The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT (/ˈdʒiːmæt/ (JEE-mat))) is a computer adaptive test (CAT) intended to assess certain analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills in written English for use in admission to a graduate management program, such as an MBA program.[4] It requires knowledge of certain specific grammar and knowledge of certain specific algebra, geometry, and arithmetic. According to the test-owning company, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) , the GMAT assesses analytical writing and problem-solving abilities while also addressing data sufficiency, logic, and critical reasoning skills that it believes to be vital to real-world business and management success.[5] It can be taken up to five times a year but no more than eight times total. Attempts must be at least 16 days apart.[6]

GMAT is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council.[7] More than 7,000 programs at approximately 2,300+ graduate business schools around the world accept the GMAT as part of the selection criteria for their programs.[8] Business schools use the test as a criterion for admission into a wide range of graduate management programs, includingMBA, Master of Accountancy, Master of Finance programs and others. The GMAT is administered online and in standardized test centers in 114 countries around the world.[5] According to a survey conducted by Kaplan Test Prep, the GMAT is still the number one choice for MBA aspirants.[9] According to GMAC, it has continually performed validity studies to statistically verify that the exam predicts success in business school programs.[10] The number of test-takers of GMAT plummeted from 2012 to 2021.[11]

Format and timing

The GMAT exam consists of four sections: an analytical writing assessment, an integrated reasoning section, a quantitative section, and a verbal section.[17] Total testing time is three hours and seven minutes. Test takers have 30 minutes for the analytical writing assessment and another 30 minutes to work through 12 questions, which often have multiple parts, on the integrated reasoning section and are given 62 minutes to work through 31 questions in the quantitative section and another 65 minutes to get through 36 questions in the verbal section.

The quantitative and verbal sections of the GMAT exam are both multiple-choice and are administered in the computer-adaptive format, adjusting to a test taker's level of ability. At the start of the quantitative and verbal sections, test takers are presented with a question of average difficulty. As questions are answered correctly, the computer presents the test taker with increasingly difficult questions and as questions are answered incorrectly the computer presents the test taker with questions of decreasing difficulty. This process continues until test takers

The quantitative and verbal sections of the GMAT exam are both multiple-choice and are administered in the computer-adaptive format, adjusting to a test taker's level of ability. At the start of the quantitative and verbal sections, test takers are presented with a question of average difficulty. As questions are answered correctly, the computer presents the test taker with increasingly difficult questions and as questions are answered incorrectly the computer presents the test taker with questions of decreasing difficulty. This process continues until test takers

On July 11, 2017, the GMAC announced that from now on the order in which the different parts of the GMAT are taken can be chosen at the beginning of the exam.

Three options will be available at the test center:

• Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal (original order)

• Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

• Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment[18]

In April 2018, the GMAC officially shortened the test by half an hour, shortening the verbal and quantitative sections from 75 minutes each to 65 and 62 minutes, respectively, and shortening some of the instruction screens.

GMAT Score Calculation

Each of your five GMAT Scores i.e. 4 GMAT sections and the total score is reported on a fixed scale. These are your official scores that appear on your GMAT Score Report. Your selected score recipients will receive these scores. Always remember, that the GMAT Total Score Report includes Verbal and Quantitative scores and does not include any other section into account.

The GMAT Score Report comprises of these elements:

• Your Quantitative Score (0 – 60), with percentile

• Your Verbal Score (0 – 60), with percentile

• Your Total GMAT Score (200 – 800), with percentile

• AWA Score (half-integers from 0 to 6), with percentile

• Integrated Reasoning score (integer from 1 to 8)

GMAT Score Range

Here are the minimum and maximum GMAT score range of each section, along with a mean average:

How to access GMAT Score Report?

• Candidates receive a link on their registered Email ID from GMAC.

• Follow the instructions in the Email and with the help of that link candidates can check their official GMAT Score Report.

GMAT Score Validity

Candidates should note that GMAT scores are valid for a period of 5 years. Hence, candidates should check the application deadlines of various universities and schedule their GMAT exam accordingly.

Latest updates in GMAT

GMAC has announced the latest update onGMAT test centres GMAT Online Test.

• The number of times a candidate can take the GMAT online exam will not be limited to 2 now. The online attempts will count toward the overall GMAT attempt limits of 5 in a rolling 12-month period, and 8 in a lifetime.

• The GMAT online exam includes 5 free score reports. The 5 free score reports must be used within 48 hours once the official online exam score is available. Additional score reports can be purchased for US$35 each.

GMAC announces acceptance of the Aadhar Card for the GMAT Online Exam:

Indian students are in for a pleasant surprise, as GMAC - administrator and owner of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) has announced that they would be accepting Aadhar Card as valid ID proof for the GMAT Online exam, starting April 08, 2021. However, candidates would be required to validate their identity using their Aadhar Card or Passport during the registration process. This initiative has been taken by GMAC to make the GMAT 2022 more accessible to a larger student base. However candidates should keep in mind a few pointers and they are, candidates would be required to validate their Aadhar Card during the online exam registration process, Aadhar Card is only being accepted as valid ID proof for appearing for the online format of the GMAT test, the GMAT test centres will only accept a valid passport as ID proof and the new development comes to effect starting April 08, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GMAC has introduced the GMAT Online Exam for those who wish to take the GMAT entrance exam from the convenience of their home rather than going to the GMAT test center. Now candidates have the option to take the GMAT exam online or at a test center near them.

GMAT online exam

With the GMAT Online Exam, candidates have the advantage of scheduling the online exam appointment up to 24 hours before an available testing slot. New appointments for the GMAT Online exam are available on a rolling basis. Candidates can take the GMAT Online exam up to two times. GMAT Online exam attempts will count towards your 5 GMAT exam attempts on a rolling 12-month basis and 8-lifetime attempts.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GMAC has to suspend test-center based GMAT exam for candidates, as worldwide various countries have put restrictions on the movement of citizens. On April-15th-2020, GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), the administrator of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) announced the release of the GMAT Online. Top business schools not insisting on GMAT and some even waive application fees. Universities are also extending deadlines, so more students can apply for admissions.

Why take the GMAT Exam?

It is the most widely accepted exam for MBA admissions worldwide. No other exam has as wide acceptability as GMAT, as per the GMAC, globally 9 out of 10 MBA enrollments are made through GMAT Score. Further, 2,300 + schools accept GMAT Scores for giving admission. Also, there are 650 testing centers in 114 countries that administer the GMAT Exam. Read :-- Know how GMAT exam is much more than an MBA entrance test