GMAT Preparation
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is created and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Admissions officers use the GMAT to measure academic ability. In fact, ETS data has shown that GMAT scores are consistently good, though imperfect, predictors of academic success in the first year of business school. GMAT scores are also used by admissions committees as a useful guide in comparing the credentials of candidates from widely varying backgrounds.
Standardized = Predictable
The exam itself measures
general verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills. It does not test
business competence nor specific subject knowledge. The GMAT is a standardized
test. Standardized tests by definition are predictable. Knowing the format and
structure of the exam and applying certain strategies to address them can significantly
increase score levels. In short, targeted preparation is the key to success on
the GMAT.
Taking
the Test
There are many test
locations and you are advised to check the GMAT website for more information
about locations of testing and how to book a test appointment, you can find all
that information at http://www.gmac.com/gmac/thegmat/
Format
The GMAT consists of three
sections, each providing a sub-score that contributes to your overall score:
1. Analytical
Writing Assessment
2. Quantitative
3. Verbal
Analytical Writing
Assessment (AWA)
The analytical writing assessment consists of two 30-minute typewritten essays.
Topics tested include: Analysis of an argument and analysis of an issue
Quantitative
This section will take 75 minutes, and has a maximum of 37 multiple-choice
questions. Questions includes problem solving and data sufficiency, on topics
such as arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
Verbal
The verbal section takes 75 minutes and has a maximum of 41 multiple-choice
questions. Question types include: Reading comprehension, sentence correction,
and critical reasoning on topics such as speed reading, grammar, and analytical
reasoning
The GMAT
CAT
How does a computer
adaptive test work? The Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) is more than just a
computerized version of a paper-and-pencil test. The GMAT CAT is called
"adaptive" because the computer assigns questions based on your
responses to previous questions. So, if you get the first question right, the
second question should be a little harder and if you get the first question
wrong, the second question should be a little easier, and so on. Harder
questions generate higher scores and easier questions lower scores. The earlier
questions of a GMAT CAT section are crucial in determining your baseline score,
so invest the necessary time to try and answer these questions correctly. You
must, however, pace yourself so that you have time to mark an answer for every
question in the section.
GMAT Tips
In the first half of the
Quantitative and Verbal Sections:
1. Double-check
your work to catch any sloppy mistakes.
2. If you
get the first few right, expect a very tough question early on.
3. Don't
worry if you can't answer an early question (even the first one).
4. Don't
over invest. Some questions yield to brute force, some don't.
In the second half of the
Quantitative and Verbal Sections:
1. You
should feel challenged.
2. Strategic
guessing is ultra-important. Be willing to cut your losses.
3. Take
quick stabs whenever a question looks too time-consuming.
4. Manage
your time so you don't have to guess randomly on the last 10-15 questions.
5. Missing
any one question won't hurt your score (much), but missing a string of
questions will.
6. Assume
the last questions are scored.
7. You will
be penalized heavily for not finishing the section.
Scoring
on the GMAT
You will receive four
scores on the GMAT:
1. An
overall score, ranging from 200 to 800.
2. A math
sub-score, ranging from 0 to 60.
3. A verbal
sub-score, ranging from 0 to 60.
4. A score
for the Analytical Writing Assessment, ranging from 0 to 6.
Your GMAT score is valid
for five years.
Percentile
Rank
Each of the aforementioned
scores are accompanied by a percentile rank. The percentile rank highlights
what proportion of test takers scored lower than you on the test. The higher
the percentile rank, the better you did. For example, if you received a
percentile rank of 56, you did better than 56 percent of test takers. This
number tells business schools exactly where you fell with respect to other
candidates who took the GMAT.
The Essay
Each essay is given a
separate grade on a 0-6 scale by two different graders - a human and a computer
named the "e-rater.". These grades are assigned holistically, taking
into account all aspects of content, writing style, and grammar.
If the two grades for an
essay agree, that score will be assigned. If the two scores are markedly
different, then a third scorer, a person, will read the essay to determine its
grade. In addition, business schools may receive copies of your typewritten essays.