### What is the GMAT?

The GMAT is the Graduate Management Admission Test, a standardized test required by the vast majority of business schools because it provides a measure of an applicant’s academic ability. The GMAT test does not include any questions that gauge your business knowledge. The GMAT test is computerized and administered six days each week, 52 weeks per year. While the exam can be taken at virtually any time, it can only be taken once per 31 days and 5 times per year.

### What is a Computer Adaptive Test?

• You will see only one question on the screen at a time. You cannot move onto another question until you answer the current one. Once you answer a question, you cannot return to it or review any questions that you have already answered.
• Correct responses to difficult questions are worth more than correct responses to easy questions. The raw number of correct questions answered is not indicative of your final score.

Despite these variables, the GMAT test will always present you with a fair mix of questions with regards to content areas for a given section. For instance, any test-taker will receive the same rough mix of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry questions on the quant portion of the test.

### GMAT Test Registraion

Register for the GMAT test online at MBA.com. The cost is $250 and your scores are valid for 5 years. Prior to taking the GMAT test, you will be able to pick 5 schools to receive your scores; each additional school you select will cause you to be subject to a$28 processing fee.

### Test Center Rules

As anyone who has taken a real GMAT will attest, the testing center rules are stricter than airport security. Pearson VUE, the company that administers the test for GMAC, imposes these stringent rules in order to prevent test-takers from escaping with copies of questions on the exam to share with others. This is a good time to note that the GMAC has recently taken extraordinary steps to track down students who post current GMAT problems on the internet and who cheat during the exam. For those that need proof, here is a link to a story about the Scoretop scandal. If you are caught cheating, the GMAC will invalidate your test scores. Business schools, upon learning this information, will remove your application for consideration or, if you have already been granted a space in their program, withdraw your acceptance letter. Here are the rules imposed within the testing center:

Testing Tools: Calculators, protractors, notebooks, and watches are strictly prohibited and may not be taken into the testing room. You may not bring your own scrap paper. Instead, the Test Proctor will provide you with a laminated Test Simulation Booklet and Pen. Keep in mind that the Test Simulation Booklet operates essentially like a dry-erase board. However, rather than being provided with an eraser for your work, if you run out of space, you must draw the attention of the proctor who will provide you with a new booklet for each used booklet you return.

Note About Watches: A countdown clock is viewable in the test software, so you will be able to see how much time is remaining in the given test section. (You may also choose to hide this clock if you find it distracting.) Personal stopwatches and/or countdown clocks are not permitted.

Breaks & Bathrooms: You are allowed two optional 8-minute breaks according to the following schedule:

• Analytical Writing Assessment (60 minutes)
• 8 minute break
• Quantitative Section (75 mintues)
• 8 minute break
• Verbal Section (75 minutes)

Total: 226 minutes (3 hours, 46 minutes) including breaks

While these breaks are labeled as ˜optional’, we cannot stress enough the importance of letting your mind recover from a long section of stressful work. Therefore, take advantage of these breaks! Stretch your legs, get some water, use the restroom. However, make sure your break doesn’t extend past the 10-minute mark, or you may reduce the amount of time you have to solve questions.

Food & Beverages: Food and beverages are not allowed in the testing room.

Noise & Earplugs: Please be respectful of your fellow test-takers by being as quiet as possible. Note that there may be some noise as new test takers arrive and are seated by the test proctor. Just as in official GMAT test centers, students do not begin the exam all together, but instead each student is seated in order of arrival. It is important that you get use to some noise, since there are always some distractions at official test-centers. If you would like, you may request earplugs from the test proctor.

### Format and Scoring

Intro: Before you begin your exam, you will sit through a computer tutorial designed to help you become familiar with computerized testing. You can review this information for as long as you please.

Section 1 “ AWA: For the Analytical Writing Assessment, you will be asked to compose two 30-minute essays. The first essay will ask you to analyze a given argument; the second will ask you to analyze a given issue.

Section 2 “ Quant: You have 75 minutes to answer 37 multiple-choice quantitative questions that come in two formats. Problem Solving questions (approximately 22 out of the 37 questions) are multiple choice math questions that ask you to solve for a specific value.. Data Sufficiency questions (approximately 15 of the 37 questions) ask you to decide whether or not you are given sufficient information to answer a mathematical question.

Section 3 “ Verbal: You have 75 minutes to answer 41 multiple-choice verbal questions in three formats. Sentence Correction questions ask you to choose the most grammatically accurate sentence. Critical Reasoning questions demand that you assess the logic of short arguments. Reading Comprehension involves reading short passages and answering questions based on that particular passage. Each verbal question type comprises approximately one-third of the Verbal section.

 TEST FORMAT # OF QUESTIONS TIME The Essays      Analysis of an Argument      Analysis of an Issue 1 1 30 min 30 min Optional Break 8 min Quantitative      Problem Solving (~22)      Data Sufficiency (~15) 37 ~22 ~15 75 min Optional Break 8 min Verbal      Sentence Correction      Critical Reasoning      Reading Comprehension 41 14-15 13-14 12-14 75 min 3 hrs 30 min (+ breaks)

Find your quantitative subscore on the horizontal axis and find your verbal subscore on the vertical axis; plot the resulting point on the chart. If the point lands on a solid line, your score is approximately equal to the score associated with the line. If the point does not land on a line, the overall score is some average of the scores your point falls near. Notice that there are many combinations of subscores that result in any particular overall score.

### After the Exam

We consistently recommend to our students that they check their scores. In most cases, the feeling of underperformance is simply a side effect of computer adaptive test-taking: the GMAT provides you with difficult questions because you are at a higher level. Hence, you should always check your scores. The only exception would be when you run out of time on a given section, thereby earning a score significantly below your ability level. Your AWA score, on a range from 0 to 6, is determined separately and e-mailed to you roughly two weeks after the test.

The mean overall GMAT score is a 537 (as of 2007). To be considered for top business schools, you generally need a score of at least 600. The top 20 business schools report their average GMAT score to be around a 670 “ 715, with 700+ being the average for top 10 programs.

### Final Reminders

Plan. Prepare. Practice. Most applicants spend several months preparing for the GMAT and many students take the test more than once, so it’s in your best interest to plan ahead. The average GMAT study time is 2 “ 4 months, so it’s important to leave time for researching specific business school programs and for completing applications.

This is a test for which practice pays off – GMAC’s data shows that there is a positive correlation between the length of time spent studying for the GMAT and one’s score; over 50% of students who studied for 2 months or more received a 600 or greater, in contrast to under 37% of students who studied for a month or less.

1. Imagencorporativa.Blog.com May 1, 2013 at 4:16 am

Un saludo y mucha suerte.

2. http://primeawnings.blogspot.com April 23, 2013 at 3:27 am

This unique blog, â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€
was remarkable. Iâ€™m printing out a backup to present my personal buddies.

3. primeawnings.edublogs.org April 23, 2013 at 2:46 am

â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ really got me simply addicted with your web-site!
Iwill probably be returning alot more normally. Thank you ,Isiah

4. Primeawnings.Blogbaker.com April 23, 2013 at 2:08 am

I really question how come you named this specific article,
â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€. In any event I adored the article!
Many thanks-Darla

5. http://Www.Youtube.com/watch?v=38RAl1Zw4ys April 23, 2013 at 1:06 am

Many thanks for composing â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€.

I personallymay definitely be back again for far more reading and commenting shortly.
With thanks, Shanna

6. blinkweb.com April 22, 2013 at 11:46 pm

â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ really enables me personally contemplate a little bit further.
I really cherished every individual portion of this blog post.
Regards -Stephen

7. primeawnings.blinkweb.com April 22, 2013 at 9:17 pm

It seems like you truly know a great deal with regards to this particular
subject and that exhibits through this amazing blog post,
termed â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€.
Thank you ,Carin

8. hawaiiweddingmatch.com April 22, 2013 at 7:54 pm

This really is the 4th article, of your site I really checked out.

However I personally like this one, â€œWhat is the GMAT?
| Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ the best. Thanks ,Heriberto

9. http://primesolarwindowshades.wordpress.com/ April 22, 2013 at 6:05 pm

I really blog also and Iâ€™m writing a little something very close to this excellent blog, â€œWhat is
the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€. Would you care in the event Iwork with a little
of your personal concepts? Regards -Mittie

10. wordpress.com April 22, 2013 at 5:12 pm

I blog likewise and Iâ€™m creating a little something alike to this
excellent article, â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€.

Will you care if I personallymake use of a
lot of of your own concepts? Many thanks ,Dorthy

11. www.facebook.com April 22, 2013 at 3:04 pm

This valuable blog, â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ reveals the fact that u actually know what
precisely you r communicating about! I actually fully approve.
Thanks a lot -Trista

12. Sayyeswed.Bcz.com April 22, 2013 at 2:08 am

Thanks a lot for applying time to publish â€œWhat is the GMAT?
| Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€. Thanks for a second time
,Katie

13. http://sayyesweddingdressblog.wikispaces.com April 21, 2013 at 7:05 pm

â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ was
in fact a remarkable blog post and also I personally was in fact truly content to find
the blog. Regards,Felix

14. HTTP://sayyesweddingdressesblogsite.webs.com April 21, 2013 at 6:14 pm

â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ truly got
me simply hooked with your web page! Iwill probably be back a whole lot more normally.
Thanks a lot ,Ingrid

15. https://www.facebook.com/Sayyesweddingdresses April 21, 2013 at 5:11 pm

Where exactly did you actually acquire the tips to create â€œâ€œWhat is the GMAT?
| Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€? I appreciate it -Calvin

16. http://samsjsu.org/ April 20, 2013 at 1:07 pm

â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ was in fact a truly awesome post,
. Keep writing and I’ll keep on viewing! I appreciate it ,Lionel

17. http://www.Mdinatoursmalta.com/ April 20, 2013 at 12:55 pm

This excellent article, â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ shows the fact
that u truly comprehend everything that you r writing
about! I personally absolutely agree. With thanks -Dianna

18. Www.Issba.org April 20, 2013 at 7:48 am

â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ ended up being a
terrific article, can not help but wait to look at more of your blogs.
Time to squander a bit of time online hehe. Thanks a lot -Trinidad

19. http://Www.Turfs2Surf.com April 20, 2013 at 7:16 am

Thank you for utilizing time in order to write â€œWhat is the
GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€. Many thanks for a second
time -Dominic

20. hb3urbandesign.com April 20, 2013 at 12:34 am

â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ really makes
me personally contemplate a tiny bit further. I personally treasured
every single piece of this blog post. Many thanks ,Luisa

21. www.schohariecountyjeepclub.com April 19, 2013 at 7:12 pm

You produced a handful of good points throughout ur
posting, â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€.
I may be coming to your blog shortly. With thanks -Bridgett

22. http://www.24Notes.org April 19, 2013 at 6:51 pm

Thanks for writing â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€.

I actuallymight definitely wind up being coming back for a great deal more reading through
and commenting shortly. Thanks, Marilynn

23. HTTP://www.atlantamustache.com/ April 19, 2013 at 4:48 pm

Your personal post, â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ was worth writing a comment down here in the comment section!
Just wanted to mention you truly did a remarkable job.
Thanks a lot -Tressa

24. http://www.foundationhealthcarenetwork.com/ April 19, 2013 at 3:19 pm

â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€
ended up being a marvelous blog, canâ€™t help but wait to look at
even more of your blogs. Time to waste a bit of time on the net
hehe. Thanks for your effort ,Nelly

25. fotomagica.net April 19, 2013 at 2:09 pm

â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ ended up being a
good post. If only there was a lot more web blogs
just like this specific one in the internet. Regardless, thanks for your personal time, Kathryn

26. www.Startwebdevelopment.com April 16, 2013 at 2:09 pm

â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ was indeed a fantastic posting,
cannot help but wait to look at more of ur blog posts. Time
to waste a lot of time online lmao. Many thanks ,Francisco

27. http://Tinyurl.com/ April 14, 2013 at 11:55 am

Exactly where did u actually end up getting the recommendations to write â€œâ€œWhat is the GMAT?

| Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€? Thanks for your time -Buddy

28. Pokoje Karwia April 9, 2013 at 11:37 pm

Соraz wiÄ™ksza ωolumеn firmа
w Polscе dostгzega dysрozycја jakie nіesie ze sobÄ… turуstyκа.
W ten рostÄ™ρowanie jеsteÅ›my w ѕtanie рosÅ‚ugіwaÄ‡ sіÄ™ spοÅ›rÃ³d coгaz ωiÄ™kszеj liczby foгm tuгystyki rÃ³ωniеÅ¼
w naszym kraju.

my ωeblog :: Pokoje Karwia

29. Dieta Para Adelgazar 5 Kilos April 8, 2013 at 8:41 pm

Rocio el cansancio es normal. Poco a poco te iras recuperando.

30. www.vietdirection.com April 6, 2013 at 7:05 pm

Precisely how much time did it require u to write â€œWhat is the GMAT?

| Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€? It boasts an awful lot of wonderful
details. Appreciate it -Chelsey

31. easyeraserpro.com April 6, 2013 at 6:44 pm

You really made some remarkable points with your
blog post, â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€.
I’ll become returning to your page before long. Thanks ,Hermelinda

32. Hevizibo.Blogspot.com March 18, 2013 at 8:08 pm

This unique post, â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ indicates that u comprehend
everything that u are communicating about!
I totally approve. Thank you ,Loren

33. adfuse.Weebly.com March 18, 2013 at 6:07 pm

Whatever truly inspired u to write â€œWhat
is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€? Ireally enjoyed the blog post!

34. http://Www.tumblr.com/blog/adfuse March 18, 2013 at 5:49 pm

It seems like u actually know very much with regards
to this specific subject matter and it shows by means of this amazing article,
labeled â€œWhat is the GMAT? | Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€. Thx -Alejandrina

35. https://www.Facebook.com/pages/Cm-com-Inc/567709886587374 March 18, 2013 at 5:20 pm

I actually wanted to discuss this particular blog post, â€œWhat is the GMAT?
| Manhattan GMAT Blogâ€ together with my best close friends on twitter.

I reallybasically desired to disperse ur remarkable posting!

Thx, Thalia