GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admission Test, it is an exam of computer adaptive test (CAT). Its purpose is to assess the students’ skills in analytical, writing, verbal, quantitative, and reading in a written standard English. The GMAT test is essential for getting admission in top MBA colleges to get a graduation degree in programs like MBA and Masters in Finance relevant courses. In this exam, the candidates require to have the best knowledge of grammar, specific algebra, arithmetic, and geometry. According to the test-owning company named Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the GMAT evaluating analytical writing, problem-solving capabilities; on the other hand, the addressing data sufficiency, logical and critical reasoning skills considered to be essential for the real world businesses and the management successfulness. This test is taken five-time but not more than eight times a year.
The GMAT score is calculated after the exam and it is very essential to pursue an MBA study business school. Also, work experience, academic record, and supporting materials are also important for ready to do an MBA program.
GMAT Sections Divisions
The GMAT exam comprises of four separate sections. You can use similar critical thinking and analyzing skills in the whole test as you do in the MBA course. In the GMAT exam, the content is divided into four sections that are scored separately. AWA section is scored aside from 0 to 6 in the half-point increments. Second, is the IR (Integrated Reasoning) is scored on a 1-8 scale, in one-point increments. Next, the quantitative and the verbal sections are scored from 0-60.
All the sections’ scores are combined to develop a score from 200-800 points along with a 10-point increment that you know it very well. The score provided on the 200-800 scale shows the difficulty level of questions that you have given correctly by using the algorithm of GMAC.
Analytical Writing Assessment:
This Analytical writing assessment section assists the business schools to analyze the writing skills of the students. It is an essay section in which essays are scored through a human grader and a computer-based grading system and your final scores are calculated on an average basis. This assessment is scored aside and its score is not used to make your 200 -800 points. In case, if there is a wide difference found in the ratings, then, another person will read that essay and give the score to it.
In the writing task, you will get a brief argument like a paragraph and in the verbal section, you will find the critical reasoning in the form of questions. You do not have to write your own point of view in critical reasoning instead of it, you have to define the author’s lines, analyzing the author’s evidence as well as the reasoning. On scoring this section, the graders will look for your clearly defining the author’s arguments and they will distinctly identify and they develop your ideas logically.
Integrated Reasoning:
In this Integrated Reasoning section, your ability to solve complex programs will see. The Business schools that interested in the business leaders’ development of the future, one most essential skill that you can show your capability to get huge data and make quick decisions. There are four types of Integrated Reasoning questions such as multi-source reasoning, table analysis, graphics interpretation, and quantitative verbal or a combination of both. It comprises of 12 questions in total and most of the questions need multiple responses. You will give 30 minutes to complete this Integrated Reasoning in this GMAT exam. Considerably, the Integrated Reasoning checks the student’s capability listed below:-
-It synthesizes information found in the graphics, texts, and numbers.
-Estimate the related information from varied sources.
-Information is organized to see the relationships and to solve various interconnected problems.
-Ability to combine and modify information from various sources to solve various complex problems.
Quantitative:
The Quantitative section of the GMAT exam is designed to check the content and the analytical knowledge comprising basic concepts of Mathematics which involves Arithmetic and numerical properties, algebra, and Geometry. This section is divided into two different question types listed in the following:
1. Data Sufficiency– It involves the questions and two statements data. The student has to determine that, Does the statement providing enough data to give answers to the questions? To solve the questions, this question needs you to rapidly recognize what is the information you will require to solve the problems as well as you can proficiently remove choices for answers.
2. Problem Solving– It is a standardized test section of the question in which you will be given a question and you have to choose one out of five possible answers. This problem-solving test is used by the high and reputed Business schools from Mathematics to Algebra and Geometry to test the best delicate thinking skills of the students.
Verbal:
In the Verbal section, great emphasis is laid on the student’s good command in writing standard English, the skill of analyzing arguments, and the ability to read the paragraph critically. You will get three types of questions listed in the following;-
1. Critical Reasoning–In this, the skills comprising evaluating arguments and formulating the plan of action is tested. You will get a small line of arguments or a number of statements and a question relevant to it. For getting a good score in Critical Reasoning, you have to require the best understanding of the structure’s arguments and the relation between evidence and the conclusions in the hard logical analysis.
2. Sentence Correction–You will get presented with long sentences. There are many sentences that will give and it is underlined also, among the four alternatives, you have to find the more possible option from the underlined sentences. This sentence can consist of zero errors, or it may involve errors.
3. Reading Comprehension– In Reading Comprehension, the student’s ability to read skills, summarizing the main idea, differentiating the ideas given and through author as well. Your skill of an ability to make inferences through information exists in the test, analyzing the passage’s logical structure, and concluding the author’s attitude and the tone about the topic. In this section, an academic reading passage will be given to you which is relevant to the business, social science, biological science, and physical science and it contains three to four questions about the passage.
How Much Time Needed for the GMAT Sections?
The GMAT exam comprises four sections including Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. On the test day of GMAT, about 3.5 hours will give which includes your test-taking time and the breaks that you can take as per your choice. The check-in time of the testing center is not defined hence; students have asked to come to the exam center 30 minutes before the starting of the exam. The exam is seen as the skills by four discrete components that are presented in the listed orders.
-Analytical Writing Assessment (one writing task)-30minutes
-Integrated Reasoning section (12 multiple-choice questions)-30minutes
-Quantitative Reasoning (37 multiple choice questions)-62 minutes
-Verbal Reasoning section (41 Multiple choice questions)-65 minutes
-Optional breaks (Total)-16 minutes
-Total Approximate time-3 hours 23 minutes.
For the Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative and the Verbal section, scores and percentile ranks are given. The GMAT is not a passing or failing test.
How Difficult the GMAT is?
There are many aspects of the GMAT involves that make it a difficult test.
Firstly, in the computer-adaptive format of the GMAT test, you have to just give an answer and move further, you cannot skip any hard question or come back again to the previous questions. Additionally, for the correct answer and also for every correct answer to high-level questions, you will get rewarded.
Therefore, all you have to see is that you have to give quick answers to all the hard questions. Moreover, you will see various types of questions and formats that you have never seen before.
The GMAT exam is challenging, but it is totally based on skills and it is considered as good. The reason is that the skills which are tested in the GMAT exam are those skills of the students that they can and they learn.
Why GMAT is Necessary for MBA? / Importance of GMAT
If you are a GMAT candidate, then, there are always some questions comes in mind like “What is the weight-age of the GMAT in MBA?”, “How it will help in building the career? and many more. The GMAT exam is considered as the first step towards the best career in business. It is seen that the GMAT score is accepted by more than 7000 businesses and the management programs. The GMAT exam helps in showcasing the skills that matter very much in the business schools and in the career as well. That’s why it has become the test of choice for admissions into the top business schools.
GMAT for MBA Admissions
The GMAT exam is considered an exam that influences your career for an adequate time. It offers you the opportunity to begin your career at a good level, provides an alternate career, infused knowledge, builds confidence, and good habits within yourself.
In order to make decisions regarding admissions, the Business schools trust in GMAT exams. It is one of the most essential and widely used trustable indicators for academic success in MBA programs and graduate programs of MBA. During the admissions process, the GMAT exam will assist in standing out from others. It is seen that about 9 out of 10 decisions of MBA admissions occur on the basis of a GMAT score in MBA colleges.
The GMAT exam helps in setting the standard of the capability to foreshow success in the classroom. Below are some of the benefits listed:-
-It assists in measuring the skills that schools require and also the skills that you possess.
-In the decades of the research, the GMAT exam is considered as the proven measure of success and it is the most reliable predictor in the graduate business programs. It is reliable by many graduate business MBA colleges in all across the world.
-It is always available when you are ready to take it. You can perform the best as the testing is available all around the world and it is designed to take a test-taking experience. GMAC always update their exam format and the structure so that the test takers can easily step forward.
Role of GMAT Score in MBA Application
The GMAT plays an essential role in MBA applications as if you have a good GMAT score, then it helps a lot in providing a favor to get admission to Business schools. Though, on average, the GMAT accounts for 22% weight-age in the MBA applications.
Importance of GMAT Exam beyond MBA
If the GMAT score is good then, it will assist you in getting into the dream of Business schools and it also advantageous for you after enrolling in the program. The GMAT score has weight-age as it’s a test in which your aptitude, diligence, focus, and hard work is tested. These traits are seen by both Business schools as well as employers. In GMAC wordings, when there is a success in front of you then, there is no comparison.
Value of GMAT – Corporate Recruiters
The GMAT exam’s importance is not only for the admission process in business schools, but it assists in job applications as well.
When the selection of the candidates for the interview is made then, the corporate recruiters’ ponder over some of the factors which are listed below:
-92% should be a proven ability to perform.
-89% should be strong oral communication skills.
-84% will strong technical or quantitative skills.
It is difficult to get jobs at a reputed consulting entrepreneur than taking admission in the best Business school. It is found that many consulting entrepreneurs such as McKinsey and Accenture, ask their aspirants to define their GMAT scores on their job applications.
There is a gmatclub.com is a portal where a number of students share their experiences about the overall GMAT exam, MBA admissions, and the job career.
Hence, the GMAT score has a pivotal role in applying for jobs and internships.
Importance of GMAT Exam – Alternate Careers
The best GMAT preparation experience helps in opening the doors to becoming a highly qualified GMAT instructor. Now, the question arises that the career can be a GMAT instructor also then, how you will define that the student is a good GMAT experienced candidate? It is based on something which is one of the most essential truths of knowledge. To learn something, it is best to teach. You already have an idea of being an instructor if you did it during the preparation of the GMAT exam. The main difference includes in it is that you will teach many people sitting in the class. There are more than $100, 000 can earn by the instructor per year so, that the candidate can gain GMAT knowledge for their alternate career.
GMAT vs GRE – the GMAT Advantage
The schools that are accepting the GRE General test scores as an alternative are increasing and many candidates do not know and they get confused that what they should take GMAT or GRE?
The admission trends show that the GMAT exam is not only the test in it as the business schools are searching for the aspirants who belong to the business background. Though, the GMAT and GRE tests are different, comparing its scores is like comparing apples and Kiwi. ETS is the folks who dispense the GRE and GMAC refers to folk who administers the GMAT. Both ETS and GMAC use the comparable way of technique to put the candidate’s scores into perspective. While the Business schools in MBA programs use this ETS comparing tool in the way of a benchmark. For taking the advantage of the score and the application, you should make a research for the Business schools and see what scores range in MBA admissions they require. The GMAT will be best for those students who have a good grab on quantitative and analytical skills. Also, they can do excel in interpreting data existed in the charts, tables, and in the text to solve the difficult programs. In the GRE Mathematics section, there is a calculator that includes solving all types of quantitative problems.
Who has Designed GMAT and Responsible for its Administration?
GMAC stands for Graduate Management Admission Council, a global and leading graduate business school. It develops the GMAT exam and determines that what are the skills of the students will be measured as well as how it will be checked. Although, the organization prepares the test questions, administers the exam, and the test scores of the reports. More than 7000 programs accept the GMAT exam worldwide and it is administered around 600 test centers in almost 114 countries. It is considered as the most widely used assessment for making the admission in the MBA schools and also, a most faithful predictor in choosing the aspirants for academic success in the business studies.
GMAC assists in fulfilling the requirements of the management schools and prospective students. It meets the needs of MBA schools through a wide range of products, services, and programs developed for students, professionals, and graduate management programs all across the world. Additionally, the GMAC also considered as the top source of quest and information about the best graduate management education system.
Also, it provides prospective graduate MBA students along with the tools and the products that require to search for the right program, GMAT exam preparation and meet the admission professionals all over the world which includes program researcher, Calendar of events, GMASSTM that is Graduate Management Admission Search Service, study materials and full good preparation.
How the GMAT Score is Calculated?
GMAT is a CAT that is Computer Adaptive Test. The GMAT test is given by you hence, it totally depends on the individual’s performance.
When you start to give the GMAT exam, the computer will present the questions of medium difficulty and it assumes that you have an average score. If you give correct answers to the coming questions, then, the computer will serve you with harder questions and enhances its estimation of your ability. On the other hand, when you answer the questions incorrectly then, the computer will show you easier questions and hence, decreases its estimation of the ability of the student. The score of the test is calculated through an algorithm in which the calculation is made by your ability level which depends not only that how many questions you answered correctly, but the score is also calculated based on the difficulty level of the questions that you answered.
GMAC’s algorithm that determines the student’s score between 200 to 800 is commonly misunderstood and there are so many myths exists for cracking the algorithm. To beat the algorithm exam, the student has to fully prepare the exam. You would require to pace yourself as the adaptive nature of the exam doesn’t allow you to leave any questions without giving an answer. Hence, you have to make a balance while answering the difficult questions in the correct way and to complete the test on time. If the student leaves the questions, then, there are some penalties that occur for this.
In the Analytical Writing Assessment, the score is given for the essay by using the holistic 6-point scale on the basis of one person reader and a computer program. In the Integrated Reasoning section, the score is given on a 1 to 8 scale and it is not the adaptive but the quantitative and the Verbal sections in which you have to answer the questions and cannot leave unanswered or return to the previous questions. After the GMAT test, you will get your unofficial GMAT score and you will have the option to keep and cancel the score.
Which Called a Good GMAT Score?
It will provide you a good baseline when considering the GMAT score goal, it is considered as the best idea to look to the applicants’ mean or the average GMAT score for the MBA programs that you are thinking to apply. In GMAT, the Quantitative and the Verbal sections are scored from 0 to 60, which means, that the score for the Quantitative section is at 39 and for the Verbal section is at 27. The GMAT score for the business schools and the MBA programs is the combined 200 to 800 score and the mean score is 552.
The GMAT percentile rankings are given on the basis of the score report. Every year the percentile rankings are recalculated that is based on the past 3 years of test-takers. It is clear that each section has the same score every year, but the percentile rankings gradually change year to year.
Below we have explained some percentile score and the test-takers who achieved this score and their relationship between them as well.
|
Percentile Score |
Total GMAT Score |
| Top 10% of all test takers | 710 |
| Top 25% of all test takers | 650 |
| Top 50% of all test takers | 580 |
| Below 50th percentile | 570 |
Well, the above data is taken on the basis of the performance of GMAT test-takers from the year 2013-2015.
Students who gain an average score in the MBA programs in the range of 710 put them into 90% of all test-takers or higher. If you are a student and applying for the MBA programs, then, you have to set the target to score 710 or higher in the GMAT exam.
What is the Cost of the GMAT Exam?
To giving the GMAT exam, the cost is $250 and it includes sending the score reports for five programs of their choice. It is essential to choose the right way and time to give the GMAT exam. Also, you should prepare the test in the right way so that you should not pay more fees and you pay for it only once.
Conclusion
In the end, the conclusion comes that for taking admission to Business schools for getting a graduate in the MBA program, you have to present your GMAT score. You have read about all the information regarding GMAT scores, top colleges, cost, benefits of GMAT, and much more in the above article. There are a number of business schools who accepts different GMAT scores which helps in knowing the institute about the student’s capability and fluency of learning and writing English. A great weight-age of GMAT exists that is the reason why many students firstly prepare for the GMAT test after that, they think about studying an MBA in popular college. You have read above that the scope and the advantages of the GMAT exam are not limited to only MBA admission but its benefits can go far beyond. If you have a good GMAT score, then, you can surely leverage your knowledge as this is the age of gaining information as more as you can, so that you can gain benefits of GMAT learning experiences after finishing the MBA study. I hope, this article has helped you the most in gaining information about GMAT.
