{"id":9547,"date":"2022-01-31T04:47:48","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T04:47:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/?p=9547"},"modified":"2026-04-08T15:26:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T15:26:04","slug":"all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"The GMAT Exam &#8211; What&#8217;s The Test All About?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"VideoObject\",\n  \"@id\": \"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/gmat\/videos\/exam-overview\",\n  \"name\": \"Exam Overview (GMAT Course \u2013 Exam Overview and Question Types)\",\n  \"description\": \"Overview of the GMAT exam structure and policies. This video explains the approximately 3.5-hour exam duration, the four sections\u2014Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment\u2014and how the two optional 8-minute breaks work.\",\n  \"uploadDate\": \"2021-08-11\",\n  \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/IE75NeshsWM\/maxresdefault.jpg\",\n  \"contentUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=IE75NeshsWM\",\n  \"embedUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IE75NeshsWM\",\n  \"duration\": \"PT15M40S\",\n  \"publisher\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n    \"name\": \"AnalystPrep\",\n    \"url\": \"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/\",\n    \"logo\": {\n      \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/analystprep-logo.png\"\n    }\n  }\n}\n<\/script>\n\n\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IE75NeshsWM\" width=\"611\" height=\"343\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n<p>If you are an undergraduate looking to advance your career in the finance field, enrolling for an MBA is the next step. Generally, graduate business programs are highly competitive, and a high score on your Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT\u00ae) greatly increases your chances of admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While your admission into business school is not fully dependent on your GMAT score, a good test score shows your academic preparedness for the rigorous graduate program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#What_is_the_GMAT_exam\" >What is the GMAT exam?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#What_does_the_GMAT_Exam_test\" >What does the GMAT Exam test?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#What_are_the_four_components_of_the_GMAT_exam\" >What are the four components of the GMAT exam?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#I_Analytical_Writing_Assessment_AWA\" >I. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#II_Integrated_Reasoning_IR\" >II. Integrated Reasoning (IR)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#III_Quantitative_Reasoning\" >III. Quantitative Reasoning<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#1_Data_sufficiency_questions\" >1. Data sufficiency questions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#2_Problem-solving\" >2. Problem-solving<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#IV_Verbal_Reasoning\" >IV. Verbal Reasoning<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#1_Reading_comprehension\" >1. Reading comprehension<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#2_Critical_Reasoning\" >2. Critical Reasoning<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#3_Sentence_correction\" >3. Sentence correction<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-gmat-exam\/#How_is_the_GMAT_Exam_scored\" >How is the GMAT Exam scored?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_GMAT_exam\"><\/span>What is the GMAT exam?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) develops and administers the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) to measure candidates&#8217; preparedness for graduate-level academic work. It is a standardized exam required for admission into most MBA or graduate school business programs. In addition, the exam is computer-based and computer adaptive, and you can choose to take the exam at a test center or online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When enrolling for an MBA, your GMAT score is one of the considerations made by the business school admission committees, alongside academic records and work experience. Therefore, you must prepare and get a high score on your GMAT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"text-align:center;margin:25px 0;\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/free-trial\/\" target=\"_blank\"\n     style=\"display:inline-block;padding:12px 24px;border:2px solid #2f5cff;border-radius:999px;color:#2f5cff;text-decoration:none;background:#f7f9fc;white-space:nowrap;\">\n     Start your prep with our free trial.\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_the_GMAT_Exam_test\"><\/span>What does the GMAT Exam test?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The GMAT exam tests your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Additionally, it would be best if you understood basic arithmetic, algebra, data analysis, geometry, grammar, and communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_four_components_of_the_GMAT_exam\"><\/span>What are the four components of the GMAT exam?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, the GMAT contains four test sections that generate your combined total score. You can choose to take the sections at the test center soon after your computer tutorial. Consequently, here are the options you can choose from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative, Verbal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning (IR), Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning (IR), Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"I_Analytical_Writing_Assessment_AWA\"><\/span>I. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The analytical writing assessment is the essay section that tests your writing skills. The essay is scored separately from 0 to 6 in half-point increments. In any case, it&#8217;s not part of your 200-to-800-point score. Instead, your essay score is the average of two scores; by a computer grading system and a human grader. However, if there is a significant difference in the scores, another human grader reads and gives the final score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally, your writing task involves critiquing an author&#8217;s argument by analyzing their evidence and reasoning. The section takes 30 minutes to complete. You should identify and analyze parts of the argument thoughtfully and logically organize your ideas. Additionally, you should be insightful and show clear transitions between your statements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"II_Integrated_Reasoning_IR\"><\/span><strong>II. Integrated Reasoning (IR)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Integrated Reasoning section tests how well you can analyze and interpret data and information presented in different formats. The section takes 30 minutes to complete. Integrated reasoning is scored separately, with scores ranging from 1 to 8 in one-point increments. In addition, it is not part of your 200\u2013800-point score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The integrated Reasoning section has 12 questions in different formats, which include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Multi-source reasoning questions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Two-part analysis questions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Graphics interpretation questions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Table analysis questions<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"III_Quantitative_Reasoning\"><\/span>III. <strong>Quantitative Reasoning<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The quantitative reasoning section tests your numerical literacy and mathematical abilities such as arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. It takes 62 minutes to complete and includes 31 questions in total. Consequently, there are two types of questions;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Data_sufficiency_questions\"><\/span>1. Data sufficiency questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Data sufficiency questions consist of a question and two statements of data. You should identify the statement providing relevant information to answer the question and thereafter eliminate the answer choices to identify the correct answer. There are 14 to 15 data-sufficiency questions in every quantitative section, and in any case, you should apply the same procedure in answering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Problem-solving\"><\/span>2. Problem-solving<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Problem-solving questions include a question section and five possible answers to choose from. The standardized questions require algebra, geometry, and critical thinking skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"IV_Verbal_Reasoning\"><\/span>IV. Verbal Reasoning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The verbal section tests your reading and comprehension skills, editing ability, and analyzing written arguments. The section consists of 36 questions and takes 65 minutes to complete. The various types of questions in this section include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Reading_comprehension\"><\/span>1. Reading comprehension<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Reading comprehension questions test your critical reading skills, such as summarizing the main concept, differentiating between stated and implied ideas, making interpretations based on the information given, deducing the authors&#8217; tone and attitude, and analyzing the logical structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The question consists of a passage on a business, social science, biological science, or physical science-related topic, and questions test your text comprehension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Critical_Reasoning\"><\/span>2. Critical Reasoning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>These questions include a short argument or statements and a question relating to them. They test your skills in making and evaluating arguments and formulating an action plan. Therefore, you should understand the structure of arguments and logically analyze the relationships between evidence and conclusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Sentence_correction\"><\/span>3. Sentence correction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This section will have long sentences consisting of an underlined part or sentence. Consequently, your task is to find the best version of the underlined section from the original or one of the four choices given. The sentence may be correct or contain several errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_is_the_GMAT_Exam_scored\"><\/span>How is the GMAT Exam scored?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Analytical Writing Assessment segment is scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments, while the Integrated Reasoning section is scored from 1 to 8 in one-point increments. These scores are not part of your overall score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Verbal and Quantitative sections have a scale of 0 to 60 each. The combined scores generate your score on the 200 to 800 scale, with 10-point increments reflecting the difficulty of questions answered correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test that adapts to your performance as you are taking the test. At the start of your exam, the computer gives you a question of medium difficulty. When you answer correctly, the computer serves increasingly difficult questions and adds the estimate of your ability and vice versa. An algorithm determines your final score by calculating your ability level based on what you got right and the difficulty level of questions answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you complete the exam, you get immediate unofficial GMAT test scores after your test, and you can choose to keep or cancel them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your GMAT test scores directly impact your graduate school application. Therefore, you should prepare to get a high score by studying adequately. Choose the best test prep for you from <a href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/shop\/gmat-learn-practice-package\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Analystprep.com<\/a> and avoid a low GMAT score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"text-align:center;margin:40px 0;\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/free-trial\/\" target=\"_blank\"\n     style=\"display:inline-block;padding:14px 28px;background:#4a76d1;color:#fff;border-radius:999px;text-decoration:none;\">\n     Start Free Trial \u2192\n  <\/a>\n  <p style=\"margin-top:10px;\">\n    Practice across all sections, build key skills, and track your progress as you prepare.\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are an undergraduate looking to advance your career in the finance field, enrolling for an MBA is the next step. Generally, graduate business programs are highly competitive, and a high score on your Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT\u00ae)&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":9553,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[201],"tags":[194,193],"class_list":["post-9547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gmat","tag-all-you-need-to-know","tag-gmat-exam","blog-post","animate"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9547","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9547"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9547\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14482,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9547\/revisions\/14482"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9553"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9547"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}