The GMAT

The GMAT is a computer-based test that tests

  • Written Expression - through two essay questions of 30 minutes each

  • Mathematical Proficiency - through 37 Math questions over 75 minutes

  • Verbal Proficiency - through 41 Verbal questions over 75 minutes

 

GMAT Computer Adaptive Testing

The GMAT exam is "Computer Adaptive", which means that according to how you answer the questions, different questions are assigned to you. You start of with a "medium difficulty" question and an average score.

  • If you consistently answer correctly, a more difficult GMAT question may appear next.

  • If you answer incorrectly, an easier GMAT question may appear.

 

Sometimes, new types of GMAT questions are randomly included in the test to test students' answers, therefore an easier or more difficult question may not be an indication of how you answered the previous question.

Your score is calculated based on the number of questions answered correctly, the difficulty of the questions answered correctly, and the number of questions completed (not just correct ones) . For this reason, we advise our GMAT students to attempt all questions in the GMAT.

 

The Essay Questions

The Essay questions (AWA - Analytical Writing Assessment) are scored SEPARATELY from the GMAT score. Their score is presented separately on your GMAT score sheet when results are sent to schools.  Different schools value the AWA differently, and their score is not related to the GMAT score.

 

Quick GMAT Stats

Question TypeNumber of Questions
Time Allotted
Essays2
60 mins
Math3775 mins
Verbal4175 mins

 

GMAT Essay Question Breakdown

  • Analysis of an Issue - 30 mins

  • Analysis of an Argument - 30 mins

 

GMAT Math Question Breakdown

  • Problem solving - 23/24 Questions

  • Data Sufficiency - 13/14 Questions

 

GMAT Verbal Question Breakdown

  • Critical Reasoning - 14/15 Questions

  • Sentence Correction - 14/15 Questions

  • Reading Comprehension - 4 passages, 12/14 Questions