Know All About GMAT

By Devanshi Kothari

GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test examines a candidate's mathematical, analytical writing and verbal abilities. Nearly 1,800 business schools worldwide use GMAT scores to assess an individual's potential for an advanced study in fields of Business and Management.

A high GMAT score does not guarantee admission into a good business school, but is definitely a consideration. GMAT test is scaled on a score of 200-800 and two-thirds of candidates get between 400 and 600.

Under the guidance of Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the US-based Pearson VUE develops and administers the GMAT in more than 100 countries worldwide. The GMAT centers in India are at- Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Hyderabad.

The GMAT tests are held throughout the year and generally offered 6 days a week. September to December is the peak season for GMAT exam. If you intend to give the exam during this time, register at least 90 days in advance.

Any person is eligible to take the GMAT exam and the scores are valid for 5 years. However, it is preferable to submit scores of not more than 2 years old.

The fee for GMAT test is US$ 250. You may pay the fees through a globally acceptable credit (Visa, Master, Amex or JCB) or debit card (Visa or Master), cashier's check/personal check/money order (in case of mailed registrations only). Draft payment must be through a US Dollar denominated demand draft.

Check payments must be addressed to Pearson VUE-GMAT. It should be in US Dollars and payable at banks in U.S.A. The exam has to be scheduled at least 10 days after the check is received. Do keep in mind that it may take up to 8 weeks for a mail to reach US from certain countries. In case of personal checks you authorize Pearson VUE to electronically debit the mentioned amount from your account.

They must be sent to:

Pearson VUE

Attention: GMATฎ Program

PO Box 581907

Minneapolis, MN 55458-1907

USA

GMAT is a computer-adaptive exam, in which questions appear one at a time. Most are multiple choice questions. Be extremely careful as you can neither skip a question (next question will appear only when you have answered the current one) nor change answer for any attempted question. Based on your answer, the computer adapts and poses appropriate difficulty level question. The first question is always of medium difficulty.

The GMAT starts with a Computer tutorial to acclimatize you with the infrastructure. This is followed by Analysis of an issue and Analysis of an argument (30 minutes each), an optional break of 10 minutes followed by a 37-question Quantitative section (75 minutes). You may either take a 10-minute break again or proceed to the Verbal section. This section has 41 questions to be answered in 75 minutes.

Do keep in mind that for both essays in "Analytical Writing" section, the emphasis should be on analysis and not writing. It means that language may be simple, but, you must be clear and concise about your arguments and perspectives. Essays on high writing skills will not fetch better marks if your reasoning is not crisp.

There are four different scores to GMAT. They are a) total score (combination of Verbal and Quantitative score) scaled between 200 and 800, b) a separate Verbal score (0-60), c) separate Quantitative score (0-60) and d) Analytical Writing score (0-6). The first three scores can be known immediately after the test. The official score card will include an independent Analytical Writing Score and is available approximately after 3 weeks.

Your GMAT scores will be reported to 5 schools of your choice (cost included in fees). This list of schools has to be furnished before the test is take. Therefore, prioritize your application on the basis of scores you expect to achieve. Any additional recipient costs $28 each.

Apart from your scores, the card will contain a percents (%) below, up to 5 years' scores (if any) and background information. The % below suggests the percentage of candidates who scored below you (total GMAT takers for the recent most 3-years).

GMAT test can be taken only once a month and a maximum of 5 times in a year. In case you score a 800, you are prohibited to take the exam for 5 years (from your exam date).

A rescheduling (date, time, location) fee of $50 is charged if you call at least 7-full calendar days prior to your scheduled appointment. If you call for rescheduling within 7-full calendar days then entire fee is chargeable. Similarly, in case of cancellation, you receive a refund of $80 in case you call at least 7-full calendar days prior to the test. The entire registration fee is forfeited if you cancel the test within 7-full calendar days of your appointment.

You must carry your valid passport as an identification proof to the center. You must also have the GMAT Programs (recipient schools) in which you wish to send your scores and the appointment confirmation from Pearson VUE.

Please note that certain items such as calculators, PDA's, notes, cell phones, pagers, photographic devices, stereos, dictionaries, thesaurus, translators, pens, rulers, any testing aids etc. are restricted in the test center.

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