GMAT Exam: Structure, Syllabus, Exam Dates & Fees 2023

GMAT improves your chances of getting into top business and management institutions. GMAT scores are accepted by over 7,000 programs worldwide. For over 60 years, the GMAT has been the most popular MBA admissions exam. With four individually timed portions, you can take the GMAT at a test center or at home.

Let us begin by defining GMAT and discussing the benefits of taking the GMAT admission exam.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is an exam administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). A high GMAT score is your ticket to top universities around the world that offer business and management programs to students from all over the world. Aside from that, the GMAT is significant because:

The GMAT exam measures your critical thinking and reasoning skills. They are the two most relevant skills required for top graduate business programs.

Secondly, a good GMAT score demonstrates your commitment, motivation, and ability to succeed in your respective business programs. Once you graduate from top business schools through a high GMAT score, you are valued by employers worldwide. It increases your earning potential and opens a world of opportunities.

Let us have a brief overview of the GMAT exam below:

GMAT Full-Form and Graduate Management Admission Test Respectively

• Conducting Body: GMAC
• Nature of GMAT: Computer Adaptive Test
• Mode of Exam: GMAT in Person or GMAT Online
• Age/ Eligibility: 18+ years or 18 years with a letter of consent from parents
• GMAT Registration fee: 250 USD
• GMAT Exam Duration: 3 hours 7 minutes
• Skills Tested: Writing, Quantitative, Analytical, Verbal and Reading skills
• Sections in GMAT Exam: Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning & Verbal Reasoning
• Section order: You are allowed to choose your own section order amongst 3 choices in the first minute of the GMAT exam
• Breaks between Sections: 2 Breaks of 8 Minutes Each
• No. of Attempts: 8
• Announcement of Results: 7 – 20 days after the Test

Aside from why the GMAT exam is essential, students frequently inquire about the optimal time to take the GMAT. This is a subjective question because some students may reach the necessary level of exam competency in 3-4 months, but others may need less or more time. However, consistency in preparation is the key to success.

What is GMAT Eligibility Criteria?

GMAC does not set GMAT eligibility. As the GMAT is necessary for MBA or business school. The test is frequently taken by undergraduates or professionals. Each university has its own admission requirements, therefore your grades and performance will effect your final admittance.

Additionally, most GMAT applicants must be 18 or older. A parent or guardian must sign a consent letter for under-18 applicants.

What is GMAT Exam Pattern?

As previously said, the GMAT assesses your total knowledge as a student in order to excel in the field of business and management. To run a business successfully, you must have a strong grasp of the language, the capacity to solve strategic problems, and a logical attitude. These are the skills that the GMAT exam structure and syllabus are founded on. It is divided into four sections:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Integrated Reasoning
• Analytical Writing

Do you know, GMAT allows you the flexibility to choose your own section strategy?

Yes, you read it right! The GMAT pattern allows the test-takers the advantage of choosing the order they would wish to answer the GMAT test in. You’re given three variations to choose from. The GMAT exam time is the same for all three of them.

What is GMAT Exam Syllabus 2023?

Now let us have a look at the GMAT syllabus based on the four sections:

Verbal Reasoning

The GMAT Verbal Reasoning exam assesses your ability to understand, evaluate, and comprehend English. This section requires a strong command of the English language. There are a total of 36 questions here that must be solved in 65 minutes.

The verbal reasoning section of the GMAT includes questions on reading comprehension, critical thinking, and sentence correction. Common subjects discussed here include:

• Idioms
• Pronouns
• Modifiers
• Comparison
• Verb Tenses
• Subject- Verb Agreement

Quantitative Reasoning

The GMAT Quantitative Reasoning exam requires you to analyze mathematical data and generate conclusions using your reasoning abilities. It comprises of 31 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 65 minutes. There are two sorts of questions on the GMAT quantitative syllabus: problem-solving and data sufficiency. It contains questions in the following domains:

• Arithmetic
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Modern Math

Most of the students find this section to be the most challenging.

Integrated Reasoning

The GMAT Integrated Reasoning section combines both verbal and quantitative reasoning. This means you must be able to sort the provided data, locate relevant information, and apply solutions to answer the given questions. This unique part has 12 questions that must be solved in 30 minutes.

There are four types of questions in this section:

• Multi-Source Reasoning Questions
• Table Analysis Questions
• Graphics Interpretation Questions
• Two-Part Analysis Questions

Analytical Writing

The Analytical section, regarded as one of the most essential areas of the GMAT exam, assesses your ability to write. You are asked to examine a particular argument, present your results, and give your validations for the same in the GMAT AWA portion. You are given a passage from any field, such as business, arts, science, and so on. You must write ONE argumentative essay in 30 minutes based on the given passage.

GMAT AWA preparation requires a significant amount of work on your part.

GMAT Scores & Results

According to experts a GMAT score that ranges anywhere from 650 to 690 makes for a good score. However, surpassing the good GMAT score for a better 700, 760 or an out-of-out 800 is a great score. But how are GMAT scores calculated? Let us first have a brief overview of the GMAT score scales of each sections:

GMAT Sections and Scoring Scale

• Verbal Reasoning: 6-51 score scale, with 1 point increment
• Quantitative Reasoning: 1-8, with 1 point increment
• Integrated Reasoning: 1-8, with 1 point increment
• Analytical Writing: 0-6 score scale, with 0.5 increments

The GMAT score reporting of percentages confuses many candidates. A few people are also perplexed by negative marking in the GMAT. There is no negative marking on the GMAT exam. However, because the exam is adaptive, the questions become more difficult if you answer correctly. If your attempted questions are incorrect, the next set of questions is simple.

How to Register for GMAT Exam?

GMAT exam registration is hassle-free and easy. To apply for GMAT, sign in to the official mba.com account and follow the steps mentioned to register:

• Create a GMAT account and log in.
• Create your GMAT Profile.
• Fill in your personal and academic details.
• Verify your profile.
• Select your preferred GMAT test centre, date, and time.
• Pay the GMAT registration fees and you’re done.

What is GMAT Exam Fee?

The GMAT exam fee varies based on the country and location of the test. However, for most countries around the world, the GMAT fee comes to around $250. The GMAT cost for India is given below:

• GMAT Registration Fee: 250 USD
• Additional Score Report: 35 USD each
• Score Cancellation after GMAT: 25 USD
• Score Reinstating: 50 USD
• Analytical Essay Re-Evaluation: 45 USD
• GMAT Rescheduling Fee: 50-150 USD depending upon days before appointment
• GMAT Cancellation Fee: 50-100 USD refunded depending upon days before appointment

GMAT Exam Dates 2023

GMAT dates are not fixed. You can fix the test on your desired date by booking a slot from your official GMAT mba.com account. Other facts about GMAT exam dates 2023 are:

• GMAT test dates for GMAT at the test centres are available seven days a week during the test centre working hours.
• GMAT Online can be taken anytime during the week at the available appointment time. Book an appointment online and take the GMAT test.
• The GMAC also allows you to reschedule or cancel your GMAT 2023 exam date before appearing. However, you need to do to pay extra costs to do the same and the costs of rescheduling and cancellation may get increase with time.

GMAT Scholarships

A GMAT scholarship for Indian students can be an excellent option to pay their study abroad fees. Universities with various management programs provide grants/scholarships depending on GMAT scores. These programs either cover the entire or a portion of a student’s tuition payments. The GMAT exam scholarship has the following parameters:

• GMAT scholarships are of the following types: need-based, merit-based, diversity/ gender-based, and external scholarships (by agencies and organisations).
• Every GMAT scholarship for Indian students has specific eligibility criteria, application deadlines, etc.
• A high GMAT score doesn’t always guarantee you a scholarship as your student profile also plays a vital role in this regard.

How to Prepare for GMAT Exam?

Let us look at some tips for GMAT preparation:

• Self Test Assessment – Recognize Where You Stand: Take a test to understand where you stand. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses is a very important part of facing a test.
• Refer And Plan – Identify Your Path and Map Your Plan Of Action: Once you’ve identified your GMAT knowledge gap, come up with a progressive plan of action to achieve your desired GMAT score.
• Preparing and Revising: Prepare thoroughly with each of the GMAT sections and revise multiple times. Don’t miss out on any concepts.
• Test Day Ready: Have your essentials in place. Be calm, confident, and wholly prepared to face the GMAT entrance exam.

The GMAT exam is an opportunity to show your ability to achieve your highest goals. You may certainly obtain a high percentile on your GMAT exam and choose the top business school abroad with smart planning and consistent work.

FAQs

• What are GMAT exam Centres in India?

If you are opting for an in-person test, there are many GMAT test centres in India for all major states like:

• Mumbai
• Delhi
• Bangalore
• Kolkata
• Ahmedabad
• Lucknow
• Pune
• Jaipur

While choosing the GMAT exam centers in India, do keep in mind the following things:

Your GMAT exam center must be easily accessible. If possible, opt for the nearest exam center depending on your place of residence.

• What is the GMAT?

The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test designed to evaluate candidates’ analytical writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading abilities. This GMAT test is taken for admission to graduate programs at prestigious business schools worldwide.

• Can I appear for MBA GMAT online at home?

Yes. You may appear for MBA GMAT online mode from the comfort of your home.

• Are GMAT quantitative questions tough?

The GMAT quantitative questions demand rigorous practice and understanding on your part. So, the level of difficulty varies from person to person.

• What is GMAT registration fee?

The GMAT application fee 2023 India is 250 USD