The Graduate Management Admission Test� (GMAT�)
includes analytical writing, quantitative, and verbal questions using
a computer-adaptive format-the test adjusts to your individual ability
level. Questions are chosen from a very large pool of test questions categorized
by content and difficulty. Only one question at a time is presented to
you on the screen. The first question is always of middle difficulty.
The selection of each question thereafter is determined by your responses
to all previous questions. In other words, the adaptive test adjusts to
your ability level-you will get few questions that are too easy or too
difficult for you.
You must answer each question and may not return to or change your answer
to any previous question. If you answer a question incorrectly by mistake-or
correctly by lucky guess-you answer to subsequent questions will lead
you back to questions that are at the appropriate level of difficulty
for you.
Every test contains trial multiple-choice questions needed for pre-testing
for future use. These questions, however, are not identified and appear
in varying 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.
Content
The GMAT consists of four separately timed sections. Each of the first two sections contains a 30-minute writing task; the
other two sections are 75 minutes each and contain multiple-choice questions;
Analytical Writing Assessment
You begin the GMAT with the Analytical
Writing Assessment, which is comprised of two essays topics selected
by the computer. You are allowed 30 minutes to respond to each topic. One
task is to analyze an issue; the other is to analyze an argument. Most topics
are published on the web site Sample
GMAT� Questions and in the GMAT�:
POWERPREP� 3.0 Software. The Analytical Writing Assessment
measures the ability to think critically and communicate complex ideas through
writing .
Quantitative Section
After an optional five-minute break, you begin the GMAT
Quantitative section. This section contains 37 multiple-choice questions
(with five answer choices per question) of either two question types, Data
Sufficiency or Problem Solving. You are allowed a maximum of 75 minutes
to complete the section. The Quantitative section measures basic mathematical
skills and understanding of elementary concepts, and the ability to reason
quantitatively, solve quantitative problems, and interpret graphic data.
Verbal Section
After a second optional five-minute break, you begin the GMAT
Verbal section. This section contains 41 multiple-choice questions (with
five answer choices per question) of any of three question types, Reading
Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. You are allowed
a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the section. The Verbal section measures
the ability to understand and evaluate what is read and to recognize basic
conventions of standard written English.
Completing the Testing Session
Following the end of the official testing time, you will be asked several questions
regarding your background and the schools to which you are sending your
GMAT scores. You can also choose to see your scores for the multiple-choice sections of the test at this time. It is important to keep in mind that if you decide to view your scores at the test center, you cannot cancel them at a later date. An official score report, that includes your analytical writing assessment (AWA) score will be mailed to you and your designated institutions about two weeks after testing. International test takers should allow for possible delivery delays.
