GMAT Exam Pattern: Overview

Understanding the GMAT Exam Pattern is an extremely crucial step towards the exam.

GMAT Exam Pattern: Sections

The GMAT Exam Has Four Sections:

Analytical Writing Assessment: Measures your ability to think critically and to communicate your ideas
Integrated Reasoning: Measures your ability to analyze data and evaluate information presented in multiple formats
Quantitative Reasoning: Measures your ability to analyze data and draw conclusions using reasoning skills
Verbal Reasoning: Measures your ability to read and understand written material, to evaluate arguments and to correct written material to conform to standard written English

GMAT Exam Pattern

GMAT Exam Pattern: Sections and Time Limits

Test Section	Time Limit / Number of Questions	Question Types	Score Range
Analytical Writing Assessment	30 minutes 1 question	Analysis of an Argument	0-6 (in 0.5-point increments)
Integrated Reasoning	30 minutes 12 questions	Graphics Interpretation, Table Analysis, Multi-source Reasoning, Two-part Analysis	1-8 (in 1-point increments)
Quantitative Reasoning	62 minutes 31 questions	Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving	6-51 (in 1-point increments)
Verbal Reasoning	65 minutes 36 questions	Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction	6-51 (in 1-point increments

GMAT Exam Pattern: Order of sections

A candidate has the flexibility to choose from three options for section order:

Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal
Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

In total the test takes just under 3 1/2 hours to complete, including two optional breaks of 8 minutes each.

GMAT Exam Pattern: Computer Adaptive

The Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections of the GMAT are computer-adaptive:

Here’s how it works: The first question you receive in either the Verbal or Quantitative sections will be of medium 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 continues until you complete the section. You will not be able to skip, return to, or change your answers to questions. This is because the computer uses your response to each question to select the next one.

GMAT Exam Pattern: IMPORTANT FACTS

On the Integrated Reasoning section, you will have access to an IR on-screen calculator; on the Quantitative section, you get no calculator.
The composite GMAT Score (200 – 800) is determined only by the Quant & Verbal sections. The full score report has several components, but the composite score depends only on these two sections. The full GMAT score report has the composite score and a subscore for each of the four GMAT sections
The admission committees of business schools will see everything when you send them your score report.

GMAT Exam Pattern : Sectional Details

GMAT Exam Pattern: Sectional Details

GMAT Exam Pattern: Section 1: Analytical Writing Assessment

This section has a 30-minute essay which involves analysis of an argument

Examine and analyse the given argument
Evaluate the facts supporting the given argument
Figure out if any information or supporting facts are missing
Use external information in limited scope
After the aforementioned steps prepare a reasoning behind the argument develop your own view point on the basis of that reasoning
Prepare a wireframe for your essay including introduction, body and conclusion
Be grammatically accurate and use rich vocabulary to elaborate the sections

The scores for this section are on a six point scale. Your essay is given two independent ratings and then an average is considered. One of these scores is done by an automated essay-scoring engine. If the difference between both the ratings is more than one point, a third rating would be provided by an expert reader which would then be the final score.

GMAT Exam Pattern: Section 2: Integrated Reasoning (IR)

This new section of the GMAT was introduced in June 2012. It has 12 questions with thirty minutes to answer this section. This section has replaced one of the AWA essays. The score is on a scale of 1 to 8. This section tests how well you can make use of your analytical skills to solve a complicated problem. You are provided with data in various forms.

Your skill depends on being able to handle the data, pick out the information that is relevant and then choose the right answer. In each question, you are expected to provide multiple answers from the choice provided. This section has four different question types:

Table Analysis: In this, you are provided with loads of information in a table format. The question asked expects you to pick answers from yes/no, true/false with multiple statements to answer under each question.

Graphics Interpretation: In this type, you are given a graph or a graphical image. You’re expected to interpret the graph and complete the statements given by choosing one of the options from the pull-down menu.

Multi-Source Reasoning: Here you have to gather information by clicking on the various tabs (2-3) provided. The data available may be presented either as text or in the form of charts, tables. The answers may be in the yes/no, true/false format or as multiple choice options.

Two-Part Analysis: You have a question and multiple choices provided. The answers in a table form have the two components occupying the first two columns and the answer options in the third column. Of all the options provided, you have to choose only one option under each component to complete one answer.

GMAT Exam Pattern: Section 3: Quantitative Section

You have to attempt 31 questions with 62 minutes to complete this section. The questions are designed to put your math skills to test. They revolve around basic arithmetic, algebra and geometry. This section has multiple choice questions that fall in the following two categories:

Data sufficiency questions

This section is intended to test your ability to assess the given data systematically. You’d be given a question followed by two statements and five answer choices. These answer choices always remain the same.

Problem solving questions

This part is designed to test your quantitative skills and your ability to solve a problem using the various mathematical concepts. The number of problem solving questions would be greater in number. Each of the above two category of questions would appear in random order throughout the entire section.

GMAT Exam Pattern:Section 4: GMAT Verbal Section

In this last section of the GMAT, you’ll have 65 minutes to answer 36 multiple choice questions that fall in one of the following category:

Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction.

Reading Comprehension

In this section you are given a passage (approx. 350 words) on a topic and multiple choice questions based on the same.

Critical Reasoning

There are around 14 critical reasoning questions in the GMAT verbal section. The passage is in the form of an argument with five answer choices. You are required to identify the key points that influence, strengthen or weaken the given argument

Sentence Correction

You are given a sentence having an underlined portion and five answer choices.

If the sentence sounds correct as it is, option 1 is the answer
You have to be familiar with the rules of English grammar and choose the answer which seems the best in compliance with standard written English.
Once done, read it over again to check if the sentence construction looks correct and if the original meaning of the statement has been retained.

GMAT Exam Pattern: Sources and FAQs

GMAT Exam Pattern FAQs

Q. Has the GMAT Exam Pattern changed over time?

A. There have been a few changes. For example the earlier exams had two essays in the AWA part: Analysis of an issue and analysis of an argument. Now there is only analysis of an argument. Similarly earlier there was no separate section for data sufficiency whereas it has its own section now.

Q. Where should one prepare from according to the GMAT Exam Pattern?

A. The official guide serves as a good starting point as it is written according to the GMAT exam pattern. In addition to that you have the GMAT Quantitative Review and the GMAT Verbal Review which also serve as additional sources.

Q. Where should we practice according to the GMAT Exam Pattern?

A. Mock tests are one of the best sources of practice as it given you a real exam like experience. You can also opt for CareerCarta’s test series that is designed to be as close as possible to the real GMAT

We are a platform that connects aspiring candidates with experts who have aced the GMAT exam. We offer highly personalized courses at the most affordable market beating prices. If you want to join our online/offline course write to us at connect@careercarta.com. Alternatively you can fill the form below.