GMAT 101

Answer 1

The GMAT, otherwise known as the Graduate Management Admissions Test, is a required test for many Graduate business degree programs. Although the test format is scheduled to change in June 2012, the current format is divided into three sections verbal, quantitative and analytical writing assessment.

Verbal Section

The verbal portion of the GMAT is divided into three areas of questions sentence correction, reading comprehension and critical reasoning. This portion of the exam is testing the test taker's ability to read and understand the English language and is 75 minutes long. There are 41 questions in this portion of the exam.

Qualtitative Section

The qualitative section is the math section of the GMAT. In this portion of the exam, there are 37 questions on data sufficiency and problem solving. The qualitative portion of the exam is 75 minutes long and test takers are expected to answer all 37 of the questions.

Analytical Writing Assessment

The analytical writing assessment (AWA) section of the GMAT exam is often considered one of the least important sections of the exam. However, business schools are informed of a test taker's performance on this portion of the test. It is scored separately from the verbal and qualitative sections of the GMAT. Currently, two essay questions are required for the analytical writing assessment; one which is an analysis of an issue and a second question which is an analysis of an argument. Currently, this portion of the exam is an hour long. However, with the upcoming changes scheduled for 2012, this portion of the test is expected to be reduced to 30 minutes. Also, it is anticipated that the number of questions will be reduced to one, instead of two.

Alternative Exams

Although most business schools require the GMAT exam be taken as part of the application process, more and more schools are also accepting the Graduate Record Exam, also known as the GRE. The GRE is a general admissions test for graduate school and is accepted by many different types of programs.

Also, many business schools have their own entrance exams that they require applicants to take as part of the application process. Usually, these exams are similar to the GMAT, but highlight specific skills and abilities that they are seeking for their particular program.

In India, the Common Admissions Test, or CAT, is a widely used exam for the Indian Institutes of Management program. This test is accepted by many MBA programs and it is anticipated that the test will soon be available outside of India.

Although the GMAT is the most widely accepted entrance exam for business schools, many schools accept alternative tests from their applicants. Before taking and submitting any entrance exam for graduate school, make sure that the school you are applying to accepts that exam.