Introduction
So, you are among the millions of MBA aspirants who wish to study in top-notch business schools and universities? There has been a rise in the demand of MBA graduates by employers and hence, the increased inclination of students towards the MBA. The top universities and business schools across the globe have set certain selection criteria for admission to graduate management courses like MBA and a Masters in Finance. GMAT score marks as one of the main factors in getting enrolled in your dream school.
Hereunder, we have deciphered everything you need to know about the GMAT.
What is GMAT?
GMAT is the Graduate Management Admission Test, is a computer-adaptive test conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The test aims at testing your analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative and verbal skills in English.
Who takes GMAT and why?
The students who wish to take admission in the graduate management program take this test. Top business schools and universities select students based on their GMAT score along with other requirements. GMAT score signifies your readiness for the business school. Some universities do not mandate GMAT for admission to MBA. It is recommended to check the website of the preferred university for their application prerequisites.
Exam Fee
The fee for GMAT in India is $250 USD (~ INR 17,845).
Test Duration
The duration of GMAT is 3 hours and 30 minutes. There are a total of 4 sections and each of them has been timed differently. The total duration includes two optional breaks of 8 minutes each.
Exam Pattern
The GMAT exam consists of 4 sections, namely Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Integrated, Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning which help in the overall judgement of your capabilities to get into a business school. Different time slots have been allotted to each of the sections with a varying number of questions.
Test Section | Number of Questions | Time allotted | Types of Questions Asked |
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) | 1 question | 30 minutes | You need to do the analysis of an argument and write an essay on that |
Integrated Reasoning | 12 questions | 30 minutes | Have to answer questions based on graphics interpretation, table analysis, multi-source reasoning and two-part analysis |
Quantitative Reasoning | 31 questions | 62 minutes | Have to answer questions on data sufficiency and problem-solving |
Verbal Reasoning | 36 questions | 65 minutes | Answer questions based on reading comprehension, critical reasoning and sentence correction |
NOTE: You have the flexibility to choose the order in which you want to attend the test sections. This helps you attempt the test based on your strengths and preferences.
GMAT Validity
GMAT scores are valid up to a period of 5 years. For example, if you give a test on 23rd January 2020, then your scores will be valid till 22nd January 2025.
Eligibility Criteria for GMAT
Age Limit
Educational Qualification
Test Scores
Once you give the GMAT exam, you receive five scores: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal and Total Score.
Section | Score Range* |
Analytical Writing Assessment | 0.0-6.0(reported in intervals of 0.5) |
Integrated Reasoning | 1-8(reported in intervals of 1) |
Quantitative | 6-51(reported in intervals of 1) |
Verbal | 6-51(reported in intervals of 1) |
TOTAL | 200-800(reported in intervals of 10) |
*Source - GMAC
Total Scores are based on your performance in the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections. They are independent of analytical writing and integrated reasoning sections. The scores are then converted to percentile comparing your scores with 100 other candidates taking the GMAT.
It is noteworthy that you should complete each section in the given time. If you fail to do so, your score will be based on the number of questions answered and it decreases with the number of unanswered questions.
Good and Cut-off GMAT Scores
The GMAT score ranges between 200-800 and about two-thirds of test takers score between 400-600. Verbal and quantitative scores range between 0-60 but scores below 6 and above 51 are rare.
There are no cut-offs given by GMAC as such. However, individual universities have their own criteria and requirement of the GMAT score as their cut-off for admission to management courses. Average GMAT score for admission to top universities falls in the 700-730 range.
Score Report
Important Points:
If you choose to keep your scores, then an official score report is sent to you which includes:
Note- If you wish to send extra score reports to universities/colleges, you need to pay an extra amount of $35 USD per report.
Cancelling the Scores
Reinstating the Scores
In case you change your decision and wish to reinstate your scores after coming back home, then you can do that online by paying a fee of $50 USD. The cancelled scores can be reinstated for up to 4 years and 11 months.
Enhanced Score Report
If you wish to see your overall, section-wise performance and ranking, you can opt for an enhanced score report by paying a fee of $30 USD. This report gives you detailed information about your time management skills, your performance compared to others, etc.
Exam Syllabus
The GMAT exam consists of 4 different sections -
Analytical Writing Assessment
This section requires you to analyze an argument given in the form of a passage and write a critique to that argument. This section assesses your critical thinking and communication in English in the form of an essay. An electronic system evaluates the structural and linguistic aspect of your essay and experts analyze your expression of your ideas in a well-defined manner.
Note- You can get this section rescored once by an expert after paying a fee of $45 USD within 6 months of your test date.
Integrated Reasoning
This section judge you on the basis of your data integration skills to solve complex problems. This section includes four types of questions-
Quantitative Aptitude
This section measures your ability to reason mathematically, solve quantitative problems, and interpret graphic data.
Two types of questions are asked in this section:
Basic concepts used in this section are:
Note - Calculators are not allowed in this section.
Verbal Reasoning
This section measures your ability to read and understand written material, reason and evaluate arguments, and correct materials for effective expression in English.
Three types of questions are asked in this section-
How to Register for the GMAT?
You can register for the GMAT exam by three different means which include:
Online Registration
You can register online on mba.com between 6 months to 24 hours before your desired test date. You need to -
Registration via Phone
To register via phone, make a call to GMAT Customer Service on +91 120-439-7830 and tell you details to them. An additional surcharge of $10 USD is applied on registration by phone.
Registration via Mail
To register via Mail, download the application form, fill it out and mail the same along with the registration fee to the address mentioned in the form. Please make sure that you send the form at least 3 weeks before the test date.
Registration via Fax
To register via Fax, fill the form and fax it on +91-120-4001660
You can pay the registration fee of $250 USD by using Debit/Credit card, cheque or money orders. The cheques and money orders are payable to Pearson VUE-GMAT in US Dollars only.
GMAT Test Centers in India
There are a total of 39 GMAT centers in 34 different cities in India.
Test Dates
GMAT is conducted all year round and there are no fixed official dates.
Important facts:
Rescheduling or Cancelling the GMAT Test Registration
If in an unavoidable situation you need to reschedule or cancel the test, you can do that online or via phone.
Important points to be considered:
No. of days before the test date | Rescheduling amount | Refund amount on cancellation |
60 days before | $50 USD | $100 USD |
15- 50 days before | $100 USD | $75 USD |
14 days or less | $150 USD | $50 USD |
Since, GMAT demonstrates your motivation, ability and commitment to get into a business school, you need to be very particular about the application process.
Just talk to our expert Counsellors and clarify all your doubts!
Please feel free to connect to our Student Support Team at +91-9303-42-42-42 or contactus@ubergrad.com to answer all your queries or doubts.
Ubergrad.com is a D-I-Y (Do-It-Yourself) study abroad platform that is democratizing the way students APPLY and ENROLL at top universities overseas for graduate studies. You don't need to go to any person/agency for help. You can do it all by yourself from the comfort of your home !!
In case, you need help at any stage of the process – from ‘shortlisting’ universities to finally ‘enrolling’ at your chosen university abroad, Ubergrad's Expert Counsellors are always available and are just a phone call away (Book a call by clicking on "Talk to Ubergrad Counsellor" button).