The GMAT: Graduate Management Admissions Test

• Duration: four hours (with two five minute breaks). • What to bring: nothing. Everything you need to sit the test is provided, although it is […]

• Duration: four hours (with two five minute breaks).

• What to bring: nothing. Everything you need to sit the test is provided, although it is advised to bring enough clothes in case you get cold in the testing room. However, all bags will need to be stored in lockers.

• Region: more than 400 locations in nearly 100 countries.

• Audience: for candidates wishing to study at business school.

• Purpose: to predict how suitable a candidate is for business school. The test measures basic verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills.

• Scale: the GMAT has a total score from 200-800. The writing section scored between 0 and 6 is presented separately.

• Test content: analytical writing Assessment (AWA). Essay (1st section), one hour, two essays. One essay type is called analysis of an issue where you are asked to present your perspective on an issue; the other type is called analysis of an argument, where you are asked to critique an argument. Quantitative/Math (2nd), multiple-choice format. 75 minutes, 37 questions. Verbal (3rd & last section), multiple choice format. 75 minutes, 41 questions: sentence correction, reading comprehension, and critical reasoning.

• Cost: US$250 (worldwide)

• How long is it valid for: five years

• Results needed: about 66% of test takers score between 400-600 (the verbal and quantitative scores range from 0 to 60. For the verbal section, most people score between 9 and 44. For the quantitative section, common scores are between 7 and 50).

• Point to note: the test has been created for native English speakers so candidates for whom English is a second language have a slight disadvantage, particularly in the verbal sections – although less so than the GRE.

• Top tip from a candidate: this is a test of endurance. It is important that you keep your concentration for the duration of the exam, especially on the verbal section.

• Resources: many candidates enrol in a GMAT preparation course and use books and online resources such as www.beatthegmat.com