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What is GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)?
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What is GMAT?
The Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) test is created and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is a standardized test - delivered in English - widely used as part of the assessment process for admission to MBA programs in Business Schools or in other graduate management programs. Nearly 1,300 graduate management programs throughout the world, and about 850 schools require GMAT scores from each applicant. A high score alone does not translate into an admission offer from a great school. But the test can be looked upon as the first major hurdle to be cleared in the process of getting admission into a Business school of your choice.



What skills does GMAT test measure?
The GMAT does not presuppose any specific knowledge of business or other specific content areas. It does not measure achievement in any particular subject area.

The GMAT test primarily measures four skills:
  1. Endurance and ability to focus
    As for endurance, the first skill, you'll have to stare at a screen intensely and focus for nearly 3 hours & 40 minutes. Keep this in mind when taking practice tests. Get used to working for many hours on end. Learn how to relax. The physical and mental exhaustion is part of the test's challenge.
  2. Basic knowledge of grammar/math/reasoning/argument formation
    Like all aptitude tests, it must choose a medium in which to measure intellectual ability. The GMAT has chosen math, English, and logic. No calculators are allowed on test day, so you need to practice doing basic math calculations.
  3. Test-taking skills: ability to guess, work at an appropriate pace, and make decisions under pressure
    All these test taking skills and strategies are covered in our GMAT TIPS section.
  4. Problem-solving abilities
    To improve your problem-solving abilities, during practice sessions when you get a question wrong, make sure you understand the conceptual error that you made in the question. You do not want to repeat the error again.

What are the sections and their timings?  
The GMAT is a computer adaptive test (CAT) having maximum testing time of 3 hours and 40 minutes. There are four sections in the test.
 

Section name

  

Timing
Analytical Writing Section (task 1) Analysis of an issue essay

30 minutes
Analytical Writing Section (task 2) Analysis of an argument essay

30 minutes
Quantitative (Problem Solving & Data Sufficiency) 37 Questions

75 minutes
Verbal (Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, & Sentence Correction) 41 Questions

75 minutes


  1. Analytical Writing Section
    The writing section always begin the test. You will type your essay on the computer, using a very basic word processor. This section consists of two separate writing tasks—Analysis of an issue essay and Analysis of an argument essay. You are allowed 30 minutes to complete each one. For both the essays, the emphasis is on the "Analytical" part, and not on the "Writing" part. This implies that a concise essay with well-reasoned points written in simple English will be looked upon more favorably than an essay which falls short on the analytical aspects even though it is high on writing skills.
    • Analysis of an issue essay
      It is the standard type of essay. In this essay you need to analyze the issue presented and explain your views on it.
    • Analysis of an argument essay
      It is not a standard type of essay, in which a given argument has to be critically analyzed and evaluated. It is actually easier to write than the Analysis of an Issue essay, if you know what to write.
    You can review a list of the topics that you might see on in these Analytical Writing sectins. GMAT doesn't say it, but all the topics that you might see on the test are on this list (although you never know how or when GMAT is going to change!!).

  2. Quantitative Section
    Following an optional five-minute break, you begin the Quantitative Section of the GMAT®. The 37 questions in this section comprise two kinds of questions : Problem Solving (PS) and Data Sufficiency (DS). The two kinds do not have a definite break-up, usually there are around 20 PS and 17 DS questions. The section tests you on a level of Maths that is comparable to the level of Class 10 exams, with questions on Number Systems, Percentages, Fractions & Decimals, Algebra (including Quadratic Equations), Geometry (including Basic Coordinate Geometry), Ratio & Proportion, Area & Volume of 2-D and 3-D figures, and Probability. This list is not exhaustive; questions from beyond these topics may also be asked.
    While the Problem Solving questions require you to solve a mathematical problem directly and choose the right answer, the Data Sufficiency is of a trickier variety. Each problem comprises a question followed by two statements, which may or may not lead to the answer to the given question. This is what you need to ascertain - whether the given statements can be used to answer the question or not, and if so, whether the statements can be used independently or in conjunction. Each of the five answer options present the five possibilities that arise in this case, and you have to apply the basic principles of mathematics with a strong dose of logic to get these right.

  3. Verbal Section
    After a second optional five-minute break, you begin the Verbal Section of the GMAT®. This section in GMAT requires the basic skills of correct English coupled with reasoning and analysis. The 41 questions, to be attempted in 75 minutes, consist of three types : Sentence Correction (SC), Critical Reasoning (CR), and Reading Comprehension (RC). The three types are intermingled, with no fixed number for each type. The break-up of questions among SC, CR, and RC could be 14-14-13 or 15-13-13, or any such combination.
     

How is the GMAT result scored?
The GMAT results comprise four different scores : a total score (which is the combined verbal and quantitative scores), a separate Verbal score, a separate Quantitative score, and an Analytical Writing score. The total score is reported on a scale from 200 to 800. The Verbal and Quantitative Scores are reported on a scale of 0 to 60. For the AWA score, the scale is from 0 to 6. Note that your AWA performance is not reflected in your total GMAT score (on 800). You get to know your total, verbal, and quantitative score immediately after taking the test. Official GMAT score reports, which include the AWA scores, are mailed approximately two weeks after you take the test and take another ten days or so to reach your address.
In addition to these scores, the score report also contains percents (%) below. These "% below" indicate the percentage of examinees who scored below you based on the scores of the entire GMAT testing population for the most recent three-year period. These percentages are important in considering how an applicant for admission to a particular management school compares with everyone in the specified period, with all other applicants to the same school, and with students already enrolled at the school.

How GMAT scores are reported?
ETS has the provision of reporting your GMAT scores to a maximum of five universities of your choice, the cost of which is built into the GMAT fee you pay. But the catch is : you have to select these five universities/business-schools which will receive copies of your score report BEFORE you begin to take the test. This implies that even before taking the GMAT, you need to do some homework on which universities you’re finally going to apply, based on the score that you expect to attain. For reporting to each additional university, the ETS charges you $25, payable by an international credit card or a dollar denominated draft.

How many times should I take the GMAT?
Theoretically, you can take the GMAT as many times as you want. Most people are better off preparing thoroughly for the test, taking it one time and getting their top score. Even though an "I could have done better" feeling is inevitable after any test, taking the GMAT again may not be helpful. For most people repeating the test from a lower than average score - the average gain from the first to second testing is approximately 30 points in the test total score.
Sometimes it is necessary to take the GMAT more than once, like when a management school asks you for more recent scores than what you have. However, unless your scores seem unusually low compared to your performance in the practice tests, or if you have not been able to perform well because of a sudden illness or similar exceptional circumstances, it’s advisable not to succumb to the temptation of repeating the test. This is because, given the nature of the test, it is unlikely that your scores can substantially improve.
If you repeat the test, your scores from the latest test date and the two most recent test administrations in the last five years will be reported to the institutions you designate as recipients. In any case, you cannot take the test more than once in the same calendar month, even if you have taken the test and cancelled your scores.

Who is eligible for GMAT and what is the fees?
Anyone and everyone is eligible for taking the GMAT - there are no restrictions based on age or qualifications.
Test fees for GMAT may vary according to the country in which you take the test. Currently, the worldwide fee is US $225, payable at the time of registration.
The payment can be made through a credit card which has global acceptance. The credit card need not necessarily be yours - you can get your father to sign for you!. The other payment forms could be;
  • money order/certified check
  • U.S. Postal Money Order
  • international money order
  • UNESCO coupons

Can I cancel my score if I do bad?
Yes, but you must do so before you see your test score. Once your score has been reported to you, you do not have the chance to cancel. In most cases, canceling your score is a bad idea. The only cases in which we would recommend canceling are those in which you had an extreme circumstance which caused a very poor performance (illness, bad testing environment, etc.). Usually, people think they did worse than they actually did. Remember that even if you don't cancel and do poorly, you do have the chance to take the test again.

How long will my GMAT score be good for?
According to ETS, GMAT scores are good for 5 years. However, with the introduction of the Computer Adaptive Testing format, older scores may be judged slightly differently. Plan on taking the GMAT about a year or so (if possible) before you plan to enroll in business school.

What Computer Skills Do I Need?
Minimal computer skills are required to complete the GMAT CAT. Before beginning the test the candidate will complete a tutorial that covers using a mouse, entering a response, using the word processor, accessing the help function, and moving on to the next question. The candidate will also be able to access the help function at any time during the test.

What Are The Conditions Like At A Test Center?
The CAT is administered in an individualized environment in the quiet and privacy of separated testing stations. The candidate will have the opportunity to take two five-minute breaks, one after completing the essays and another between the quantitative and verbal sections.

How to register for GMAT?
First of all download the GMAT Information Bulletin available free. This bulletin will provide you important information about the exam and the Test Scheduling Form also comes with the bulletin. Before you decide to register for the GMAT®, you may want to search for a testing location that is convenient for you and determine whether that site has available seats. Details of testing centers in Pakistan is given below, for other international testing centers, see the International Test Center Locations List.
There are three ways to register:
Registering by Phone:
You may call up Regional Registration Center for Pakistan (link below) until 12:00 noon to register. You may look at the other International Regional Registration centers. Make sure to call at least THREE BUSINESS DAYS before the test date.
Registering by Fax or Mail:
To schedule your appointment by mail or by fax in another location, complete the International Test Scheduling Form. When your form is complete, mail or fax it—with appropriate payment (see Pay for the Test for details)—to one of your RRC (Regional Registration Center).
To complete the Form, you will need to enter the Country Code of your mailing address, using the Educational Testing Service® (ETS®) Country Code List. Country code for Pakistan is 445. If your country does not appear on the list, please write in the name of your country on the Form. You must send your Mail or Fax at lest SEVEN DAYS prior to your first choice of a test day with the payment.

After your RRC has processed your registration request, you will receive a confirmation number, an appointment time, and the test center address by fax, e-mail, or mail. Call the RRC if you do not receive confirmation of your appointment at least three business days before the earliest test date listed on your form.

Where is GMAT (Computer Based) test administered in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, GMAT (CBT) is offered at registered RRC (Regional Register Centers) listed below. Please also note that for GMAT (CBT), the test registration center is in Malaysia, you need to register through them. Test centers are located in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. The Regional Registration Center for Pakistan is:

Prometric B. V. Branch Office,
PO Box 12964, 50794 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
Registration Phone:60-3-7628-3333,
Fax 60-3-7628-3366 (call between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. Pakistan time)
 
CBT Test centers list in Pakistan:
 

Karachi

 Islamabad Lahore
Global Education Foundation
(Test Center Number:8781)
Prometric Testing Center
Suite No. 217, 2nd floor
Plot No. G7, Block 9,
The Plaza, Scheme No. 5 Clifton
Karachi, Pakistan
Phone: 92-21-586-8218
Fax: 92-21-587-3181 		United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP)
Prometric Testing Center (Test centre #8782)
House 16, Street 84, G-6/4
Ataturk Avenue, Islamabad, Pakistan		 Lahore University of Management Science (Test Center Number: 8783)
Prometric Testing Center
Opposite Sector U.L.C.C.H.S.Lahore Cant.
Lahore, Pakistan
Phone: 92-42-5722670-9
Fax: 92-42-5722591

When and What should I bring at the test of the day?
Items Not Permitted During the Test Session
No testing aids are permitted during the test session or during breaks, and there is limited space for you to store your personal belongings. Testing aids include, but are not limited to:
  • notes
  • scratch paper
  • calculators or watch calculators
  • stop watches or watch alarms
  • personal data assistants (PDAs)
  • telephones or cell phones
  • beepers or pagers
  • photographic devices
  • stereos or radios
  • any other electronic devices
  • books or pamphlets
  • dictionaries, translators, or thesauruses
  • pens or any other writing utensils (pencils are provided at the test center)
  • rulers or any other measuring devices
Scratch Paper
The administrator will provide you with six sheets of scratch paper that may be replaced after you have used them all. You may not remove this paper from the testing room at any time. All scratch paper must be returned at the end of the test session. You may not take your own scratch paper into the testing room.

How can I best prepare myself for the test?
There are many ways to prepare for the GMAT. At the very least, you should familiarize yourself with GMAT Test and practice some questions beforehand, Once you are comfortable with the format, you will be free to concentrate on the content of the questions themselves. The amount of practice you need will depend on your ability, the time you have available before you take the test, and how familiar you feel with the test format. Beside, we have collected various GMAT web sites links, these include sample tests, sectional guidelines, which will help you to become more familiar with the test.
You can prepare for the GMAT by yourself or with friends.
In addition, you can take tuition from an experienced GMAT teacher.

We have also provided some very useful GMAT Preparation Tips for free. 



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