- Eliminate wrong answers and select the best choice.
- Do not skip Questions as there is a huge penalty for unfinished test.
- The test must be paced carefully.
- Confirm the answer only when one is sure about it. There is no provision to go back and edit the answers.
- There is 1.75 minutes to attempt every verbal question and 2 minutes for each quantitative question.
There is a huge penalty for not finishing the GMAT test in the stipulated time. It is advisable that if a question is too time consuming, one must try to eliminate the wrong options and make an educated guess. A candidate's score is a function of number of attempted questions, number of correct answers to the questions, difficulty level of questions and other statistical characteristics of each question. Hence, a candidate must do well in all the questions of the GMAT exam.
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) Section
Analytic Writing Assessment section does not measure a candidate's potential and knowledge in matter related to business and management. AWA section assesses a candidate's potential in satisfactorily analyzing a given situation. AWA section has two components:
One has to present one's point of view on the given issue. There is no correct answer for this section and a candidate's assessment comprises the different perspectives that have been considered by him/her. This section measures a candidate's ability in successfully analyzing the issue and taking a position with regard to the given issue. It is advisable to plan the writing properly and keep some time for revision as well.
A candidate is required to understand the given argument in its completeness. Understanding the reasoning behind a given argument and writing a critique of the argument should be the prime concern of the candidate. One should not attempt to present one's own views. A candidate must try to understand the underlying assumptions behind the argument, the evidences in favour and against the given argument and questions and counter-questions that can arise for the supplied conclusion.
Quantitative Assessment Section
The ability to reason quantitatively is assessed under this section. This comprises two sub-sections. Both of these sections test a candidate's quantitative ability in:
a) Arithmetic,
b) Elementary algebra, and
c) Geometry.
This is one of the sub-sections of quantitative assessment. Under this section, assessment of basic mathematical skills and understanding of mathematical concepts is tested.
The section on Data Sufficiency tests a candidate's ability in analyzing a given problem in its full capacity and realize the sufficiency of given data.
Verbal Section
The verbal section has three sub-sections:
Reading Comprehension passages have topics ranging from social sciences, physical or biological sciences to business-related areas (marketing, economics, human resource management, etc.). No specific knowledge based on the given passage is required. Questions are answered only on the basis of the stated/implied content of the passage. The questions can be interpretive, applied, or inferential in nature. Hence, it is important to understand the words and statements in the passage.
This section tests a student's ability in understanding the reasoning behind an argument, making an argument, evaluation of arguments and planning a course of action. Again, there is no requirement of familiarity with the given argument.
Among the given five options, a candidate is asked to choose an option which best expresses the idea or relationship. A sound knowledge of stylistic conventions and Standard English grammar is an essential requisite for this section. One can also be asked to improve/rectify a given incorrect expression. Hence, this section broadly assesses two aspects of language proficiency.
GMAT Appointment
Scheduling of GMAT Exam can be done online, through phone or through fax. In certain countries, there is a certain amount of tax a candidate needs to pay while applying. Time slots for exam change continuously depending upon the rate of ongoing registration and capacity. For people with disabilities, there is a provision for non-standard testing accommodation. Links for online application can be found at the bottom of the page (in the resource section).
How can one reschedule a GMAT Appointment?
There is a provision to reschedule one's GMAT exam date, time or center. If the rescheduling is done before last 7 days of prior schedule, candidate is required to make a payment of $50. To reschedule GMAT exam within 7 days of prior scheduled date calls for payment of entire registration fee. For rescheduling, candidates can refer to the following link: Reschedule your GMAT exam.
How can one cancel a GMAT Appointment?
Cancellation refund amount is $80 when the cancellation is performed more than 7 days in advance of the scheduled date for the GMAT. Within 7 days of scheduled GMAT exam, no refund is made and the candidate forfeits the entire registration fee. To cancel a scheduled GMAT exam, candidates can refer to the following link: Cancel your GMAT exam.
Also, on the day of the exam (before taking GMAT), a candidate can select up to 5 different business schools to receive his/her score. It takes 20 days for the score to arrive at the selected schools. Score can be sent to a number of other schools as well by making a payment of $28 for each.
Preparation for GMAT
Free GMAT prep-software is available for download and makes a candidate familiar with what he can expect in the GMAT exam. By looking at sample Questions from GMAT official website, a candidate can get acquainted with the type of Questions that are asked in the final GMAT examination.
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) has a set of essay topics which can be practiced. There is a GMAT Write software as well which provides guidance for essay writing. GMAT Write also grades your essay in the same manner as it is graded in the GMAT exam. One can also make a purchase of 3 sets of Practice question papers for GMAT.
GMAT Online Tutoring facility at TransWebTutors.com
Endorsed Books:
- Official Guide forGMAT Review,12th Edition
- Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review
- Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review
- Princeton Review: Cracking the GMAT
- Kaplan 'GMAT 800'
GMAT Score and Score Reports
GMAT result provides 4 results:
- Analytical Writing Assessment Score
- Verbal Section Score
- Quantitative Section Score
- Total Score
Score Report includes the Scores of all GMAT exams appeared for in the last 5 years.
Total GMAT Score ranges from 200 to 800 and a major chunk of candidates Score between 400 and 600.
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Sections
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Range of Marks
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Comments
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Quantitative Section
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0-60
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Scores below 9 and above 44 are rare.
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Verbal Section
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0-60
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Scores below 9 and above 44 are rare.
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Analytical Writing Assessment
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0-6 in half point intervals
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Average of the Scores in Analysis of an issue & Analysis of an argument.
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Score reports are available to be sent to business schools 20 days after taking the GMAT Test. These reports can directly be sent to schools.
GMAT Online Tutoring
We, at TransWebTutors.com, understand all the requisites for making it to the best business schools. With an expert faculty panel, TransWebTutors.com provides Online tutoring for GMAT preparation. We also provide expert help/assistance and guidance in Analytical Writing Assessment section. Quantitative skills are addressed with the help of elite tutor panel. We provide two preparation formats for GMAT online preparation. One of them is Fast Track Course and the other is Exhaustive Course.
Resources