What is the GMAT®?
Accepted by more than 6,000 business and management programs worldwide, GMAT® is a computer adaptive test that assesses certain analytical, writing, quantitative and verbal skills, for students applying for advanced studies to a graduate school of business. GMAT Exam has been the test of choice used by world’s leading business schools for one reason – it works. Quite simply, no other exam lets you showcase the skills that matter most in the business school classroom and in your career.
The examination is entirely computer-based, scored on a maximum of 800. Though the GMAT Score alone cannot guarantee admission into a B-school, it is one of the major factors taken into consideration.
The GMAT® has four sections – Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning and Analytical Writing Assessment. The following is the GMAT® test structure.
The US-based "Pearson VUE”, under the directions of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) develops and administers the GMAT®. GMAC is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to each examinee. For detailed information about GMAT®, please refer to the official website of GMAT® – www.mba.com
What is the scoring scale for the GMAT®?
- AWA section grades are from 0-6 in 0.5 increments
- IR section is scored on a scale of 1-8 in 1 point increments
- Quantitative scores can range from 0 to 60. (Known as scaled score). However preferred score
between- 51 is 98 percentile
- Verbal scores can range from 0 to 60. (Known as scaled score). A score above 45 is 99 percentile on verbal
- Total Score can range from 200-800 in 10 point increments
GMAT® FAQs
In India, which schools accept the GMAT® scores?
Does admission to B schools depend only on the GMAT® scores?
It is one of the various criteria that the admission council looks at. However, a good GMAT® score does improve chances of admission.
Does one have to be a graduate for taking the GMAT®?
Anybody can take the GMAT exam irrespective of their educational qualification.
What is the cost/registration fee for the GMAT®?
The registration fee for taking GMAT® is USD 250. After the test, the test takers are asked to submit the names of 5 B Schools that they would like to send their scores to. This facility is part of the USD 250 fee that is charged for the test.
How do I register for the GMAT®?
You can register online or by phone or by mail. The
detailed information about registering for the GMAT® can be
found at www.mba.com
How many times in a year is the GMAT® exam held?
GMAT® is offered usually on all working
days in India (ie, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). For more information, please visit www.mba.com
How often can I take the GMAT exam?
You can take the GMAT exam once every 16 calendar days and no more than five times in a 12-month period. You are only allowed to take the exam 8 times in total (lifetime limit effective December 17, 2016).
What is the validity of the GMAT® exam?
Your GMAT® score will be valid for 5 years after from
the date the test was taken.
What is the scoring pattern?
AWA section grades are from 0-6 in 0.5 increments. IR section is scored on a scale of 1-8 in 1 point increments. Quantitative score are from 0 to 60 (known as scaled score). However preferred score is between 51 and 98 percentile Verbal score are from 0 to 60 (scaled score). However, score above 45 is 99 percentile on verbal Total Score are from 200-800 in 10 point increments.
How soon do I get my score?
You will get your scores for the maths, verbal and IR sections the moment you finish the exam. However, official scores (with scores for the AWA section) will take 20 days to reach you.
What happens if I postpone/prepone my exam date?
Rescheduling more than 7 days prior to the original
test date will cost you an additional USD 50. Rescheduling within 7 days
of the original test date will cost you an additional USD 250.
What happens if I cancel my exam date?
If you cancel more than 7 days prior to test date, you
will get a refund of USD 80. If you cancel within 7 days of the test
date, you will not get any refund. So, it is better to reschedule than
to cancel.
What happens if I want to cancel the GMAT® test score & when can I reinstate the score?
Score can be cancelled either immediately after the GMAT exam or within 72 hours of the exam. If score is cancelled immediately after the exam at the test center, then there is no cancellation fee. If score is cancelled after the exam within 72 hours, there is a cancellation fee of $25.Cancelled scores can be reinstated within 4 years and 11 months of the exam! And, the reinstatement fee is $50
Is enhanced score report available for cancelled tests?
ESR (Enhanced Score Report) is available for canceled scores also. So, if a student is unhappy with his score, he can cancel it, order the ESR, assess where he did not do well and prepare for his next attempt accordingly.
How do I send my score to the colleges I want to apply to?
The universities only accept official scores sent directly by GMAC through www.mba.com. Scores to five colleges can be sent free of cost while taking the exam. Subsequently, for each score report sent to a college, you would have to pay USD 28.
What does the GMAT percentile mean?
If you secure 85 percentile it would mean 85 % of the
students taking the exam in the past three years are below you and 15%
are equal to or above you.
Can I apply to universities if I do not have the AWA score?
Yes, you can apply to the universities based on your
provisional scorecard that you receive on the day of the test. But only
if the university waives the requirement and as long as you are able to
send the official score once it is out.
If I take the GMAT® more than once, which score will be considered by the universities?
Most of the Universities take the best score. However,
it is best to confirm the same from a particular university before
applying.
If the application deadline of University X is July 15, by when should I take the GMAT®?
Technically, you can take it as late as July 15.
However, it is best to take the GMAT® at least 15 days before
the deadline so that you have enough time to prepare the other parts of
the application.
I took the GMAT® in May 2011. Can I apply for Fall 2016 with this score?
No, the GMAT® score has to be valid till
the start of the semester, ie., August 2016.
Is GMAT® mandatory for applying to MBA programs outside India?
No, not all the MBA programs outside India. But to
seek admission into the reputed Business Schools, one has to have a GMAT® score.