GMAT 2023: Registration, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern

GMAT 2023: Registration, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Preparation Tips, Score

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardised examination that measures the skills necessary for success in graduate business and management programs. The GMAT Exam is taken by aspiring MBA students and is required by many business schools worldwide. The computer-based GMAT Exam is accessible year-round at accredited testing facilities.

To be eligible for the GMAT Exam, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. The GMAT Exam can be taken at any age.

The GMAT Exam Syllabus covers four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal. The Analytical Writing Assessment measures the ability to analyse an argument and communicate complex ideas, while the Integrated Reasoning section evaluates problem-solving skills using multiple sources of information. The Quantitative section assesses basic math skills, including arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. In contrast, the Verbal section evaluates the ability to read and comprehend written material and to reason and evaluate arguments.

The GMAT Exam pattern is such that the total test time is 3 hours and 7 minutes,  with two optional 8-minute breaks after the third section. The GMAT score ranges from 200 to 800, with two-thirds of test-takers scoring between 400 and 600.

For GMAT preparation, it is advisable to use official GMAT study materials, practice sample questions, and take practice tests. Familiarising yourself with the GMAT syllabus and pattern, as well as setting aside adequate time for study, can increase your chances of success on exam day.

GMAT exam eligibility

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardised test that is widely used as a part of the admission process for business and management programs around the world. To be eligible to take the GMAT, a candidate must fulfil the following requirements:

• Age: The GMAT can be taken at any age after 18. Candidates of 18 or above age are eligible to take the test.
• Educational Background: The GMAT is designed for individuals who have completed their undergraduate education or have work experience. But if you do not fall under these categories, you can still take the GMAT exam. The GMAT has no minimum or maximum academic qualification requirements.
• Residency: The GMAT is available to candidates from all countries and regions around the world. However, there may be certain restrictions or limitations for candidates from certain countries based on local regulations.
• Identification: Candidates must provide a valid government-issued photo ID (such as a passport or driver’s licence) to take the GMAT. This ID must match the name on the candidate’s GMAT account and must be presented on the day of the test.
• Test Fees: Candidates must pay a fee to take the GMAT. The fee varies depending on the country and region and may be subject to change. Both online and postal payments are accepted.
• Test Schedule: The GMAT is offered at designated testing centres around the world on most days of the year. Candidates can schedule their test appointment online by selecting a date, time, and testing centre that is convenient for them.
• Test Preparation: While there is no requirement to prepare for the GMAT, it is recommended that candidates take advantage of the many test preparation resources that are available. These resources can help candidates become familiar with the test format, understand the types of questions that will be asked, and build their test-taking skills and confidence.
• Re-testing: Candidates are eligible to take the GMAT once every 16 calendar days, up to five times in a rolling 12-month period. If a candidate has taken the test more than five times in a 12-month period, they will not be eligible to retake the test for five years.

In conclusion, the GMAT eligibility process is straightforward and designed to ensure that all candidates who take the test are eligible to do so. To be eligible to take the GMAT, a candidate must be a minimum of 18 years of age, have completed their undergraduate education or have work experience (although work experience and academic qualifications are not required to take GMAT still, it is advisable for better results), provide a valid government-issued photo ID, pay the test fee, schedule their test appointment, and follow the rules and regulations of the GMAT program.

GMAT Syllabus

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardised test used for admissions into graduate management programs, such as MBA programs. The test is divided into several sections, each assessing different skills. Here is an overview of the GMAT syllabus for each section:

1. Quantitative Reasoning (QR):

• Time Limit: 62 minutes
• Number of Questions: 31
• Score Range: 6 – 51
• This section assesses your ability to understand and analyse quantitative information, solve problems using mathematical concepts, and interpret data presented in various formats.

2. Verbal Reasoning (VR):

• Time Limit: 65 minutes
• Number of Questions: 36
• Score Range: 6 – 51
• This section evaluates your reading comprehension skills, critical reasoning abilities, and proficiency in written English. You’ll encounter passages and questions related to various topics.

3. Integrated Reasoning (IR):

• Time Limit: 30 minutes
• Number of Questions: 12
• Score Range: 1 – 8
• This section tests your ability to analyse and synthesise information presented in different formats, such as tables, graphs, and charts. It assesses your skills in data interpretation, multi-source reasoning, and graphics interpretation.

4. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA):

•  Time Limit: 30 minutes
• Number of Questions: 1
• Score Range: 0 – 6 (in half-point increments)
• In this section, you are required to analyse an argument and provide a well-structured, coherent, and concise written response. Your essay should demonstrate your critical thinking and analytical writing skills.

Total Test Duration: 3 hours 7 minutes

Total Number of Questions: 80

Entire Score Range: 200 – 800

It’s important to note that the GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, which means that the difficulty of the questions you receive is based on your performance on previous questions within the same section. Correct answers may lead to more challenging questions, while incorrect answers may lead to more straightforward questions. The final score is based on your performance across all sections of the test.

In terms of the syllabus for the GMAT, the test covers a wide range of topics from various subject areas, including mathematics, English, and reasoning. In the Quantitative Reasoning section, candidates can expect questions on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. In the Verbal Reasoning section, candidates will encounter questions on grammar, reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction.

It is important for candidates to note that the GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, meaning that the difficulty level of the questions will change based on a candidate’s performance. This means that if a candidate answers a question correctly, the next question will be more complex, and if they answer a question incorrectly, the next question will be more straightforward.

In conclusion, the GMAT syllabus covers a range of subjects and topics that are designed to assess a candidate’s ability to think critically, solve problems, and communicate effectively. The exam is divided into four sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Thinking, Critical Thinking, and Analytical Writing Assessment. Candidates who are preparing for the GMAT should familiarise themselves with the types of questions and formats they will encounter and use test preparation resources to build their skills and confidence.

Validity of GMAT

According to MBA.com, the validity of GMAT is 5 years.

Now let’s answer some FAQs.

Is GMAT accepted abroad?

Yеs,  thе GMAT (Graduatе Managеmеnt Admission Tеst) is widely accepted by many univеrsitiеs and businеss schools abroad as part of thе admission rеquirеmеnts for graduatе-lеvеl businеss and managеmеnt programs.

What GMAT score is needed for abroad?

Thе GMAT scorе nееdеd for admission abroad variеs dеpеnding on thе university and thе spеcific program.  Gеnеrally,  compеtitivе programs may rеquirе scorеs around 600-700 or higher out of 800 total points.

Is IELTS tougher than GMAT?

Comparing the difficulty of IELTS and GMAT is challenging since they assеss different skills.  IELTS focuses on languagе proficiеncy, while GMAT tеsts analytical and quantitativе abilitiеs.

Conclusion

The GMAT Exam holds significant importance as a standardizеd tеst widеly usеd by businеss schools in thеir admission procеss.  Covеring divеrsе subjеcts likе mathеmatics,  English,  rеasoning,  and communication. It еvaluatеs critical thinking, problem-solving,  and communication skills.  The GMAT syllabus includes four arеas: Vеrbal Rеasoning,  Intеgratеd Rеasoning,  Quantitativе Rеasoning,  and Analytical Writing Assеssmеnt.  Aspiring candidatеs should familiarizе themselves with quеstion typеs and formats, utilising tеst prеparation rеsourcеs to еnhancе skills and confidеncе.  By understanding thе GMAT syllabus and lеvеraging availablе prеparation matеrials,  candidatеs can incrеasе thеir chancеs of succеss and achiеvе thеir goal of gaining admission to thеir prеfеrrеd businеss school,  еnsuring a plagiarism-frее approach to thеir prеparation.