What is the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)?

The graduate management admission test (GMAT) refers to a standardized test, provided to measure the aptitude of a test taker in analytical writing and mathematics. 

The GMAT is a requirement for students who intend to get admission into master’s degree programs. 

It is also a requirement for post-graduate education scholarship applications in most countries.

How does the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Work?

The GMAT is a widely recognized program done in more than 5,8000 management programs and businesses across the world. 

It assesses the verbal, arithmetic, analytical writing skills, and integrated reasoning developed in an individual’s education and work. 

Nonetheless, this exam does not evaluate an individual’s specific content in his or her job skills or undergraduate course work. 

The administration of the exam is by use of a computer (computerized test). 

However, in countries with limited computer networks, the test is given as a paper test the language of instruction for the exams in English.

Sections of GMAT

The GMAT contains four distinct sections. However, some sections like analysis skills and critical thinking will appear throughout the test, the way it will when you begin your master’s degree coursework. 

The GMAT content is in four sections of the scored exam. 

They are in a combination of two, and the score for each part is separately done, though they also combined to help come up with a composite score for an applicant. 

They are as follows:

• Analytical writing assessment
• Verbal selection
• Quantitative section
• Integrated reasoning

Note that the GMAT maximum score that one must achieve is 800. 

The exam scores are valid for five years once a candidate completes the exam.

Why GMAT Matters?

The development and administration of the GMAT are by test-makers called Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), who provide business schools with standard applicants’ readiness for graduate academic work. 

So, the committees of business schools look at the applicant’s GMAT score, together with the academic records, work experience, and any other supporting material. 

They use all these to assess the applicant’s readiness to take an MBA program. 

The GMAT test helps to measure the applicant’s command of algebra, basic arithmetic, geometry, grammar, and multi-source data analysis. It also measures the applicant’s ability to evaluate and analyze written material, think critically, as well as solve problems. 

The GMAT mainly tests the critical thinking skills of an applicant.

When an applicant understands how to reason through and do information analysis well, he or she will be sure to get a great GMAT score. 

Note that a high score on the GMAT gives a candidate a direct and positive impact on his or her business school application.

Generally, a GMAT has proved to be a valid academic performance predictor in MBA as well as other business masters programs. 

It provides a standard measure of academic skills for admissions. 

Remember that with entry, you have to select applicants from a wide range of educational programs and undergraduate across the globe, who also have professional experience that varies.

GMAT’s Section Orders

GMAT test applicants can select the order in which they prefer to take the GMAT test. 

Before an applicant begins the test, he or she will be able to choose a section order of preference at the testing center upon completion of computer tutorials. 

There are three orders sections from which a candidate can choose:

• Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Qualitative, Verbal
• Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
• Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

How Long Does Each Exam Last?

Generally, it takes approximately four hours for a student to complete the tests, including optional breaks. 

The following is a list of the test section with the time it takes for a candidate to complete each one of them:

• Analytical Writing Assessment- 1 essay lasting for 30 minutes
• Integrated reasoning- 12 questions that last over 30 minutes
• Quantitative section- 37 quizzes with multiple choice that last over 75 minutes

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