About the GMAT®
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT®) is a standardised, computer-adaptive test that is designed to help business schools assess the potential of applicants to succeed in their graduate management programmes.
The GMAT® is developed and administered by Pearson VUE under the direction of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), a non-profit organization.
What does it measure you on:
The GMAT® exam measures the skills you have against the skills that the schools look out for. GMAT® is not just a test of your quantitative and verbal ability, rather, it tests you on your analytical capability- your ability to analyze complex information and your logical capability apart from your time strategies.
GMAT® Test Structure
The GMAT® is a computer-based adaptive test, and no two students get an identical set of questions. It is scored on a maximum of 800. The GMAT® Score alone cannot guarantee admission into a school since the schools look at many other aspects of a student’s profile.
| Category | Duration | Question | Duration per Question | |||
| AWA (Analytical Writing Assessment) | 30 minutes | 1 essay topic | Analysis of Argument | Scored on a scale of 0-6 | ||
| IR (Integrated Reasoning) | 30 minutes | 12 Questions | 150 Seconds / Question | Multi-Source Reasoning Graphics Interpretation Two-Part Analysis Table Analysis |
Scored on a scale of 1-8 | |
| Quantitative Section | 62 minutes | 31 questions | 120 Seconds / Question | Data Sufficiency Problem Solving |
Scored on the scale of 0-60 | Total Score on the scale of 200-800 |
| Verbal Section | 65 minutes | 36 questions | 108 Seconds / Question | Reading Comprehension Critical Reasoning Sentence Correction |
Scored on the scale of 0-60 | |
| Total Duration of GMAT® | 3.5 Hours (Including breaks) | |||||
GMAT® Eligibility Criteria
There is no age or qualification-based constraint to take the GMAT® — basically, anyone can take this test. The GMAT® test scores are valid for five years. However, while applying to B-Schools, it is always better if your scores have been obtained within the last 2 years.
Who should take the GMAT®?
There is no age or qualification-based constraint to take the GMAT® — basically, anyone can take this test. GMAT® is accepted by over 7000 graduate management programs in 110 countries. These include Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Columbia, Wharton, INSEAD, LBS, Oxford, ISB, NUS and many other top programs. While some of the B-School programs accept only 4-year graduate degree holders (10+2+4), most programs accept any graduate degree (10+2+3 or above).
Is Work Experience mandatory to get into a top management school through the GMAT® exam?
NO. While it is widely believed that international management programs do not entertain candidates without work experience, it is completely untrue! While most MBA programs require a minimum of 2 years of work experience, programs like MIM (Masters in Management) / MMS (Masters in Management Studies) offered by the best known institutes such as London Business School, Kellogg, Duke, HEC and many others are tailor-made for candidates with little or NO work experience!
Also, there are various deferred admit programs where students in their Final or Prefinal years can apply. Harvard Business School 2+2 and ISB YLP programs are few such options that bachelors degree holders can apply to.
In short, students in their final or pre-final year of graduation, recent graduates and candidates with work – experience, everyone can take the GMAT® and apply! Check out ISB’s programs for each of these categories.
Validity of your GMAT® score
The GMAT® test scores are valid for five years. However, while applying to B-Schools, it is always better if your scores have been obtained within the last 2 years.