The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a mandatory entrance exam to study abroad for those who wish to gain graduate business degrees, particularly the MBA. With over 7,000 graduate business programs now accepting GMAT scores globally, achieving a high score is crucial for gaining admission into reputable programs and advancing one’s business career.
What is the GMAT?
The GMAT test is an automated, adaptive test designed to measure the capabilities of applicants for graduate business programs. It can be taken anywhere in the world. The test assesses an individual’s ability to comprehend complex information, evaluate reasoning, and express concepts logically—skills that are essential for today’s business managers.
Developed in 1954 by a consortium of U.S. business schools, the GMAT provides objective information required by admission committees to evaluate domestic and foreign applicants. With over 7 million candidates having taken the GMAT, around 200,000 candidates sit for the exam each year with the aim of being admitted to Master’s and Ph.D. MBA programs at more than 2,300 graduate business institutions globally.
Why Take the GMAT?
A strong GMAT score is critical for gaining entry into prestigious business schools and opens up attractive job prospects in sectors such as investment banking, consulting, marketing, operations, and entrepreneurship. Highly selective schools like Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, INSEAD, Oxford, Cambridge, and IIM rely heavily on GMAT scores, alongside GPA, essays, recommendations, and interviews, to assess applicants’ readiness for the academic challenges these institutions present.
For foreign applicants aiming to enroll in schools in the USA or Europe, a high GMAT score can help compensate for an undergraduate education that may be perceived as lower quality. Thus, performing well on the GMAT is essential for securing a place in a premier university that can enhance one’s business leadership journey.
What is Tested on the GMAT?
The GMAT does not assess business knowledge directly but evaluates verbal, quantitative, analytical writing, and reading comprehension abilities honed over years of education. These skills are critical for success in MBA programs.
The test consists of four sections:
- Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA):
Measures the ability to reason and argue in writing through the Analysis of an Argument essay, with a 30-minute limit and scores ranging from 0 to 6. - Integrated Reasoning (IR):
Assesses the ability to comprehend data presented in various formats (graphs, tables, passages) and requires 30 minutes to answer 12 questions, scored from 1 to 8. - Quantitative Reasoning:
Evaluates skills in mathematical logic, quantitative analysis, and interpretation of graphic data, using basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics. This section consists of 31 questions completed in 62 minutes, with scores ranging from 6 to 51. - Verbal Reasoning:
Tests the ability to discern patterns, interpret prose, and judge reasoning processes through passages. Students answer 36 questions in 65 minutes, scoring between 6 and 51.
The GMAT lasts a total of 3 hours and 7 minutes. Effective preparation requires significant practice, whether through self-study, online courses, or tutoring, to improve scores in all sections.
How is a Candidate’s Score on the GMAT Exam Determined?
Business schools focus primarily on the total GMAT score, which is the sum of the quantitative and verbal sub-scores and the analytical writing score. The total score ranges from 200 to 800, with higher scores indicating stronger analytical and verbal skills.
The mean GMAT score is approximately 540, while top programs often expect scores above 700, with many aiming for a minimum of 730 for admission into MBA programs globally. Admissions panels also consider specific scores in quantitative and verbal sections to assess a candidate’s strengths and weaknesses.
How to Prepare for the GMAT
To achieve your desired GMAT score, follow effective study techniques, enroll in test preparation courses, and dedicate ample time for preparation. Key aspects of successful GMAT prep include:
- Familiarizing yourself with the GMAT layout, types of questions, scoring model, and effective strategies for each section.
- Enhancing mathematical skills, including arithmetic, algebra, number properties, geometry, and statistics.
- Developing reading comprehension skills and improving grammar, vocabulary, and logical reasoning abilities.
- Taking timed practice tests to simulate the actual testing environment and improve time management skills.
- Learning specific techniques and strategies for tackling the computer-adaptive format of the test.
- Seeking guidance from prep professionals on subject areas, skills required, and study schedules.
Most GMAT candidates achieve their target scores by studying for 100+ hours over 3-6 months using effective preparation strategies. This investment can lead to revolutionary career opportunities that outweigh the cost of taking the GMAT.
The GMAT as a Gateway to the World’s Best MBA Programs
High GMAT scores have become a tradition for generations of managers and entrepreneurs striving for acceptance into elite universities such as Harvard, INSEAD, London Business School (LBS), and MIT Sloan. The GMAT serves as a benchmark for assessing candidates’ academic readiness and is essential for those aspiring to leadership roles in business.
By unraveling the intricacies of the GMAT scoring system, candidates can successfully navigate this challenge and become well-prepared business professionals capable of thriving in today’s complex global environment.
