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GMAT Full Form: Graduate Management Admission Test
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is designed to assess the students aiming to join the MBA (Masters in Business Administration) program or Masters in Finance-related courses. The exam tests the writing, analytical, verbal, quantitative reasoning, and reading skills of the candidate in standard written English language.
Here is all you need to know about GMAT
More than 1500 graduate business schools around the globe require GMAT scores for admission. It is a computer-based exam. However, in some remote places, the paper-based system is still followed. GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) is responsible for the design and administration of the GMAT. It determines the kind of skills measured by the GMAT and what methods can be adapted to measure them. It decides the GMAT format and GMAT question paper pattern.
Computer Adaptive Test
GMAT is a computer adaptive test. A computer adaptive test means the questions are not pre-determined. The exam assesses the candidate’s adequate difficulty level and then puts the question before him.
For example, the first question in front of you will be of average difficulty. If you answer it correctly, then the next question will be of slightly higher difficulty. If your answer is wrong, the question will be of lower difficulty. The same algorithm is set for the second question, and third, and so on.
Because it is a computer adaptive test, and your answer determines the level of the next question, you are not allowed to go back to the question you have once answered. Only the number of correct answers does not indicate your score. The hard questions hold more GMAT scoring points than easier questions. You should take care of 13 Common mistakes made by GMAT Test takers and know how to avoid them.
Executive Assessment
GMAT assessment is an exam by GMAC for the EMBA programs. EMBA stands for Executive MBA. EMBA is a short duration program for working professionals who want to improve their managerial and leadership skills but do not want to change the direction of their career much. EA exam is called a mini-GMAT exam. EA exam focuses more on Integrated reasoning, more suitable for experienced candidates. You should also take care of some of the Do’s and Dont Before and on the GMAT test day.
GRE vs GMAT
While GRE is a common examination for Graduate Record Examination, GMAT is more weighted and focused on the management abilities of the candidates. Graduates who want to study in any MBA or Management program mostly take the GMAT.
As per the Test-takers, GRE holds a higher level of English language and GMAT has a higher level of quantitative problems compared to each other. However, for both the subjects, interpretation abilities change from individual to individual and you should check with the institute you are applying to before deciding on one. For more information: What’s the difference between GMAT and GRE?
GMAT Eligibility
As the name suggests, the GMAT is for Graduates who are willing to pursue their postgraduate studies in management schools or the b-schools around the world. Therefore, there is a minimum age requirement. However, with a parent or guardian letter, candidates below 18 years of age can also appear for the exam. For more information on the Eligibility for GMAT, you can refer to GMAT Eligibility
GMAT Exam Dates
Candidates can appear for the GMAT all around the year, though it is always advisable to check the test center availabilities and regional holidays for the same. Once you have appeared for GMAT, you will have to wait for a period of 16 days before reappearing. To know how many times one can appear for the GMAT exam in a year, read more at GMAT Exam Dates
GMAT Registration
One can register for GMAT Exam anytime they want to during the whole year. However, to make sure you get the date you want, you might want to Register for GMAT as soon as you decide to appear for the exams. Generally, the registration for the GMAT will be done online by the candidate for the convenient date and time suited best to him or her. Here, you can find the step by step process for the registration: GMAT Registration
GMAT Exam Fees
There is a registration fee candidates will have to pay to appear for the exam. The GMAT fees might vary with the country and region you are applying from, but generally, they are around 250$ to 280$. However, as the fees differ from region to region, it is best to check first on the official website. For GMAT Exam Fees, Rescheduling fees, and other costs, click here: GMAT Exam Fees
GMAT Exam Pattern
GMAT consists of four subjects and the test runs for three and a half hours. GMAT test-takers are assessed in the following subjects:
The duration of the exam is around 3.5 hours. The analytical writing and integrated reasoning are for 30 minutes, while the sections of Verbal and Quantitative have durations of 65 and 62 minutes respectively. Here is all you need to know about the exam pattern: GMAT Exam Pattern
Read more: Time management of 3 hours 30 minutes in the GMAT
GMAT Syllabus
All four subjects of the GMAT have their own specialized courses and fields of study. Though there is no fixed syllabus, one can always cover all the areas of a subject. There are numerous GMAT exam materials available both online and offline which covers a large portion of the syllabus and provide the candidates with all kinds of possible question types and solution. For detailed information on the GMAT syllabus, you can read: GMAT Syllabus
GMAT Preparation
The preparation material available for the GMAT exam is a lot, both online and offline. There are some of the Best GMAT Preparation Books and Online Resources One can give an average number of 100 hours to study for the GMAT to score among the top 15% of candidates taking the exam. You can attempt a few GMAT Sample Questions before attempting an official GMAT exam.
In short, the right amount of preparation and the right way of preparation is essential to scoring well in the GMAT exam. For Verbal, the candidates will have to Practice reading comprehension from different texts, understand and work on their English Grammar, and reading abilities. Similarly, you will have to work in different areas of mathematics for quantitative analysis. Here are the best tips to crack the exam: GMAT Preparation
GMAT Scores
There are two types of GMAT Scores you will hear about. The unofficial scores are the scores you will see when you finish your test at the center. These are just for the candidate’s reference and they should not be used anywhere officially. The scale of GMAT test scores is between 200 to 800, and they come in multiples of 10 like 710, 720, and so on. The official scores, GMAT results are released within three weeks of the exam and can be used for admission purposes. Here is all the information you need about the top scores, GMAT Results, and score validity: GMAT Scores
You may be interested to know: How to get 700 on GMAT?
GMAT Scholarships for B-Schools
Keep in mind that taking the GMAT test is not the only criteria you will need to fulfill to get a scholarship. There are many other requirements. The scholarships are mostly merit-based, or need-based (for the candidates with financial hardships). Not all the scholarships apply to all the B-schools. Check with the institute you are applying to for the available scholarships and eligibility criteria.
Top Business Schools with GMAT scholarships
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University/B-School |
Scholarships |
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Stanford Graduate School of Business |
The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship |
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Haas School of Business |
Dr. Tahir Fellowships |
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Booth School of Business |
The Zonis Fellowship |
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Akhtar Ali H. Tobaccowala Fellowship |
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Harvard Business School |
Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship |
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The Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellowship |
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HBS Fellowship Programs |
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Wharton School of Business |
Emerging Economy Fellowships |
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Social Impact Fellowship |
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Joseph Wharton Fellowship |
We hope that we have cleared all the doubts and queries you have regarding the GMAT examination. However, if you have any other questions regarding the exam, Universities for GMAT, or any other aspect of the exam, feel free to ask below:
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