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GMAT | An overview of the exam
If you are looking to make the most of your higher studies and want to explore the top business schools and colleges, then securing a good score on GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is important.
Notably, the GMAT entrance exam is meant for the admission of students into the top business schools as it is a necessary prerequisite for most universities and institutions. It is a renowned test whose scores are considered by over 2400 different universities and institutions all around the globe for admission purposes.
Further, the exam pattern helps gauge the ability of a candidate in aspects like verbal skills, analytical thinking, writing, and mathematics. Let us discuss all these important details regarding the entrance exam below.
A little more about GMAT
The exam is a computer-based assessment that analyzes a candidate’s potential in regards to his/her abilities with quantitative analysis, analytical writing, reading, and verbal skills.
GMAT entrance has been popular for a long time and was taken up as an in-person examination. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, the popularity of the online exam has increased further as people can take it up from any location of their choice.
Given the popularity of this exam globally, there are approximately 650 different testing centers spread across 114 countries.
Total marks range from a minimum of 200 to a maximum of 800. Some top business schools have an acceptable range of scores which is an important admission criterion.
The exam is divided into four different sections, each targeting a different capability of a candidate. The exam is expected to be completed within 3 hours and 30 minutes, with two optional breaks of 8 minutes each, as per the need of a candidate.
What is the GMAT syllabus?
GMAT syllabus includes four different topics. The first one is an analytical writing assessment, the second is integrated reasoning, the third is quantitative understanding, and the fourth is the verbal section. Now, for this divided syllabus, the exam pattern follows the format mentioned below-
- The first part of the entrance exam is the analytical writing assessment that includes only one question and needs to be completed within 30 minutes. The score range for this section is between 0 and 6 points.
- The second part of the exam is integrated reasoning that includes 12 different questions and needs to be completed within 30 minutes as well. The question categories include graphics interpretation, multi-source reasoning, table analysis, and two-part analysis. The score range for this particular section is between 1 and 8 points.
- The third part of the exam is quantitative understanding which consists of 31 different questions on problem-solving and data sufficiency. It requires a minimum of 62 minutes to complete. The score range for this section is between 6 and 51 points.
- According to the exam pattern, the last section is the verbal section which contains 36 questions on critical reasoning, reading, comprehension, and sentence correction. It requires a minimum of 65 minutes for completion. The score range for this section is between 6 and 51 points as well.
What are the GMAT eligibility criteria and registration process?
Eligibility criteria
For the entrance exam, it is important to know the eligibility criteria and the registration procedure. Let us begin by discussing the eligibility criteria for all candidates to check if they can apply and sit for the exam.
- The first important criterion is age. And, the eligibility of age for any candidate is a minimum of 18 years. There is no bar on the maximum age. In addition to that, if a candidate is between the age group of 13 and 17 years, a guardian or parent’s permission is required to sit for the exam.
- The second important eligibility criterion is educational qualification. So, as the entrance exam is for admission into a business school for an MBA program, a candidate should have a valid bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
Registration process
Moving on to the registration, you are required to register for an exam a minimum of six months before the GMAT exam date. However, you can also complete your registration latest by 24 hours before the actual GMAT exam date but there is no guarantee of a slot available for your chosen date.
For registration, you need to log in to the official website, create your account, make a separate GMAT profile, add all your work and academic details, choose a center and then make the payment for registration.
You can complete the registration online, over the phone, or by sending postal mail. For every candidate, the entrance exam can be taken a maximum of 8 times throughout their lifetime. In addition to that, they can only sit for a GMAT exam a maximum of 5 times a year.
Which colleges accept GMAT scores?
If you wish to appear in the GMAT exam to study in a renowned business school or college, it is necessary to be aware of the different GMAT accepting colleges and the average score needed by them for admission. Here is a list to help you make a more informed decision.
- Stanford is a popular business school and the acceptable score is 733.
- Harvard Business School and Columbia CBS both have a score (cut-off) of 730.
- Northwestern Kellogg and UC Berkeley Haas both have a score (cut-off) of 727.
- Next up on the list is the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad and the acceptable score is a minimum of 700.
- Then comes the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad and the acceptable score for this institute is a minimum of 706.
- The Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore, the Indian Institute of Management in Calcutta, and the Indian Institute of Management in Lucknow all accept a score ranging between 680 and 800.
Some insider tips and tricks to ace your GMAT score
Now that you have ample information regarding the exam in terms of the exam syllabus, exam pattern, eligibility, and registration, it is important to know how to make the best use of the prep time before sitting for the final exam.
- For GMAT prep to score well in the exam, the first tip is to solve as many sample paper questions as possible. This will help you gain clarity about the question paper, in terms of the type of questions to expect.
- Make use of books available in the market that come with a sample paper or mock test free which you can solve at your convenience. GMAT Official Guide 2021, Kaplan GMAT Complete 2021, PowerScore Verbal Trilogy Bible, etc. are some of the top books.
- Coaching is also popular and can be taken both offline and online. With GMAT online coaching, you can learn at your own pace while building your confidence and focus on the GMAT prep significantly.
Key takeaways
- To secure admission to one of the top business schools in the world, preparing well and scoring high marks in the GMAT entrance exam is a prerequisite.
- While preparing for GMAT, you also improve your critical thinking ability and get an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to perform better.
If you are preparing for exams to study abroad, get in touch with us today! Our experts will guide you through the essentials of this process.
Liked this blog? Then read, GMAT score chart | 5 points to enhance your exam strategy!
FAQs
Q1. What are the GMAT fees in India?
Answer – According to the GMAT official website, the GMAT fees in India are approximately Rs 20,600. However, if an applicant wants to reschedule the test date or change the test center, there is an extra charge.
Q2. Can you complete an MBA degree in Canada without GMAT?
Answer – The majority of colleges and institutions offering an MBA degree program in Canada require either GRE or GMAT scores for admission. However, if you wish to complete an MBA degree in Canada without GMAT, few universities allow you to do the same too.
Q3. What is a good GMAT score?
Answer – The total marks that can be achieved in a GMAT exam are out of 800. And, according to a majority of colleges and institutions offering business degree programs, a good GMAT score rests between a score of 650 and 690.
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