The Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) is an exam for international students who wish to study MBA (Master of Business Administration) or other management studies. Over 2,400 educational institutions accept GMAT in countries such as the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and others.
GMAT is a computer-adaptive test; that is, the flow of the test and the difficulty depends on your performance. The AI adapts to the answers you choose and provides the following question based on your performance level.
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The exam is in two formats: GMAT Test Centre and GMAT Online. Here are the key differences between them:
Difference between GMAT Test Centre and GMAT Online
| Factor | GMAT Test centre | GMAT Online |
| Slot availability | Depends on your test centre’s operating time and booking availability | Available all the time |
| Permitted retakes | You can retake 5 times in 12 months | You can only retake the test once |
| Exam resources | The exam invigilator will give you one 5-page laminated whiteboard and two markers | You can use your own paper to do your rough work. An online whiteboard will also be available |
| Sending scores to universities | You can send your GMAT scores directly to 5 universities for free. You will be charged for each additional university | You can send your GMAT online scores to as many universities as you please for free |
The GMAT is developed to analyse your skills and determine if they meet business school requirements. Understanding the GMAT test pattern and syllabus will give you an upper hand while preparing for the assessment. Here’s everything you need to know about the GMAT exam pattern.
GMAT exam pattern 2024
The GMAT test pattern is developed to determine your skills with respect to a management program. The exam consists of four sections, which you have to answer in 3 hours 7 minutes. Here’s the GMAT exam pattern marks distribution and other important info:
GMAT exam pattern 2024
| Section | Duration | No. of questions/tasks | Score range | Computer- adaptive |
| Analytical Writing | 30 minutes | 1 | 0-6 | No |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 62 minutes | 31 | 6-51 | Yes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 65 minutes | 36 | 6-51 | Yes |
| Integrated Reasoning | 30 minutes | 12 | 1-8 | No |
You can attend the GMAT exam pattern in three different orders:
- Analytical Writing Analysis, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Analysis
- Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Analysis
Let’s take a look at the GMAT test pattern section-wise.
GMAT exam pattern: Analytical Writing Analysis
- Duration: 30 minutes
- No. of questions: 1
The Analytical Writing Analysis section consists of one task and will require you to analyse the reason behind an argument. The task will be based on general business-related topics.
GMAT exam pattern: Quantitative Reasoning
- Duration: 62 minutes
- No. of questions: 31
The Quantitative Reasoning section contains multiple choice questions to analyse your mathematical reasoning through quantitative problems. There are two types of questions under this section: Problem-solving and data sufficiency.
GMAT exam pattern: Verbal Reasoning
- Duration: 65 minutes
- No. of questions: 36
The Verbal Reasoning section consists of multiple choice questions that will determine your skills and ability in reading and comprehending written materials and exhibit your ideas. The three types of questions you will be asked in this section are Reading comprehension, critical reasoning and sentence correction.
GMAT exam pattern: Integrated Reasoning
- Duration: 30 minutes
- No. of questions: 12
The Integrated Reasoning section tests your ability to evaluate and organise information from different sources to see relationships and solve complex problems. There are four types of questions: Multi-source reasoning, table analysis, two-part analysis, and graphics interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GMAT compulsory for MBA?
While the GMAT serves as a standard assessment for students pursuing an MBA or other management courses, some educational institutions accept students without attending the exam. You can check with the university or business school you’re applying for if they require GMAT results.
How many sections are there in the GMAT Exam?
There are four sections in the GMAT exam pattern 2024: Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning.
How many sections are on the GMAT Online exam?
The GMAT exam pattern and syllabus are identical for the GMAT test centre and online versions. However, GMAT online has only three sections. The online version does not have the Analytical Writing Analysis section.
Is the GMAT exam pattern computer adaptive?
The GMAT exam pattern is partially computer-adaptive. That means the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections are computer-adaptive, and the Analytical Writing Analysis and the Integrated Reasoning sections are not.
Can you use calculator on GMAT?
Calculators are provided to you only during the Integrated Reasoning section. Also, you are not allowed to bring your own calculator.
