Most schools require GMAT® scores (Graduate Management Admission Test®) as a condition of admission to most MBA (and sometimes EMBA) programs. The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) that is available year- round at test centres throughout the world.
The following information is a rough guide to taking the GMAT, taken from the web site of the GMAC, but we strongly suggest you visit the Graduate Management Admission Council web site at www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT for complete information.
The GMAT on computer:
1. Displays one question at a time, which is chosen from a very large pool of questions categorized by content and difficulty.
2. Has 4 separately timed sections:75 minutes for 37 quantitative questions, 75 minutes for 41 verbal questions and 30 minutes for each of the 2 analytical writing topics
3. Measures general verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills that are developed over a long period of time
4. Is designed to help graduate schools of business assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management
5. Does not presuppose any specific knowledge of business or of other specific content areas
6. Does not measure achievement in any particular subject area
Special Needs
The Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) is also available with non-standard testing accommodations for test takers who have documented disabilities. Check the GMAC web site for further information.
GMAT Tutorials:
Before you arrive at the GMAT® test center, it is very important that you familiarize yourself with the mechanics of taking a computer-adaptive test. Test tutorials have been developed for this purpose. They allow you to review the testing tools you will use to respond to the GMAT questions (both multiple-choice and writing) as well as gain experience using a mouse and scrolling.
Study Strategies
The key to studying for the Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) is to get started early and pace yourself.
We suggest the following steps.
* Read about the format of the GMAT®. (See the articles under the heading “What Is the GMAT?” in the Take the GMAT section of mba.com.)
* Download and use the free GMAT POWERPREP Test-Preparation Software so you can become familiar with the format used in computer-based testing.
* Review the types of questions on the GMAT® by looking at sample questions for each section of the test. (Read the mba.com articles on the Analytical Writing Assessment Section, Verbal Section, and Quantitative Section.)
* To study for the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section of the GMAT®, practice writing an essay on some of the topics in the complete list of AWA essay topics, downloadable on mba.com.
* You can review for the GMAT® using actual retired test questions by purchasing GMAT Paper Tests, which come in a set of three and include GMAT® questions you can't find in other test-prep materials.
* Depending on how long it has been since you studied math, you may want to do a review of basic math skills.
* If you want more sample questions to study, you can buy the Official Guide for GMAT® Review, 11th Edition, the Official Guide for GMAT® Verbal Review, or the Official Guide for GMAT® Quantitative Review. Each guide has hundreds of real GMAT® questions and their answers, as well as a math review section and diagnostic test.
* Review and study one section of the test at a time.
* In the Take the GMAT section of mba.com, read the articles under the heading "Test Day" to find out what you will need to bring to the test and what you should expect at the test center.
* Allow for at least four weeks of studying before taking the test.
Test Prep Courses
Getting your MBA is typically an expensive proposition. Though Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) test-prep courses exist, all the tools you really need to do well on the GMAT® can be obtained free or at a low cost.
If you decide to look into test-prep courses, be wary of those that promise you a definite score increase on the GMAT®. They’re not taking the test for you. The best way to do well on the GMAT® is to study. If you want a structured environment that imitates the Computer-Adaptive GMAT®, you can achieve that with GMAC’s Free GMAT POWERPREP Test Preparation Software.
With all the free information mba.com offers about actual (previously used) GMAT® questions, you can make an informed decision about expensive training courses and preparation materials. You may find you do not need them to do your best on the test.
Test Taking Strategies
Try not to be nervous. You’ll be able to focus better if you’re calm—and you’ll be calm if you arrive at the test center rested, prepared, knowing what to expect, and armed with some solid test-taking strategies.
The night before the test, get plenty of sleep and make sure you have everything you will need to bring to the test center.
Following are suggestions regarding the Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) questions themselves and how to manage the time you have during the test.
The Questions
Read all of the test directions carefully.
* At the beginning of each test section, the total number of questions and the time allowed for the section are stated.
* Because the score per section is based on the number of questions you answer, try to answer as many questions per section as you can.
Read each question carefully before answering.
* If you are reading too quickly, you may miss an important part of the question or gloss over the right answer.
* Remember that you can’t skip around from question to question. You have to answer the question that appears on the screen before you can move on to the next one. (But, if you want to change your answer at any time before you confirm it, just click on a different answer.)
* Once you answer a question and confirm your response, you can’t return to that question. Tip: If you need to review the directions during the test, click on the "HELP" icon.
Should You Guess?
Because you have to answer a question to proceed to the next question, you should try to respond to each GMAT question, even if you need to guess.
The best approach is to give yourself enough time to answer every question. If you are running out of time at the end of a section and there are still unanswered questions, you should try to consider and answer as many questions as possible. Because the number of unanswered questions will lower your score. Keep in mind, too, that guessing at random can also lower your score.
You can still do well on the GMAT if you don’t answer every question correctly. If you can eliminate certain answers but can’t decide between two that you think could be the right answer, then guess. That’s an educated guess, and you are most likely better off making it and continuing with the test.
Managing Your Time
* Understanding the format of the test is important, because you’ll want to gauge your time according to what section of the test you are taking.
* Pace yourself and keep track of your progress by knowing the amount of time you have left (it’s on the test screen). Each section is 75 minutes. You have about two minutes per Quantitative question and about 1.75 minutes per Verbal question.
* Pay attention to the number of questions that remain in a section. There are 37 quantitative section questions. There are 41 verbal section questions.
* Once a section begins, the time allotted starts to run down (shown as “TIME”).
* Clicking on "HELP" doesn’t pause or stop the time.
* Hiding the "TIME" information doesn’t pause or stop the time.
* If you take an unscheduled break, time isn’t paused or stopped for a section
* Between test sections, replenish your supply of scratch paper.
* Take advantage of the five-minute breaks after test sections 2 and 3.
* If a question is too time-consuming or if you do not know the answer, make an educated guess (see above).
* If time is running out for a section and you haven’t answered every question, try to do so. (Remember, the number of questions answered affects your score.)
*
NOTE: You must respond to both essays and each multiple choice section of the test in order to receive scores.
Exiting or Quitting the Test
* If you exit a section and confirm you want to exit that section, you won’t be able to return to it.
* If you click "Test Quit," you won’t receive a score for any section, even if you answered questions for some or all of the sections
* If you click "Section Exit" or "Test Quit,” you have to confirm your decision. So, if you clicked either of these buttons by mistake or you change your mind, just select the option “Return to Where I Was.”
NOTE: The policy on taking the GMAT multiple times is that you can only take one computer-based test per month. If you QUIT the test or canceled your scores, you are still considered to have taken one test for that month.
GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council®.
The GMAC recognizes the fact that the GMAT CAT is not available in some countries. If you are located in a country that does not currently offer the GMAT CAT and you cannot travel to another country to take the test, please contact GMAC through their web site, and advise them of your circumstances.
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