GMAT Exam, India: Procedure, Eligibility, Exam Structure & Preparation Guide

What is GMAT?

The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is a standardized test required in the application process for many MBA programs globally. It takes 3.5 hours to complete and assesses skills in English, Mathematics, and Analytical Writing.

It is primarily designed to assess how well you can apply smart strategies and determines how well you will perform academically in MBA programs.

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What exactly does the GMAT look for?

The GMAT’s main objective is to determine how well you would fare on your MBA or other similar programs. The primary talent that the GMAT assesses is what we call “cognitive flexibility”. This measures how quickly you can figure out the best approach to answer each question.

The GMAT contains various questions that will ask you to apply fundamental knowledge that you learned in middle school or early high school (depending on where you were schooled).

In most cases, there will be more than one method to answer a question! Unlike in high school, the GMAT does not require you to solve the problem in a certain way or explain how you arrived at the correct answer. The GMAT simply wants you to get to the right answer as quickly as possible.

The various modules of GMAT are:

SectionNo. of QuestionsTime Limit (Mins)Question TypeMaximum Points
Analytical Writing130Argument analysis6
Integrated Reasoning1230Technical interpretation and reasoning8
Quantitative Reasoning3162Mathematical problem-solving51
Verbal Reasoning3665Critical reasoning in English51

Where can I take the GMAT Exam?

The GMAT is available at many exam locations across the world. The majority of these testing sites are located in larger cities (you can find centres near you on the GMAT website). If you don’t live in one of these cities, make sure you plan ahead of time.

It’s also good a good idea to visit your test site beforehand. Consider this: you will undoubtedly feel nervous on the day of your exam. Don’t add to your tension by getting lost along the way. You might also learn something useful! Many test centres, for example, feature a separate accommodation. However, some centers clarify that if no testers are booked to use the room, it will be available to whoever arrives first. That’s just one of the many advantages of researching your test center ahead of time.

What Types of People Take the GMAT?

So, who takes the GMAT and what is it utilized for, you might be wondering. Future business school students take the GMAT test (and, one could presume, prospective businesses). If you want to go to business school in the United States, you’ll almost certainly need to take the GMAT, while the GRE may be an acceptable substitute.

If you’re applying to overseas business schools, the GMAT may be required, or a GMAT score may benefit your application. Individual programs’ GMAT policies and criteria should be confirmed with them.

The Structure of the Exam:

The four portions of the GMAT are as follows:

  • Analytical Writing Assessment: This portion consists of a single 30-minute essay called Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). After analyzing an argument, it assesses your ability to think critically and articulate ideas.
  • Integrated Reasoning Section: The 30-minute Integrated Reasoning part contains 12 questions that assess your ability to interpret and reproduce facts in various formats from various sources.
  • Quantitative Section: The 37 questions in the 75-minute Quantitative part assess your ability to reason numerically, solve quantitative issues, and understand graphical data.
  • Verbal Section: The 41 questions in the 75-minute Verbal part assess your ability to analyze texts, draw inferences, and effectively communicate meaning in English. Before you begin, you can choose the order of the sections. The GMAT test structure was changed in July 2017, and this is a recent update.

What is the procedure for taking the GMAT?

The GMAT is entirely administered in English. The exam’s quantitative and verbal sections are adaptive. This means you’ll be given questions based on how you answered prior ones. If you’ve provided accurate answers to more complex problems, the exam will notice and give you more of the same. The adaptive computer test is more standardized than a fixed test since it adjusts to your specific ability level. Hence, your overall exam score is determined by two criteria:

  1. The number of correct answers.
  2. The difficulty level of the questions answered.

What is the maximum number of times I can take the GMAT?

The GMAT is given all year at exam centres all over the world. You can do it five times in a calendar year, with a 16-day interval between each attempt.

What are the eligibility criteria to take the GMAT?

To take the GMAT, you must be at least 13 years old. A written document signed by a parent or guardian is required for those under the age of 18.

When Will You Be Able To Take The Exam?

The availability of GMAT test dates is cyclic, which means that most GMAT test-takers take the test in the months leading up to critical deadlines. As a result, the slots fill up the most quickly between August and November. You should reserve your GMAT seat at least one month ahead of time. After the GMAT, you’ll have plenty of time to work on your application essays. Many Indian cities, including Bangalore, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, and Delhi, have GMAT test centers.

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What is the most effective strategy to study for the GMAT?

So, what are your initial steps when you’ve developed your study schedule? Let’s look at four ways about how to prepare for the GMAT.

1. Understand the Format:

Make the most of your early preparation time by being as familiar with the exam’s format. This may sound obvious, but knowing you won’t be surprised on test day can help you relax and feel confident rather than overwhelmed when taking the official GMAT.

2. Examine Your Weaknesses and Strengths:

Read the answer explanations for the questions on your mock test that you struggled with, This will help identify your shortcomings and determine where you made a mistake. Organize and arrange your GMAT preparation around your weakest points. Understanding your drawbacks and improving should take up more time than anything else.

3. Practice your fundamental skills:

Any gaps in your knowledge or background should be addressed in your GMAT preparation plan, which should include mocks and outside readings. You should also do  practice questions and exams. Using practice questions and familiarizing yourself with the exam format is vital for your improving your GMAT score. It develops the underlying abilities needed to answer the questions. With those abilities as a foundation, you’ll be able to handle any curve balls thrown your way on the exam.

4. Make any necessary changes to your study plan:

After you’ve considered your drawbacks, revise your initial study plan to reflect them. If you’re having difficulties with timing, for example, establish a goal to complete a particular number of questions in a certain amount of time. Then gradually reduce the time limit as your exam date approaches. If you’re having problems learning GMAT vocabulary words, set aside some time to practice with flashcards on words that frequently appear on the exam. While you should stick to the basics of your original strategy, be sure to stay adaptable.

Conclusion:

The GMAT is a difficult exam with a lot of non-intuitive questions. Most people prepare for it for several months and over 100 hours to do well on it.

The GMAT will get more and more manageable as you study. Questions that initially looked complicated will begin to feel easier. Rather than speeding through sections, you’ll establish a consistent test-taking rhythm that allows you to answer all of the questions in each section.

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