GMAT Syllabus

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test used by business schools worldwide as a critical component of the admissions process for MBA and other graduate business programs. The GMAT assesses various skills and abilities that are considered essential for success in business school and beyond. In this detailed explanation, I will provide an accurate overview of the GMAT syllabus, which is divided into four main sections: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Verbal Reasoning (VR).

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA):

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Score Range: 0-6 (in 0. 5-point increments)

The AWA section evaluates your ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively in written form. It consists of one essay prompt, which presents an argument and requires you to analyse it. Your task is to critique the argument, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and provide a well-structured response. You are not required to provide your own opinion but rather evaluate the logic and reasoning of the given argument.

Your essay should have a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. It is essential to address all relevant aspects of this argument, provide supporting evidence, and demonstrate logical thinking and writing skills.

Integrated Reasoning (IR):

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Score Range: 1-8 (in 1-point increments)

The IR section assesses your ability to analyze complex information presented in various formats, such as tables, graphs, and text. It measures your skills in data interpretation, graphic interpretation, two-part analysis, and multi-source reasoning.

The IR section consists of 12 questions organized into four question types:

• Table Analysis: You analyze data in a table format.
• Graphics Interpretation: You interpret information presented in graphs or charts.
• Two-Part Analysis: You evaluate and solve problems with two related components.
• Multi-Source Reasoning: You draw conclusions from multiple sources of information.

You’ll need to integrate information from different sources to answer these questions accurately.

Quantitative Reasoning (QR):

• Duration: 62 minutes
• Score Range: 0-60

The Quantitative Reasoning section evaluates your mathematical skills and ability to reason quantitatively. It includes two types of questions: problem-solving and Data Sufficiency. 

• Problem Solving: These questions require you to solve mathematical problems using basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics. You must choose the correct answer from five options.
• Data Sufficiency: In these questions, you evaluate whether the given data is sufficient to answer a particular question. You do not need to compute the actual answer but determine if there is enough information to do so.

The QR section assesses your ability to analyze and apply quantitative information in real-world scenarios.

Verbal Reasoning (VR):

Duration: 65 minutes

Score Range: 0-60

The Verbal Reasoning section evaluates your proficiency in written English and your ability to comprehend and analyze written material. It consists of three types of questions: Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction.

• Reading Comprehension: You read and analyze passages from various subjects and answer questions based on your understanding of the text.
• Critical Reasoning: These questions assess your ability to evaluate arguments, identify logical flaws, and make inferences based on the provided information. 
• Sentence Correction: You identify and correct grammatical errors in sentences, improving sentence structure and clarity.

The VR section assesses your ability to read, understand, and critically evaluate written materials, which are essential skills in graduate-level business programs.

The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test (CAT), which means that the difficulty of questions in each section is adjusted based on your performance on previous questions. Getting questions right may lead to more challenging questions, while incorrect answers may lead to easier ones. The final scores for the Quantitative and Verbal sections are combined to produce a Total GMAT Score, which ranges from 200 to 800.

It’s important to note that GMAT scores are just one part of the business school application process. Admissions committees also consider factors like your undergraduate GPA, work experience, letters of recommendation, and personal statement.

In summary, the GMAT syllabus consists of four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Verbal Reasoning (VR). Each section assesses different skills and abilities that are crucial for success in graduate business programs. Preparing for the GMAT involves studying and practicing the specific content and question types in each of these sections to achieve your desired score and enhance your chances of admission to the business school of your choice.