Before I start writing this post, I would want to make it clear that it is being written keeping in mind the needs and aspirations of Indian MBA Aspirants, who generally prepare for the Indian Management Entrance Exams (CAT, XAT etc) and hence have quite a few doubts about the GMAT.
Who Conducts the GMAT?
GMAT is conducted by GMAC. The Graduate Management Admission Council ®(GMAC®) a global non-profit organization comprised of leading graduate business schools around the world. GMAC is the owner and administrator of the GMAT®exam, the first and only standardized test specifically designed for graduate business and management programs.
When can I take GMAT?
You can book your GMAT dates on any day of the year. Log on to mba.com to book your dates.
What Sections are there in GMAT?
The GMAT has 4 sections- AWA (Analytical Writing Ability), IR (Integrated Reasoning), Quantitative and Verbal.
| GMAT Test Section |
# of Questions |
Question Types |
Timing |
| Analytical Writing Assessment |
1 Topic |
Analysis of Argument |
30 Minutes |
| Integrated Reasoning |
12 Questions |
Multi-Source Reasoning
Graphics Interpretation
Two-Part Analysis
Table Analysis |
30 Minutes |
| Quantitative |
37 Questions |
Data Sufficiency
Problem Solving |
75 Minutes |
| Verbal |
41 Questions |
Reading Comprehension
Critical Reasoning
Sentence Correction |
75 Minutes |
Please note that AWA and IR sections are graded separately. Your GMAT score (out of 800) is only on the basis of your performance in Quantitative and Verbal Section.
What is the Examination Fee?
250 US Dollars
How many times can I take GMAT?
You can take GMAT upto 5 times a year. But there must be a gap of 15 days between two successive attempts.
Which Indian Colleges accept GMAT scores?
Some of the major Indian colleges accepting GMAT score for the normal MBA are :-
Indian School of Business
SPJIMR
IMT
IMI
XIMB
TAPMI
GIM
Great Lakes
MISB Bocconi
For Executive MBAs, all the IIMs accept GMAT score.
Do I need Work-Ex to appear for GMAT?
No, you can even take GMAT when you are in final year or before. The score is generally valid for 5 years (though it depends on the college to which you are applying)
How is the level of GMAT in comparison to CAT and XAT?
Quantitative- Extremely easy
Verbal- It is on the tougher side but can be managed as the pattern is fixed and there is no unpredictability. There are only 3 types of questions- RC, CR and SC.
Integrated Reasoning- Many questions are similar to the DI (Data Interpretation) section in CAT/XAT and this can easily be managed.
I have prepared Extensively for CAT/XAT. Will that help with GMAT?
Quantitative section- Definitely. Verbal section- Won’t help much.
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About the Author:
Kumar Anshul is a Dentist-turned-Manager who is currently working as a Marketing Manager at Oliveboard. He also has his own venture- Founder and Editor-in-Chief of International Dental Journal of Students’ Research. He also works for The Bootcamp, where they help students to prepare for GMAT to get through ISB Admission process. He has an Early Entry Admit to Indian School of Business and will be joining the batch of 2017-18. He is an avid reader. He loves learning new languages and has cleared basic proficiency level exams in Spanish and French and is currently learning Italian (Online) and Japanese (Weekend Classroom Course) simultaneously.
