This Report Contains information regarding:
• What is GMAT?
• Computer-Adaptive Format
• Verbal Section
• Quantitative Section
• Analytical Writing Assessment Section
• GMAT Scores and Reports
• How do Schools Use Your Scores?
• Selecting Your Score-Report Recipients
Graduate Management Admission Test® and GMAT® are registered
trademarks of the Graduate Management Admission Council®. All
rights reserved with them only. This site has nothing to do with
them.
What is GMAT?
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized
assessment—delivered in English—that helps business
schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study
in business and management. Schools use the test as one predictor
of academic performance in an MBA program or in other graduate management
programs. The GMAT exam is a test of general skills and abilities
that you have acquired over time. Do your best by understanding
the format and content of the test.
What does the GMAT Test Measures?
The GMAT exam measures basic verbal, mathematical and analytical
writing skills that you have developed in your education and work.
It does NOT measure:
• your knowledge of business
• your job skills
• specific content in your undergraduate or first university
course work
• your abilities in any other specific subject area
• subjective qualities—such as motivation, creativity
and interpersonal skills
Format and Timing:
The GMAT exam consists of three main parts:
1. The Analytical Writing Assessment
2. The Quantitative section
3. The Verbal section
1. Analytical Writing Assessment:
The GMAT exam begins with the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA).
The AWA consists of two separate writing tasks:
a. Analysis of an Issue
b. Analysis of an Argument.
You are allowed 30 minutes to complete each one.
2. Quantitative Section:
Following an optional ten-minute break, you begin the Quantitative
Section of the GMAT exam. This section contains 37 multiple-choice
questions of two question types:
a. Data Sufficiency
b. Problem Solving
You are allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section.
3. Verbal Section:
After a second optional ten-minute break, you begin the Verbal Section
of the GMAT exam. This section contains 41 multiple choice questions
of three question types:
a. Reading Comprehension
b. Critical Reasoning
c. Sentence Correction
You are allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire
section.
Computer-Adaptive Format
The Graduate Management Admission Test consists of four separately
timed sections. Each of the first two sections consists of an
analytical writing task. The remaining two sections (Quantitative
and Verbal) consist of multiple-choice questions delivered in
a computer-adaptive format. Questions in these sections are dynamically
selected as you take the test. The multiple-choice questions will
adjust to your ability level and your test will be unique.
How Does It Work?
For each multiple-choice section of the GMAT exam, there is a
large pool of potential questions ranging from a low to high level
of difficulty. Each section of the test starts with a question
of moderate difficulty. If you answer the first question correctly,
the computer will usually give you a harder question. If you answer
the first question incorrectly, your next question will be easier.
This process will continue until you complete the section, at
which point the computer will have an accurate assessment of your
ability level in that subject area.
In a computer-adaptive test, only one question at a time is presented.
Because the computer scores each question before selecting the
next one, you may not skip, return to, or change your responses
to previous questions.
What If You Make a Mistake or Guess?
If you answer a question incorrectly by mistake or correctly by
randomly guessing, your answers to subsequent questions will lead
you back to questions that are at the appropriate level of difficulty
for you.
Random guessing can significantly lower your scores. So, if you
do not know the answer to a question, you should try to eliminate
as many answer choices as possible and then select the answer
you think is best. For more testing strategies, see Test-Taking
Strategies.
What if I don’t finish?
Pacing is critical, as there is a severe penalty for not completing.
Both the time and number of questions that remain in the section
are displayed on the screen during the exam. There are 37 Quantitative
questions and 41 Verbal questions. If a question is too time-consuming
or if you don’t know the answer, make an educated guess
by first eliminating the answers you know to be wrong.
How Is Your Score Determined?
Your score is determined by:
•
the number of questions you answer,
•
whether you answer the questions correctly or incorrectly and
•
the level of difficulty and other statistical characteristics
of each question.
The questions in an adaptive test are weighted according to their
difficulty and other statistical properties, not according to
their position in the test.
Are All Questions Counted?
Every test contains trial multiple-choice questions being pretested
for use in a real exam. These questions are not identified and
appear in different locations within the test. You should, therefore,
do your best on all questions. Answers to trial questions are
not counted in the scoring of your test.
What Computer Skills Do You Need?
You need only minimal computer skills to complete the GMAT exam.
Familiarize yourself with the mechanics of taking a computer-adaptive
test by using the computer quite often. Your practice should
cover such topics as:
•
using a mouse
•
entering responses
•
moving on to the next question
•
using the word processor
•
accessing the Help function
Before the day of your test, become familiarized with computer
operation. Although you will be able to use a Help function during
the test, the time spent doing so will count against the time
allotted for completing a test section.
Verbal Section
The Verbal section of the Graduate Management Admission
Test measures your ability to:
•
read and comprehend written material,
•
reason and evaluate arguments and
•
correct written material to conform to standard written English
Three types of multiple-choice questions are used in the
Verbal section of the GMAT exam. They are:
1.
Reading Comprehension,
2.
Critical Reasoning
3.
Sentence Correction
Reading Comprehension Questions:
Reading Comprehension passages are up to 350 words long. Topics
contain material from the social sciences, physical or biological
sciences and business-related areas (marketing, economics, human
resource management, etc.).
Because the Reading Comprehension section of the GMAT exam includes
passages from several different content areas, you may be generally
familiar with some of the material. However, no specific knowledge
of the material is required. All questions are to be answered
on the basis of what is stated or implied in the reading material.
Reading Comprehension passages are accompanied by interpretive,
applied and inferential questions.
What Is Measured?
Reading Comprehension questions measure your ability to understand,
analyze and apply information and concepts presented in written
form.
This section evaluates the following abilities:
• Understanding words and statements in reading passages:
Questions of this type test your understanding of and ability
to comprehend terms used in the passage and your understanding
of the English language.
• Understanding the logical relationships between significant
points and concepts in the reading passages: Questions of this
type ask you to determine the strong and weak points of an argument
or to evaluate the importance of arguments and ideas in a passage.
• Drawing inferences from facts and statements in the reading
passages: Questions of this type ask you to consider factual statements
or information and on the basis of that information, reach a general
conclusion.
• Understanding and following the development of quantitative
concepts as they are presented in verbal material: Questions of
this type involve the interpretation of numerical data or the
use of simple arithmetic to reach conclusions about material in
a passage.
Critical Reasoning Questions:
Critical Reasoning questions are designed to test the reasoning
skills involved in making arguments, evaluating arguments and
formulating or evaluating a plan of action. Questions are based
on materials from a variety of sources. No familiarity with the
specific subject matter is needed.
What Is Measured
This section measures your ability to reason effectively
in three areas:
• Argument construction: Questions of this type may ask
you to recognize the basic structure of an argument, properly
drawn conclusions, underlying assumptions, well-supported explanatory
hypotheses, or parallels between structurally similar arguments.
• Argument evaluation: Questions of this type may ask you
to analyze a given argument, recognize factors that would strengthen
or weaken an argument, reasoning errors committed in making an
argument, or aspects of the methods by which an argument proceeds.
• Formulating and evaluating a plan of action: Questions
of this type may ask you to recognize the relative appropriateness,
effectiveness, or efficiency of different plans of action; factors
that would strengthen or weaken a proposed plan of action; or
assumptions underlying a proposed plan of action.
Sentence Correction Questions:
Sentence Correction questions ask you which of the five choices
best expresses an idea or relationship. The questions will require
you to be familiar with the stylistic conventions and grammatical
rules of standard written English. You must also demonstrate your
ability to improve incorrect or ineffective expressions.
What Is Measured
This section tests two broad aspects of language proficiency:
• Correct expression: A correct sentence is grammatically
and structurally sound. It conforms to all the rules of standard
written English, e.g., noun-verb agreement, pronoun consistency,
pronoun case, and verb tense sequence. A correct sentence will
not have dangling, misplaced, or improperly formed modifiers,
unidiomatic or inconsistent expressions, or faults in parallel
construction.
• Effective expression: An effective sentence expresses
an idea or relationship clearly and concisely, as well as grammatically.
This does not mean that the choice with the fewest and simplest
words is necessarily the best answer. It means that there are
no superfluous words or needlessly complicated expressions in
the best choice. In addition, an effective sentence uses proper
diction—the standard dictionary meanings of words and the
appropriateness of words in context. In evaluating the diction
of a sentence, you must be able to recognize whether the words
are well chosen, accurate, and suitable for the context.
Quantitative Section
The Quantitative section of the Graduate Management Admission
Test measures the ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative
problems and interpret graphic data. Two types of multiple-choice
questions are used in the Quantitative section of the GMAT.
1.
Problem Solving
2.
Data Sufficiency.
Problem-Solving and Data-Sufficiency questions are intermingled
throughout the section. Both types of questions require knowledge
of:
•
arithmetic,
•
elementary algebra, and
•
commonly known concepts of geometry
Problem-Solving Questions:
Problem-Solving questions are designed to test:
•
basic mathematical skills,
•
understanding of elementary mathematical concepts, and
•
the ability to reason quantitatively and solve quantitative problems.
Data-Sufficiency Questions:
Data-Sufficiency questions are designed to measure your ability
to:
•
analyze a quantitative problem,
•
recognize which information is relevant, and
•
determine at what point there is sufficient information to solve
a problem.
Data-Sufficiency questions are accompanied by some initial information
and two statements, labeled (1) and (2). You must decide whether
the statements given offer enough data to enable you to answer
the question. You must choose one of the following answers:
•
Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) is not sufficient.
•
Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) is not sufficient.
•
BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement
ALONE is sufficient.
•
EACH statement ALONE is sufficient.
•
Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.
Analytical Writing Assessment Section
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) of the Graduate Management
Admission Test is designed as a direct measure of your ability
to think critically and to communicate your ideas. The AWA consists
of two 30-minute writing tasks.
1.
Analysis of an Issue
2.
Analysis of an Argument
The issues and arguments presented on the test concern topics
of general interest related to business or a variety of other
subjects. A specific knowledge of the essay topic is not necessary.
Only your capacity to write analytically is assessed.
Analysis of an Issue:
For the Analysis of an Issue section, you will need to analyze
the issue presented and explain your point of view on the subject.
There is no correct answer. Instead, you should consider various
perspectives. Use relevant reasons or examples drawn from your
experience, observations, or reading to develop your own position
on the issue.
What Is Measured?
The Analysis of an Issue tests your ability to explore the complexities
of an issue or opinion and, if appropriate, to take a position
that is informed by your understanding.
Analysis of an Argument
For the Analysis of an Argument section, you will need to analyze
the reasoning behind a given argument and write a critique of
that argument. You are not being asked to present your own views
on the subject.
Consider the following when developing your essay:
•
What questionable assumptions underlie the thinking behind the
argument?
•
What alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken
the conclusion?
•
What sort of evidence could help strengthen or refute the argument?
What Is Measured?
The Analysis of an Argument section tests your ability to formulate
an appropriate and constructive critique of a specific conclusion
based on a specific line of thinking.
You may download the complete list of current Analytical Writing
Assessment (AWA) argument topics and issue topics used during
the administration of the GMAT® exam.
GMAT Scores and Reports
Your GMAT scores are one measure of your potential for academic
success in a graduate business program. Learn everything you need
to know about them, including what they mean, how schools use
them and how to send them to the schools of your choice.
Understanding Your GMAT Scores:
The Graduate Management Admission Test yields
four scores: Verbal, Quantitative, Total and Analytical Writing
Assessment. Each of these scores is reported on a fixed scale
and will appear on the official GMAT score reports that you and
your designated score recipients (programs) receive.
Your Score Report:
Score reports include all your GMAT scores from tests taken in
the last five (5) years. The contact and demographic information
that was required for you to register for the test will also appear
on your score report.
The digital photograph you provided at the test center will be
sent with your score report to the score recipients you select,
if those recipients have asked to receive such information. In
addition, if you provided the following background information
during registration or on the day of the test, it may also appear
on your score report: telephone number, undergraduate institution,
grade point average (GPA), major field of study, date of graduation,
intended graduate study and the highest level of education attained.
This information is self-reported and will be marked as such.
For each of your scores on the GMAT test (Verbal, Quantitative,
Total, and Analytical Writing Assessment) you will receive a percentile
rank. Each rank indicates the percentage of examinees who scored
below you based on the scores of the entire GMAT testing population
for the most recent three-year period. Your percentile rank may
change from year to year. However, your scaled score never changes.
You can download a sample score report to understand how your
GMAT scores compare with all other GMAT test takers from the past
three (3) years.
Total, Verbal and Quantitative Scores:
Total GMAT scores range from 200 to 800. Two-thirds of test takers
score between 400 and 600.
The Verbal and Quantitative scores range from 0 to 60. Scores
below 9 and above 44 for the Verbal section or below 7 and above
50 for the Quantitative section are rare. Both scores are on a
fixed scale and can be compared across all GMAT test administrations.
The Verbal and Quantitative scores measure different constructs
and cannot be compared to each other.
Please note that, if you do not finish in the allotted time, you
will still receive scores as long as you have worked on every
section. However, your scores will be calculated based upon the
number of questions answered and your score will decrease significantly
with each unanswered question.
Analytical Writing Assessment Score:
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) score is an average of
the ratings given to the Analysis of an Issue and the Analysis
of an Argument sections.
Each response is given two independent ratings. Once both essays
have been scored, the scores are averaged to provide an overall
score. Scores for the AWA range from 0 to 6 in half-point intervals.
Writing scores are computed separately from the multiple-choice
scores and have no effect on the Verbal, Quantitative or Total
scores.
How AWA Is Scored?
Each of your essays in the AWA section will be given two independent
ratings, one of which may be performed by an automated essay-scoring
engine. The automated essay-scoring engine is an electronic system
that evaluates more than 50 structural and linguistic features,
including organization of ideas, syntactic variety and topical
analysis.
If the two ratings differ by more than one point, another evaluation
by an expert reader is required to resolve the discrepancy and
determine the final score.
College and university faculty members trained as readers
for the AWA will consider the following:
•
the overall quality of your ideas about the issue and argument
presented
•
your overall ability to organize, develop, and express those ideas
•
the relevant supporting reasons and examples you used
•
your ability to control the elements of standard written English
In considering the elements of standard written English, readers
are trained to be sensitive and fair in evaluating the responses
of examinees whose first language is not English.
If you have reason to believe that your scores for the Analytical
Writing Assessment (AWA) portion of the GMAT test are not accurate,
you may request that your essays be rescored.
When Are GMAT Scores Available?
When you schedule your GMAT appointment you will be asked to indicate
if you wish to access your Official Score Report online or in
the mail. Please note that you must respond to both essay prompts
and work on each multiple-choice section of the test in order
to obtain an Official Score Report.
Unofficial scores from the Verbal and Quantitative multiple-choice
sections, along with the Total score, are available immediately
after you complete the test. The Unofficial Score Report will
also contain an authorization number.
If you chose to receive your Official Score Report online, you
will generally receive an e-mail within 20 calendar days of testing,
with a link to access your Official Score Report online. After
clicking the link you must enter the authorization number from
the Unofficial Score Report to view the Official Score Report.
You may view, download or print your Official Score Report, which
includes the AWA score.
If you opted to receive your Official Score Report by mail, it
will be sent to you approximately 20 calendar days after testing.
Please note that it may take longer than 20 calendar days for
the Official Score Report to reach you due to variances in delivery
time.
Programs that you select to receive your scores while at the test
center will receive your Official Score Report approximately 20
calendar days after testing. If you send your scores to programs
by ordering an Additional Score Report (ASR) after your testing
experience, those programs will receive your scores in approximately
seven (7) calendar days after your score has become reportable.
Retaking the GMAT Exam:
Sometimes it is necessary or desirable to take the GMAT test more
than once. For example, a graduate management program may request
more recent scores than you have on record. However, unless your
scores seem unusually low compared with other indicators of your
preparation for graduate management study or unless there are
other reasons to believe that you did not do your best on a test
for which scores have been reported, taking the GMAT test again
may not be helpful.
Statistically, retesting is unlikely to result in a substantial
increase in your scores. In fact, your scores may decrease. If
you repeat the test, any scores for tests you have taken in the
past five years will still be reported to the graduate management
programs you designate as score recipients. If you repeat the
test and want to resend your scores to programs that previously
received your scores, you must reselect the programs at the time
you take the test or order an Additional Score Report after your
exam with the appropriate fee. Any repeated GMAT testing is subject
to the GMAT retest policy.
How do Schools Use Your Scores?
GMAT scores have two important characteristics:
• They are reliable measures of certain developed skills
that have been found to be important in the study of management
at the graduate level. They have also been shown to be good predictors
of academic success in the first year of study at graduate schools
of management.
• Unlike undergraduate grade point averages (or assessments)
and curricula, which vary in their meaning across institutions,
GMAT scores provide school professionals with a consistent, standardized
evaluation tool for all applicants.
GMAC has published guidelines for the use of GMAT scores. The
guidelines are provided to all graduate management schools that
use GMAT scores. The test alone does not measure all the characteristics
related to success in graduate school. Admissions committees may
also consider an applicant’s undergraduate record and other
information obtained from applications, interviews and letters
of recommendation.
Each school evaluates the scores in its own way. There are no
passing or failing GMAT® scores. Your GMAT performance can
be related by a school to that of the original 1954 scales, the
total testing population for the past three (3) years or others
applying to the same school (local norms).
If you have questions about how individual schools use your GMAT
scores, please contact the business schools directly.
Selecting Your Score-Report Recipients
On the day you take the Graduate Management Admission Test, before
you begin the exam, you may select up to five (5) MBA Schools
or other schools to receive your Official Score Report. These
recipients will receive the Official Score Report within 20 calendar
days of your test. This service is covered by your registration
fee. Once you have made your selections, you will not be able
to change or delete them.
Ordering Additional Score Reports:
If you did not select any GMAT Programs to receive your scores
on the day of your exam, or if you would like to send your scores
to more than the five (5) programs you selected on your test day,
you may order Additional Score Reports to be sent to schools online,
by phone, by fax or by mail for a fee. There is separate fee for
sending Additional Score Reports.
When you order an Additional Score Report to be sent to a school,
you will also receive a copy. To order a duplicate candidate copy
of your score report (to be sent to you directly), please contact
us by phone.
You will incur taxes to request for Additional Score Reports in
certain countries.
Once your scores are reportable, Additional Score Reports will
be sent within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of the request.
Non-U.S. test takers should allow for a longer delivery time.
You may order Additional Score Reports online. You may also submit
your request for Additional Score Reports by phone.
Ordering Additional Score Reports by Mail or
Fax:
To order Additional Score Reports by mail or fax, you must first
complete an Additional Score Report
Request form and may mail the form to:
Pearson VUE
Attention: GMAT Program
PO Box 581907
Minneapolis, MN 55458-1907
USA
