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Graduate Management Admission Test 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 answerscorrectly 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 AssessmentThe 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 essaysbefore 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 SectionThe 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-Ddiagrams, Probability etc. This list is not exhaustive; questions from beyond these topics mayalso 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 problemcomprises 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 givenstatements can be used to answer the question or not and if so, whether the statements can be

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used independently or in conjunction. Each of the five answers options presents fivepossibilities that arise in this case and candidate has to apply the basic principles of

mathematics with strong logic to solve them.

Verbal SectionThe 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 threetypes: 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 Format

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) follows the following tentative format.

The test lasts for 4 hours.

Test SectionNo. of

Question Timings

Analytical Writing Assessment

Analysis of an Issue 1 Topic 30 Mins

Analysis of an Argument 1 Topic 30 Mins

Optional Rest Break 5 Mins

Quantitative Section 37 Questions 75 Mins

Problem Solving

Data Sufficiency

Optional Rest Break 5 Mins

Verbal Section 41 Questions 75 Mins

Reading ComprehensionCritical Reasoning

Sentence Correction