does gmat essay matter

Is AWA Important for the GMAT?

Last Updated on November 23, 2023

With so much to learn for the GMAT, many students wonder how important it is to perform well on the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). After all, the Analytical Writing Assessment section is not factored into your total GMAT score. Furthermore, your AWA score isn’t included in the unofficial GMAT score report you see on test day. Does the AWA score affect admissions to MBA programs, or do business schools not really care about GMAT writing scores?

It’s natural to ask these questions, but before you decide that preparing for the AWA section “isn’t worth it” or that “no one cares” about the GMAT AWA, there are some important facts to consider.

In this article, we’ll answer some common questions about what the GMAT AWA section is and why it matters. To start, let’s review what exactly the AWA section is.

AWA Essay Prompts

Does awa go toward your gmat score, why don’t you see your awa score on test day, is awa part of the online gmat, reason #1: communication skills matter in the business world, reason #2: your awa essay should “match” your application writing, reason #3: you need to show a strong command of written english, can i skip awa on the gmat, what is the analytical writing assessment section.

The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is a 30-minute section of the GMAT exam that consists of one essay task called an Analysis of an Argument.

In the AWA section, an argument is presented to you in a short essay prompt. In an essay of any length, you must write a critique of that argument. So, you’ll do things such as:

• analyze the argument’s line of reasoning
• point out any flaws or assumptions in the argument
• discuss what evidence might strengthen or refute the argument’s conclusion
• provide alternative explanations for what the argument says

And of course, you’ll need to organize your ideas logically and communicate them clearly.

In the GMAT AWA section, you’ll have 30 minutes to write an “Analysis of an Argument” essay.

Let’s now take a look at what AWA essays are generally about.

AWA essay topics are typically business-related or “general interest.” Essay prompts are often presented in the form of an excerpt from a hypothetical newspaper or magazine article, organization memo or company report, corporate or organization newsletter, or business plan, to name a few examples.

So, for example, an AWA question might present a short paragraph that is an excerpt of a memo issued by XYZ Corp’s manufacturing department. The excerpt explains why the department supports a proposal to shut down one-third of XYZ’s manufacturing plants. Your job is to find and critique any flaws in the department’s reasoning. Additionally, you would point out any further information that would be useful in assessing the validity of the department’s reasoning.

One good thing about AWA essays is that you don’t need any specialized knowledge to write them. You don’t even have to give your personal views on the subject matter. You just have to create a clear, well-reasoned response to the given argument.

You don’t need any specialized knowledge to write a top-scoring AWA essay.

Now that we have a basic understanding of what the AWA is and what AWA essays are about, let’s discuss some common questions GMAT test-takers have related to the importance of the AWA.

Only the Quant and Verbal sections of the GMAT are factored into your GMAT total score. So, neither the Integrated Reasoning (IR) score nor the AWA score affect your total score. For that reason, both of those sections are generally less emphasized by MBA admissions committees than the Quant and Verbal sections.

However, “generally less emphasized” is not the same as “totally disregarded” or “not important.” A low score in any section of the GMAT has the potential to stick out like a sore thumb on your applications. So, the fact that the AWA score does not affect your total score is not a reason to slack off on the AWA.

The fact that the AWA score does not affect your total score is not a reason to slack off on the AWA.

Some GMAT test-takers make the mistake of thinking that, because the unofficial score report they see after they complete the GMAT exam includes only the Quant, Verbal, IR, and Total Score, the AWA is some “secondary” thing they don’t need to worry about.

However, there is a good reason why you don’t see your GMAT Analytical Writing score on test day. GMAT AWA grading is done by both a computer and a person. All of the other section scores (and the total score) are calculated by a computer alone. Since AWA essays must be reviewed by a person — who will obviously not be at the test center with you — AWA scores take longer to generate than computer-generated scores. ( Read more about how the AWA section is scored here. )

So, the fact that you receive your GMAT AWA score after test day rather than right after you finish your exam is not an indication that the AWA is unimportant or an afterthought.

The AWA score is not included in the unofficial score report you see on test day because the AWA section takes longer to grade, not because AWA is unimportant.

When the GMAT Online was first introduced, the AWA section was not part of it. However, the AWA has been part of the online GMAT for quite some time now. In fact, the in-person and online GMAT now have the exact same exam structure with the same section order options .

So, depending on what section order you choose for your exam, the AWA section will be presented either first or last in your GMAT. If you choose the default section order, AWA will be the first section you see. If you choose to complete either the Quant or Verbal section first, AWA will be the last section you see.

The in-person and online GMAT have the exact same exam structure with the same section order options, so you will see the AWA section on both versions of the exam.

So, whether you take the GMAT at home or at a test center, you’re going to face an essay task. Let’s now discuss how much MBA programs actually care about your GMAT essay.

How Much Do MBA Programs Care About AWA Scores?

Out of all of the section scores for the GMAT, the AWA score probably carries the least importance for MBA admissions. That said (and you’ll notice a theme here), having the least importance is not the same as having no importance! MBA programs DO care about your GMAT AWA score, for a few reasons. Let’s discuss each of these reasons.

The GMAT Analytical Writing score DOES matter for MBA admissions.

It’s no secret that many MBA programs are highly quant-driven. But make no mistake: showing that you are a well-rounded student is only going to make your application more attractive to MBA admissions committees.

Where does the AWA fit in? Well, the purpose of the AWA section is to gauge your ability to clearly convey ideas in written form. That skill is of the utmost importance not only in business school but also in professional business settings. If you’re unable to coherently and convincingly get your ideas “on paper,” admissions committees may question how you’ll fare in graduate-level business classes and as a business professional.

Now, if you have impressive scores in every other GMAT section, is having a so-so AWA score the “kiss of death” for your candidacy? Probably not. However, impressive writing skills, in addition to your other skills, could be a significant asset on your application.

Impressive writing skills could be a significant asset on your MBA applications, and the AWA is a key opportunity to show off those skills.

Granted, you will have far more time to think through and polish and hone your application essays than you will an argument response that you have just 30 minutes to complete on test day. However, if there is a large disparity between the level of writing in your GMAT AWA essay and the level of writing in your MBA application essays, admissions may wonder whether they’re reading the work of the same person. In other words, you don’t want admissions to entertain the thought that someone helped you write your application essays.

Rather, you want to show admissions that you have a baseline of strong skills that you can apply in any situation — that there is a solid standard your work will always meet. If you put no time or effort into preparing for the AWA section, or you assume that your application essays will be enough to demonstrate your writing skills, then admissions may wonder whether you can consistently perform at a high level.

Don’t let your AWA essay be a reason that admissions wonders whether you can consistently perform at a high level.

With a few exceptions, the language of business and business schools is, for the most part, English. Thus, business schools seek to ensure that their students have a strong command of written English. The AWA can serve as a key indicator of your command of English.

If, for example, you’re a nonnative speaker of English, your GMAT AWA score may be of greater significance to admissions than it would be if English were your first language. This can work in your favor, however. If English is your second language and you earn an AWA score of, say, 5 or above, that score could help you stand out among other applicants whose native language is not English.

If English is your second language, earning a GMAT AWA score of 5 or above can help you stand out among other MBA applicants whose native language is not English.

If everything you’ve read in this article hasn’t convinced you of the importance of the GMAT AWA, you may still be wondering whether you can get away with skipping the AWA.

Unless you are 100% certain that the programs you’re interested in will not consider AWA scores, you should plan to complete the Analytical Writing Assessment on any official GMAT exam you take (including your practice exams !).

If you have reason to believe that your desired programs will not take the AWA into account when evaluating your application, you should call the admissions office of each program to confirm that skipping the AWA will not affect your candidacy. Even if a program’s website states that submitting an AWA score is optional, I recommend speaking to someone in the program’s admissions office to confirm that the policy stated on the website is up to date.

If you have reason to believe that your desired programs will not take your AWA into account when evaluating your application, call the admissions office of each program to confirm.

Given that the vast majority of business schools that require GMAT scores require that all section scores be submitted, including the AWA, your best bet is to make time for some AWA preparation in your GMAT study plan . Fortunately, you don’t have to spend weeks writing essay after essay in order to perform well in AWA. Looking for some tips? These 5 strategies can help you earn a top-notch GMAT Analytical Writing score.

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Homepage > GMAT Preparation > Do GMAT Integrated Reasoning and AWA matter for MBA admissions?

Do GMAT Integrated Reasoning and AWA matter for MBA admissions?

Posted by Suheb Hussain | Dec 5, 2018 | GMAT Basics , GMAT Focus Edition , GMAT IR and AWA

GMAT Integrated Reasoning (IR) and Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) are the two sections whose scores are not counted towards the overall GMAT score. Therefore, a lot of GMAT takers wonder about the importance of these two sections. Do Analytical Writing Assessment and GMAT Integrated Reasoning matter for business schools? If yes, what is a good AWA score and what is a good Integrated Reasoning score? In this article, we have answered these questions.

Here is the outline of the article:

• Scoring system of GMAT Integrated Reasoning (IR) and AWA

How important is the GMAT AWA section for business schools?

What is a good gmat awa score.

• The 4 types of GMAT IR Questions

What does a GMAT IR score indicate to business schools?

Does gmat integrated reasoning score matter in mba admissions, what is a good gmat integrated reasoning score.

Take a look at this article to know how to score a perfect 6 on the AWA

Scoring system of AWA and GMAT Integrated Reasoning

GMAT AWA is scored on a scale of 0 – 6 and Integrated Reasoning is scored on a scale of 1 – 8.

When thinking from the perspective of the admissions committee, they tend to give more importance to your overall GMAT score and your Quant and Verbal scores. Even the Integrated Reasoning section is given more importance.

The testament to this statement is the fact that when the IR section was introduced first on June 5, 2012, the AWA section was reduced by half .

So, when it comes to relative importance we can safely assume that AWA has the lowest importance . But ‘low’ importance is not similar to ‘no’ importance. You still cannot take the AWA section for granted.

An AWA score of less than 4 could hurt your chances of getting into your target business school. The purpose of the AWA section is to judge how well you convey your thoughts in written form. This skill is really important in the business world as you would be communicating with people in written form on a daily basis.

It would be good to devote 10% of your time on the AWA section. This time will be enough to secure a good AWA score. But, what is a good AWA score?

Take a look at the average GMAT AWA score of test takers. Since, 4.48 is the average score, scoring below 4 would not be a good AWA score. Therefore, scoring a 5 or a 6 would be a good AWA score.

Now, let’s look at the Integrated Reasoning section and understand the importance and a good score in this section.

If you are planning to take the GMAT, we can help you with a personalized study plan and give you access to quality online content to prepare. Write to us at  [email protected] . We are the  most reviewed GMAT prep company on gmatclub with more than 1875 reviews. Why don’t you take a free trial and judge for yourself?

GMAT Integrated Reasoning

GMAT Integrated Reasoning tests your ability to integrate data to solve complex problems. One of your jobs, after you complete your MBA, would be making informed decisions. You can take those decisions only if you know how to filter out the useful data and interpret it. The GMAT Integrated Section, therefore, tests your ability to

• Extract information from graphs, numbers, and text.
• Filter out the relevant information
• Use data to understand patterns/ relationships to arrive at a conclusion
• Manipulate information from multiple sources to solve complex problems

GMAT IR Questions Formats

This section contains 12 questions which you are expected to solve in 30 minutes or less.

There are 4 types of questions asked in the Integrated Reasoning section:

• Multi-Source Reasoning

Table Analysis

• Graphics Interpretation

Two-Part Analysis

Multi-source reasoning (msr).

Multiple cards are presented in this type of question on the left side of your screen. Each card has different information in the form of text, table, formula etc. You have to combine the information from all the cards and answer questions based on these multiple sources of information.

In this type of question, you’ll deal with a large table with at least 3 columns and 20 rows of data. You have the option to sort the table. There are 3 questions based on the information presented to you.

Graphic Interpretation

A graph in this type of question could be a pie-chart, a bar chart, a scatter plot, a line chart or any other type of chart. You have to deduce information from the chart and answer 2 questions.

In this type of question, you’ll be given an introductory statement which will be followed by a table with 3 columns. The top row of first 2 columns are the questions and the rightmost column has a list of possible answers. You have to select one of the entries in each of the 2 columns.

MBA professionals around the world have to deal with incomplete information to make decisions. Therefore, to make decisions they assimilate information from different sources and evaluate the information.

This is the skill that you learn and enhance in the business school.

The quantitative and verbal sections of the GMAT do a good job of measuring and predicting how students are likely to perform in business school. But, these sections separately measure these attributes and are not necessarily a good indicator of how someone will combine these skills to make sound decisions.

The IR section is designed to test this skill. You have to find a solution to a problem based on information which is both qualitative and quantitative in nature. Thus, an IR score is a good indicator of your ability to bringing complex ideas together and analyzing data in a variety of formats.

Integrated Reasoning (IR) section is the newest section of the GMAT. It was introduced in June 2012. Initially, business schools did not value the IR section much as they did not have enough data to compare applicants. To understand Admissions committees’ perspective on the Integrated Reasoning section, Kaptest did a survey of more than 200 business schools in 2014. 41% said that they found Integrated Reasoning to be an important part of overall GMAT score evaluation.

Kaptest did the same survey again in 2015. This time the number of business schools considering the IR section to be important was up to 59%.

With this data, we can infer that there is a shift towards GMAT Integrated Reasoning being considered an important part of your GMAT score . This shift would make sense because in today’s technology and data-driven global marketplace you need sound analytical skills to compete successfully and IR section is a test of your analytical skills.

Therefore, when it comes to MBA admissions it is better to score well in the Integrated Reasoning section. But, what is a good IR score?

A good GMAT Integrated Reasoning score would depend on how important the IR score is for your target business school and how others are performing on the IR section. Business school policies are not clear on the IR score as of now but you have can know how others are performing on the GMAT Integrated Reasoning.

4.29 is the average GMAT Integrated Reasoning score as can be seen in this table. So, firstly a good GMAT IR score should be more than this average score. Secondly, a good GMAT score should be the one which does not give you sleepless nights after submitting your application.

Therefore, a good IR score would be in the range of 6 to 8.

• GMAT Integrated Reasoning tests your ability to integrate data to solve complex problems
• This section contains 12 questions which you have to solve in 30 minutes or less.
• There are 4 types of questions asked in the Integrated Reasoning section
• IR score is a good indicator of your ability to bringing complex ideas together and analyzing data in a variety of formats
• Business Schools are increasingly considering the IR score to be an important part
• A good GMAT score is between 6 and 8

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Importance of ir and awa scores in gmat.

Table of Contents

Anyone who is preparing for the GMAT is aware that GMAT Verbal and Quant scores are important when it comes to seeking admission in B-schools. But these are not the only sections on GMAT. Students appearing for the test have to prepare for two more sections i.e. Integrated Reasoning (IR) and Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) on GMAT.

A lot of students are unclear when it comes to the importance of IR and AWA scores on GMAT and the most common question they ask is – ‘ What is the importance of IR and AWA scores in the GMAT, and d o they scores matter in the admission process? ‘ Let’s discuss if they do –

Importance of IR and AWA Sections in GMAT

The IR and AWA scores are not included in the overall GMAT score. Instead, they are added separately in the final GMAT score card. This leaves a lot of students confused about the significance of the two sections. In this article, we will be answering some of the frequently asked questions regarding the two sections and clear your doubts about the same, once and for all. Let’s take them one by one –

I. How are the IR and AWA sections scored on GMAT?

The AWA section in GMAT is scored on a scale of 0 – 6 at intervals of 0.5, whereas the IR section is scored on a scale of 1 – 8, at intervals of 1. These scores are not part of the 200 – 800 score.

In the AWA section, each essay is scored twice , once by a human reader and then by a computer. The average of the two scores is then considered as the section score. For the IR section, the score depends upon the total number of questions you answer correctly . If you get even one part of a question wrong, you will not receive any credit for that question.

II. What is the importance of AWA section in GMAT?

The main purpose of the AWA section on GMAT is to test how a student conveys his thoughts in writing. Since the business world requires regular communication in written form, it is important for students to perform well in this section.

Now, when it comes to significance, compared to other sections, the admission committees usually give less importance to the AWA section. While the Quant, Verbal, and GMAT scores are given the most importance, the IR scores are also considered to be more important than the AWA scores. But, this does not mean that you have the leverage to take the AWA section lightly. A poor AWA score can easily break your case.

III. What is a good GMAT AWA score?

The average score for GMAT AWA is 4.48 . Therefore, to be on a safer side, students must try to score at least 5 in GMAT AWA section. Devoting 10% time on AWA section is usually enough to get this score.

Must Read: How to Identify the Right Target GMAT Score?

IV. What is a good GMAT IR score?

A good IR score depends on two factors –

• Your target school – Different schools have different opinions when it comes to the importance of IR section. You can speak to some of the existing students or someone from the alumni to understand how important will the IR scores be during the admission process.
• The competition – How other students applying in your target school performed in IR also matters in deciding if your score is good enough.

Generally the average GMAT IR score is 4.29 . A score lower than that may work against you in seeking admission in your favorite school. So, a score above 6 can be considered safe.

V. What is the importance of GMAT IR in admission process?

The IR section on GMAT tests the student’s decision-making abilities which ultimately reflects their preparedness to enter the business world after getting the degree. To test that, the IR section requires the students to –

• Extract information from text, graphs, and numbers
• Collect data from different resources to solve complex problems
• Filter useful information from given data
• Use the filtered data to understand patterns and find solutions

VI. Do IR scores matter in B-school admissions?

Although the IR section is relatively new in GMAT, its popularity in the admission process is quite high. According to a survey by Kaplan test prep in 2015, more than 59% of B-schools see the IR scores as an integral part of the entire admission process . Several reasons account for the increasing importance of the IR section.

Since the global business market has been under a heavy influence of technology and more and more firms becoming data-driven, good analytical skills are at an all-time high demand. Although students will learn to assimilate information and take meaningful decisions from incomplete information in business schools, the IR scores help adcoms test the analytical skills of the prospective candidates and check their readiness to be an industry leader or manager in future .

VII. What is more important on GMAT, IR or AWA?

The Quant and Verbal sections are undeniably the most important part of the GMAT exam as they have a direct impact on your chances of getting an admit from the school of your choice. However, it is also true that although indirectly, the IR and AWA sections are important too.

While we have already shared how most business schools consider IR scores important, the AWA section enjoys its own share of importance as it reflects the candidate’s ability to present thoughts and ideas in a limited time frame. On the other hand, the non-native English speakers can also leverage the AWA section to present their hold over the English language with the help of AWA section.

In simple words, performing well in just one section on GMAT is not enough . You must follow a holistic approach towards GMAT and make every effort needed to score well in all the four sections on GMAT. To make that happen, you must create a personalized study plan , collect the right resources , and start your GMAT preparation .

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The GMAT Writing Section: Tips and Other Info

Of all the parts of the GMAT, the essay may be the one that I get the most questions about from students. Does it matter? How should I prepare? Wait, there’s an essay? I thought when I decided to go to business school that I’d never need to write again.

Though the essay is by no means the most important part of the test, it does matter. Practicing the GMAT writing section should be an important part of your GMAT online test preparation, and you should use all the tools available to you in order to prepare—starting with knowing what you’re walking into.

What is the GMAT Writing Section?

The GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is a standard component of the GMAT and consists of a 30-minute essay that requires students to analyze an argument and assess its effectiveness. The student is given a short one-paragraph stimulus, much like a critical reasoning question from the Verbal section. This stimulus makes a conclusion based on a set of premises (stated evidence) and assumptions (unstated evidence), and the student is required to determine how valid that conclusion is based on the evidence presented.

Unlike your standard college expository essays and the underpaid teaching assistants who graded them (and totally cared about your opinion—no, really), the GMAT writing section task is not interested in your stance on the issue presented. Instead, the prompt requires you to evaluate the strength of an argument based on the evidence presented.

How is the AWA Essay Scored?

The GMAT writing section is scored on a scale of 1 to 6 in ½-point increments by both a trained human reader and a machine algorithm (or e-reader). If there is a significant disparity between the scores given by the two methods, an additional human grader may be enlisted to offer a third opinion and resolve the discrepancy.

Essay responses are assessed on four main categories, and your preparation for the GMAT writing section should incorporate these items:

• Analysis of the Issue
• Support for the claims made in the analysis
• Organization
• Facility in the use of language

In short, writing a successful essay for the GMAT writing section will involve understanding fully the prompt you are given; recognizing how its conclusion is drawn; clearly delineating the flaws in that conclusion according to the rules of logical reasoning; and organizing those ideas while using proper grammar, diction, syntax and idiom. There are many GMAT writing section sample essays available with which you can practice.

GMAT Writing Section Tips:

In order to best prepare for the essay, keep in mind the following writing section tips:

• Read the prompt thoroughly and identify both its conclusion and the premises being used to support that conclusion.
• Identify 2-3 flaws in the reasoning. Note that some prompts are more difficult to decipher than others, but there are usually at least two potential flaws; these will constitute your body paragraphs.
• Identify how the argument could be strengthened by correcting these flaws and how they should be corrected. Think about additional evidence that could be gathered, flaws in the existing evidence that could be addressed, etc.
• Sandwich these body paragraphs between a brief introduction that summarizes the author’s conclusion and line of reasoning and a brief concluding paragraph that restates how the argument could be made more sound.
• In the GMAT writing section, as in all other types of writing, be as clear and concise as possible, and always strive to avoid wordiness and redundancy.

How Important is the GMAT Writing Section?

Compared to the two main sections of the GMAT—Verbal and Quantitative—the GMAT writing section is not quite as important. It is one of two supplementary scores (along with the Integrated Reasoning section) that are not factored into the main composite score of 200-800.

Since that composite score is the single most important metric of your success on the GMAT, the AWA necessarily takes a bit of a backseat to the Verbal and Quant sections. Because your essay score is a part of your score report, however, many business schools will notice a sub-par score on the GMAT writing section. It will also reflect on your general writing abilities (as do your business school application essays), so its impact on your candidacy should not be minimized.

Approaching Prep for the GMAT Writing Section

A key feature of effective GMAT online prep programs is outlining the essentials of an effective GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment. This will include analyzing actual GMAT writing section examples and attacking them under actual test conditions.

More than most other standardized tests, there are certain aspects of taking the GMAT that are impossible to replicate through homework alone, which is one of the reasons that regular practice tests should be a staple of your GMAT test prep online program. Set up a schedule of periodic mock tests; this will give you the opportunity to practice the techniques you’ve learned in the context of a full test while also familiarizing you with the experience of taking the full test straight through. This practice with the test-taking experience is particularly important in GMAT programs, as students need to become comfortable with the question-adaptive computer interface and the process of outlining and writing an essay on the computer.

Get Started Today on Your GMAT Test Preparation Online

If you’re uneasy about the GMAT writing section or the GMAT in general, you’re not alone. It’s easy to practice writing essays on your own, but it’s hard to get feedback. That’s where our test prep experts come in.

If you’re looking for customized one-on-one prep that’s 100% tailored to your unique needs, Inspirica Pros has dozens of expert GMAT tutors with decades of combined experience; set up a free phone consultation today . We can’t wait to get started.

• November 10, 2020

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Does the GMAT Integrated Reasoning section really matter?

The short answer?  Yes and No.   It depends on what types of school you’d like to be admitted to, how much time you have to study for the exam, and what you want to do after business school.  That said, the GMAT Integrated Reasoning section is definitely not as important as the Quantitative and Verbal sections of the exam.

A bit of background

During the summer of 2012, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) replaced one of the essay-style questions on the GMAT exam with a new section called Integrated Reasoning (IR).   Unlike the Quantitative and Verbal sections, this section is not adaptive and allows you an on-screen calculator.  Question types span graphics interpretation, two-part analysis, table analysis, and multi-source reasoning.  Sometimes, answers are multiple-choice, other times they appear in a drop-down.  

The questions ask test-takers to make sense of an overload of information, discarding irrelevant data to answer the questions.  Sometimes the data can be found on multiple pages, other times in wordy paragraphs and busy spreadsheets.  As you can imagine, these are valuable real-world business skills and likely a predictor of success in school and beyond, which is, after all, what admissions staff at various universities count on the GMAT to provide.  

All about statistics and scoring

The IR section has twelve questions and is thirty minutes long.  This may seem like you have ample time to get through the section, but pacing, as with the rest of the exam, will be key.   Many of the questions will have multiple parts and there is no partial credit.  The section is scored out of eight points in single-digit increments.  

As of July 1, 2015, according to the GMAC , the average score is 4.32 with a standard deviation of 2.14.   So, if you score a six or above on the IR section, and scored well on the rest of the exam, you are in good shape for the top-tier schools!

Should I care about the IR section?

Probably not. For the most part, admissions committees aren’t looking at IR scores.  There are a few reasons for this, but the main one is that the section has only been around for three years.   Since GMAT scores are good for five years, including the IR score does not provide a level playing field for applicants.    

Does that mean you should start to worry after 2017?  Likely not for another few years.  As we mentioned earlier, the GMAT is valuable to admissions committees because they use it to predict if a student can be successful both in the program and beyond.  

For the IR section to be used to evaluate applicants, schools would need to start collecting the scores and correlating them to a student’s success for a number of years.   Some schools have said outright that they aren’t using the IR section ( INSEAD is one) and others say that it won’t be that important (think Stanford ).   

In short, the IR section has the potential to be very useful in the future, but for the next few years, it isn’t likely to factor too much into the admissions process.  

Reasons to care about th e IR Section

Although you likely won’t spend too much time studying for the IR section, it is important that you do not ignore it entirely, even if you are short on study time.  A 780 GMAT score paired with a two on the IR section will not do you any favors.   Schools will still glance at your IR score, if just to reaffirm what they already know about you:  you’re a great candidate!  

Also, if you have an interest in a top-tier school, followed by a consulting career, an IR score may play a more important role.   Bain & Co is one example of a company that may begin asking for students to report the IR score in addition to the Quantitative and Verbal scores they are currently required to provide.  

How do I decide whether studying for the IR section is worth it?

To help you decide if the IR section is worth your time, Cambridge Coaching has created the guide below.   

Not Important - Take a few practice exams that include the IR section (on a computer), but do not spend too much time studying for it.

Some Importance - In addition to the practice exams, perhaps incorporate the IR section in your studies once every other week.

More Important - Take time at least once a week to do an entire set of IR questions, paying close attention to your pacing.  Your Cambridge Coaching tutor will be happy to provide specific tips and tricks to suit your learning style.

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What is the GMAT Exam and What Should You Know?

If you're a graduate business degree hopeful, you've likely heard about the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

The GMAT exam is the premier business school admission test used to help thousands of graduate business programs make critical admissions decisions. The GMAT helps you prove your commitment to and eligibility for the MBA or business master’s degree you're applying to by demonstrating your problem-solving abilities and critical reasoning skills.

Submitting a strong GMAT score means a higher chance of acceptance and may also result in a scholarship offer to your chosen school.

Here’s everything you should know  about the GMAT :

Why does the GMAT matter?

Business schools value the GMAT because it’s an indicator of a candidate's work ethic and readiness for a program.

As a standardized test, the GMAT exam helps business schools compare candidates from different backgrounds and regions, which is why most  schools favor the GMAT  over other tests.

As a globally recognized test, your GMAT score puts you on a level playing field with candidates from around the world for programs in any of 110 countries. It also allows you to compete fairly against other candidates with widely varying academic and professional backgrounds.

In a Kaplan/Manhattan Prep  survey , 88% of business schools said that submitting a competitive admissions exam score will help your application. Business school admissions officers also explained why they still favor the GMAT:

• ‘A good GMAT score shows us that prospective students are willing to invest time to prepare for the MBA and that they have the baseline knowledge to begin.’
• ‘Our scholarships are based on GPA, GMAT score, and interview experience, so strong GMAT scores have a very important impact on admissions and scholarship offers.’

How does the GMAT work?

GMAT questions are based on the mathematic concepts and English-language skills you would have learned in high school. For example, you may be required to use arithmetic or elementary algebra as part of the test. The GMAT does not evaluate your job skills, motivation or interpersonal skills. It is also not designed to test your command of the English language.

You already have what it takes to achieve a good result on the GMAT. It’s essential that you understand that preparation is crucial.

GMAT is not impossibly challenging. However, it may be difficult to get a good, balanced score that truly represents your abilities without knowing what to expect by reviewing practice questions and preparing for the test conditions.

While the English and mathematics involved are not especially difficult, the GMAT is measuring your ability to reason and make complex judgments using critical thinking, analysis of information, and problem solving under timed conditions.

The GMAT has a maximum score of 805 and a minimum of 205. It lasts up to 2 hours and 15 minutes and consists of 3 sections that you can take in any order.

What is the GMAT exam structure?

1. quantitative reasoning.

The GMAT  quant section  determines mathematical ability and numerical literacy. This section of the exam tests your ability to reason, solve problems. It measures the skills you will use in quantitative-based subjects such as finance, accounting and managerial statistics.

The questions in this section are problem solving questions, and require common knowledge of concepts related to arithmetic and elementary algebra.

2. Verbal Reasoning

GMAT verbal evaluates reading comprehension and critical reasoning. You will be assessed on your ability to comprehend and draw inferences from written material and to evaluate arguments.

 This section features a mixture of two types of multiple-choice questions:

• Reading comprehension passages of up to 350 words are followed by a set of questions testing your ability to interpret the text, to draw inferences from it, and to identify logical relationships between elements of the content.
• Critical reasoning measuring your ability to draw conclusions from short arguments.

3. Data Insights

This tests candidates' ability to read and interpret data in multiple formats, including table analysis and graphic interpretation.

This part of the GMAT exam is designed to mimic today’s business world that demands managers synthesize data from multiple sources to identify patterns, make decisions and solve business problems.

There are 20 multiple response questions in the Data Insights section using five different question formats:

• Multi-source reasoning using data from multiple sources, you answer multiple choice or yes/no and true/false questions
• Table analysis using a sortable table containing numeric data, you must determine if a set of statements are true or false
• Graphic interpretation using a chart or graph, you find or extrapolate a value to complete fill-in-the-blank statements from a drop-down list
• Two-part analysis using quantitative and/or verbal information, you must weigh trade-offs and make decisions with more than one variable. Possible answers are presented in a table and you should choose the correct options.
• Data sufficiency asks you to analyze a quantitative problem, recognize which data is relevant, and determine at what point there is enough data to solve the problem.

What is computer adaptive testing

The GMAT is more than just a computerized version of a written test, it is computer adaptive. This means it automatically adapts the question you see in the above sections based on a real-time assessment of your performance as you are taking the test.

After an average difficulty starting question, the questions vary in difficulty depending on the test taker's answers.

In the computer-adaptive format, if you answer a question right, a more challenging question appears next, and if your answer is wrong, an easier one appears.

The GMAT can be taken once every 16 calendar days and completed no more than five times in 12 months. You can choose to take the test online or find test centers  around the world

 Why should I take the GMAT exam if it's not compulsory?

We highly recommend that you speak with the admissions team for your chosen program well ahead of the admissions deadline.

Even when the GMAT is not a compulsory part of the application process up front, admissions managers may still ask you to supply a score later in the process if your application is not as competitive as others in their applicant pool.

Also consider whether GMAT is required for your second or third choice programs if you are not able to secure a place on your first-choice program.

Register for the GMAT Now! REGISTER

How much does the GMAT cost?

The GMAT exam at a test center generally costs $275, although  prices vary  depending on test center location.

How to prepare for the GMAT?

 How long does it take to prepare for the GMAT?

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council ( GMAC ), the owner and administrator of the GMAT, candidates can achieve a competitive score in just six weeks .

Your goal is to reach a point where you are quickly and confidently able to focus on answering each question, rather than spending time decoding what is being asked. You also want to become confident in your approach to selecting your answers as second guessing yourself will cost you valuable time on exam day.

A commonly recommended approach is to focus your preparation on your problem areas. Make sure you also pay moderate attention to your stronger areas to ensure that you don’t lose easy marks by becoming complacent and making avoidable errors. Take full, scored practice exams regularly to benchmark your process and to identify areas of strength and weakness. Replicate actual test conditions as much as you can so you don’t use a calculator or refer to your notes.

There are many helpful study tools available to help in your preparation. The  FREE GMAT™ Official Starter Kit  is a sampler of 90 past exam questions and  two, full-length GMAT™ practice exams that match the real exam format, increase in difficulty, and help you manage your pacing.

GMAC also offers the  GMAT Official Guide , which is the only study guide that features real GMAT™ questions from past exams offered by the makers of the exam.

What is a ‘good’ GMAT score?

Your score out of 805 is based on your performance in all three sections of the exam. When you receive your score out of 805, you will also receive a percentile, which indicates how you compare to other test takers.

The definition of a good GMAT score changes from business school to business school and candidate to candidate. Ultimately, a good GMAT score is one that gets you into your target program.

To work out what score to aim for, look at your desired program's average GMAT score and GMAT score range.

You typically want to aim for the class average score, but you can also get accepted with a lower score if other aspects of your application – like your essays, work experience, and interview performance – are strong.

What score are business schools looking for?

Most programs do not have an explicitly stated minimum GMAT score requirement. Instead, they tend to publish an average or a range of GMAT scores achieved by their most recent class. This can provide a useful benchmark; however, they are generally looking for candidates with a well-balanced set of scores across all sections.

Don’t rule out programs even if you haven't reached your target GMAT score, especially if it is close to the published range. Your GMAT score will be one part of your application, and you may have considerable strengths in other areas. Contact the admissions team for your chosen program to seek their guidance and be prepared to retake the exam.

How is the GMAT different to the GRE?

The critical difference between the  GMAT and GRE  is that the GMAT was created specifically for business schools, while the GRE is for a broader scope of graduate degrees. More than 7,700 business school programs worldwide accept the GMAT exam.

When should I take the GMAT? 

Check the admissions deadlines for your target programs well ahead of time and work back from there, accounting for how much time you need to prepare. We recommend preparing for the GMAT at least three to six months ahead of time to give yourself the chance to achieve the score you want, or to re‑take if you want to aim for a higher score.

Your GMAT score is valid for five years. If you are currently studying, preparing for the GMAT while you are still in an academic mindset can make your life significantly easier.

Register for the GMAT exam

You can take the GMAT exam in major cities and at almost any time of the year. The test is offered worldwide at Pearson VUE test centers approved by the Graduate Management Admission Council and also online.

You can  register for the GMAT on mba.com .

 Ultimately, even where the GMAT is not required, taking the GMAT will put a candidate at an advantage, providing access to top business schools globally. "The GMAT score is important for assessing a candidate's aptitude for being able to have a successful MBA experience,” Nora Colton, director of the University College London Global Business School for Health, explains.

 “The exam is designed to demonstrate essential critical thinking and reasoning skills that will be required in an MBA program and beyond.”

Register for the GMAT Now! Register

How Important Is Each Part Of Your MBA Application?

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Harvard Business School across the Charles River

Are business schools putting too much emphasis on GMAT scores in admission decisions? MBA admission consultants—who help to shape the candidacy of thousands of MBA applicants each year and get to see the results of their clients’ applications—certainly think so, according to a new Poets&Quants survey of the world’s leading consulting firms.

The vast majority of consultants—65% of those responding to the survey—say they believe business school admission officials are weighing GMAT scores more heavily than ever. After the GMAT, written essays, admission interviews, and undergraduate grade point averages are what gets an applicant in the game, according to the consultants. But GMAT scores are being given more consideration by schools largely because the exam scores are factored in annual rankings published by U.S. News & World Report and The Economist and the emerging view that a school’s average GMAT score is an overall proxy for the quality of students it enrolls.

The findings come from a Poets&Quants survey sent to 50 of the largest and most prominent MBA admissions consulting firms in early July and received a response rate of 46%. Consultants were asked to apportion 100 points over 13 critical components of an MBA application, giving more points to each attribute they believe is given more weight by admissions. The consultants and firms who completed the surveys have represented tens of thousands of MBA applicants to the world’s top business schools over the past ten years.

CONSULTANTS POINT TO WHARTON, YALE & COLUMBIA WHERE GMAT SCORES ARE MORE CRITICAL

The consultants singled out three schools in particular where they believe the GMAT assumes increased importance in admission decisions: The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, Yale University’s School of Management, and Columbia Business School. Slightly more than half the respondents named Wharton for putting greater weight on GMATs in the past five years; a little more than a third named Yale while just a tad over 25% pointed to Columbia.

Three schools that MBA admission consultants believe have put less emphasis on GMATs in the same five-year timeframe are Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business. Nearly 40% of the consultants named Duke, 22% identified Kellogg, and 17% pointed to Tuck.

In general, the consultants estimated that GMAT scores account for more than a fifth of the weight—21.7%—in business school admission decisions, with nearly 16% given to the total score and an additional 6% to the quant score breakdown. Instead, they believe that GMAT scores should account for no more than 16.6% of all the components of an MBA application, with the total score representing roughly 11.5% and quant breakdowns at 5.1% (See table with comparisons below).

GMAT SCORES MORE THAN TWICE AS INFLUENTIAL AS UNDERGRADUATE GPAS

As it is, the survey found, GMAT scores are thought to be more than twice as influential in MBA admission decisions as undergraduate grade point averages, nearly three times more critical than either recommendation letters and employer prestige, and almost four times more important than the undergraduate college an applicant attended. After a GMAT score, the consultants believe the following parts of an MBA application are most important: essays (14.5%), admission interviews (12.1%), undergraduate GPAs (10.3%), recommendation letters (7.6%), employer prestige (7.3%), college or university attended (5.9%), and extracurricular involvement (5.7%). Far less significant, believe the consultants, are such factors as the number of years of work experience (4.7%), a candidate’s industry background (3.1%), international experience (3.0%), undergraduate major (2.4%), or fluency in other languages (1.4%).

These are very rough estimates, if not guesses, of course. The actual importance of a GMAT score varies by school and by applicant. “Everything is a data point and it varies from applicant to applicant,” points out Adam Markus , a well-known MBA admissions consultant. “I reject the value of the average, a hypothetical, because I am in a non-quantitative business: I help individuals.” Nonetheless, the survey provides an informed impression of the value of each part of an application that can be extremely helpful to MBA applicants.

Schools that are aggressively pursuing rankings gains or want greater confidence that an applicant can easily get through the core MBA curriculum are likely to put greater emphasis on test scores. And some MBA applicants might have below-average GMAT scores for a specific school, but overcome that deficiency with other parts of the MBA application. What the survey does show is that business school admissions, by and large, is a holistic process in which numerous metrics and facts are weighed and considered in deciding whether an applicant gets admitted or dinged.

Questions about this article? Email us or leave a comment below.

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What is the GMAT? Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve made the announcement that you’re applying to business school only to have friends and family wince and ask if you “have to” take the GMAT test, it can be a little scary…to say the least. If you don’t know much about the GMAT exam, you should know this: The GMAT gets a bad rap. Is it challenging? Definitely. The GMAT, meaning the Graduate Management Admission Test, likes to throw out a battery of questions in unusual formats you’ve never seen before.

Furthermore, like a crazy psychic mastermind, it adapts the difficulty level of questions based on how well you’ve answered questions so far (oh, it’s a computer-based test or CAT) But can you master the GMAT exam? Yes! Read on to find out all about the GMAT, from the definition of GMAT to what skills it tests to how you can prepare for a great score.

Table of Contents

Click the section title to jump ahead to that section.

• What Does the GMAT Stand For?

What Do You Take the GMAT Test For?

How and when do you take the gmat, where is the gmat exam offered, can you take the gmat again, what does the gmat exam evaluate.

• What Does the GMAT Test Look Like?

What is a CAT, Anyway?

• How Does the GMAT Exam Reflect What You’ll Do in Business School?

Percentiles

Preparing for the gmat, resources and next steps.

To learn all about GMAT topics and how to approach them (as well as all about the GMAT itself), read on!

What is the GMAT? About the Exam

What does the gmat stand for.

What does GMAT actually mean? GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admissions Test , meaning, you can think of it as “the MBA test,” because students who take it do so as part of their business school applications. The GMAT is created and administered by GMAC, which works with both business schools and businesses to determine appropriate content for the test.

Here’s the shortened GMAT definition: The GMAT is for students pursuing graduate-level education in business and management, typically an MBA. Now that you know what GMAT means, you may be wondering: what is the GMAT used for? Just as the SAT is an admission test high school students need to take to get into college, the GMAT is an admission test after-college folks in the business world need to take to get into business school. The vast majority of MBA programs require a recent GMAT score as an essential part of the admission process.

Different schools use and judge GMAT scores in different ways. As a general rule, a good score on the GMAT can give an applicant a strong competitive edge in applying to the best business schools. If you’re applying to international business schools, you might need to take the GMAT, or a GMAT score may prove to be an asset to your application file. Check with individual programs to verify their GMAT policy and requirements.

Finally, if you’re applying to any other non-business graduate program, you almost certainly don’t have to take the GMAT.

Here’s what you need to know:

• To take the GMAT test, you’ll need to register on the official GMAC website, MBA.com . Learn more in our post about GMAT registration .
• Cost: In most of the world, the GMAT registration fee is $250 (US), but that price can differ in the U.S., Canada, and Europe; see the article “ How Much Does the GMAT Cost? ” for details. You’ll also need a valid ID in order to take the test; we’ll get into more about what this means for international students in a few moments.
• Test Dates : Most test-takers will be relieved to know that the GMAT exam is available on-demand at test centers worldwide on most days of the year. National holidays are a notable exception. That said, you should schedule your GMAT test dates well in advance. Depending on the size of your town, you may or may not have multiple test centers to choose from.Also, while the GMAT is offered very frequently, you can only take the GMAT once in any 16-day period, and only five times within a twelve-month period.

Many test centers around the world offer the GMAT. With that said, the majority of these test centers tend to be in larger cities (you can find centers near you on the GMAT website ). If you don’t live in one of these cities, make sure to plan your travel far in advance.

In fact, it’s even worth doing a test run to scout out your test location. Think about it: you will no doubt be nervous on your test day. Don’t add any stress by getting lost en route. You may also gain valuable information. For example, many test centers have a special accommodations room. However, some (not all!) make a provision that if no testers are scheduled who need the space, then it is open to whomever shows up first. And that’s just one of many benefits of learning about your test center in advance!

For more tips on what to prepare for test day, check out our post with GMAT Test Day Tips .

The GMAT for International Students

Taking the GMAT can seem like an overwhelming prospect for anyone, and this is all the more true if English isn’t your first language. If you’re applying to U.S. business schools (and/or some international programs, usually those taught in English), you will most likely take the GMAT. Because you’ll almost certainly have to take an English proficiency exam as well, it’s a good idea to get that out of the way first, polishing your language skills in the process.

International students often ask, “Do you need your passport to take the GMAT?” This is a great question, and so important that American students should be asking it, too! The answer for most international test takers is YES . The GMAT policy is that if you’re testing outside your country of citizenship, you need your passport. This is also true for Americans testing abroad . Government-issued IDs won’t even cut it.

If you are testing in your country of citizenship, you may still need your passport as ID. If you’re American and testing in the U.S., a government ID (like a driver’s license or military ID) is also okay. This is sometimes true for international test takers, but not always. Check out the “Special Restrictions” section of the MBA GMAT registration site as you register, but when in doubt, take your passport.

Other than valid identification and registration, the GMAT test’s eligibility criteria are completely open. You don’t need to have finished college to take it (or even started college, for that matter—though let’s face it, it’d probably help to have a few years under your belt).

First of all, don’t worry: yes, you can retake the GMAT . The GMAT policy allows you to retake it any time after the sixteen-day period following your exam. After that, you can retake the GMAT as many as five times in twelve months. If you want to take it even more than that, you can submit a written request to the GMAT, but think seriously before doing this.

The question, in this case, is not so much “how many times can I take the GMAT?” but rather “how many times can I take the GMAT and expect different test results?” Unless you’ve significantly changed your approach to the test, there’s really no good reason to take it more than five times.

While at first glance, the GMAT may appear to contain a motley collection of questions, there is most definitely a method to the (apparent) madness! Take it from GMAC , which explains that “The GMAT exam measures higher-order reasoning skills.”

The GMAT will test these reasoning skills in a wide variety of ways:

• Through your written analysis of an argument
• Your ability to interpret data
• Your quantitative reasoning skills
• Your verbal reasoning skills .

We’ll look at the question types in each section in more detail in a little bit, but you can also take a look at the most commonly tested GMAT question types here.

What does the GMAT test look like?

What can you expect when you walk through the doors of the test center for your official exam? Well, first of all, a lot of paperwork. Once you sit down at your station, however, you should know exactly what to expect. With that in mind, here’s the rundown on GMAT sections and their timing.

Think of this as your GMAT exam syllabus. On test day, you’ll see these sections on the GMAT exam, though you can choose the order in which you work on them:

• Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA/Essay) (one question)
• Integrated Reasoning (12 multi-part questions)
• Quantitative Reasoning (31 questions)
• Verbal Reasoning (36 questions)

You can find more in-depth info on the GMAT format here .

While, technically, you’ll only be testing for 3 hours and 30 minutes, you should allow five hours for the entire GMAT exam . This is because of that aforementioned paperwork, as well as optional breaks.

After you’ve signed in, stowed your stuff in a locker, and sat down at your computer station, here’s the GMAT exam pattern, time-wise (we’re using the “traditional” order here, but your section order may differ depending on your preferences ):

• 30 minutes: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA/Essay) (one question)
• 30 minutes: Integrated Reasoning (IR) (12 multi-part questions)
• “Optional” 8-minute (MAX) break (you’ll want it)
• 62 minutes: Quantitative Reasoning (31 questions)
• “Optional” 8-minute (MAX) break (you’ll want this one, too)
• 65 minutes: Verbal Reasoning (36 questions)

That may seem overwhelming, but with some focused practice and work on GMAT timing strategies , it is doable!

As I mentioned earlier, the GMAT is a CAT. CAT stands for computer adaptive test. The GMAT is computer adaptive , which means that the level of difficulty of the questions adapts to your skill level. Questions appear on your computer screen one at a time. You must answer and confirm each question before you can move forward to the next question.

This has definite consequences for you as a test taker! After you have answered a question, you cannot change your answer. Within each set of multiple-choice questions, the items are selected by the computer software, depending on your response to the previous question.

The first question is always a medium-difficulty question. If you answer it correctly, your next question will be more difficult and worth more points. If you answer the first question incorrectly, your next question will be less difficult and worth fewer points.

In the end, thanks to the CAT format, your GMAT score is based on a complex formula that includes the number of questions that you answer correctly and the difficulty level of each question. This process allows an accurate assessment of your individual ability level in a given subject area.

Extra Read: GMAT vs CAT .

How Does the GMAT Exam Reflect What You’ll Do in Business School? How Much Does the GMAT Matter?

The GMAT is a pretty good evaluation of executive business skills. There’s actually a correlation between GMAT scores and starting salaries , implying that there’s definitely a correlation and possibly some causation there, too.

GMAT questions use business-based scenarios whenever possible, though this will vary on some Quant and Verbal problems by necessity. Even though the GMAC is a private company, it tries to test both skills needed to successfully make it through a B-school curriculum and to succeed in the private industry.

In short? Don’t despair—the time you put into prepping for the GMAT has the potential to help you through business school and even for the rest of your career. Pretty good return on investment, eh?

If you’re debating whether to take the GRE or GMAT for business school, check out our post comparing GRE vs. GMAT: How Are They Different?

GMAT scoring varies depending on the section. Here’s a quick summary:

• Quant: 0-60
• Verbal: 0-51
• “Total” (i.e. Verbal and Quant scaled score): 200-800

I know it’s more than a little bit confusing, especially without context. So let’s get some context! First of all, it’s very important to recognize that the “total” score, the 200-800 score, is based only on you Quant & Verbal subscores; the AWA & IR are entirely separate and have nothing to do with the “total” score.

Beyond that fact, the best way to make sense of all this is to look at percentiles. Watch our video below to learn more or skip ahead to the GMAT Percentiles section below!

A percentile describes the percentage of test takers who scored lower than you did on the exam. This is particularly important in helping you contextualize your GMAT scores. After all, knowing your GMAT percentile can help you evaluate how close you are to getting into the school of your dreams.

First of all, a few things to know about GMAT scores: 2/5 of students have a total score of between 400 and 600; therefore, the higher you score above 600, the more you stand out from the pack. The most recent average GMAT score the GMAC released was 556.04. Again—the farther above this average you reach, the more appealing your GMAT score will be to B-schools.

Here are a few more free Magoosh resources to help you understand how scoring works:

• GMAT Score Reports
• GMAT Score Calculator (with Score Charts)

Prepping for the GMAT exam is important. Not only is there immense time pressure , which preparing can help you deal with, but the problem formats can be downright confusing (Data Sufficiency, anyone?) if you’ve never seen them before.

Basically, if you’re serious about business school, you should be serious about the GMAT and prep for it. While not the only admissions criterion, your score on the GMAT test can be the difference between you getting accepted or rejected from your target MBA school.

That being said, a great or even perfect GMAT score cannot guarantee your admission into business schools. In addition to your GMAT score, your work experience, essays, recommendations, and interview are all factors that contribute to your acceptance or rejection from a business school.

Check out these resources to learn about the best way to prepare for the GMAT and what materials to use:

• Start with our guide to how to prepare for the GMAT
• Plan your prep timeline with How Long Should You Study for the GMAT ?
• If you’re deciding between prep options, check out our comparison of the Best GMAT Prep Courses
• Pick the study plan that fits your needs from our free GMAT study schedules . Or you can build your own GMAT study schedule !
• Learn how to keep a GMAT error log (with template)
• Stay organized with these study tips from our GMAT experts!

Now that you have a plan, let’s talk about what exactly you’ll be studying. We’ll dive deeper into the GMAT exam content to break it all down.

GMAT Section Breakdown

Analytical writing assessment (awa) section.

The AWA asks you to write one essay in 30 minutes. In this essay, you analyze an argument (hence “analytical” writing assessment). You’ll write a response, typically 4 to 6 paragraphs, in which you evaluate the argument.

The logic behind this is that you’re showing your ability to think critically about opinions presented to you. You can analyze them, find their strengths and weaknesses, and determine what information might help you further evaluate the argument in more depth. Basically, you’re showing off skills that definitely come in handy in business settings.

Many students ask, “Does AWA even matter? Aren’t business schools way more interested in your multiple-choice scores?” Yes Overall, your sectional scores and overall score will be more important to your B-school applications than your score on the AWA. However, with that said, you should be prepared to do your best on it.

Why? The GMAT exam is a mental marathon. You want to undertake your journey with confidence, ready to dive into Integrated Reasoning with aplomb. So with that in mind, at least know what you’re in for with the AWA so your reaction to your prompt isn’t one of total terror and/or bafflement.

AWA Practice Questions

Itching to try your hand at a sample GMAT essay? Can’t say I blame you! Have a go at the following prompt, from the OG13:

The following appeared in a memorandum written by the chair of the music department to the president of Omega University. “Mental health experts have observed that symptoms of mental illness are less pronounced in many patients after group music therapy sessions, and job openings in the music-therapy field have increased during the past year. Consequently, graduates from our degree program for music therapists should have no trouble finding good positions. To help improve the financial status of Omega University, we should therefore expand our music-therapy degree program by increasing its enrollment targets.”

Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underline the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion.

You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sounds, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusions.

Don’t give yourself longer than 30 minutes to write your practice essay. When you’re done, check out Magoosh GMAT expert Mike McGarry’s analysis of the argument and sample high-scoring essay in response to the prompt to evaluate your work.

Integrative Reasoning (IR) Section

The GMAT Integrative Reasoning section is set up to test higher-order reasoning. This includes questions about the integration of information (organizing, synthesizing), evaluating information (tradeoffs and benefits of different actions), making inferences from data (and predictions), relating information to other data, and strategizing based on data provided.

You’ll have 12 questions to answer in 30 minutes. While that sounds relatively comfortable, keep in mind that these are often complex, multi-part questions. A big part of mastering IR depends on your ability to master the timing.

These twelve questions will each be one of four types:

• Graphics Interpretation (GI)
• Two-Part Analysis (2PA)
• Table Analysis (TA)
• Multi-Source Reasoning (MSR)

Unlike question types on other sections of the GMAT exam (ahem, looking at you, Quant), every test taker will see all four question types. The only difference between what you and your neighbor are looking at will be in the experimental questions mixed into the section.

If that’s all got you a little freaked out, don’t worry! There’s a lot you can do before your official exam to boost your IR score. In fact, there’s so much you can do that we even wrote an IR eBook (free, by the way)!

Mike also breaks down the key components of IR strategy here .

IR Practice Questions

Here’s a sample IR problem for you to try! (If you’re looking for more practice and tips, the Magoosh GMAT Blog has plenty of free resources!)

The flowchart represents a mathematical algorithm that takes one positive integer as the input and returns a positive integer as the output. Processes are indicated in the rectangular symbols in the flowchart. Each process is represented by an equation, such as p = p + 1. In this particular process, one is added to the current value of p, and the sum becomes the new value of p. For example, if p = 8 before the process, p = 9 after the process.

1) A value p = 50 is initially entered. When S first has a value of S = 10, p has a value of 51 53 57 59 61 .

2) An initial entry that reaches an output in the fewest number of steps is 1 3 10 12 31 .

Question 1: D) 59 Question 2: C) 10

For mathematical and computer science folks, a flow chart diagramming a mathematical algorithm might be one of the most enjoyable games the GMAT exam provides.

For less math-y folks, though, this question type could be a living nightmare.

How does someone not adroit at mathematical reasoning even begin to make sense of this? Click here for a video explanation of the answer!

Quantitative Reasoning (Quant) Section

By the time you encounter GMAT Quant, you’re well into the test. You’ve written an essay analyzing an argument. You’ve conquered 12 IR questions in a short period of time. You’ve taken your optional (but really, take it!) 8-minute break. Now, it’s time for Quant (Math).

For GMAT Math, you’ll answer 31 questions in 62 minutes, giving you slightly over two minutes per question (but remember, you need to actually select the right answer and wait for the next screen to load! So let’s say two minutes). Within Quant, you’ll encounter:

• Problem Solving Questions (approximately 18-20 questions)
• Data Sufficiency Questions (approximately 11-13 questions)

We’ll take a closer look at how these question formats test your math and reasoning skills in just a minute. Before we do, though, here’s what you can expect to see, concept-wise, on GMAT Quant.

Concepts on the GMAT Math Section

You may have heard rumors about the difficulty of GMAT math, or maybe you’ve tried out a few problems yourself and been bowled over by the high-level thinking they require. But one thing you won’t have encountered is any concept beyond high-school level math.

Strange, but true: the GMAC knows that there are humanities majors among us who may not have thought about calculus integrals in years…and even then, only under duress (that last one may be just me). So instead, the GMAT exam tests quantitative reasoning (notice a pattern here?) by piling relatively simple concepts on top of each other to create multi-level problems.

So yes, you should review the following areas before test day:

• Number properties
• Pre-algebra
• Word problems

But, in addition to that review, you should spend the majority of your Quant study time focusing on practice problems and practice tests, because although the material the GMAT tests isn’t that tricky, the way the GMAT tests it can be pretty tricky indeed.

If you want to go really in-depth on how GMAT Quant tests these questions, take a look at our post What Kind of Math is on the GMAT? Breakdown of Quant Concepts by Frequency !

And before you dig into some practice questions, take a look at these free Magoosh lesson videos on GMAT Data Sufficiency Strategy!

• Elimination Method
• Doubling and Halving
• Backsolving
• U-substitution

Quant Practice Questions

Ready to put those strategies to work? Try your hand at these two GMAT Quant practice questions. And, if you skipped the IR practice questions (#1-2), jump back up by clicking here .

3. Data Sufficiency

The figure on the left is an isosceles right triangle, and the figure on the right is a square of length 3. What is the value of b?

(1) b is the length of the diagonal of the square.

(2) the triangle and the square have the same area.

Statement 1 alone is sufficient but statement 2 alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked. Statement 2 alone is sufficient but statement 1 alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked. Both statements 1 and 2 together are sufficient to answer the question but neither statement is sufficient alone. Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question. Statements 1 and 2 are not sufficient to answer the question asked and additional data is needed to answer the statements.

4. Problem Solving

Paracelsus University has two kinds of professors, academic professors and professional professors. At Paracelsus University, 60% of the professors are academic professors, and 70% of the professors are tenured. If 90% of the professors at Paracelsus University are academic professors or tenured or both, then what percent of the professional professors there are tenured?

25 37.5 50 62.5 75

Question 3) Each statement ALONE is sufficient to answer the question.

We know everything we need to know about the square. The prompt tells us that the triangle is an isosceles right triangle, a.k.a. the 45-45-90 triangle, a very special right triangle. Click here for a video explanation of the answer!

Question 4) 75

We used a double matrix to solve this one. Confused? Click here for a video explanation of the answer!

Verbal Reasoning Section

The GMAT Verbal section is 65 minutes long; during those 65 minutes, you’ll encounter 36 multiple-choice questions. Like the Quantitative section, the Verbal section is computer adaptive , which means the test will be adjusting the difficulty as you move through the section.

The Verbal score, along with the Quantitative score, determines your Total 200-800 GMAT score. As we’ve seen, AWA and IR sections have separate scores and are not included in the Total GMAT score.

GMAT Verbal Concepts

There are three question types on the Verbal Section: Reading Comprehension (RC), Critical Reasoning , and Sentence Correction .

These three types will be roughly evenly distributed, so you will have about 11-14 of each of the three kinds in a typical Verbal section.

• Reading Comprehension questions give you a short (200-300 words) or long (300-400 words) passage, then ask you about what you’ve read with three or four multiple-choice questions, respectively.
• Critical Reasoning questions set forth an argument that you then analyze. There are eight different types of CR questions, which you can read about in the above post, all of which are multiple choice, with five answer choices.
• Sentence Correction problems present you with a sentence. Part of this sentence is underlined, and you have to decide if there’s a grammatical problem. If so, you choose from one of four alternatives to the underlined portion.

You can get more advice on the Magoosh GMAT Blog, with Mike’s tips on How to Improve Your GMAT Verbal Score and Chris’s advice on How to Study for the GMAT Verbal Section .

Verbal Practice Questions

Time for some GMAT Verbal sample questions! We’re picking up our practice where we left off, at #5. Still need to get caught up? No problem. You can try #1-2 here and #3-4 here .

5. Reading Comprehension

Most educated people of the eighteenth century, such as the Founding Fathers, subscribed to Natural Rights Theory, the idea that every human being has a considerable number of innate rights, simply by virtue of being a human person. When the US Constitution was sent to the states for ratification, many at that time felt that the federal government outlined by the Constitution would be too strong, and that rights of individual citizens against the government had to be clarified. This led to the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments, which were ratified at the same time as the Constitution. The first eight of these amendments list specific rights of citizens. Some leaders feared that listing some rights could be interpreted to mean that citizens didn’t have other, unlisted rights. Toward this end, James Madison and others produced the Ninth Amendment, which states: the fact that certain rights are listed in the Constitution shall not be construed to imply that other rights of the people are denied. Constitutional traditionalists interpret the Ninth Amendment as a rule for reading the rest of the constitution. They would argue that “Ninth Amendment rights” are a misconceived notion: the amendment does not, by itself, create federally enforceable rights. In particular, this strict reasoning would be opposed to the creation of any new rights based on the amendment. Rather, according to this view, the amendment merely protects those rights that citizens already have, whether they are explicitly listed in the Constitution or simply implicit in people’s lives and in American tradition. More liberal interpreters of the US Constitution have a much more expansive view of the Ninth Amendment. In their view, the Ninth Amendment guarantees to American citizens a vast universe of potential rights, some of which we have enjoyed for two centuries, and others that the Founding Fathers could not possibly have conceived. These scholars point out that some rights, such as voting rights of women or minorities, were not necessarily viewed as rights by the majority of citizens in late eighteenth century America, but are taken as fundamental and unquestionable in modern America. While those rights cited are protected specifically by other amendments and laws, the argument asserts that other unlisted right also could evolve from unthinkable to perfectly acceptable, and the Ninth Amendment would protect these as-yet-undefined rights.

Constitutional scholars of both the traditionalist and liberal views would agree that “Ninth Amendment rights”

accommodate shifts in cultural values with respect to issues affecting human rights cannot serve as the basis of legal decisions are directly reflected in our understanding of who can and can’t vote are not stated explicitly in the Bill of Rights extend the idea of Natural Rights Theory

6. Critical Reasoning

In social science research, “highest education level attained” would refer to the most advanced grade or degree achieved by an individual—for some individuals, it may be a grade in grade school, and for other individuals, it may be a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree, or Ph.D. (which is considered the highest education level). A recent study has shown a strong correlation between highest education level attained and proficiency in chess. Another result, studied at many points throughout the 20th century, shows a marked positive correlation between highest education level attained and income level.

Assuming the statements above are true, what conclusion can be drawn from them?

If one practices chess enough to raise one’s proficiency, one has a good chance of raising one’s income level. It is possible that a person who has attained only a sixth grade level of education could earn more than a person who has a Ph. D. If Jane has a Ph. D., and Chris has not finished his undergraduate degree, then Jane will usually beat Chris in chess. The average salary for people who have completed three-year Master’s Programs is higher than the average salary of people who have completed two-year Master’s Programs. An individual’s proficiency at chess rises consistently during that individual’s years of school, and levels off once that individual has finished her years of formal education.

7. Sentence Correction

With American cryptanalysts breaking the Japanese code, the Japanese Imperial Fleet losing the strategic element of surprise at Midway, which allowed the American Fleet to ambush the Japanese and win a decisive victory.

With American cryptanalysts breaking the Japanese code, the Japanese Imperial Fleet losing the strategic element of surprise at Midway, which allowed With American cryptanalysts breaking the Japanese code, the Japanese Imperial Fleet strategically lost the element of surprise at Midway, and this allowed Because of the American cryptanalysts breaking the Japanese code, the Japanese Imperial Fleet strategically lost the element of surprise at Midway, to allow Because American cryptanalysts had broken the Japanese code, the Japanese Imperial Fleet lost the strategic element of surprise at Midway, allowing Since American cryptanalysts broke the Japanese code, the Japanese Imperial Fleet strategically lost the element of surprise at Midway, and this allowed

Question 5) “Ninth Amendment rights” are not stated explicitly in the Bill of Rights. Click here for a video explanation of the answer!

Question 6) It is possible that a person who has attained only a sixth grade level of education could earn more than a person who has a Ph. D. Click here for a video explanation of the answer!

Question 7) Because American cryptanalysts had broken the Japanese code, the Japanese Imperial Fleet lost the strategic element of surprise at Midway, allowing the American Fleet to ambush the Japanese and win a decisive victory. Click here for a video explanation of the answer!

The GMAT can be an overwhelming test, but it can also be a great opportunity to sharpen your reasoning skills, focus your ambitions, and prepare yourself for the business world. With the right resources and the right strategy, you can master this “extraordinarily challenging” test and get a score you can be proud of.

But with all that said, if your first foray into GMAT practice has you a little freaked out, that’s okay! There are a ton of free resources right here on the Magoosh GMAT Blog to help you prepare for the GMAT. For example:

• A Mock GMAT , which you can use as a diagnostic test.
• Free GMAT Flashcard Apps so you can study anywhere you bring your phone.
• Free Video Lessons from Magoosh’s premium GMAT prep.
• Magoosh’s Complete Guide to the GMAT eBook (in case this post isn’t complete enough for you)!
• Finally, check out our Zen Boot Camp for the GMAT . Particularly if you’re scoring high already—but not quite high enough—mastering the mental game is crucial!

These resources will give you a great grounding in what the GMAT looks like, how to study for it, and the concepts that you’ll see on test day!

• Getting a great score on the GMAT exam does take lots of preparation, and for a truly tailored approach, let me make a suggestion. After you’ve worked through free resources, try out Magoosh GMAT prep !

Outside of Magoosh, I’d recommend checking out these official GMAT exam resources:

• You can take two free CATs at the GMAC website , which is a good place to start. It’s best to use these later on in your practice, as test day approaches.
• It’s pricey, but you can also buy more exams and questions from the GMAC (or you can also find excellent questions for free right here on the Magoosh blog!)
• While the GMAT Official Guide is a must-have, you should also know that the GMAC also puts out specialized Verbal and Quantitative guides , too. And on that note, not everyone realizes that there’s a code at the back of the full Official Guide that gives you free online practice to 50 IR questions—not too shabby!

You’ve reached the end of this post! Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back, then leave us a comment with any questions or comments you still have. Happy Studying!

Rachel is one of Magoosh’s Content Creators. She writes and updates content on our High School and GRE Blogs to ensure students are equipped with the best information during their test prep journey. As a test-prep instructor for more than five years in there different countries, Rachel has helped students around the world prepare for various standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT, and she is one of the authors of our Magoosh ACT Prep Book . Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature from Brown University, an MA in Cinematography from the Université de Paris VII, and a Ph.D. in Film Studies from University College London. For over a decade, Rachel has honed her craft as a fiction and memoir writer and public speaker. Her novel, THE BALLERINAS , is forthcoming in December 2021 from St. Martin’s Press , while her memoir, GRADUATES IN WONDERLAND , co-written with Jessica Pan, was published in 2014 by Penguin Random House. Her work has appeared in over a dozen online and print publications, including Vanity Fair Hollywood. When she isn’t strategically stringing words together at Magoosh, you can find Rachel riding horses or with her nose in a book. Join her on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook !

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More from Magoosh

10 responses to “What is the GMAT? Everything You Need to Know”

Not sure how right some of these numbers are, as some time has passed. But really good article. Thanks a lot!

Hello Veena! You’re right that, with time, certain GMAT characteristics or requirements tend to change. This is why we regularly review our blogs for accuracy! If you see a post that hasn’t been updated since last year, then it’s probably because the information is still accurate in present time. When we do update the blogs, you will see that reflected in the “updated on [date]” 🙂 Now, last time I checked our blogs are written by real humans (no AI writers in Magoosh… yet 👀🤔) so there’s still a small chance that we make an honest mistake. This is why we also check our comments regularly in case students catch a typo or a small inaccuracy that needs to be corrected.

We appreciate your comment and we’re glad that you found the article useful!

Happy studying! The Magoosh Help Team

Great Material Guys! Thank you for sharing!

Thank you Felipe! We’re glad it was helpful for you.

For the question 2 in to IR section (GMAT IR Practice Questions) how 10 is better than 11 for an answer?

Hi Veeraj, here’s an in-depth answer to #2 in the IR section: https://gmat.magoosh.com/questions/4315/a/311880077

Hi Magoosh Team,

I’m pretty sure there’s an error to the answer for the two integrated reasoning questions (the part with the fun process diagram). I’m trying to master this concept but it seems part of the answer (including the correct answer :-O) for Question 1 and part of the description for Question 2 are missing. Can you please fix this so I can make sure I’m understanding these types of questions correctly?

You are absolutely right–I’m not sure what’s going on here, but I’m going to send this along to our writing team so that they can take a look at it. For the first question, we have to get to S=S-1 step twice in order for 2+10, which means that we need to reach a prime number in the P=P+2 circiut twice. The first prime number that we reach is 53, which brings our S to 11. Then we go through the circuit three more times to get to the next prime number (P=57). Once P is prime, we can ‘exit’ that loop and reach S=S-1, which is 10. So, 59 is the correct answer.

For #2, it helps to look at the fastest way out of the diagram. We basically need to start with an even number that is close to a prime number (in order to avoid the first loop) and p must be greater than s to avoid the second loop. We also have to repeat the p=p+2 loop until we reach a prime number 12 times (because S must equal 0 in order to leave the loop). When P=10 or P=12, we pass to the “Is S=0” step on the first try, but 10 will pass through the p=p+2 loop more quickly than 12 because there are more prime number options for it (because as numbers increase, prime numbers become fewer and farther between, which would require more p=p+2 loops.) This is why 10 is the best answer.

Does that make sense, Colin? I’m going to send this along to our content team so that they can fix it. Thanks for letting us know about this issue…it’s super helpful when students provide us with this sort of feedback so that we can improve Magoosh as much as possible 🙂

You say that verbal score range 0-51, but “Verbal and Quantitative scores range from 0 to 60; ” (source: mba.com)

You’re right, Raffa, but right after that on the same page, it says, “scores below 9 and above 44 for the Verbal section and below 7 and above 50 for the Quantitative section are rare.” This is where our reduced range is derived from. 🙂

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The GMAT Is Changing: Here's What to Know

The new test will be shorter and focus specifically on business-related principles.

The GMAT Is Changing: What to Know

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From 2017 to 2021, the number of GMAT test-takers in the U.S. dropped from nearly 104,000 to just under 48,000.

The Graduate Management Admission Test, known as the GMAT , is getting a makeover. The hope is that the new "GMAT Focus Edition," set to launch in late 2023, will be a more streamlined and practical option for both business schools and applicants, says the Graduate Management Admission Council, which administers the test.

Perhaps one of the biggest changes is that the revamped test will be nearly an hour shorter, with just three sections. It will not include an analytical writing section, as the current version does. It will be hyperfocused on business principles and skills, shedding concepts from the current test that experts say don't translate as practically to business school.

The changes come amid declining GMAT test-taking participation as well as a growing post-pandemic trend of business schools either accepting the Graduate Record Examinations General Test, known as the GRE , in lieu of the GMAT or going completely test-optional with their admissions decisions. From 2017 to 2021, the number of people taking the GMAT worldwide dropped from more than 250,000 to just over 156,000. At the same time, the GMAT saw a decline in the U.S. from nearly 104,000 test-takers to fewer than 48,000.

With these trends in mind, plans to remodel the GMAT began about 18 months ago, says Ashish Bhardwaj, senior vice president and head of market development at GMAC.

“What we’re trying to do with the GMAT Focus Edition is really focus on the needs of business schools , what kind of talent they’re looking for and really focus the assessment on what best provides the opportunity to candidates to shine a spotlight on their candidacy,” Bhardwaj says.

It's the biggest change since 1997, when the test moved from pencil and paper to a computer-adaptive format, says Stacey Koprince, director of content and curriculum for Manhattan Prep, a Kaplan test prep company. Though some details are yet to be fleshed out, GMAC has released some information about the new test and its features. Here's what's known so far:

New GMAT Structure and Features

Two sections from the current exam, Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning, will remain on the GMAT Focus Edition and be joined by a new Data Insights section. This new section will test candidates’ skills in areas such as data analysis, data interpretation, data visualization and data-driven decision-making and will effectively replace the Integrated Reasoning section on the current exam.

Each section will take 45 minutes, but one new feature will be that test-takers can start with any section and go in any order they choose, Bhardwaj says. Another new feature is the ability to bookmark questions to review at the end, and test-takers can change up to three answers per section.

“The way the test works right now is you have to answer the question in order to get to the next question, and once you do that you can’t go back,” Koprince says. “So that’s a pretty stressful experience for most test-takers. The ability to go back and review any of your questions and choose up to three of them to change your answers is a different kind of stress, but it’s just a nicer way to take a test than knowing that every answer you put is done and you can never go back to it.”

The new features are designed "to put greater confidence and control in the hands of the candidates," Bhardwaj says.

The scoring scale will change slightly on the GMAT Focus Edition, ranging from 205 to 805. The current GMAT is scored on a range from 200 to 800. The change was made so that test-takers and schools can distinguish which test a score is from. Because of the change, test takers and schools are encouraged to compare percentiles rather than scores, Manish Dharia, director of product development at GMAC, said in a press release .

"Because the Total Score scale and the score scale distribution have both changed, comparing total scores or section scores from the current version of the exam to the GMAT Focus Edition is not appropriate, accurate, or a meaningful comparison of performance," Dharia said in the press release. "Scores of 600 and 605 may look similar, but they represent very different performance levels on different skills."

More Detailed Score Reports

After the exam, the GMAT Focus Edition will provide test-takers with "performance insights," which Bhardwaj says will include detailed score reports on each subsection. This will be particularly useful for students who decide to retake the test so they know which areas need improvement , he says.

“We’re also trying to get across some key metrics and information to you about how you managed the time,” he says. “We do recognize that candidates stress about lack of time management. That’s another big change that puts more power into the hands of the candidates.”

Access to Scores Before Sending to Schools

Like with the current GMAT, those taking the GMAT Focus Edition will still be able to send their scores to five business schools at no charge. However, one significant change with the new format is that test-takers will get access to their scores first and have up to 48 hours to decide which schools they'll send scores to.

Currently, test-takers must choose their schools before the test, and once a school receives a score they must use it when assessing an applicant's body of work, says Kevin Bender, executive director for MBA enrollment management and recruiting at Wake Forest University School of Business in North Carolina.

With the current version, some test-takers feel they have to be cautious with where they choose to send their scores, Bhardwaj says. Unsure of whether they'd score highly, some tend to be more conservative and avoid choosing top programs, only to find out they scored much better than expected. This change allows test-takers to be “more aggressive” in deciding where they send their scores, he says.

Further, those who aren't happy with their scores can wait 30 days and retest rather than go through the current process of canceling a test before it's sent to schools. With every attempt, test-takers will be able to send their scores to five schools for free within 48 hours of receiving scores, Bhardwaj says, but they should be aware that they must choose their best total score to send. In other words, test-takers aren't allowed to "superscore" and combine the best scores of each section like on the SAT or ACT .

Projected Timeline for Changes and Test Prep

Registration for the GMAT Focus Edition will open Aug. 29, with the test set to debut toward the end of 2023. The current GMAT will be phased out starting in early 2024, but scores will still be good for five years.

"Anyone who is either studying right now or is planning to take the test this year because they are applying this fall, they’re fine," Koprince says. "They don’t need to worry about or stress about this new version."

Test prep materials for the GMAT Focus Edition, including the new Data Insights section, will be available through mba.com on June 6. This includes a free six-week study planner, 70 GMAT-style practice questions and two full-length practice exams.

Because two sections will remain from the current version, those unsure of which test to take or those considering taking the GMAT Focus Edition will benefit from studying existing test prep, particularly the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections, until new materials are released, experts say.

“They’re still going to have statistics, they’re still going to have basic algebra and arithmetic, subtraction and ratios – topics that are applicable to business school," Koprince says. "Study that and that analytical content in the verbal section."

She says once information is released on test prep for the new version, Manhattan Prep and other test-prep providers will take practice tests to get as much information as they can and as early as they can to start helping students prepare.

Prices vary around the world, but the current online version of the GMAT costs $300 in the U.S., while the testing-center version costs $275. Although the GMAT Focus Edition will be nearly an hour shorter, the cost will remain the same as it is for the current test, GMAC announced.

Response to GMAT Changes

Experts hold differing opinions about the effect these changes will have on the big picture of business school admissions. While some schools tie GMAT scores to scholarship dollars, which may incentivize students to take the test, the growth of test-optional admissions and the prevalence of the GRE are hard trends to ignore, Bender says. Applicants are also becoming increasingly "test-averse," he says.

“We live in a world where every applicant we see is requesting a waiver," he says. "Nobody wants to take either test. From our applicant population, I don’t know that saving time and making every question multiple choice will result in us seeing an increase in the number of applicants."

A test waiver allows candidates to bypass submitting either GMAT or GRE scores after meeting certain requirements, which may vary by school. Many schools automatically grant waivers to candidates based on previous work experience or GPA . At some programs, candidates with an advanced degree may also automatically be granted a waiver.

At Wake Forest, "applicants meeting GPA and work experience parameters may be eligible to waive the standardized test requirement," according to the school's website. Nearly half of the class that began in the fall of 2021 received a test waiver, Bender says. Based on current trends, that number will likely reach 75% for the class set to start in the fall of 2024, he says.

Those numbers are on par with what he's seen at other business schools, and he adds that elite programs are starting to award waivers at a higher rate.

Bender estimates that, among the quarter or so of next year's applicants at Wake Forest who take an entrance exam, about 60% will submit a GRE score and the other 40% will submit a GMAT score.

“What we’re seeing, and I think my peers at other schools would say the same, is more and more GRE scores coming in every year,” he says. "This move could move that needle, but I don’t think it will."

Koprince thinks differently, noting that the new GMAT is more approachable and practical.

"This could be a game changer for this test," she says. "You won’t find yourself spending months having to learn a bunch of stuff that you will then just forget about immediately after taking the test, and it can actually be something that’s preparing you for business school."

Bhardwaj says the test still holds significant value, especially for students coming from outside the U.S. He adds that at some schools, the requirements to obtain a test waiver are so stringent that some students might find taking the GMAT Focus Edition a more suitable route.

Searching for a business school? Get our  complete rankings  of Best Business Schools.

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Category: gmat essay.

Need help with acting the GMAT essay? These are our best guides to improving your score on the essay section of the GMAT.

The Best GMAT Essay Template to Help You Ace the AWA

The essay portion of the GMAT, known as the Analytical Writing Assessment, probably doesn’t resemble the kinds of essays that you’ve written for college.  Luckily, the essay task itself and the prompts that you’ll encounter for it are fairly formulaic. This means that your approach to writing the essay can be boiled down into a template . A template is like a blueprint or a model: it gives you a predesigned, customized format and structure.  You’ve likely written outlines for essays before—the GMAT essay template is similar but a bit more detailed, as anything that is standard can be pre-written out, so that all you have to do is fill in the specifics. 

If you’ve already done some research, you know that there are several variations of GMAT essay templates out there—both individual high scorers and a few test prep companies have offered up their own template styles, based on the approaches they like best. In this post, we’ll go over what the GMAT essay assignment is, how a template can help you nail it, and give you a few example templates that reflect different kinds of approaches you can take. Finally, we’ll discuss how to make your own template based on what works best for you.

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GMAT Essay: Format, Scoring, and Tips for the AWA

The GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) can be one of the most intimidating sections of the exam for test-takers. Many students feel unsure of what is expected of them on the GMAT essay or how it’s scored. But there’s nothing to fear as long as you prepare!

In this article, I’ll go over the basics of the GMAT essay, the structure of the prompt, and how the Analytical Writing Assessment is scored. I’ll also give you plenty of GMAT essay tips and strategies to help you ace the Analytical Writing on test day. Continue reading “GMAT Essay: Format, Scoring, and Tips for the AWA”

The 6 GMAT Essay Tips That Will Help You Ace the AWA

If you’re preparing for the GMAT, you’ve probably spent countless hours reviewing math concepts and mastering grammar skills. You’ve likely also spent time studying for the newer integrated reasoning section, too. But have you thought about the analytical writing assessment part of the GMAT?

If your answer is no, don’t worry! You’re not alone. Many test-takers go into test day without spending a lot of time preparing for the essay section of the GMAT, especially since it’s unclear how much (or even if) the GMAT essay even matters for getting into business school.

In this article, I’ll shed some light on the oft-forgotten GMAT AWA section. First, I’ll give you an overview of what’s actually on the AWA section. Next, I’ll discuss whether or not that score really matters for your admission to business school. Finally, I’ll tell share  the top GMAT essay tips that are guaranteed to boost your GMAT essay score.

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What’s a Good GMAT Writing Score? Does the Essay Matter?

How much does your GMAT writing score really matter? Business schools only release GMAT score data for their students’ Total scores, so it can be difficult to find information about what constitutes a “good” or “bad” GMAT writing score and how important your GMAT analytical writing score really is.

Luckily, we’ve done the research and figured out the answers for you. In this post, we’ll tell you what business schools have to say about the Analytical Writing Assessment, how they weigh it against other parts of your GMAT score and your overall application, and how your score stacks up against other test-taker worldwide. Finally, we’ll help you figure out what a good GMAT analytical writing score is for you . Continue reading “What’s a Good GMAT Writing Score? Does the Essay Matter?”

How to Approach Every GMAT Essay Topic: Analysis and Tips

The essay portion of the GMAT, or the Analytical Writing Assessment, is unlike most of the essays you’ve written for college. You’re given a single, one-paragraph prompt containing some kind of argument, and rather than picking a side and building your own case, you have to critique how that argument is made .

Luckily, we’ve done the hard work of analyzing GMAT essay questions for you. In this post, we’ll tell you where to find the best GMAT essay prompts and give you our in-depth breakdown of the essay task, including an analysis of examples from each type of prompt you’ll encounter. Finally, we’ll give you some tips for how to practice with GMAT essay topics for maximum improvement on your own essays. With this expert analysis, you’ll know how to tackle any GMAT essay prompt that comes your way on test day.

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