A standardized test, the Graduate Management Admissions Test measures the Verbal, Mathematical and Analytical skills. The test primarily intends to aid graduate schools of business assess the potential of the applicants for advanced study in business and management. Nearly 1000 management institutes all over the world require GMAT scores from the applicants.
The GMAT is different from most other customary examinations. The examination is entirely computer-based, and no two students get identical sets of questions. Also, students cannot skip questions. The test is scored on a maximum of 800. The GMAT Score alone cannot guarantee admission into a school. The test is only one of the major factors taken into consideration in the long process of an applicant getting admitted into a Business School he/she desires.
The GMAT has three sections – Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing Assessment. The following is the GMAT test structure.
Test Structure
FAQs on GMAT
Q1. Does admission to B schools depend only on GMAT scores?
Ans. It is one of the various criteria that the admission council looks at. However, a good GMAT score does improve chances of admission.
Q2. Does one have to be a graduate for taking the GMAT?
Ans. Not necessarily. However, to do a master's course, one has to be a graduate in any stream.
Q3. What is the cost/registration fee for GMAT?
Ans. The registration fee for taking GMAT is USD 250. After administering the test and before getting the final scores, the test takers are asked to submit the names of 5 B Schools that they would like to send their scores to. This facility is part of the USD 250 fee that is charged for the test.
Q4. How do I register for the GMAT?
Ans. You can register online or by phone or by mail. The detailed information about registering for the GMATTM can be found at www.mba.com
Q5. How many times in a year is GMAT exam held?
Ans. GMAT® is offered on all working days in India (ie, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). The schedule can be obtained from Pearson VUE in person, through phone, e-mail or online.
Q6. How many times can I take GMAT?
Ans. GMAT® can be taken unlimited number of times with a gap of a minimum of 31 calendar days between 2 tests. (It is highly advisable not to appear for GMAT too many times as it may affect the applicant’s candidature). However, one can give the test only 5 times in a calendar year.
Q.7 What is the validity of the GMAT exam?
Ans. Your GMAT score will be valid for 5 years after from the date the test was taken
Q8. What is the scoring pattern?
Ans. Scoring is between 200 (Minimum) and 800 (Maximum) with 10-point increment for Quantitative and Verbal section combined. About 2/3rd of the test takers score between 400 and 600. The Quantitative and the Verbal scores are scaled out of 60 and range between 0 and 60. Score below 9 and above 44 in Verbal and below 7 and above 50 in Quantitative are rare.
The AWA section is scored between 0 and 6 with 0.5 point increments. An AWA score of 4.0 + is a decent score.
Q9. How soon do I get my score?
Ans. You will see your score for the maths and verbal section the moment you finish the exam but official scores (with scores for AWA) will take atleast 21 days to reach you.
Q10. What happens if I postpone/prepone my exam date?
Ans. Rescheduling more than 7 days prior to the original test date will cost you an additional USD 50. Rescheduling within 7 days of the original test date will cost you and additional USD 250.
Q11. What happens if I cancel my exam date?
Ans. If you cancel more than 7 days prior to test date, you will get a refund of USD 80. If you cancel within 7 days of the test date, you will not get any refund. So, it is better to reschedule than to cancel.
Q12. What happens if I want to cancel the GMAT test score?
Ans. After taking the exam you are given the choice of cancelling your score without seeing it. If you choose to do so the score is lost forever but it gets reported on all subsequent score charts that you had cancelled an exam.
Q13. How do I pass on my score to the colleges where I want to apply to?
Ans. The universities only accept official scores sent directly by Pearson VUE. Scores to five colleges can be sent free of cost while taking the exam. Subsequently, for each score report sent to a college, you would have to pay $28.
Q14. Is GMAT valid only for going abroad or it has some relevance in India also?
Ans. GMATTM is accepted in a lot of Indian Business schools like ISB, IIMA (PGPX), IIMC (PGPEX), SP Jain, Great Lakes, etc.
Q15. What is percentile?
Ans. If you secure 85 percentile it would mean 85 % of the students taking the exam in the past five years are below you and 15% are equal to or above you.
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Q16. Can I apply to universities if I do not have the AWA score?
Ans. Yes, you can apply to the universities based on your provisional scorecard that you receive on the day of the test. But only if the university waives the requirement and as long as you are able to send the official score once it is out.
Q17. Do universities consider photocopies of the GMAT scorecard? Do I have to send scores through Pearson?
Ans. No, photocopies are not accepted. You have to send your scores only through Pearson.
Q18. If I take GMAT® more than once, which score will be considered by the universities?
Ans. Most of the Universities take the best score. However, it is best to confirm the same from a particular university before applying.
Q19. If the application deadline of University X is July 15, by when should I take the GMAT®?
Ans. Technically, you can take it as late as July 15. However, it is best to take the GMAT® at least 15 days before the deadline so that you have enough time to prepare the other parts of the application.
Q20. Do I need to have the GMAT® score at the time of applying to universities?
Ans. Not necessary, although it is always better to have it ready. If the score is not available, it is advisable to book a date and give the university the schedule. Please note that the date of the GMAT® HAS to be before the deadline of the university.
Q21. I took the GMAT® in May 2004. Can I apply for Fall 2009 with this score?
Ans. No, the GMAT® score has to be valid till the start of the semester, ie., August 2009.
Q22. Is GMAT® mandatory for applying to MBA programs outside India?
Ans. No, not all the MBA programs outside India. But to seek admission into the reputed Business Schools, one has to have a GMAT score.
