This article covers quick and important highlights about the GMAT. For a comprehensive overview and answers to even more questions about the exam, please see the following article:
Who Should Take the GMAT?
Those going to business school (MBA programs, Master's in Management programs, and some dual-degree programs like JD/MBA or MD/MBA). Note that the vast majority of business schools also accept the GRE.
If you're applying to other graduate programs outside of business, you'll want to take the GRE instead. To learn more about each test and help determine which to take, please see:
What Is On the GMAT?
There are 64 total questions on this 2-hour-and-15-minute test. These questions are split across 3 different sections:
- Quantitative Reasoning: 21 questions, 45 minutes
- Focuses on your problem-solving skills using arithmetic, algebra, and statistics.
- Verbal Reasoning: 23 questions, 45 minutes
- Assesses your reading comprehension and critical reasoning abilities.
- Data Insights: 20 questions, 45 minutes
- Evaluates your the ability to interpret data from various sources, including tables, graphs, and multi-source reasoning tasks.
At the start of the test, you'll choose which order you'll answer the sections in. Note that there's also an optional 10-minute break (which we recommend you take) after one section of your choosing.
For a closer look at each section, please see:
What is the GMAT Focus vs. the GMAT?
This is a common source of confusion. The GMAT exam that you take today is just called "the GMAT". And this is the same exact thing as the "GMAT Focus".
If you took the GMAT prior to January 2024, you took the previous version of the GMAT. This version of the test is now often referred to as the "legacy GMAT" or "classic GMAT" or "old GMAT" or "GMAT 10th Edition". This format no longer exists, so you cannot take it anymore.
The old GMAT consisted of two main sections—Quant and Verbal—and a separately scored Integrated Reasoning section. It also had an Analytical Writing Assessment (essay) section.
To learn about the differences between the two versions of the exam in full, please see:
Important: Business schools still accept old GMAT scores and will continue to do so for a couple more years. So, if you took the old GMAT within the past 5 years and your score is still valid, you may not need to retake the exam. See how your old GMAT score compares to the new GMAT Focus scores via a score conversion chart.
Answers to Common Questions about the GMAT
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