GMAT Information

Contents:

1. What is the GMAT?
2. What is the CAT format?
3. How is the GMAT scored?
4. What does it cost to take the GMAT?
5. When and where is the GMAT administered?
6. How do I sign up for the GMAT?
7. When should I take the GMAT?

• Analytical Writing Assessment 2 essays, 30 minutes each; one essay asks for an analysis of an issue, the other asks for an analysis of an argument. For the complete of list of 274 topics appearing on the GMAT in 2004-2005, view the AWA Topic List.
  
• Quantitative Section 37 multiple-choice questions, 75 minutes; two question types: Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency.
  
• Verbal Section 41 multiple-choice questions, 75 minutes; three question types: Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction.
  

An optional break of 5 minutes is allowed between each section.
For more information on the GMAT, download the GMAT Information Bulletin from GMAC.

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2. What is the CAT format? The GMAT utilizes a Computer Adaptive Test format, known as the CAT format. As such, the GMAT is administered on a computer instead of in the traditional paper-and-pencil format used by many other tests. The CAT actually responds to your answers and shapes the test in order to most efficiently arrive at your proper score. For example, the first question in the Verbal or Quantitative section will be a mid-level question. If answered correctly, the computer will supply a somewhat harder question on the assumption that your score is somewhere above that level. If this next question is answered correctly, the following question will again be more difficult. This process continues until a question is missed. At that point, the test will supply a somewhat easier question as it tries to determine if you have reached your score "ceiling." By increasing or decreasing the difficulty of the questions based on prior response, the test attempts to quickly pinpoint your appropriate score level and then confirm that level.

The CAT format has certain features which appreciably alter the testing experience:

• Once a question has been answered, you cannot return to it.
  
• You cannot write on the computer screen, but scratch paper is available (and should be used).
  
• Facility with a computer is clearly an advantage; fast typing is also an advantage in the Analytical Writing Sections where your response must be typed into the computer.
  
• The test penalizes examinees who do not finish all the questions in the section.
  
• The results of your test (excluding the Writing scores) are available at the conclusion of the exam.

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3. How is the GMAT scored? The Verbal and Quantitative sections are combined to produce a score on a scale from 200 to 800, with 200 being the lowest score and 800 the highest score. The median score is approximately 540. Only 1% of all test takers receive a score of 750 or higher, and almost 60% of all test takers fall into the 400 to 600 scoring range.

Each Analytical Writing Assessment essay is initially scored on a 0 to 6 scale by two readers--one human reader, and one machine reader, the "e-rater." The two scores are averaged to produce a final score for each essay. The final scores of each essay are then averaged together to create an overall score.

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4. What does it cost to take the GMAT? The current fee to register for the GMAT is $250 (USD). If a test appointment is cancelled at least seven calendar days prior to the scheduled appointment, a partial refund of $80 (USD) is issued. The test fee of $250 includes the release of your score report to up to five business schools. Additional score reports can be requested for an additional cost of $25 per school. To have your GMAT scores sent to a certain school, contact GMAT Customer Service at (609) 771-7330.

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5. When and where is the GMAT administered? Since the GMAT is given on computer, there are no "national" testing dates like those seen for the SAT, LSAT, and MCAT. Instead, the GMAT is available on demand, year-round, at test centers throughout the world.

You may not take the GMAT more than one time in any calendar month, even if you cancel your scores. If you take the test more than once in a given month, your new scores are discarded and your test fee is forfeited.

For a complete listing of the locations where the GMAT is offered, click on one of the locations below.

United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico
International Locations

6. How do I sign up for the GMAT? All registration must be done through the Graduate Management Admission Council.

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7. When should I take the GMAT? Try to take the GMAT about a year prior to your expected entrance into Business School—preferably any time during the summer or early fall. The deadline for taking the GMAT will vary dramatically depending on the admission procedures of each school to which you apply, and the term in which you are planning to enroll.

Keep in mind that you can take the GMAT up to 5 times, but never more than once per calendar month (including a month in which you cancel your score). You’ll want to schedule enough time in your planning process to register and re-take the test, and then have the new score submitted to the school before the application deadline. Do this only if you know that your score will increase considerably—especially if you were ill or had family/personal problems.

If you take the GMAT early, you will have your score in hand and can use it to plan your application strategy and to choose and apply to a variety of schools in which you will be competitive. Don’t forget to choose a “safe” school where you know you will be accepted, as well as schools that are more of a long-shot. If you take the GMAT early enough, it will allow you to submit your official score along with your application.

At a minimum, you want to take the GMAT a month before the application deadline. It will take anywhere from two to four weeks to get your official score, although you will get an unofficial score immediately after you take the test. You can arrange for your test score to be sent directly to you and up to 5 schools in which you are applying. If you take the test close to an application deadline, you may want to include the unofficial score report with your application.

If a school uses a rolling admissions process, you will want to make sure your application is in early (usually between December and February, depending on the school). Rolling admissions means that applications are reviewed on a first come, first served basis only, and some schools may have already filled their classes before their final deadline.

Because the GMAT is a computer-adaptive test (CAT), you can take the exam at one of the testing centers at almost any time. Each test center has its own schedule of operation, but their available time slots can fill quickly (especially weekends). In some cases, it may be possible to schedule an appointment a day or two before you actually take the test, or even walk-in, but don’t count on it. We recommend booking a time and date at least a month in advance (2 months isn’t a bad idea if you are limited in your availability). You may visit www.mba.com for a list of test center locations and specifics on registration.

Take the GMAT when you have prepared and are confident in your ability to do well. Consider taking one of our PowerScore GMAT weekend classes or Tutoring Programs to help in your preparation.

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