MBA applicants take the GMAT entrance exam from around the world to enter the choicest business school. This exam lasts for three and a half hours and has an 800-point maximum.
With four components comprising the whole GMAT syllabus, we will review each, its exam structure, and tips for success in this article. A thorough and detailed understanding of the GMAT syllabus and exam pattern breakdown will increase your chances of scoring well.
Carefully follow through from the table of contents below.
Table of contents
- What is the GMAT Exam?
- How is the GMAT Structured?
- GMAT Syllabus on Analytical Writing Assessment
- GMAT Syllabus on Integrated Reasoning (IR)
- IR Success Tips
- GMAT Syllabus on Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
- QR Success Tips
- GMAT Syllabus on Verbal Reasoning (VR)
- VR Success Tips
- Complete Pattern for GMAT Exam 2023
- FAQs
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
What is the GMAT Exam?
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test used by business schools to assess applicants’ readiness for advanced study in business and management.
It comprises four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Verbal Reasoning (VR).
The GMAT score is crucial when applying to graduate management and business programs like the MBA. Over 2300 colleges and over 7000 programs accept GMAT scores more frequently than any other aptitude test.
How is the GMAT Structured?
GMAT is a 3-hour and 7-minute test with discretionary 8-minute breaks between the segments. The GMAT, scored on a scale of 200 to 800, comprises four sections covering over 50 topics: quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, integrated reasoning, and analytical writing assessment.
Below is a sneak peek of the exam’s structure and how much time is allocated to each section
Sections | Number of Questions | Time Limit (mins.) |
Analytical Writing | 1 question (01 essay) | 30 |
Integrated Reasoning | 12 questions | 30 |
Quantitative | 31 questions | 62 |
Verbal | 36 questions | 65 |
Total | 80 questions | 187 |
GMAT Syllabus on Analytical Writing Assessment
The AWA section comprises one essay prompt that assesses the candidate’s ability to analyze an argument and communicate ideas effectively in writing. The essay should be no longer than 30 minutes, and candidates are graded on a scale of 0-6.
The GMAT AWA section evaluates your communication, grammatical, and critical reasoning abilities. Applicants should be mindful of the legitimate use of jargon and attempt to avoid any syntactic mistakes.
The AWA section may contain two distinct types of essay questions.
Argument Essay
The candidate must analyze the argument’s reasoning in this section and consider all the underlying assumptions. The next step is determining whether the argument is logically sound.
Another thing to remember is that the candidate should not make unfounded assumptions. The candidate must analyze the statement and argument independently and objectively, free of prior preconceptions. A candidate must also respond in a way that is consistent with the evidence and the argument.
Proper diction, syntax, and academic grammar must be introduced to support or refute the criticism posed in the question.
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Issue Essay
You must present a dissertation on the topic in this section. The word count is approximately 600. You can structure the article to reflect your own stance or present opinions that are in favor of the topic at hand.
You want to devise a one-sided approach and either hold on or against the introduced issue. You can likewise conceptualize models enlightened from different prompts or elements introduced in the main pressing concern.
Respond to questions with original content and writing style in the AWA section.
Analytical Writing Assessment Success Tips
- Analyze the argument before beginning to write.
- Address all aspects of the prompt.
- Provide evidence and examples to support your arguments.
- Practice writing under timed conditions.
GMAT Syllabus on Integrated Reasoning (IR)
The IR section assesses the candidate’s ability to analyze complex information and make decisions based on that information. The section comprises 12 questions and lasts for 30 minutes.
The IR questions in the GMAT syllabus comprise the information presented as diagrams, sections, tables, or a mix of the three. There are four types of questions based on the data:
Analyzing the Table
These questions are fairly straightforward and require a data table for analysis. Statistics, ratios, probabilities, etc. are typically utilized in these kinds of inquiries.
Two-part Study
These can be numerical, verbal, or a combination of the two, making them the most adaptable questions. It can evaluate questions about trade-offs, simultaneous equations, and other questions because it expects candidates to analyze complex relationships between objects.
Multi-Source Argumentation
The candidate is expected to compile and analyze the data presented in tables, graphs, or charts in these questions. The candidate will be asked MCQ-style questions about the provided data based on this data.
Analysis of the Graphics
It estimates an up-and-comer’s capacity to decipher the data through pictorial portrayal or diagrams (disperse plot, line plot, Region under bend, box plot, Likelihood Recurrence Circulation Combined Recurrence Dissemination, certainty level chart, x/y diagram, bar outline, pie graph, or measurable bend conveyance) and fill in the proclamations to draw surmisings and depict connections.
IR Success Tips
You must exercise caution in the following ways to master the IR section of the GMAT:
- Practice reading and interpreting complex information quickly.
- Use the on-screen calculator provided by the test to save time.
- Pay attention to the directions for each question, as they may vary in format.
- Try to walk through the questions as efficiently as possible.
GMAT Syllabus on Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
The QR section assesses the candidate’s ability to reason quantitatively and solve problems using mathematical concepts. The section consists of 31 multiple-choice questions and lasts for 62 minutes.
Data Sufficiency
Two factual statements follow A problem statement in these kinds of questions. The candidate must determine whether the provided statements would answer the problem statement’s question.
Problem-solving
About half of the questions in the GMAT Quantitative section involve problem-solving. Auditing reasonable numerical questions and addressing them on an ordinary note can assist you with culminating your GMAT material, particularly about critical thinking.
Statement-based math problems that delve into fundamental mathematical concepts make up most of the GMAT problem-solving.
The following questions are further subdivided into two main topics: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration and data analysis,
QR Success Tips
- Brush up on your basic math skills before taking the test.
- Practice solving a variety of problem types.
- Use the on-screen calculator provided by the test to save time.
- Don’t spend too much time on any one question.
GMAT Syllabus on Verbal Reasoning (VR)
The VR section assesses the candidate’s ability to read and understand written material, reason and evaluate arguments, and correct written material to conform to standard written English. The section comprises 36 multiple-choice questions and lasts for 65 minutes.
The segment comprises three distinct sorts of questions:
- Reading comprehension
- Critical thinking and
- Sentence correction
Reading Comprehension
In this section, you must answer multiple-choice questions based on unseen passages of approximately 350 words. Deciding without bias. You don’t need to know any additional intricate details about the subject.
Instead, all you should be able to do is correct your ideas and comprehend the relationship between the various entities involved.
In addition, you will analyze the questions, discover hidden repercussions in the excerpt, and identify key elements in the passages.
Main idea Question
Basically, this is one of the most widely recognized inquiries in the GMAT perusing appreciation segment. All the passages contain at least one main idea question.
In these questions, you must choose an answer that fits the whole passage’s scope. The key here is to consider the higher perspective and not get occupied by the singular components. Put everything together and try to determine the passage’s main purpose.
Assumption
Variety is more difficult than the two previously mentioned, requiring more of your critical thinking skills. In contrast to the supporting idea questions, which focus on straightforward facts, the inference-based problems focus on arguments and concepts that the author implies but does not explicitly mention in the passage.
Out of Framework
As the name suggests, out-of-context questions are not directly related to the passage. These questions ask you to absorb the information present in the passage and apply it in an out-of-context situation. These questions may ask you about the author’s views regarding a matter that is completely unrelated to the passage.
Style and tone questions assess your ability to determine the passage’s tone. You might be asked to identify the passage’s ideas and their tone. The most common type of question typically requires you to describe the passage’s style and tone with a single word or phrase.
Reading Comprehension
It’s possible that you’ll get carried away by the passage. But keep your focus on the subject at hand, and don’t introduce your ideas. Do not include any outside information in the passage. This would show that your content differs from the passage’s actual content.
- What is the passage’s topic?
- Scope: On what part of the subject does the passage concentrate?
- Why did the author write the passage in the first place?
- On your note board, what notes would you make?
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VR Success Tips
- Practice reading and understanding complex written material quickly.
- Learn to recognize common types of arguments and reasoning errors.
- Brush up on grammar and syntax to prepare for the sentence correction questions.
- Don’t spend too much time on any one question.
Sentence Correction
In this set of questions, it will provide you with a sentence where a partially highlighted part needs to be assessed.
As multiple options will be provided for the right answer, which you can mark as the right answer, you need to make sure that the construction of the sentence is appropriate and that the original meaning has not been rubbed off or lost while correcting it.
Also, you need to consider your writing skills and acknowledge the rules of English grammar.
How to prepare for Sentence Correction
This is the way you can handle the sentence rectification questions:
- Carefully read the entire statement.
- Survey the linguistic form, accentuation construct and spelling work of the sentence.
- Pay attention to the part of the sentence that isn’t highlighted because it might point you in the right direction.
- Long answer options and distortions should be eliminated. Remember that contortions exist to break the ease of your presentation.
- Examine the modifiers and where they are placed in the question. The question frequently uses jumbled modifiers to confuse the candidate. Pick the response choice that relates every one occasion happening in the sentence in the most reasonable way and dispenses with overt repetitiveness from the inquiry.
- Pay special attention to the wrong equivalents used in the sentence that are not harmonious with the general significance of the sentence. Likewise, lay out the right connection between different juxtapositions or correlations in the sentence.
- Choose alternatives that do not adhere to the correct subject-verb agreement and eliminate them.
- Distinguish the right subject for the right predicate. Ensure that the sentence does not become meaningless in the middle.
- Try not to stress over the demeanor of specific words. You can proceed if the subject, number agreement, tenses, modifiers, and auxiliary verbs are in alignment.
Complete Pattern for GMAT Exam 2023
The GMAT is a requirement for admission to the world’s best MBA schools. There are four sections, no negative marking, and each college sets its own cutoff. A score over 690 is viewed as great.
Name of Examination | GMAT |
Hours | 3 hours 7 minutes |
Mode | Online and offline |
Medium | English |
Score | 200-800 |
Purpose | MBA |
Sections | Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude Section, Verbal Reasoning Section |
Eligibility | Graduate |
Attempts | Multiple times |
FAQs
GMAT has no passing or bombing marks. It is a gathering of four unique segments and offers five scores.
For MBA candidates, the GMAT is a popular test. It is acknowledged openly and confidential colleges in India, Australia, the US of America, Canada, Europe, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and Germany.
The prospectus for these two tests is very similar anyway, there is a distinction in the test segments. Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning are the three sections of the GRE, while Integrated Reasoning is an additional section of the GMAT exam.
Conclusion
The GMAT syllabus can be lengthy, but it can be completed in a concise amount of time. The AWA Area and the IR segment aren’t idea-serious but require practice. Subsequently, the GMAT Idea Planning is focused on the Verbal Area and the Quantitative Segment.
The GMAT Syllabus is a good place to start when planning your GMAT Preparation Strategy. You can prepare for the GMAT in just one month but must be extremely dedicated and consistent.