What is the Purpose of GMAT?
The GMAT Focus Edition is the exam to be taken to secure a spot in business schools and is accepted by more than 7,000+ programs at over 2,000+ business schools worldwide. The exam helps business school aspirants to stand out during the admissions process. The GMAT exam measures critical thinking, reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving skills that are most relevant and required to graduate business programs.
The GMAT Exam – Focus Edition is composed of three sections that showcase the specific skills required to succeed in a graduate management program. By taking this exam, it clearly showcases the candidate’s commitment, motivation, and ability to succeed in a business school.
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Data Insights
The duration of the GMAT Focus Edition is 2 hours and 15 minutes, with an optional 10-minute break.
| Section | No of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | 21 | 45 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 23 | 45 minutes |
| Data Insights | 20 | 45 minutes |
GMAT Test Format
Question Review and Edit
Using this feature, you are allowed to edit responses during the test. In case you are unsure of some questions, you can bookmark the questions to review and edit them later. It is important to note that you can review as many questions as you want, but you can edit only 3 responses.
Select Section Order
You can answer the three sections in any order you choose. The optional 10-minute break can also be taken when you want. This helps you adapt to the exam based on your preparation, thus giving you the opportunity to perform at your best.
Flexible Score Sending
You can decide which school to send your scores to after you have taken the exam. If you are not happy with the scores, you can choose not to send them.
Faster Score Report
The official score report will be sent within 3 to 5 days of the test day. The score report will capture the complete details of your performance.
- Performance by Section
- Performance by program and school is evaluated.
- Performance by content, question type, and skill is evaluated.
- Pacing and Time Management
GMAT Focus Edition Exam Content
Quantitative Reasoning
This section evaluates your arithmetic and algebraic foundation knowledge and your ability to apply this to problem-solving. This section has 21 problem-solving questions. It assesses your logical and analytical skills. The calculator cannot be used in this section.
Verbal Reasoning
There are two question types tested in this section: Reading comprehension and Critical Reasoning.
Reading Comprehension: This question type tests the following reading skills: Main idea, supporting idea, inference, logical structure, and style.
Critical Reasoning
In this question type, your ability to evaluate arguments and evaluate a plan of action is tested. The questions are based on short reading passages of about 100 words, followed by a question that asks you to choose an option that either strengthens or weakens the argument, or check if the argument is flawed or identify the answer option that supports or weakens the argument.
Data Insights
This entire section evaluates the candidate’s ability to analyse and interpret data and apply it to real-world business situations. This section has 20 questions and evaluates how multiple sources of information relate to one another. The information could include graphic, numeric, or verbal details. You are allowed to use the calculator in this section.
There are different types of questions in this section:
- Data Sufficiency: You need to analyse a quantitative problem and identify which data is relevant.
- Multi-source Reasoning: You must examine data from multiple sources such as text passages, tables, graphics, or a combination of all three and then analyse each data to answer multiple questions.
- Table Analysis: You must analyse a table of data and then determine what information is relevant or what information meets certain conditions.
- Graphics Interpretation: Data will be presented in the form of a graph, and you need to establish the relationship and arrive at inferences.
- Two-part Analysis: You will be presented with complex problems that could be quantitative, verbal, or both. A candidate’s ability to solve simultaneous equations and discern relationships between entities is measured.
GMAT Scoring Pattern
The total score ranges from 205 to 805 and all the score values end in 5.
The section scores range from 60 to 90.
| Section | Score Range | Score Intervals |
|---|---|---|
| Total score | 105-805 | 10 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 60-90 | 1 |
| Verbal Reasoning | 60-90 | 1 |
| Data Insights | 60-90 | 1 |
Candidates will receive an unofficial score report immediately after completing the exam. The score will be displayed on the screen, but you are not allowed to record, save, or print out the unofficial score report. Instead, you will receive an email with the score details.
Score Penalty for Unanswered Questions:
If you leave any question unanswered, a penalty will be applied. You must ensure that all questions are answered within the specified time limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can take the GMAT exam 5 times in a 12-month rolling period and 8 times in a lifetime.
Yes, the test can be taken from home, online. There are several key action items to be taken care of before your appointment to ensure that your test day goes smoothly.
You are permitted to carry the required ID document, appointment confirmation email received from Pearson Vue, prescribed eyeglasses, a light sweater, and any other comfort items if approved in advance.
No, you cannot carry your watch to the test centre. It has to be stored in a locker.
Yes, you can take the scheduled 10-minute break when you want to, but you have to wait until you see the message on your screen.