What Is GMAT

Posted: 1/11/2007 by Staff

Many MBA schools use the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) in order to assess the aptitudes of prospective students entering the business programs preparatory to admission to an MBA program.

The GMAT has three main sections; each designed to measure a specific skill. The first section is the Analytical Writing Assessment. You will be given two thirty-minute blocks of time. During the first 30 minutes your assignment is Analysis of an Issue. The second 30-minute block of time is for Analysis of an Argument.

The next section of the GMAT is the Quantitative Section. It consists of 37 multiple-choice questions measuring either Data Sufficiency or Problem Solving. One hour and fifteen minutes is allotted to complete the second section.

The third section of the Graduate Management Admission Test is the Verbal Section. It contains 41 multiple-choice questions designed to measure Reading Comprehension, Sentence Completion or Critical Reasoning. A total of one hour and fifteen minutes is allowed for completion of this section as well.

It is important to realize that GMAT does NOT measure knowledge of business, job skills, and specific undergraduate course content or subjective qualities such as motivation, enthusiasm and creativity.

There are practice tests and study techniques which you can use in preparing for the GMAT, but most important is the tips to come to the test well rested and with a positive attitude. If you are not satisfied with the results of your score, plan on retaking the test at a later date. At least, the second time around, you will know what to expect.