GMAT OVERVIEW

The Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) consists of four separately timed sections 

Format and Timing

The GMAT exam consists of three main parts, the Analytical Writing Assessment, the Quantitative section, and the Verbal section.

You have three and a half hours in which to take the GMAT exam, but plan for a total time of approximately four hours.

Analytical Writing Assessment

The GMAT exam begins with the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). The AWA consists of two separate writing tasks—Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument. You are allowed 30 minutes to complete each one. 

Quantitative Section

Following an optional break, you then begin with the Quantitative Section of the GMAT exam. This section contains 37 multiple-choice questions of two question types—Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving. You are allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section.

Verbal Section

After completion of the Quantitative Section (following an optional break), you begin the Verbal Section of the GMAT exam. This section contains 41 multiple choice questions of three question types—Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. You are allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section. 

Computer-Adaptive Format

Each of the first two sections consists of an analytical writing task; the remaining two sections (Quantitative and Verbal) consist of multiple-choice questions delivered in a computer-adaptive format. Questions in these sections are dynamically selected as you take the test; the multiple-choice questions will adjust to your ability level, and your test will be unique.

How does it work?

For each multiple-choice section of the GMAT exam, there is a large pool of potential questions ranging from a low to high level of difficulty. Each section of the test starts with a question of moderate difficulty. If you answer the first question correctly, the computer will usually give you a harder question. If you answer the first question incorrectly, your next question will be easier. This process will continue until you complete the section, at which point the computer will have an accurate assessment of your ability level in that subject area.

In a computer-adaptive test, only one question at a time is presented. Because the computer scores each question before selecting the next one, you may not skip, return to, or change your responses to previous questions.

What If I make a mistake or guess?

If you answer a question incorrectly by mistake or correctly by randomly guessing, your answers to subsequent questions will lead you back to questions that are at the appropriate level of difficulty for you.

Random guessing can significantly lower your scores. So, if you do not know the answer to a question, you should try to eliminate as many answer choices as possible and then select the answer you think is best. For more testing strategies, see Test-Taking Strategies.

What if I do not finish?

Pacing is critical, as there is a severe penalty for not completing. Both the time and number of questions that remain in the section are displayed on the screen during the exam. There are 37 Quantitative questions and 41 Verbal questions. If a question is too time-consuming or if you don’t know the answer, make an educated guess by first eliminating the answers you know to be wrong.

How is my score determined?

Your score is determined by:

the number of questions you answer, 

whether you answer the questions correctly or incorrectly, and 

the level of difficulty and other statistical characteristics of each question.

The questions in an adaptive test are weighted according to their difficulty and other statistical properties, not according to their position in the test.

Are all questions counted?

Every test contains trial multiple-choice questions being pretested for use in a real exam. These questions are not identified and appear in different locations within the test. You should, therefore, do your best on all questions. Answers to trial questions are not counted in the scoring of your test.

What Computer Skills do you Need?

You need only minimal computer skills to complete the GMAT exam. Familiarize yourself with the mechanics of taking a computer-adaptive test by using the GMAT Tutorials that is included with the free GMATPrep® Software. The tutorials cover such topics as:

using a mouse 

entering responses

moving on to the next question

using the word processor

accessing the Help function

Before the day of your test, review the testing tools covered in the tutorials. Although you will be able to use a Help function during the test, the time spent doing so will count against the time allotted for completing a test section.

Amazing facts about GRE

Any examination generates certain stress in a student, but not GRE. The reason being that GRE is a Psychometric test. Now most of you must be wondering what a Psychometric test is. It means an examination based on a students' perception levels. Isn’t that cool? So contrary to other high-tension examinations the GRE is a test that is designed keeping in view the students' psychological stamina.

Hence, the GRE is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) that adapts to the students’ perceptional requirements.

When the first question of GRE appears on the screen, you will not fall into abysmal depression. The first question that appears will be just ‘moderately’ difficult. That means most of you will be happy answering it for you are almost sure of the answer. As they say well begun is half done, you will carry this positive, stress-free feeling through out the exam.

In case you are unable to answer a tough question, the subsequent question posed to you will be considerably easier. This way the entire exam will be tuned to suit your requirement. In simpler words the exam keeps you feeling better time and again. Isn’t that amazing!

A judicious preparation for the exam will certainly pay rich dividends. A very high score in GRE is something that is not unusual. It is like you have the bag of luck and awesome future in your own hands. You alone can open it. Right?

To err is human! Let us not forget this famous aphorism. Despite unlimited advice and relentless hard work one might fail to get what one pines for. That doesn’t mean one becomes pessimistic and stops looking at the rosier aspects of life. Certainly not! GRE exam can be taken at least five more times in a year. That is until you get a score that satisfies you thoroughly. Isn’t that once again amazing! And what else, the GRE test score is valid for a period of five years! Awesome!

Students keep asking me what a GRE Subject test is. The GRE Subject test is offered for a few specific programs like Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Literature, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. Most of the grad schools value GRE General Test score only as a criterion for admission. However each grad school has its own philosophy. As a diligent student you can contact the admission board directly for more information on subject GRE.

However you want to tell the admission board that you can run for their School an extra mile. And you are passionate about being an alumnus there; the Subject GRE offers you just the right platform. The score of the GRE Subject test ranges from 200 to 990.

There is also a Paper Based GRE Test, conducted in the areas where Computer Testing paraphernalia is not available. There will be an extension of time frame by 45 minutes in the case of a Paper based GRE and naturally you cannot take the Paper Based GRE round the year. It is limited to a certain time frame. The Subject GRE exam too is conducted in the Paper Based Test centers thrice a year i.e. October, November and April. Immediate Paper Based tests for GRE are available on 23rd November and 4th December 2009.

I guess we are now equipped with quite a few inspiring facts about GRE. Without delaying anymore you can start your preparation. I tell always: a final minute preparation could be both stress generating and devastating. Hence give yourself adequate time to understand GRE section-wise and then prepare accordingly.

In a nutshell:

GRE is a Psychometric Examination
GRE continues to keep your spirits high throughout the test!
A student can take GRE five times a year, once in a month!
Paper Based GRE Tests are available exclusively in areas where there is a paucity of Computer Systems
A Subject GRE cuts the student above the rest in competition
A good score in GRE and a subsequent admission into a reputed grad school changes the life of a student for the better and forever!!

Have you got even more interesting aspects of GRE to share with us? Please do comment here and let the world know them!!