What is the GMAT Exam?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized exam used globally by business schools as part of their admissions process for MBA and other graduate management programs. The GMAT exam is comprised of three sections that showcase the specific skills needed to succeed in a graduate management program:

• 1. Quantitative Reasoning
• 2. Verbal Reasoning
• 3. Data Insights
  • The GMAT is widely accepted by top business schools worldwide as a key component of the application process.
  • The exam measures skills that are essential for success in business, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.
  • A strong GMAT score can significantly enhance your application, especially if your academic background is not in a business-related field.
  • High GMAT scores can lead to merit-based scholarships and financial aid from business schools.

Why Take the GMAT?

1. Admission to Business Schools:
2. Showcase Skills:
3. Strengthen Your Application:
4. Scholarship Opportunities:

Overview

The GMAT exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes long (with one optional 10-minute break) and consists of 64 questions in total:

• 1. Quantitative Reasoning: 21 questions, 45 minutes
• 2. Verbal Reasoning: 23 questions, 45 minutes
• 3. Data Insights: 20 questions, 45 minutes

Select Section Order

You can answer the three sections in any order, giving you a more personalized testing experience. You can also take your optional 10-minute break whenever you choose: after the first section, or after the second. This means you can adapt the exam to exactly how you’ve prepared for it, giving you more opportunities to perform at your best.

Scoring

The GMAT Total Score scale ranges from 205 to 805, and all Total Score values end in a 5. Section scores range from 60 to 90.

Total Score

• Score range: 205-805
• Score intervals: 10
• Standard error of measurement: 30-40 points

Quantitative Reasoning Score

• Score range: 60-90
• Score intervals: 1
• Standard error of measurement: 3 points

Verbal Reasoning Score

• Score range: 60-90
• Score intervals: 1
• Standard error of measurement: 3 points

Data Insights Score

• Score range: 60-90
• Score intervals: 1
• Standard error of measurement: 3 points

Score Penalty for Unanswered Questions

There is a penalty for not completing each section of the exam. If you do not finish in the allotted time, your score will be penalized reflecting the number of questions unanswered. Your GMAT exam score will be the best reflection of your performance when all questions are managed to be answered within the time limit.

Registration and Exam Dates

In India, the fee for the GMAT exam is USD 275, which is approximately INR 23,000. This fee includes the Enhanced Score Report (ESR), which provides a detailed breakdown of your scores by section, percentile rankings, and a comparison of your performance with other test-takers.

Please note that additional services are available at extra costs:

Rescheduling or Cancelling the GMAT Exam:
You can reschedule or cancel your GMAT exam up to 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. The fees for rescheduling or canceling vary depending on how far in advance you make the change:

• Rescheduling Fee:
  • $50 – More than 60 days before the appointment
  • $100 – 15 to 60 days before the appointment
  • $150 – 1 to 14 days before the appointment
• Cancellation Fee:
  • $165 (refund of $110) – More than 60 days before the appointment
  • $190 (refund of $80) – 15 to 60 days before the appointment
  • $220 (refund of $55) – 1 to 14 days before the appointment

Sending Score Reports:
The fee for the GMAT exam includes sending your scores to up to five business school programs. If you need to send your scores to more than five schools, there is an additional fee of USD 35 or approximately INR 2,920 per additional school.

Preparing for the GMAT

1. Understand the Format:

• Familiarize yourself with the structure of the GMAT and the types of questions in each section. Knowing the format will help you manage time and reduce anxiety on test day.
• Create a study schedule that allows ample time to cover all sections of the exam. Focus on areas where you need the most improvement, but don’t neglect your strengths.
• Regularly take full-length practice tests to build stamina and get used to the timing of the exam. Analyze your performance on these tests to identify areas for improvement.

1. Develop a Study Plan:
2. Take Practice Tests:

Test Day: What to Expect

• Arrival:
  • Arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Bring a valid ID that matches the name on your registration.
• Security Measures:
  • Expect strict security measures, including digital fingerprinting and photograph verification. Personal items are not allowed in the testing room.
• Computer-Adaptive Testing (CAT):
  • Remember that the Quantitative and Verbal sections are computer-adaptive. This means the difficulty of questions will adjust based on your previous answers. Your score is determined by both the difficulty of the questions and your accuracy.

Sending GMAT Scores to Schools

• Score Reporting:
  • After completing the exam, you can choose up to five programs to receive your GMAT scores at no additional cost. You can also send scores to additional programs for a fee.
• Score Preview:
  • Before leaving the test center, you can view your unofficial scores for the Quantitative, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning sections. You can then decide whether to keep or cancel your scores.
• Retaking the GMAT:
  • You can retake the GMAT up to five times in a 12-month period, with a minimum of 16 days between attempts. Business schools typically consider your highest score, though all your scores may be visible on your score report.