Thinking about Earning an MBA Degree? Familiarize Yourself with the GMAT

Thinking about Earning an MBA Degree? Familiarize Yourself with the GMAT

You have always been "intrigued" by Gordon Gekko, the fictional character in the 1987 movie Wall Street who infamously claimed, "Greed is good" and now, in the 2010 movie sequel, "Greed is legal." Reading the Financial Times is part of your daily morning ritual. Given the current economic climate, while some are deterred from going to Business School, you are particularly challenged by what lies ahead. You are thinking about earning an MBA degree. If you are applying to Business Schools in the United States, most universities require applicants to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (the GMAT).

What is the GMAT?

The GMAT is a computer-adaptive standardized test. The GMAT is divided into three main sections: the Analytical Writing Assessment, the Quantitative section, and the Verbal Section. The total time for the GMAT exam is three and a half (3 ) hours.

The Quantitative and Verbal sections contain a pool of multiple-choice questions ranging from low to high difficulty levels. Based on how you answer a question, the computer adjusts the level of difficulty for the next question. The multiple-choice quantitative and verbal questions are dynamically selected based on your ability level. So, no test is alike.

Analytical Writing Assessment

The Analytical Writing Assessment section consists of two writing questions an analysis of an issue and an analysis of an argument. You are allowed thirty (30) minutes to complete your response to each writing question.

Quantitative Section

The Quantitative Section consists of thirty seven (37) multiple-choice questions. The questions are of two types: data sufficiency and problem solving. You have seventy-five (75) minutes to complete this section.

Verbal Section

The Verbal Section consists of forty-one (41) multiple-choice questions. The questions are divided into reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction. You have seventy-five (75) minutes to complete this section.

How to Prepare for the GMAT

Familiarize yourself with the process of taking the computer-adaptive test. For example, how will you submit your answer choice, how will you know remaining time and questions, how do you exit a section, what do you click if you need help? The time spent on these mechanical issues while taking the test will be counted against the time allotted to complete the exam.

One of the most effective ways to prepare for the GMAT, like most standardized exams, is to take as many practice tests as you can. By understanding the format and the pattern in each type of question, you will be a more efficient test-taker, manage your time better, and know the test inside-out.

You can prepare for the GMAT by sharpening your basic math skills and brushing up on your vocabulary and reading skills. Some rely on test prep review courses, others on study aids and guide books.

Things to Keep in Mind When Taking the GMAT

There are optional breaks between each section.

Multiple-choice questions are flashed one at a time. Because the computer scores each answer before choosing the next question, you cannot skip a question, go back to a previous question or change an answer.

There is a penalty for randomly guessing answers. If you do not know an answer, use process of elimination to help you make an educated guess.

Pace yourself as time is of the essence. There is a penalty for not completing the test.

There are unidentified trial questions throughout every GMAT exam, which are pretested for future tests. Although these questions are not counted toward your score, you should do your best on all the questions as there is no way of knowing which are trial questions.

The time and questions remaining for each section are prominently displayed on the computer screen as you take the test.

Your GMAT score is based on three things: the number of questions you answer, whether the answers submitted are correct or incorrect, and the level of difficulty and other statistical properties of each question.

-Lilly Golden, Examville Blog Contributor

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