GMAT

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is taken online, and is an admissions test for M.B.A. programs. The GMAT is also accepted as an alternative to the LSAT by a few law schools.  It is a computer adaptive exam, meaning the questions increase in difficulty as the student achieves more correct answers.

 

Test Format: 

Students can take the GMAT two ways: in-person, at a testing center or at-home. Both exams are computer-based.

The GMAT taken at a testing center consists of four sections and runs just over 3 hours, plus two 8-minute breaks. Students are offered an additional 30-minute check-in.  When students take the GMAT, they have the flexibility to choose the order of sections.  For this testing option, students can take the test up to five times in a rolling 12-month period. A description of sections is below.

Section # of questions Section length Question Types
Analytical Writing Assessment 1 Topic 30 minutes Written essay analyzing an argument
Integrated Reasoning 12 Questions 30 minutes Graphics Interpretation, Table Analysis, Multi-source Reasoning, Two-part Analysis
Quantitative Reasoning 31 Questions 62 minutes Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving
Verbal Reasoning 36 Questions 65 minutes Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction

 

Effective through May 19, 2021: The GMAT taken at-home consists of three sections and runs 2 hours and 45 minutes, plus one 5-minute break. Students are offered an additional 15 minute check-in. Students take only three of the above sections: Quantitative, Verbal, and Integrated Reading. Students who test at-home are permitted one re-take.

For a direct comparison of both tests, please click here.

Beginning May 20, 2021: The GMAT at-home has been modified to include the Analytical Writing Assessment. The GMAT at-home will now be identical to the GMAT at testing centers.

Test Dates: 

The GMAT taken at test sites offer test dates that are flexible throughout the year. Click here to begin your registration to view testing dates and locations. Registration is required approximately one month prior to a student’s intended test date.  Students are eligible to take the test every 16 days, no more than five times per year. Students are not allowed to test more than eight times.

The GMAT taken at-home is available seven days a week, around the clock. Students can register for the exam online.

 

Scoring: 

When students take the GMAT, they receive a total score that is scaled from 200 to 800. This score encompasses the Quantitative and Verbal sections. The Analytical Writing Assessment is scored 1 to 6 in half-point increments, and the Integrated Reasoning section is scored on a scale from 1 to 8 in one-point increments.

The GMAT is a computer adaptive exam, meaning the questions increase in difficulty as the student achieves more correct answers.

Students have the option to purchase an Enhanced Score Report, offering insight into question type, pacing, and areas of improvement if a student wishes to re-test.

Score review & cancellation: 

Prior to taking the exam, students select up to five schools to receive their score report at no cost.  Students can add additional schools for a fee, which varies by location of the test.

GMAT scores are valid for five years, and are available for reporting (not school admission) for up to 10 years.

Students can cancel their scores at two junctures:

  1. Directly following their test following their Score Preview (no cost);
  2. Within 72 hours of their exam (for a fee)

If students choose to cancel their scores, they are able to later reinstate them for up to four years and 11 months following the exam date.

The Official score report sent to schools will contain all GMAT scores for that student; cancelled scores will not appear on the score report.

 

Accommodations:

The GMAT is available for students with different learning abilities, including the following:

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Learning and Cognitive Disorders
  • Physical and Systemic Disabilities
  • Psychological Disabilities
  • Sensory Disabilities (Vision and Hearing)

Students must apply for accommodations before they register for a test date and will receive a written decision.

 

What is the Executive Assessment? 

A small number of M.B.A. programs, many Executive M.B.A. programs, and some Master’s program accept the Executive Assessment in lieu of the GMAT. For more information, please click here.

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