The GMAT is a so-called Computer Adaptive Test (CAT). As such, it can only be taken on a computer in one of the official test centers. A list of all test centers can be found on www.mba.com. The GMAT consists of four sections with mostly multiple choice questions and also an essay. Questions can neither be skipped nor ignored; answers, once submitted, cannot be revised. The time available for answering questions is limited by section. Test-takers should try to answer every question within the time allotted; failing to answer all questions will result in a deduction of points.
One feature of the GMAT is that the difficulty level of questions adapts to the test-taker during the test. To begin, a large question pool is stored by the GMAT software. At the beginning of each section, the test-takers are asked medium difficulty questions. Then, the level of difficulty increases with each correct response. In the case of a wrong answer, the next question decreases in difficulty. The computer assigns more weight to correctly-answered difficult questions than to correctly-answered easy or medium questions. At the end of the test, the test-taker can decide whether or not he or she wants to keep the results of the test (this happens before viewing the score). Should the participant choose to discard the results (prior to having viewed them), he or she may decide to do so for whatever reason. Whether or not the results are kept, the GMAT fee must be paid at the time of registration.
The computer determines the final GMAT score on the basis of the number of questions answered, the accuracy of answers, and the average difficulty level of the questions. While scores are calculated and shown for the individual sections, only the total score is used by universities as an admission criterion. Theoretically, the GMAT can be repeated as often as the test-taker desires; each time the registration fee (currently $250,00 plus VAT) must be paid. The one limitation is that the test can only be repeated at earliest 31 days after the previous test was taken. While all GMAT-scores are stored for 20 years, universities are provided with only the five last GMAT results.
In this section, the test-takers write an essay within 30 minutes. This section evaluates the student’s critical thinking and ability to communicate ideas. Oftentimes, the essay topic is public interest-related. Scoring, done by authorized readers, weighs proper structure and argumentation more heavily than topical knowledge. Only 6 points can be achieved in this section and, as a result, Optimus Prep considers it to be the least important section.
This recently introduced section aims to test the participants’ abilities to analyze data from various sources and make correct decisions on the basis of given information. This section takes 30 minutes and comprises a total of 12 questions representing 4 different question types. This was the final section added to the GMAT because it is important, both for academic and professional success, to understand and process information from various sources and to arrive at correct conclusions based on the given information.
The quantitative section consists of 37 questions and lasts 75 minutes during which mostly mathematical knowledge is tested. There are two question types: problem solving and data sufficiency. In the case of “problem-solving” questions, advanced knowledge of mathematics is necessary. However, many students consider “data sufficiency” questions to be the hardest. They ask test-takers to determine whether the given information is sufficient to arrive at an answer to the posed question. For these questions, it’s not essential to give a correct response, but only to differentiate between irrelevant and relevant information.
The GMAT verbal section also lasts 75 minutes and consists of 41 questions. These questions are sub-divided into three different question types: reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction. For “reading comprehension” questions, test-takers read a 350 word text dealing with applied sciences or other topics. Then test-takers respond to several questions that ask for detailed information from the text. As all replies can be deduced from the provided text, no previous topical knowledge is necessary. For the “critical reasoning” section, test-takers must answer questions that test the ability to analyze and understand complex arguments. Finally, “sentence correction” questions test the ability to understand English idiom and grammar. The questions’ difficulty level makes it difficult for even native speakers to answer correctly without significant prior preparation.
The GMAT is the most important admission criterion for leading business schools around the world. Because the GMAT covers all essential topics for advanced management studies, universities use it to evaluate students in the admissions process. As a result, it’s not surprise that the GMAT has a monopoly in business school admissions and is generally required by all reputable business schools around the world.