If you’re interested in advancing your career in business, economics or marketing, you may have done some digging into graduate schools and come across countless mentions of the Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT™. This standardized exam assesses a candidate’s logic and reasoning abilities and goes hand-in-hand with graduate school admissions.
GMAT scores give admissions teams an understanding of how successful a candidate may be in their first year of business school. Not all schools require applicants to submit their GMAT scores, but it can be helpful to do so if you’ve scored well and wish to bolster your application.
If business school is the next step for your career, taking the GMAT could be in your future. Here’s everything you need to know about GMAT preparation and taking the exam.
What Is the GMAT?
The GMAT is a standardized entrance exam for graduate business school admissions. Admissions teams use GMAT scores to predict a candidate’s probability of academic success in a given program.
Over 2,400 institutions worldwide use the GMAT as a benchmark for success in their admissions processes. The exam is computer-adaptive, meaning each test taker receives questions tailored to their ability to answer them.
The exam is just over three hours long and is available in person at a designated testing center or through remote testing.
What Does the GMAT Cover?
The GMAT consists of four test components: analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning. Let’s explore each section in detail.
Analytical Writing Assessment (Essay)
The essay component of the GMAT assesses reasoning abilities. Test takers must critique an argument in 30 minutes or less.
Specific knowledge of the subject matter isn’t required; test takers must only present a well-reasoned, constructive critique of an idea without inserting their opinions into the essay. This exam component assesses the test taker’s ability to use concrete examples to evaluate another person’s argument.
Integrated Reasoning (IR)
The integrated reasoning component measures a candidate’s ability to analyze and synthesize diverse data sets from various sources. It includes multi-source reasoning, two-part analysis, table analysis and graphics interpretation questions. Test takers have 30 minutes to complete this section.
Quantitative Reasoning (Math)
Throughout the math portion of the exam, test takers must reason quantitatively, solve math problems and interpret graphs. It includes arithmetic, geometry and basic algebra concepts. Test takers have 62 minutes to complete this section.
Verbal Reasoning
This portion of the exam consists of 36 questions related to reading comprehension, critical reasoning and sentence correction. This section assesses candidates’ ability to read and comprehend written text, evaluate arguments and correct written errors. Test takers have 65 minutes to complete this section.
How Is the GMAT Scored?
Let’s break down how the GMAT evaluates test takers.
Total Score
The GMAT is scored on a scale between 200 and 800. Test takers receive five scores: one for each of the four test sections, plus the total score, which includes the verbal and quantitative reasoning section of the exam.
Test takers receive a score between zero and six on the analytical writing assessment sections and a score between one and eight on the integrated reasoning components. Essays are scored using an algorithm that detects their structural and linguistic features. Some are randomly selected for auditing by human reviewers.
What Is a Good GMAT Score?
While there are no “passing” scores for the GMAT, schools may require minimum GMAT scores. The average GMAT score is 582.34, and two-thirds of exam takers score between 400 and 600.
Even if a school doesn’t require a minimum GMAT score, you can research the average scores of successful applicants in the last year and aim for that. Additionally, some test-optional schools don’t ask for GMAT scores, but if you scored above 600, submitting your scores could boost your application.
How To Take the GMAT
You have options for taking the GMAT. Here’s how it works.
Where To Take the GMAT
You can take the GMAT remotely or at a test center. Test centers are available globally.
Registering for the GMAT
To register for the GMAT, create an account online on mba.com. You can then select your preferred exam format—online or in-person—and provide some basic information to register.
After registering, you can create a GMAT profile. Select your exam date and time and provide payment.
Testing Center vs. Online
The GMAT is the same exam regardless of whether it’s taken online or at a testing center. However, the experiences vary in some ways.
Registration for online testing is available around the clock, but registration for in-person testing is only available at certain hours during the week. At a testing center, test takers can use five sheets of laminated paper for note-taking and calculations. Online test takers use a digital whiteboard, or a physical whiteboard if they have access to one.
Whether you take the exam online or in person, you’ll have three hours and seven minutes to complete it, plus 30 minutes for check-in. Both online and in-person tests include two optional eight-minute breaks.
How Much Does the GMAT Cost?
How much you pay for the GMAT depends on your location, as certain local taxes and fees will apply.
At U.S. testing centers, taking the GMAT costs $275. Delivered online, the exam costs $300. You are subject to other fees if you cancel or reschedule your exam appointment.
Retaking the GMAT
If you’re dissatisfied with your score, you can retake the GMAT up to five times in a 12-month period, but only eight times in your lifetime.
GMAT Preparation Tips
- Develop a GMAT study plan. Give yourself plenty of time and create a schedule that works for you, including some extra padding in case you miss a few days.
- Check out online study resources and find a tutor if necessary. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) provides a free eight-week GMAT study program, for example.
- Familiarize yourself with the exam format. Use practice questions from the GMAC and take practice exams to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Focus your studies on areas you want to improve.
- Practice your exams in real test-like conditions. Time yourself and don’t use a calculator or study materials as you complete your practice exams.
- Track your progress with each practice test, and remember, don’t put too much pressure on yourself from the onset. The more you study, the higher your chances of performing well are.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the GMAT
How hard is the GMAT?
The GMAT tests your quantitative reasoning skills, which can be difficult depending on your learning style. Some test takers might find that the relatively short test-taking time frame—a little over three hours—adds an extra layer of challenge to the process.
How long does it take to study for the GMAT?
This depends on your personal learning style. That said, it’s typically recommended to study for several weeks—and the longer you study, the higher your chances of scoring well.
How many times can you take the GMAT?
You are allowed five attempts in a 12-month period. However, you can only take the exam eight times in a lifetime.
