GMAT Test Structure And Score Evaluation

GMAT i.e. Graduate Management Admission Test is the computer-adaptive test which always displays only one question at one time on the screen. These questions are chosen from the large categories of question pool which starts with less difficult question. Each question asked to you is according to your responses to all the previous questions. This means the CAT adapts itself according to the ability of the student. The students also get some questions which are either too easy or too hard to answer.

The student has to select correct answer from the given five options for each question asked in the GMAT test. Another answer is displayed only when student have answered the former question. Students cannot skip any of the questions. Moreover, students cannot go back to the former question if the student has got the new question.

The main aim of the test is to predict the chances of the student for the academic success in MBA program. It depends on the four skills that are verbal, analytical writing, quantitative and total scores:

Quantitative, Verbal and Total Scores:

Taking about Quantitative Sections, it is two types of questions: Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency blended in the section. Verbal Sections have three types of question: and they are Correction of the Sentences, Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehensive. In total, there are 78 questions in both the section. The quantitative section has 37 questions and verbal section has 41 questions. All the 78 questions should be answered in 75mins. The GMAT scores by major of both the sections are ranges between 0 and 60. The total GMAT scores calculate are between 200 and 800.

Analytical Writing Score (AWA):

In Analytical Writing Section, students have to write two short essays each of 30 minutes. The first essay would be of Analysis on an Issue in which an issue is given to the students and the students have to give their own views on it. While the second essay is on Analysis on an Argument in which students have to give critical views on the given argument.

In both the essays, importance is given on the analytic skills rather than writing skills. This means a short essay that covers all the important points will considered more favorable than that of a lengthy essay having a good writing skills.

Between both the essays, a five minute break is allotted to the students. The option of taking break is given by the computer, but the student has to choose whether to take the break or not. Even if the student has completed both the essays in the given 60 minutes then also five minutes break is given to them. The score of this exam is considered in calculation of the average score of the student. The average score ranges from 0 to 6 in the half point interval.

Following is the table of format of GMAT-CAT:

How Schools Use and Interpret GMAT Scores?

The scores in GMAT is important for two main reasons. One of the reasons is GMAT gives reliable measure of certain skills which are essential to study management/business at graduate level. And second reason is unlike academic grade which normally varies from school to school, GMAT score provide the platform to assess all the test takers keeping them at one level.

While reporting your GMAT scores, there is a provision that student can report GMAT scores percentile in maximum 5 universities of the student’s choice, the cost for which is included into the GMAT test fee. So the student must do some homework before appearing for the GMAT and select the schools in which they wish to take admission. These schools will receive copies of GMAT Score report before you start for your GMAT test.

The student has to pay US $128 for each additional each school payable by a dollar denominated draft or an international credit card. Some additional taxes are also to be paid when you request to get Additional Score Reports (ASR) in some countries.

GMAC has prepared some guidelines which helps to the students who are interested to give the GMAT exams. Apart from GMAT, others important aspects like applications, interviews, letter of recommendations etc are also taken into consideration for the overall admission of the student for MBA program. They are also used to consider for GMAT scores for MBA programs.