The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer based international assessments test which is used in the assessment procedure for admissions into international business and management institutions. It is conducted by an organization called Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and is accepted worldwide by more than 1500 business and management institutions, offering more than 5500 programs. This test aims at testing a candidate's analytical, writing & reading skills along with the verbal and quantitative aptitude.

GMAT is a computer-adaptive test. In a Computer Adaptive Test, the computer displays only one question at a time. The test initially begins with average difficulty level questions and as one answers those questions, depending on the correctness of each answer, the computer displays the future questions accordingly. So, in case your answer is incorrect, the following question will be much easier and will have a lesser point value and conversely, a correct answer will lead you to a more difficult question with a bigger point value. It is thus clear that the more number of difficult questions you answer, the higher will be your score.

WHEN IS GMAT HELD?

GMAT is held all round the year. A candidate can choose a date and time from the mentioned dates and time slots (mostly two slots: 9 A.M. and 2 P.M).

GMAT is administered 5 days a week (Monday to Friday) and twice a day.

Note: September to December is the peak season to take up the GMAT. So, if you’re willing to take up the GMAT during this time, you’ll need to make a registration quite early ( few months in advance). Otherwise,. The test lasts roughly four hours, and most centres

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE TAKING UP GMAT

GMAT could be a reliable option for admissions into international business schools. There are a number of top finance, consulting and banking firms which prefer to select candidates with a high GMAT score.

To determine and evaluate the business schools which accept GMAT scores, check the following link:

List of schools - http://www.mba.com/schools-and-programs/programs-that-accept-the-gmat.aspx

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Any student with bachelor’s degree from a recognized university can appear for the GMAT test. (Applicants below 18 years of age are supposed to submit a written form duly sign up by their parents or guardians).

REGISTRATION AND FEE

Any candidate can register for GMAT by phone, e-mail, or by fax.

• To register, a candidate has to first create an account on the official GMAT website. Here’s the link https://www.mba.com/service/reg-profile.aspx
• The candidate should then fill up the registration form

The fee for GMAT is US $250, which could be paid by a Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or JCB) or a Debit card (Visa or MasterCard only)

Note:

•  Make sure to spell your name and birth date exactly as printed on the primary ID proof (your passport) which you will present at the test centre.
• The cost of rescheduling GMAT is US $50.
• It’s mandatory to register at least 15 days before the exam date.

FORMAT

GMAT exam has 4 sections: Analytic Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative and Verbal. The number of questions and time limit for each section is depicted below:

1.      Integrated Reasoning section

This section has been introduced in the GMAT exam on June 5th, 2012. It tests your reasoning skills which would be more quantitative oriented, even though it will test some verbal oriented reasoning skills as well.

This section consists of four different types of questions which test your ability to evaluate and integrate data from various sources into different formats.

• Graphics Interpretation: Evaluate the graph data or graphical image and then choose an answer from the given options.
• Two-Part Analysis Choose an answer from options in each column to solve a question with a two-part solution
• Table Analysis: Classify the table to arrange the data such that you can identify whether some specific conditions are satisfied.
• Multi-Source Reasoning Click on the page to reflect different data and discover which data is required to solve the problem.

Note: The candidate will have access to an on-screen calculator in this section.

2.   Analytical Writing Section:

This section consists of one 30-minute essay which is an analysis of a given argument. You have to write an essay, arguing either in support of, or against the given argument. This section will test your thinking and ability to build a conclusion from an argument.

3.  Quantitative section:

This section uses the computer adaptive testing. Questions are of two types:

• Problem Solving

These are multiple choice type questions which test your ability to understand the given information to solve quantitative problems

• Data Sufficiency

These are data sufficiency type questions which test your ability to determine at which point does the problem needs sufficient information to get solved.

4.  Verbal Section:

This section tests your English proficiency and reading comprehension skills. This section has 3 types of multiple choice type questions.

• Reading comprehension

These questions measure your ability to read and understand all the statements given in a paragraph and identify the logical relationships between those statements to answer a question.

• Critical Reasoning

These questions test your reasoning skills required to evaluate an argument to solve a question.

• Sentence Correction

These questions, as the name suggests, measures your skills to identify the correct expression which is required to complete a given sentence.

SYLLABUS

There’s no specific syllabus for GMAT. However in overall, GMAT requires:

• English proficiency, writing and reasoning skills( for Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning and Verbal section), and
• Mathematical skills like knowledge of elementary algebra, arithmetic and geometry (for Quantitative section).

USEFUL TIPS

Remember that there’s no negative marking in GMAT. So make sure you answer all the questions.

Analytical Writing

• Plan before you write
• Use basic vocabulary and avoid using complex words.
• Make and then follow a template, like how to write an introduction, conclusion etc.
• Use a variety of structures.
• Proofread after you’re done.

Integrated Reasoning

• Get familiar with the question formats (visit the official GMAT site for sample questions).
• Make use of the on-screen calculator.
• Practice on graph based reasoning questions.
• Try to sort or classify the given data tables.

Quantitative Reasoning

• Concentrate on identifying the completeness of given data while solving data sufficiency questions.
• Try to formulate the questions in your ways, like using figures.
•  Avoid investing a lot of time on the lengthy questions and unnecessary calculations.
• Practice mock tests.

Note: Make sure you use the “elimination rule” for every possible question.

TIME MANAGEMENT

Remember that there’s a sectional time limit for each section. GMAT test, like CAT, doesn’t allow you to navigate back to a previous section, but unlike CAT it however allows to proceed to a next section without any time constraint.

As per the overall time limit, the time allocation for each question should be 2.5 minutes. However, this may vary with the candidate’s skills and level of difficulty in each section.

• Read every question thoroughly but don’t overspend time doing this.
• Try to use some time saving techniques like using the elimination rule.
• Stick to the “Two Reading Rule” which states that you have a read a question at-most twice.
• Keep a track of the on-screen timer and make sure you spare out enough time to proofread your answers before the test completion.

Note: Practicing mock tests is the best way to learn how to manage time in GMAT.

SCORES

An advantage of GMAT being an computer adaptive test is that the overall score (including individual IR, Quant and Verbal scores) is available immediately after the test completion. The analytical writing score is evaluated separately and is released with the official score within 20 days after the test date.

Writing and IR are scaled to 6 and 8 points respectively (not counted in the overall score).

Only the Quantitative and Verbal sections contribute to the overall GMAT score which is scaled to a maximum of 800 points. This score is valid for a period of 5 years from the date of test.

RESOURCES

Any GMAT aspirant can either take up coaching classes at a coaching center or can also prepare for

GMAT through books, available in market or even online.  Some of the best books for GMAT are:

• The Official Guide for GMAT Review by GMAC.
• Manhattan GMAT Complete Strategy Guide Set
• “Word Power made easy “by Norman Lewis( for Verbal).

If you're planning to take up the upcoming GMAT exam, you can post your GMAT coaching requirement here.  You can leave your opinions in the comments section below.