If you are planning to take the GMAT, one of the first things that you should be aware of is the exam pattern. The GMAT comprises four main sections — Analytical Writing Assessment, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. Through these sections, your problem-solving, critical thinking, analytical reasoning and writing skills are measured. The total time that you get to answer all these sections is 3 hours and 30 minutes, including the two 8 minute optional breaks. Now, let us look at these four sections in a bit more detail.
- Analytical Writing Assessment – Your ability to critique an argument and put forth your thoughts cohesively is evaluated through this writing task.
- Verbal Reasoning – This section measures your ability to read, comprehend and find errors in given sentences. Overall, it tests your proficiency in the English language.
- Integrated Reasoning – In this section, you are given data in various formats (graphs, tabular forms, etc.) and you are expected to analyze the same and arrive at conclusions from the given data.
- Quantitative Reasoning – It evaluates your prowess in solving basic high school level mathematical problems as well as tests how well you can analyze data and arrive at conclusions.
The types of questions that you are asked in each of these sections are as follows :
| Sections | Types of Questions |
| Integrated Reasoning | Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, Multi -source Reasoning, and Two-Part Analysis |
| Verbal Reasoning | Reading comprehension, Sentence Correction, and Critical Reasoning |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency |
| Analytical Writing | Analysis of an Argument |
GMAT Scoring
The scoring for the GMAT exam is on a scale of 200-800. The scoring range for each section is as follows:
| Sections | Score Range |
| Integrated Reasoning | 1 to 8 |
| Analytical Writing | 0 to 6 |
| Verbal Reasoning | 0 to 60 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 0 to 60 |
You also have the option to choose the order of the sections in which you want to attempt the exam. The 3 choices are as follows:
- Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
- Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
- Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal
It can’t be stressed enough that you need to pay utmost attention to your GMAT preparation because you pay a fee of $250 or INR- 18,300 everytime you take the exam. Therefore, it is essential that you invest a lot of time towards preparation, which includes creating a smart study plan, understanding the GMAT pattern, looking up for the best study materials, taking mock tests, etc.
Attempting mock tests is a great way to start your preparation as well as end it. You take one in the beginning to see where you stand and one just before your actual test to see how well you are prepared. In fact, attempt these mock tests as and when possible while preparing. So why are we suggesting you take up GMAT Mock exams? The GMAT Mock exams help in countless ways towards your preparation. Firstly, these mock tests help you understand how the exam is structured, secondly, it gives you an experience of the actual test, thirdly, will be able to comprehend the time taken to solve the questions in each section and work on improving your speed, fourthly, you will be well versed with the varying degrees of difficulty. Most importantly, these mock exams will help you understand the scoring pattern of the GMAT and what score range you fall under. This would in turn aid you in altering your study plan if the need be.
The GMAT is a difficult exam but with a good preparation plan, you will surely be able to pull through and do well.