The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is a standardized test that is widely used for admission to graduate business programs, primarily MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs. It assesses a person's analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills in standard written English.

Here are the main components of the GMAT:

1. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA): This section requires test-takers to analyze the reasoning behind a given argument and write a critique of that argument. It is designed to evaluate your ability to think critically and communicate ideas.

2. Integrated Reasoning (IR): This section assesses your ability to analyze and synthesize information from different sources, including graphics, tables, and written passages. It measures your skills in data interpretation and decision-making.

3. Quantitative Reasoning: This part of the GMAT evaluates your mathematical skills and your ability to analyze data. It includes both problem-solving and data sufficiency questions.

4. Verbal Reasoning: This section measures your ability to read and understand written material, evaluate arguments, and correct sentences for grammar and style. It includes reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction questions.

The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the difficulty level of the questions adapts based on your performance. If you answer questions correctly, the subsequent questions may be more challenging, and if you answer incorrectly, the difficulty level may decrease.

Business schools use GMAT scores as one of the factors in their admissions process. A high GMAT score is often seen as an indicator of a candidate's ability to succeed in a rigorous MBA program. However, it's important to note that GMAT scores are just one component of a comprehensive application that typically includes academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays, and sometimes interviews.