­­About the GMAT

The GMAT, short for Graduate Management Admission Test, is a critical step in applying to business school (MBA program). In terms of its structure, the GMAT is a multiple-choice, computer-based exam. The GMAT is often required for the application and admission to a business school. Business schools use your GMAT score, along with previous academic records, work experience, and supplemental materials to evaluate your preparedness for their competitive MBA curriculums.

Given the competitive nature of business school admissions processes, a high GMAT score would be very beneficial to your application.

Content covered on the GMAT

On a high level, the GMAT gauges your ability to grasp, analyze, and evaluate written material, use critical reasoning, and solve questions. Strengthening these skills is the key to achieving a high GMAT score. Specifically, the exam evaluates your mastery of a variety of subjects, including basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, multi-source data analysis, and grammar.

Structure of the GMAT exam

The GMAT consists of four different sections, all requiring critical and analytic reasoning skills. The four sections are:

  • Analytical Writing Assessment
  • Integrated Reasoning
  • Quantitative
  • Verbal

Understanding GMAT scoring

  • The GMAT is a Computer-Adaptive Test (CAT), a form of computer-based test that adapts to your ability level as you progress through the exam.
  • As you begin the GMAT, you will start with a question of medium difficulty. As you answer questions correctly, the computer will present you with questions of higher difficulty, while also increasing its estimate of your ability. On the other hand, if you answer questions incorrectly, the computer presents you with easier questions, while decreasing its estimate of your ability. Additionally, there will be penalties to the final score for leaving questions unanswered at the end of the exam.
  • Your score is determined by an algorithm that holistically assesses your ability level based on both what you answered correctly or incorrectly and the difficulty of those questions.
  • The score will be on a scale from 200 to 800.
  • The Analytical Writing Assessment section will be scored by a human reader and also by a computerized program, using a 6-point scale.
  • The Integrated Reasoning Section is not adaptive and is scored on a 1 to 8 scale.

Upon competition of the GMAT, you will immediately receive your unofficial score. At this point, you will have the option to keep or cancel your score.