GMAT Exam Best Practices, Tests & Tips for 2021 | GTPrep

Most frequently asked questions on GMAT Exam

Are you taking the GMAT Exam in 2020, then you should know the latest GMAT Test pattern, syllabus, prep tips for all the sections i.e. Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, & Verbal Reasoning. GT Prep takes a look at the most frequently asked questions by GMAT Test takers. The GMAT Exam is a test that has been formulated to assess the quantitative, verbal and reading skills of the test taker and checks his eligibility to gain admission into a graduate management program. Most Business schools in USA and many other countries, have set the GMAT as the golden standard for deciding whether or not a prospective student could be able to withstand the academic rigors of a full-fledged MBA program. The test is one of the most important criteria, in order to get admission into an MBA program in top Business schools.

GMAT Exam is the most accepted criteria for providing admission to MBA aspirants with 9 out of 10 MBA admissions being provided on the basis of the GMAT Scores. As per the Graduate Management Academic Council (GMAC) more than 2,300 schools accept the scores of the GMAT test in for admission purposes. The GMAT can be written in more than 650 test centers across 114 countries.

What Is Total GMAT Exam Duration?

  1. The GMAT exam duration is of 3 hours and 30 minutes total, which includes breaks in between.
  2. Students are allowed to answer the sections in any order they find comfortable.

Who accepts GMAT scores?

The scores of the GMAT exams are accepted for the following purposes

  1. Most of the MBA programs out of India, as well as many within India.
  2. A number of MS courses in USA and other countries outside India.

What is the Cost of GMAT?

  1. The overall cost of GMAT is around 250 USD in India.
  2. In case you decide to cancel the exam, and do so more than 7 days in advance, of the test date, you are eligible to receive a refund of 80 USD
  3. If you reschedule your GMAT exam date, then you will need to pay 60 USD as rescheduling fee, if there are more than seven days to the test, and 250 USD if there are less than seven days to the test date

What is the Total GMAT score?

The GMAT score ranges from a minimum of 200 to a maximum of 800

Who is eligible for the GMAT exam?

Students, who plan to take the GMAT test, will need to keep the following GMAT eligibility criteria in mind

  1. The test taker should not be less than 18 years old.
  2. Students, who are between 13 and 17 years of age, can write the exam, if they have letter of consent from a legal guardian.
  3. There is no minimum education qualification required to write the GMAT, however one should have completed their graduation in order to qualify for an MBA program.

How to register for GMAT Exam?

According to the GMAC, registration for GMAT Exam can be done up to 6 months before the date of the test or latest 24 hours before the date of the test. You can register for the GMAT in anyone of the following ways

  1. Online
  2. By phone
  3. By post

When are GMAT Exam Dates?

  1. A student can choose any GMAT Exam date according to your convenience and availability.
  2. In case you need to retake the GMAT exam you can do so after a period of 16 days from the date of your exam
  3. A student is allowed to reappear for the GMAT not more than five times in a year
  4. You are recommended to register for the exam at least two or three months before your desired exam date themselves two to three months before the exam date.
  5. It is possible to register up to 24 hours before the exam date by phone or online, but we do not advice that, as you may not get your choice of GMAT test center

[Read about: Common Mistakes made by GMAT Test takers]

What is GMAT Exam pattern?

The GMAT Exam pattern broadly comprises of the following four sections

  1. Analytical Writing
  2. Quantitative Reasoning
  3. Integrated Reasoning
  4. Verbal Reasoning

What is the GMAT Exam Syllabus?

The GMAT exam covers the following aspects of the different sections

  1. Analytical Writing—In this section, the GMAT test measures the ability of the test takers to think critically about diverse topics and communicate their interpretation and ideas in an effective manner
  2. Integrated Reasoning—In this section, the GMAT test can gauge the candidates ability to analyze given data and evaluate the information that is presented in diverse formats in order to come up with the best answer choice out of given options
  3. Quantitative Reasoning—In this section, the GMAT exam, measures the ability of the aspirants to analyze the data that is provided and draw conclusions based on quantitative and reasoning skills
  4. Verbal Reasoning—The verbal reasoning section, measures the ability of the students to read and comprehend the provided material, and arrive at the correct answers, that conform to standard written English

When are GMAT Score results declared?

  1. You can expect to receive the score for your GMAT test immediately after taking the test, however the AWA score is excluded
  2. You can either accept or reject the AWA score, in case you accept, then colleges reviewing your application will be able to view your AWA score
  3. Download your unofficial results as soon as you complete your exam, however you will receive the official GMAT score result within 20 days of taking the test.
  4. Each of the five GMAT scores are reported on a fixed scale
      • Quantitative – 0-60 with a mean score of 38
      • Verbal – 0-60 with a mean score of 27
      • Integrated reasoning – 1-8 with a mean score of 4
      • Total GMAT – 200-800 with a mean score of 548
  5. Your GMAT scores will be valid up to 5 years from the date of taking the test

Tips for GMAT Preparation

  1. Take the help of all the GMAT resources and professional advice that as this can be a tough exam to crack.
  2. You should have a clear goal in mind as to what score you want to achieve and prepare accordingly with a study plan for GMAT.
  3. Practice lots of GMAT mock tests
  4. Make a study plan for yourself, based on the time you have left for preparation and your strong and weak areas.

[Read about: How to Score 720+ On Your GMAT Test in Just One Month]

  1. For the analytical writing assessment section, you should concentrate practicing lots of questions of different types where you will need to analyze the text and present your views.
  2. In the quantitative reasoning section you should concentrate on brushing up on your high school math concepts and practicing many different types of problems.
  3. For the GMAT verbal section you should concentrate on reading books and articles of as many different genres as you can. Also practice writing down the main message of the passage in your own words.

Take GMAT Coaching if needed to improve your scores and be under expert guidance.

GMAT Analytical Writing Section Preparation Tips

1. For the analytical writing assessment section, you should concentrate practicing lots of questions of different types where you will need to analyze the text and present your views

2. Using a paragraph based approach is the best way to make sure you can present the entire key points in order

  • 1st paragraph –Introduce the concept and state your point of view
  • 2nd paragraph – Follow up your point of view with a supporting argument
  • 3rd paragraph – Follow up with examples to support your argument
  • 4th paragraph – complete the essay and tie up any loose ends with a good and effective conclusion

3. Read through as many sample essays as you can to get an idea of the structure and tone

4. Make sure your essay reflects the following
Analysis of the argument
Support of the main argument
Organization of ideas
Control & proper usage of language

GMAT Quantitative reasoning preparation tips

In the quantitative reasoning section of GMAT you should concentrate on brushing up your high school math concepts and practicing many different types of problems.

  1. Review your basic math concepts on the following topics
  • algebraic equations and inequalities
  • arithmetic
  • decimals
  • percentages
  • ratios
  • exponents and square roots
  • integers
  • factors
  • multiples
  • number lines
  • variable operations
  • geometry and coordinate geometry
  1. Identify your strengths and weaknesses and prepare accordingly
  2. Practice many different types of quantitative problems
  3. Concentrate on honing your skill sets for both problems solving as well as data sufficiency type of questions.
  4. For data sufficiency questions you should practice choosing the best out of two answer choices
  5. For problem solving questions you should practice applying the required mathematical concepts to solve the problem in the minimum possible time
  6. Practice solving questions using mental Maths, without using a calculator, this will help you increase your speed of solving the problems.

GMAT verbal reasoning preparation tips

For this section of GMAT Exam you should concentrate on reading books and articles of as many different genres as you can. Also practice writing down the main message of the passage in your own words

  • Practice rephrasing the words to make them simpler. Simplifying the language can help you elucidate your points more effectively
  • Do not lose focus on the questions that are being asked.
  • Read the question and then read the argument. This will help you get an idea of what you need to look for in the passage during GMAT Exam
  • Search for any examples or assumptions in the passage that would support the argument or answer the questions
  • You should practice answering all four types of questions in GMAT verbal reasoning

Tasks that ask the test taker to strengthen the given thought
Exercises that ask the student to weaken the debate
Tasks that require the student to draw an inference or draw a conclusion from a given passage

  • You could be asked to either strengthen the argument or weaken the argument. You should read the question carefully so you could marshal your points in the right direction.
  • If in doubt about the correct answer, then use the process of elimination to arrive at the correct answer. Group all the answer choices you have eliminated the wrong ones so that it becomes easy to arrive at the right one
  • For reading comprehension questions in GMAT you should keep your answers short and to the point
  • You should shorten or simplify any big words to make it easier to arrive at the correct answer
  • Identify the error or flaw in the argument for questions that ask you to weaken a statement

How to choose your GMAT test center?

  1. You should choose your test center as soon as you decide to give the exam
  2. You should choose the test center that is the closest to you. In case there is no center the in your city, then you should choose the city closest to you
  3. Do a test run and visit your GMAT Test Center once before your exam date to familiarize yourself with the route and time it takes you to reach there.

Which Colleges Accept GMAT Score?

  1. You can apply to more than 7000 different programs, across more than 2300 different business schools
  2. All the top B schools including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton and others accept GMAT scores as their admission criteria
  3. GMAT scores is the most important criteria for admission to MBA programs and is accepted in more than 114 countries across the world
  4. The following are the average GMAT scores for some of the best B Schools in the world
    • Penn Wharton – 732
    • Stanford – 732
    • Yale – 724
    • Harvard – 720
    • Columbia – 732
    • University of California –Berkeley – 726
    • Chicago Booth school of Business – 731
    • Northwestern University- Kellogg – 732
    • MIT – 728
    • Dartmouth College – 722

If you have aims to study at any of these colleges, then you should start your preparation in earnest as you will need to score in the top percentile of test takers.

Which one to choose between GMAT & GRE?

  1. Many business schools have started to accept the GRE score as well as GMAT scores for admission to the MBA program.
  2. You will need to decide which test, would be the best fit for you, through verbal section comparisons of GRE and GMAT
  3. If you are planning to do an MS followed by an MBA, then the GRE could be the best option for you, as it is valid for both MS and MBA programs
  4. Undecided about what course you want to pursue, even then the GRE could be the better option
  5. If you are planning to complete your MBA then the GMAT would be the best option for you.