GMAT Exam Format

The GMAT exam is delivered via computer in individualized workstations. Being computer adaptive (rather than computer based) allows the GMAT exam to determine a test taker's true ability by selecting questions based on previous answers and the test design.

What the GMAT Measures

The Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) examination is a standardized test designed to measure verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills.

The GMAT exam measures these skills in three sections:

• Analytical Writing Assessment Section
• Quantitative Section
• Verbal Section

The GMAT exam does NOT measure :

• Knowledge of business
• Job skills
• Specific content in undergraduate or first university course work
• Subjective qualities such as motivation, creativity, and interpersonal skills
• Abilities in any other specific subject area

Analytical Writing Assessment Section

The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is designed as a direct measure of the test taker's ability to think critically and communicate ideas. The AWA consists of two writing tasks: Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument. The issues and arguments in the test questions concern topics of general interest related to business or other subjects. Specific knowledge of the essay topic is not necessary - only the test taker’s capacity to write analytically is assessed.

Quantitative Section

This part of the GMAT exam measures mathematical skills, understanding of elementary concepts, and the ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative problems, and interpret graphic data. Two types of multiple-choice questions are intermingled throughout the section: Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency. Both types of questions require knowledge of the following:

• Arithmetic
• Elementary algebra
• Commonly known concepts of geometry

Verbal Section

This part of the GMAT exam measures the test taker's ability to :

• Read and comprehend written material
• Reason and evaluate arguments
• Correct written material to conform to standard written English

Three types of multiple-choice questions are used in the Verbal section of the GMAT exam: Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction.

GMAT Scores

GMAT® test takers receive four scores :

• Verbal
• Quantitative
• Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
• Total

An Official GMAT Score Report shows each of these scores; in cases of repeat testing, the score report will show all of the test taker's GMAT scores for the past five years. Test takers may print an Unofficial Score Report after they finish the exam, but this does not include the AWA score and will not be accepted in lieu of an Official Score Report.

Verbal, and Quantitative Scores

The Verbal and Quantitative scores range from 0 to 60. Scores below 9 and above 44 for the Verbal section or below 7 and above 50 for the Quantitative section are rare. The Verbal and Quantitative scores measure different constructs and are not comparable to each other.

Total GMAT Score

Total GMAT scores range from 200 to 800. Two-thirds of test takers score between 400 and 600.

Analytical Writing Assessment Score

The AWA score is an average of the two independent ratings for each section: Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument. These average scores can range from 0 to 6 in half point intervals.
Writing scores are computed separately from the scores for the multiple-choice sections of the test and have no effect on the Verbal, Quantitative, or Total scores.

The Score Report

GMAT score reports include all test results achieved in the last five years, the most recent AWA essay responses, and the following background information:

• Country of citizenship
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Telephone number
• Undergraduate institution, grade point average (GPA), major, and date of graduation
• Intended graduate study
• Highest level of education attained

A “*” symbol indicates that there is no reportable score for a test administration.

GMAT Score Availability

Test takers may print their Unofficial scores from the Verbal and Quantitative multiple-choice sections, along with the Total score, immediately after completing the test.
Official GMAT score reports that include the AWA scores are available to the test taker and his or her designated score-report recipients (schools) approximately three weeks after the test.

"Old" GMAT Scores

Official GMAT score results are kept for 10 years. Candidates may request score reports up to 10 years old if they do not have more recent, valid scores. Most schools accept scores no older than five years.

GMAT Exam Registration & Fee

GMAT can be taken all round the year. To schedule a date we offer Professional Assistance in Exam Registration.

The cost to take GMAT exam is US$250.

Rescheduling Fees

Appointments rescheduled at least seven full calendar days before the original appointment: US$50.
Appointments rescheduled within seven calendar days of the original appointment: US$250 (original testing fee is forfeited).

Refunds

Appointments canceled at least seven full calendar days before your appointment: US$80.
Refunds are not available for appointments canceled within seven full calendar days of the appointment date and time.

Additional Services

Additional Score Report (ASR) Fee: US$28 per report (this cost is subject to taxes when you request ASRs in certain countries).

On the Test Day

What to Bring to the Test Center

• Acceptable identification as described in Presenting Proper Identification - Passport.
• The names of the GMAT® Programs to which you would like to send your GMAT scores. Note: you will not be allowed to bring notes with the names of these programs into the testing room.
• The appointment confirmation letter or email you received from Pearson VUE. However, if you do not have your confirmation letter- or were not issued a confirmation letter- you will still be allowed to test if you have a scheduled appointment.