Last Updated on December 13, 2024
GMAT or The Graduate Management Test has been the Global Business Entrance Exam for more than 50 years. This exam tests your analytical and reasoning skills at various levels in a time-limited format.
After you decide to sit for an exam, it is important to understand the Pattern and Syllabus of the same.
GMAT Exam Pattern: The GMAT exam pattern consists of 80 questions in total, separated into 4 sections. GMAT Paper Pattern: The GMAT paper pattern comprises both objective and subjective questions. GMAT Exam PatternThe GMAT pattern consists of 80 questions that are divided into four sections which are Analytical Writing Assessment (1 Essay in 30 Minutes), Integrated Reasoning (12 Questions in 30 Minutes), Quantitative Reasoning (31 Questions in 62 Minutes), and Verbal Reasoning (36 Questions in 65 Minutes).
GMAT Pattern 2024 Latest Update
GMAT has launched another version of the test known as the GMAT focus edition. The pattern and syllabus of this edition is different than the GMAT. In this article, we will also see the pattern of the GMAT Focus Edition.
| GMAT Focus Edition Section | Number of Questions | Time | GMAT Focus Edition Score Range |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 20 Questions | 44 Minutes | 60-90 |
| Verbal Reasoning (VR) | 22 Questions | 44 Minutes | 60-90 |
| Data Insights (DI) | 21 Questions | 44 Minutes | 60-90 |
| Total | 63 Questions | 2.2 Hours | 205-805 |
| Breaks | – | 1 Break(Optional) of 10 Minutes | – |
It is worth noting that the AWA section has been removed and a new section called Data Insights added. Also, Sentence Correction (SC) has been taken out and Data Sufficiency (DS) will now be included in the Data Insights (DI) section.
GMAT Exam Pattern 2024
Students, before starting your GMAT preparation for the GMAT 2024 exam, it is important that you know about the GMAT paper pattern. The time required to finish the test is a total of 3 hours and 7 minutes. The medium for appearing in this exam is English and it’s conducted through computers (GMAC, n.d.). The GMAT scoring scale is from 200 to 800. Every section of the GMAT has different time limits, and you can see these in the sections. The test-taker manages their experience too, choosing one of three combinations for attempting this exam.
GMAT’s Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section is a 30-minute essay where students analyze an argument provided. The Integrated Reasoning (IR) part of GMAT has 12 questions, and you must answer them within 30 minutes. AWA and IR sections don’t count toward the total GMAT score which ranges from 200-800. The quant or Quantitative Reasoning section of GMAT consists of 31 questions to answer in 62 minutes. The verbal Reasoning section of the GMAT has 36 questions, requiring completion within 65 minutes. Your performance in the verbal and quantitative reasoning sections is part of your overall GMAT score which ranges from 200-800. The GMAT format is given below:
| GMAT Exam Section | No. of Questions/ Time Limit | GMAT Question Type | GMAT Score Range |
| Analytical Writing Assessment | 1 Topic (31 minutes) | Analysis of an Argument | 0-6 |
| Integrated Reasoning | 12 questions (31 minutes) | Data Sufficiency, Problem-Solving | 1-8 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 31 questions (61 minutes) | Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning,Sentence Correction | 6-51 |
| Verbal Reasoning | 36 questions (64 minutes) | Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction | 6-51 |
| Total | 80 questions (3 hours 8 minutes) | – | 200 – 800 |
An optional 8-minute break is allowed for the candidates during the exam.
The GMAT exam pattern has four sections. In the above section, we have discussed the GMAT paper pattern. The GMAT exam format is designed to test certain analytical and reasoning skills of each candidate. Continue reading to learn about each of the GMAT paper patterns in 2024.
Analytical Writing Assessment for GMAT 2024
This part evaluates the candidate’s capability to think analytically and express their thoughts. The candidate is given an argument to assess and write a critique about it. The subjects are normally about common interests. This part of the test examines the candidate’s capacity to structure their thoughts and utilize provided evidence to back up their perspective.
Integrated Reasoning for GMAT 2024
In this part, candidates need to analyze and assess information given in various forms. The queries listed in the section will examine your quantitative as well as verbal abilities.
Reasoning from multiple sources: “In such questions, you need to make comparisons, understand or utilize the data given in tables, graphs, diagrams as well as written passages and other visual forms of representation.”
Table analysis: in these questions, a candidate has to figure out statistics, ratios, probabilities or proportions, and more from the provided spreadsheet-like table.
Graphics interpretation: multiple choice type questions, answers based on bar graphs, bubble graphs, and line graphs.
Two-part analysis: in these questions, a candidate has to identify trade-offs, determine the proportion or percentage of each element, etc, and select responses that would be listed in tabular form.
Quantitative Reasoning for GMAT 2024
This section measures the candidate’s ability to analyze data and produce accurate conclusions.
Algebra: equations, exponents, inequalities, functions, and absolute value
Geometry: circles, lines, angles, solids, coordinate geometry, and polygons
Arithmetic: fractions, ratios, proportions, percentages, decimals, discrete probability counting methods, and sets
Word Problem: simple and compound interest, rate, time and work, profit and loss, discounts, measurement, data problems, data interpretation*.
*Data interpretation word problems centre around making sense of the information presented using graphs tables charts diagrams etc. Measurement-related queries may range from figuring out length width depth area volume weight age temperature speed etc; to geometry questions
Verbal Reasoning for GMAT 2024
This part tests a candidate’s capability to comprehend the written matter, assess arguments, and fix the written matter for standard English.
Passage-based questions: These kinds of questions require you to look at a passage that can be up to 350 words long and then answer questions about the main idea, supporting ideas, context, style, and tone.
Critical thinking: these questions assess a candidate’s ability to analyze arguments and create/evaluate an action plan
Question correction: these queries are characterized by an agreement, grammatical construction, logical predication, parallelism, idiom, verb form, and rhetorical construction
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The GMAT Test is Computer Adaptive
Reviewing the GMAT pattern, we will now clarify what is Computer Adaptive about the GMAT test. Amongst the four sections of the GMAT format, those which are Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative parts of GMAT are computer-adaptive. It implies that the test’s difficulty level adjusts itself as per the examinee’s capability. This characteristic of the test makes it very good at measuring the candidate’s ability. This is why business schools have confidence in GMAT test scores for giving admission to aspirants.
The initial query that appears in either the Quantitative or Verbal Sections is a middle-difficulty level question. After starting the test, as you continue with it, the computer scores your answers and utilizes them along with your responses to provide the next question. If your first answer is wrong, then the following question will be less difficult. If you give the right answer to the second question, then the next one will be more difficult. This pattern goes on until the final question and it truly evaluates the aspirant’s expertise in that subject matter.
So, if you continue to answer GMAT questions correctly, you will keep getting more difficult questions and your score will be higher. On the other hand, if you keep answering the questions wrong, you will receive easier ones but your score is on the lower side.
During the beginning of the GMAT exam, you’ll get average-level questions so it’s very crucial to answer them correctly. If you solve the first 10-15 questions accurately, your GMAT score will fall into a higher range.
The reason for not permitting the test-takers to go back and change their answer is that the computer system uses their responses to determine the subsequent question. Therefore, it becomes crucial to carefully give your answer at first as you won’t have an opportunity to modify it afterwards.
GMAT Section Order 2024
In July 2017 the GMAC introduced a selection section order. It allows the students to opt for the order of the section order they want during the exam. In other words, the GMAC made the whole GMAT experience customizable and hence more enjoyable for the students.
The candidates now have three options to choose from for the section order of their exam.
- Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal
- Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
- Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
This option provides candidates with the flexibility to take the GMAT Exam according to their preference. So test-takers are allowed to select the section order as per their convenience from the GMAT exam structure.
| GMAT Section Order | ||
| Order 1 | Order 2 | Order 3 |
| Analytical Writing Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | Quantitative Reasoning |
| Integrated Reasoning | ||
| 8-min break (optional) | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | Quantitative Reasoning | Verbal Reasoning |
| 8-min break (optional) | ||
| Verbal Reasoning | Integrated Reasoning | Integrated Reasoning |
| Analytical Writing Assessment | Analytical Writing Assessment | |
Candidates should sit for GMAT mock exams to know which GMAT section they are comfortable with.
GMAT Pattern 2024: Test Centre and Online GMAT
A table comparing the GMAT patterned center and the GMAT exam online is given below
| Head | GMAT Pattern for Test Centre | GMAT Pattern for Online Exam |
| Pattern & Sections | Quantitative Reasoning: 30 questions in 61 minutesVerbal Reasoning: 35 questions in 64 minutesIntegrated Reasoning: 12 questions in 31 minutesAnalytical Writing Assessment: 1 question in 31 minutes | Quantitative Reasoning: 30 questions in 61 minutes Verbal Reasoning: 35 questions in 64 minutesIntegrated Reasoning: 11 questions in 31 minutesAnalytical Writing Assessment: 1 question in 31 minutes |
| Scoring | Quantitative Reasoning: 6-52Verbal Reasoning: 6-52Integrated Reasoning: 1-7Analytical Writing Assessment: 0-5 | Quantitative Reasoning: 6-52Verbal Reasoning: 6-52Integrated Reasoning: 1-7Analytical Writing Assessment: 0-5 |
| Total Duration | 3 hours + 8 minutes | 3 hours + 8 minutes |
| Breaks | 2 breaks of 8 minutes each (optional) | 2 breaks of 8 minutes each (optional) |
| GMAT Exam Fees in India | INR 22,964 | INR 25,051 |
| Attempts | 5 attempts in 12 months8 attempts in one’s lifetime A gap of 16 calendar days between 2 subsequent events | 5 attempts in 12 months8 attempts in one’s lifetime A gap of 16 calendar days between 2 subsequent events |
| Validity | 5 years | 5 years |
| Score Report Availability | Unofficial: Immediately after the GMAT exam (quant, verbal, IR, and total)Official: 7-20 days (quant, verbal, IR, AWA, and total) | Unofficial: Immediately after the GMAT exam (quant, verbal, IR, and total)Official: 7-20 days (quant, verbal, IR, AWA, and total) |
| Appointments | 7 days a week Can be booked up to 6 months in advance | Around the clock Can be booked up to 6 months in advance and up to 24 hours before the availability of an exam slot |
| Score Sending | The first 5 complimentary GMAT score reports will be sent to institutions that you choose on the day of your GMAT exam | The first 5 complimentary GMAT score reports can be sent within 48 hours of receiving the official score |
| Additional Score Report (Beyond the First Five) | INR 2,922 each | INR 2,922 each |
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Conclusion
The GMAT Exam is divided into many sections. The GMAC now provides the freedom to students to customize the section order as per their liking for the exam. Additionally, we have mentioned in detail what each section comprises. The students sitting for the exam must make use of these resources. For more queries regarding the GMAT exam, get in touch with our team at Admissify. You can also visit this article to gain in-depth knowledge of the exam Gmat Exam 2023: Dates, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, & Score.
FAQs
What are some points to note before starting the GMAT exam prep?
The first and most crucial point for any examination prep is knowing the exam pattern along with its syllabus. If you lack these, it won’t be possible to start preparing in an organized manner. So, the beginning step of preparation for the GMAT exam 2023 starts with understanding what this test contains in terms of pattern and syllabus. When you understand the GMAT pattern 2023 and the study plan, begin with the official GMAT study material. Ensure to finish the GMAT official study material at least two times. After that, proceed to other books and resources on GMAT. Your GMAT 2023 preparation’s crucial part is your GMAT mock tests. You need to appear for as many mocks as you can, typically one in every 10-15 days, this will assist you in measuring your level of readiness from time to time.
What is the GMAT Focus Edition Syllabus?
The GMAT Focus Edition has been brought to us by GMAC. The syllabus and pattern of the GMAT Focus Edition is not the same as those for the current GMAT 2023 exam. It does not include Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) and Sentence Correction (SC). Data Insights (DI) is a fresh section, and Data Sufficiency (DS) which used to be part of GMAT Quants will now form a part of the Data Insights (DI) section. Additionally, the GMAT Focus Edition is shorter in duration than the present version of the GMAT 2023 exam by roughly an hour.
How hard is the GMAT exam?
The GMAT exam is very tough. However, with hard work and dedication, you can easily crack the exam.
What score in GMAT is considered the highest score?
720 is considered the highest GMAT score.
Does the GMAT exam have any negative marking?
No, the GMAT exam does not have any negative marking.
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