GMAT

The Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT, is a crucial step in the application process for business schools. GMAT is a multiple-choice, computer-based, and computer-adaptive exam which is a common requirement for enrollment in graduate business programs (MBA) around the world. 

The GMAT was developed by test-maker GMAC to give business schools standard metrics of applicant’s readiness for graduate-level academic work, to determine if you are prepared for the demands of an MBA program, business school admission committees consider your GMAT score in addition to your employment history, academic record, and supporting papers. 

GMAT is commonly used as the primary exam that business schools look at to determine eligibility for admission to an MBA program. The exam is often solely conducted on a computer, though it might also be provided on paper in places where computer networks are scarce.

Why GMAT?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is used to assess a student’s readiness for an MBA program or other graduate management course. It is generally done in an online format. Some of the important reasons are as below:

Business schools created the GMAT Exam for business schools. Every year, over 200,000 candidates take it to gain admission to MBA and other graduate business degree programs in 110 countries around the world. The GMAT is accepted for admission to over 7000 programs at over 2,300 business schools and universities worldwide, including top MBA programs like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton.

The flexibility provided by the GMAT is another reason why it is a good choice for working professionals. The GMAT exam can be taken up to five times per year at over 600 test centres worldwide. You can reschedule your GMAT appointment (for a fee) more than 7 days before the test date, in addition to taking the test multiple times a year. Working professionals can thus not only reschedule but also retake the GMAT if they do not achieve their target GMAT score on the first try.

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Illustration of a man taking an exam on a white background

GMAT score is valid for 5 years after the test date. As a result, if you are a working professional, once you have taken the GMAT, you can concentrate your efforts on other aspects of your business school application, such as essays, letters of recommendation, and so on. The 5-year validity of your GMAT score ensures that once you’ve achieved a good GMAT score for your target business schools, you won’t have to retake the exam. Working professionals can thus not only reschedule but also retake the GMAT if they do not achieve their target GMAT score on the first try.

The GMAT is designed to assess quantitative and verbal reasoning abilities, and as such, it has a well-defined syllabus and question types. Working professionals can prepare for the GMAT exam in 3-4 months on average with the help of a milestone-driven study plan.

Scholarships can help you reduce the cost of attending your desired MBA program. Your GMAT score is critical in obtaining scholarships and fellowships in our desired MBA program.

As such, GMAC, the organization in charge of administering the GMAT exam, has not established any specific requirements for qualifying to take the GMAT. However, after taking the GMAT, applicants must always meet the requirements specified by the university or college they wish to attend.

GMAT Age Criteria:

  • The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
  • There is no upper age limit for the applicant
  • The applicant must have parental or legal guardian approval in writing if they are between the ages of 13 and 17.

Educational Qualification:

  • Regarding the prerequisites for taking the GMAT, GMAC has not released any formal statements.

Candidates who are interested in enrolling in an MBA program must hold a graduate degree in any field from an accredited institution.

GMAT registration is available through the following options: 

Online:
Candidates must register and complete their information on mba.com.

By Phone:
From Monday through Friday, candidates can plan their GMAT test appointment by contacting the Pearson VUE customer service department. A US $10 fee may be applied when paying the test fee using a credit, debit, or voucher. 

GMAT registration by Fax:
You can register for the GMAT by fax by downloading and printing the form from mba.com, then fax it to the Pearson VUE customer service office in your area. You can pay the test fee using a credit card, debit card, or voucher. At least seven days before the test date, you should send fax.

GMAT Application through mail/courier:
From mba.com, you can download the GMAT Appointment Scheduling form. You can send the completed application and test cost through courier to: 

Pearson VUE 
Attention: GMAT Program
PO Box – 581907 
Minneapolis, MN – 55458-1907 
USA 

The GMAT comprises 4 sections:
  • Analytical Writing
  • Integrated Reasoning
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Verbal Reasoning
GMAT Format/pattern
GMAT SECTION NUMBER OF QUESTIONS TYPES OF QUESTIONS DURATION
Analytical Writing Assignment (AWA) 1 essay Argument analysis and communication in the form of a critique 30 minutes
Integrated Reasoning (IR) 12 multiple choice Two-Part Analysis, Multi-source reasoning, Graphic interpretation, Table analysis 30 minutes
Quantitative 31 multiple choice Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving 62 minutes
Verbal 36 multiple choice Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction 65 minutes
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