GMAT

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer adaptive test conducted round the year at test centers throughout the world. The GMAT exam measures verbal, mathematical, reasoning and analytical writing skills. The test is designed to help graduate management programs assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. 

The Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) is needed for admission to an MBA programme or a business-related field such as finance. More than 5,200 programmes offered by more than 1,900 institutions all over the world use the GMAT as part of the selection criteria for their programmes.

GMAT was originally a paper-and-pencil test, it is now a computer-adaptive test (CAT), where examinees sit at a computer in a testing center. The computer-adaptive test format means that the difficulty of the questions faced are based upon the test performance. From June 2012, integrated reasoning section was added to the GMAT.

The GMAT exam consists of four separately timed sections:

• Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) Essay
• Integrated Reasoning Section
• Quantitative Section
• Verbal Section 

Quantitative Section

The GMAT Quantitative section measures the ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative problems, and interpret graphic data. Two types of multiple-choice questions are used in the Quantitative section:

• Problem solving
• Data sufficiency

Problem solving and data sufficiency questions are intermingled throughout the Quantitative section. Both types of questions require basic knowledge of:

• Arithmetic
• Elementary algebra
• Commonly known concepts of geometry

GMAT Study Material: Quantitative Section

Verbal Section The GMAT Verbal section measures the ability to read and comprehend written material, to reason and evaluate arguments, and to correct written material to conform to standard written English. Because the Verbal section includes reading sections from several different content areas, you may be generally familiar with some of the material; however, neither the reading passages nor the questions assume detailed knowledge of the topics discussed. Three types of multiple-choice questions are used in the Verbal section:

• Reading comprehension
• Critical reasoning
• Sentence correction

GMAT Study Material: Verbal Section

Integrated Reasoning Section The Integrated Reasoning section measures your ability to understand and evaluate multiple sources and types of information - graphic, numeric, and verbal. You have to use both quantitative and verbal reasoning to solve complex and multiple problems that are related to one another. Four types of questions are used in the Integrated Reasoning section:

• Multi-Source Reasoning
• Table Analysis
• Graphics Interpretation
• Two-Part Analysis

You have access to an online calculator with basic functions for the Integrated Reasoning section, but the calculator is not available on the Quantitative section.

GMAT Study Material: Integrated Reasoning Section

Analytical Writing Assessment The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) consists of one 30-minute writing task of Analysis of an Argument. The AWA measures your ability to think critically, communicate your ideas, and formulate an appropriate and constructive critique. You have to type your essay on a computer keyboard. GMAT Study Material: Analytical Writing