Houston College of Education Information and Career Counselling

What is GMAT ?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer adaptive test (CAT) intended to assess certain analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills in written English for use in admission to a graduate management program, such as an MBA. It requires knowledge of certain specific grammar and knowledge of certain specific algebra, geometry, and arithmetic. According to the test owning company, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the GMAT assesses analytical writing and problem-solving abilities, while also addressing data sufficiency, logic, and critical reasoning skills that it believes to be vital to real-world business and management success. It can be taken up to five times a year. Each attempt must be at least 16 days apart.

GMAT is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council. More than 7,000 programs at approximately 2,300 graduate business schools around the world accept the GMAT exam as part of the selection criteria for their programs. Business School use the test as a criterion for admission into a wide range of graduate management programs, including MBA, Master of Accountancy, Master of Finance programs and others.

The GMAT exam is administered in standardized test centers in 114 countries around the world. According to a survey conducted by Kaplan Test Prep, the GMAT is still the number one choice for MBA aspirants despite the increasing acceptability of GRE scores. According to GMAC, it has continually performed validity studies to statistically verify that the exam predicts success in business school programs.

Exam Structure

The GMAT changed on April 16, 2018. The Quantitative Reasoning Section dropped from 37 questions in 75 minutes to 31 questions in 62 minutes. The Verbal Reasoning Section dropped from 41 questions in 75 minutes to 36 questions in 65 minutes. GMAC has elected to reduce overall exam time from 4 hours to 3.5 hours (including breaks and instructions) by reducing the number of unscored questions used for research on the exam.

The GMAT Exam includes the following sections:

  • 1

    Math

  • 2

    Verbal

  • 3

    Integrated Reasoning

  • 4

    Essay
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Integrated Reasoning
  • Analytical Writing

Time Limit: 62 Minutes
No. of Questions: 31 Questions
Type: Multiple Choice

This tests general knowledge in arithmetic, basic algebra and basic geometry.

Time Limit: 65 Minutes
No. of Questions: 36 Questions
Type: Multiple Choice

This tests grammar, logic skills and your ability to answer questions about reading a passage.

Time Limit: 30 Minutes
No. of Questions: 12 Questions
Type: Multiple Choice (most require multiple answers)

This tests your ability to make inferences based on data presented in various charts, graphs and tables.

Time Limit: 30 Minutes
No. of Questions: 1 Question (essay)

An analysis of an argument on a business or a topic of general interest.

The GMAT is offered only on computer. The 3.5 hour test is administered at a secure computer terminal at an approved testing center. You enter your multiple-choice answers on the screen with a mouse, and Student must compose their essay for the Analytical Writing Assessment section on the computer as well.