Last Updated: January 31, 2024
What is the GMAT/Graduate Management Admission Test?
GMAT is the most prominent and standardized test for graduates to procure admission to MBA programs. The exam is used by over 2,400 institutions and universities in the world. The GMAC conducts it to assess skills that are of value to business-related and managerial courses. It focuses on fields like problem-solving, data sufficiency, logic, etc. One of the reasons why the exam is popular is the consistency in which it has been administered.
GMAC launched the
GMAT Focus, the new version of the test, on November 7, 2023.
Who Can Apply for GMAT?
Students over 13 can take the GMAT irrespective of their nationality and educational qualification. Most students who apply for the GMAT are undergraduate students, though this is not a set requirement.
Eligibility Requirements for GMAT
The eligibility requirements for applying for GMAT are mostly around the age of the candidate-
- Students between 13 and 18 can apply only after submitting a parental consent form.
- Students aged 18 years or above can register independently.
GMAT Focus Edition
As of January 31, 2024, the GMAT Exam's previous version has been replaced by the revised GMAT Focus Edition. The new GMAT Focus Edition was accessible as of November 7, 2023. The GMAT Focus Edition lasts for 2 hours and 15 minutes, featuring 64 questions, with an optional 10-minute break. This enables candidates to gain admission to over 7,700 courses at 2,400 business schools.
The GMAT Focus Edition will be available online and at test centers.
- Candidates may take the exam in any order they choose to optimize their performance.
- Candidates can also bookmark questions to review and can change up to three answers per section.
- The candidates may submit their scores once they have reviewed them.
- Benefit from the improved Official Score Report, which gives the candidates a detailed insight into their performance, free when registering.
The syllabus is divided into three sections, namely Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, which highlight the precise abilities required to excel in a postgraduate management course.
Updated Format of the Exam
- Quantitative Reasoning: This assessment is intended to assess the test taker's aptitude in fundamental algebraic and arithmetic concepts, as well as their capacity to utilize this knowledge in problem-solving scenarios.
- Verbal Reasoning: This assessment measures the test-taker's ability to comprehend written material, analyze it logically, and evaluate arguments. Presenting information objectively and using clear and concise language focusing on logical structure and causal connections is essential. It is also crucial to adhere to conventional academic structures and maintain a formal register with value-neutral language, avoiding biased or emotive expressions. Consistent use of subject-specific technical terminology is recommended for precision. Finally, the text should be free from grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors, with standard citation and footnote formatting.
- Data Insights: The "Data Insights" section of the GMAT's latest version will encompass the integrated reasoning and data sufficiency concepts that were undertaken in the previous curriculum.
| Section | No. of Questions | Time Limits |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 21 | 45 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 23 | 45 minutes |
| Data Insights | 20 | 45 minutes |
GMAT Focus Edition Scores
The GMAT Exam - Focus Edition Total Score scale ranges from 205 to 805, with a 5 at the end of each value. Scores for sections vary from 60 to 90. After the exam, the candidates can see their unofficial scores right away. Online access to official score reports is usually available in three to five business days. Sometimes, it could take up to 20 days.
| Section | Score Range | Standard Error of Measurement |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 60-90 | 3 points |
| Verbal Reasoning | 60-90 | 3 points |
| Data Insights | 60-90 | 3 points |
| TOTAL SCORE | 205-805 | 30-40 points |
The candidates will receive information on their performance compared to other applicants for the same program, along with their overall and section scores, percentile rankings, insights by section, question type, and content domain (a particular field of knowledge).
Cost of Taking GMAT
The cost varies by country for the GMAT focus. Candidates can find out how much it costs in their country by clicking
HERE. The cost of taking the test is typically between $250 and $310. The cost of other services, like cancellation and rescheduling, also differs between nations. Please be aware that there might be an extra US$10 charge if the service is rendered through a call center. Students can pay the fee online using VISA, Mastercard, and American Express through a debit or credit card.
The following is the price to take the GMAT exam in the US:
| Service Fees | Delivered at Test Center | Delivered Online |
| Exam Registration | US$275 | US$300 |
| Enhanced Score Report | US$30 | NA |
| Additional Score Report | US$35 each | US$35 each |
| Cancel Score | US$25 | NA |
| Reinstate Score | US$50 | NA |
| AWA Essay Rescoring | US$45 | US$45 |
Rescheduling Fee
| Service Fees | Delivered at Test Center | Delivered Online |
| More than 60 days before exam | US$55 | US$60 |
| 15-60 days before exam | US$110 | US$120 |
| 14 days before exam | US$165 | US$180 |
Cancellation Fee
| Service Fees | Delivered at Test Center | Delivered Online |
| More than 60 days before exam | US$110 Refund | US$120 Refund |
| 15-60 days before exam | US$80 Refund | US$90 Refund |
| 14 days before exam | US$55 Refund | US$60 Refund |
Test Dates for GMAT
There are no set test dates for GMAT, and students are free to take the test at any time at their convenience by booking it online or visiting their nearby test center. The exam is conducted multiple times a year through more than 650 test centers worldwide. Students have the option of registering as early as six months before their preferred test date. It is recommended that students select a date that is at least 2 or 3 months after registration.
How GMAT Focus Edition is Different from the Classic GMAT Test?
The following is a comparison and contrast of the GMAT Focus Edition with the GMAT Classic:
| Basis | GMAT Focus Edition | Classic GMAT Exam |
| Time Duration | 2 Hours 15 minutes | 3 Hours 7 minutes |
| Time Per Section | 45 minutes per section | Quantitative Reasoning-62 mins
Verbal Reasoning-65 mins
Integrated Reasoning-30 mins
Analytical Writing-30 mins |
| Number of sections | 3 Sections | 4 Sections |
| Exam Sections | Quantitative Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
Data Insights | Quantitative Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
Integrated Reasoning
Analytical Writing |
| Number of Questions | Quantitative Reasoning-21 Questions
Verbal Reasoning-23 Questions
Data Insights-20 Questions | Quantitative Reasoning-31 Questions
Verbal Reasoning-36 Questions
Integrated Reasoning-12 Questions
Analytical Writing-1 Question |
| Total Score Range | 205-805 | 200-800 |
| Score Range per Section | 60-90 each section | Integrated Reasoning-1-8
Verbal Reasoning-0-60
Quantitative Reasoning-0-60
Analytical Writing-0-6 |
| Cost of Taking Tests | Varies from country to country | Varies from country to country |
| Rescheduling and Cancelling Cost | Depending on the country, it varies | Depending on the country, it varies. |
| Review and Edit answers | Allowed | Not Allowed |
| Unofficial Score Reports | Right after the exam is finished | as soon as the exam is over |
| Official Score Reports | Within 3-5 business days | Within 7-10 business days |
| Sending Scores | Within 48 hours of receiving the exam's Official Score Report, send five complimentary score reports to programs. Additional score reports are offered for a fee. | Within 48 hours of receiving the exam's Official Score Report, send five complimentary score reports to programs. Additional score reports are offered for a fee. |
| Exam Attempts Allowed | 5 attempts in a year, 8 attempts in a lifetime | 5 attempts in 12 months, 8 attempts in their lifetime |
| Validity of Scores | 5 years | 5 years |
| Availability of Appointments | Appointments can be made up to 7 days a week at a test center or around the clock for online exams for online exams. Can be scheduled up to 6 months ahead | Appointments can be made up to 7 days a week at a test center or around the clock for online exams for online exams. Can be scheduled up to 6 months ahead |
How to Register/Apply for GMAT?
To register for the GMAT test, candidates must create an account on the GMAC official site. After logging in to the created account, they will be able to schedule an appointment through the web scheduling system. Once they have entered the necessary details during registration, they can pay a fee for the test according to their country.
Students who need accommodations can apply for them by filling out an accommodation request form available on the site. This has to be done before scheduling the test.
- Unexpired
- Government-Issued
- Recognizable Photo
- Candidate’s first and last name as mentioned during registration
The candidate will be able to use
- A Passport
- Driver’s License
- Military ID
- National/ Local ID card
- Registration Card like Green Card, Permanent Residence, Visa
Retake GMAT
Candidates who believe that they have underperformed in their first attempt at the GMAT can always choose to take a retest, which will give them a better chance of receiving good grades than before. US News has published that the senior director of research and data science at GMAC has stated that three-fourths of test-takers improve their score in the GMAT when they take a retest.
Validity of GMAT Scores
GMAT scores are valid for 5 years and will be available for reporting to institutions for 10 years.
Preparing for GMAT
The different methods used by students to prepare for GMAT are as follows-
- Self-Study
- Enrolling in a Commercialized Course
- Private Tutoring
Most candidates prefer to choose a method of self-study for the GMAT and prepare from the best prep books available. Due to the consistency in the structure and syllabus of the test, this method is generally more cost-efficient than the others. It is recommended that candidates start preparing for the exam at least 4-6 months before the test date. Constant practice and review of full-length practice tests will aid them in scoring higher than they expect.
The most prominent online courses available for GMAT are-
- Manhattan Prep
- Kaplan GMAT Prep
- Magoosh GMAT Prep
- The e-GMAT Prep
- The Princeton Review
Candidates can use the following links to get the practice tests for GMAT
The solutions for the tests in PDF format are-
