Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT is conducted by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey, USA.
The purpose of GMAT is to measure your ability to think systematically and to employ the reading and analytical skills that you have acquired throughout your years of schooling.
By schooling, I really mean, the knowledge you got from your school. So, you have to brush up Wren & Martin, Algebra and Geometry text books again.
Since the results of GMAT are used by many Graduate schools of business as a means for measuring qualifications of the applicant, it is important that the prospective student do as well as he possibly can on this exam. His admission to business school may well depend on it.
I appeared for three exams to secure an easy admission to University of Liverpool, UK for my MBA.
I cleared GMAT with 590 marks, IELTS with 7.0 and TOEFL with 375. Of these all the first exam is the most important. Let me tell you all about GMAT; its procedure, its questions, its marks. After you have read this guide, you will find yourself in good position to appear for GMAT. So here we go:
Where to Apply
To know the exact time, date and for registration forms, you can write to:
Graduate Management Admission Test,
Educational Testing Service,
Box 966-R,
Princeton, New Jersey 08541,
USA
You can also visit their website ar https://gmac.com
GMAT is usually held in the months of October, January, March and June. I appeared for the January one. But it is advisable to give the exam some 3-4 months before the admission starts abroad.
The Test Format
When I got their brochure, they gave me two likely formats. I would like to give it to you.
Order of:
Section - Type of Question - Time - Number of Questions
FORM A:
I - Reading Comprehension, 30 minutes, 20-25 questions
II- Reading Comprehension, 30 minutes, 20-25 questions
III- Problem Solving, 30 minutes, 20 questions
IV- Practical Judgement, 30 minutes, 40 questions
V- Data Sufficiency, 30 minutes, 25 questions
VI- Practical Judgement, 30 minutes, 40 questions
VII- Writing Ability, 30 minutes, 25 questions
VIII- Problem Solving, 30 minutes, 20 questions
Total: 240 minutes with 210-220 questions
FORM B:
I- Reading Comprehension, 30 minutes, 20-25 questions
II- Practical Judgement, 30 minutes, 40 questions
III- Problem Solving, 30 minutes, 20 questions
IV- Practical Judgement, 30 minutes, 40 questions
V- Data Sufficiency, 30 minutes, 25 questions
VI- Writing Ability, 30 minutes, 25 questions
VII- Writing Ability, 30 minutes, 25 questions
VIII- Problem Solving, 30 minutes, 20 questions
Total: 240 minutes with 210-220 questions
I got the FORM A paper.
Usually the paper has three main subjects.
1)English
2)Maths
3)Logic
All the sections are included in these three subjects. So, brush up your skills in these three main subjects.
Your Scores and What They Mean
You see that that highest marks you can get is 800 for 220 questions. But how do you get a score of about 500 or 600? There is a formula that is used.
First, very question includes one mark. Every wrong answer you give deducts 0.25 marks.
Let’s say you got a raw score of 142.5 out of 200, without deducting any marks. So, your score is:
3.5 X (RAW SCORE) + (800 - 3.15N) (N = Number of questions)
Since N = 200, (800 - 3.15N) = 800 - 630 = 170
So, your score is 3.5 (142.5) + 170 = 669
You see you did well by scoring 142.5. But you would be asking where that 3.5 came from?
There is a scale that is used to convert your raw score into your actual score.
Say if number of questions is less than 190, the formula would be 4 x (RAW SCORE) + (800 - 3.6N)
If questions is less than 221 but greater than 189, the formula is 3.5 x (RAW SCORE) + (800 - 3.15N)
If questions is more than 220, the formula is 3 x (RAW SCORE) + (800 - 2.7N)
In our example we had 200 questions, so we used the second formula.
How to prepare for GMAT
This is a very important question.
First of all, get the complete idea of GMAT paper format. Plan your strategy as to how you are going to solve that many questions is so less time. Always time yourself.
There are many books available in the market. I recommend Barron’s Book on GMAT and also ARCO’s book.
Practice, practice and practice.
Classes are good, but self study is also important.
New Technology
Earlier there were written tests or paper tests. But nowadays, paper has been replaced by computers and CAT (Computer Admission Test) has come in for GMAT.
Now the computer takes your test, section by section, and question by question. You will get your score there and then after you have completed your GMAT.
The computer first throws an easy question, if you answer it correctly, the computer keeps increasing the difficulty level of question. If you answer wrongly, the computer then gives an easier one. So, the computer is responding to your actions.
For the CAT, you must have the basic knowledge of computer and understand the concept of mouse, the checkboxes and the buttons. You can also request for a paper test if you are not comfortable with the PC. Also, you cannot skip a question if you want to in CAT. You have to answer the question, whether you know it or not, to move on to other question.
Last Few Tips
GMAT is very lengthy and very tiring. So, be prepared for it. You have the option to take a 5-minutes break after completing a section in CAT. It is upto you whether you want it or not.
If you complete a section before time; relax. You are very lucky to have some time spared.
Usually, I have seen that many answers to maths question is the ’C’ option. But it is not always true. So, if you don’t know the answer, mark C.
After you have completed the test, there is no need to discuss it with your friends. Go back home and relax. Discussing it will add to your stress.
After everything, get ready to head towards a business school abroad.
I wish you all the luck.