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What is GMAT?

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GMAT full form is Graduate Management Admission Test, which is required for MBA admissions abroad. The test is meant to judge the analytical abilities of the candidates in the quantitative section and verbal reasoning section. Even though the GMAT exam is meant for MBA admissions, students are not required to prepare anything related to management. GMAT judges the basic mathematical and verbal skills that are required for you to survive your B-School academics. Hence, students who do not belong to management background must not be worried about their GMAT preparation.

 

Why Take the GMAT Exam?

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It is the most widely accepted exam for MBA admissions worldwide. No other exam has as wide acceptability as GMAT, as per the GMAC, globally 9 out of 10 MBA enrollments are made through GMAT Score. Further, 2,300 + schools accept GMAT Scores for giving admission. Also, there are 650 testing centers' in 114 countries that administer the GMAT Exam.

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GMAT Eligibility 2023

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As such, there are no set criteria for GMAT eligibility set by GMAC (the conducting organization of GMAT) for appearing for the GMAT exam. However, one should always meet the eligibility criteria set by the university/college one aspires to get into after giving the GMAT.

 

GMAT Age Criteria

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  • The candidate must have completed 18 years of age

  • There is no upper age limit for the candidate

  • If the candidate is between 13 to 17 years old, they should have permission in writing from their parents or legal guardian

 

Educational Qualification

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  • GMAC has not announced any official statement regarding the qualifications required to appear for GMAT

  • Candidates who wish to enroll in an MBA programme should possess a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university

 

GMAT Exam Fees

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The GMAT fees is $275, which would translate to INR 22,800 approximately. Also, if the applicants want to change the Centre or reschedule the test then they will be charged extra. Candidates who do not show up for the test will be charged full GMAT exam fees.

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GMAT Cancellation Fee

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If you cancel the exam 1 to 14 days before the test date then you will be charged $220 and $55 will be refunded. If you cancel the exam 15 to 60 days prior to the appointment then you will be charged $195 and $80 will be refunded. And if you cancel the test more than 60 days prior to the appointment then you will be charged $165 and will receive $110 as a refund. Moreover, the test appointment cannot be cancelled or modified within 24 hours of the scheduled test and time.

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GMAT Rescheduling Fee

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If you reschedule the exam 1 to 14 days before the test date, you have to pay US$165. Also, if you reschedule the exam 15 to 60 days prior to the appointment then you have to pay US$110. If you reschedule the exam more than 60 days before the test date then you have to pay US$55.

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GMAT Exam Pattern

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The GMAT pattern comprises of four sections:

  • Analytical Writing

  • Integrated Reasoning

  • Quantitative Reasoning

  • Verbal Reasoning

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GMAT Syllabus

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GMAT is a three and a half hours test with a maximum score of 800 points. The GMAT test the candidate's abilities on various parameters. Further, the syllabus of GMAT has four sections:

  • Analytical Writing Assessment—measures candidates' ability to think critically and communicate their ideas

  • Integrated Reasoning—measures candidates' ability to analyze data and evaluate information presented in multiple formats

  • Quantitative Reasoning—measures aspirants' ability to analyze data and draw conclusions using reasoning skills

  • Verbal Reasoning—measures the ability of the candidates to read and understand written material, evaluate arguments, and correct written material to conform to standard written English

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GMAT Score Calculation

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Each of your five GMAT Scores i.e. 4 GMAT sections and the total score is reported on a fixed scale. These are your official scores that appear on your GMAT Score Report. Your selected score recipients will receive these scores. Always remember, that the GMAT Total Score Report includes Verbal and Quantitative scores and does not include any other section into account.

The GMAT Score Report comprises these elements:

  • Your Quantitative Score (6 – 51), with percentile

  • Your Verbal Score (6 – 51), with percentile

  • Your Total GMAT Score (200 – 800), with percentile

  • AWA Score (half-integers from 0 to 6), with percentile

  • Integrated Reasoning score (integer from 1 to 8)

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HOW HARD IS THE GMAT?

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There are several aspects of the GMAT that make it a tough test. First, the computer-adaptive format of the GMAT means that you will not be able to skip a hard problem and come back to it later; you must pick an answer and move on. This is hard to get used to psychologically. The reward, though, is that you can miss a decent percentage of problems and still get a good score. Most people answer only about 50% to 70% of the problems correctly, even when scoring in the low 700s!

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In addition, as you do well, the test actually gets harder. In school, the more you studied, the easier the test felt. But the GMAT will feel hard no matter how much you’ve studied, because the test is literally getting harder as you answer problems correctly.. 

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Finally, the GMAT is a time-limited exam. All this means that you have to both answer difficult questions and do so quickly. 

The GMAT is definitely a challenging exam, but it’s a skills-based test, and that’s very good news. Why? Because the skills tested on the GMAT are skills you can (and will) learn. And the act of getting ready for the GMAT is also going to get you ready to succeed in business school itself.

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WHAT IS A GOOD GMAT SCORE?

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When considering your GMAT score goal, it’s always a good idea to look at the mean or median GMAT score of applicants admitted to the MBA programs to which you’re considering applying. This will give you a good baseline to target. Schools typically post either the mean or the median of the current class on their website.

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A competitive score is one that is at or above that school’s posted median/mean score—you’re showing that you have done as well as or better than a significant percentage of those admitted to the school.

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Many schools also post a range of scores for admitted students. If you are below the posted median/mean but still within the school’s range, then your GMAT score may not be a plus on your application, but it likely won’t keep you out. In that case, it will be important to have other parts of your application stand out and demonstrate your value to the school.

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Top-10  MBA programs typically have mean or median  scores in the 710 to 740 range. If you’re considering a top-10 program, set a goal of 710 or higher on the GMAT—but if you don’t achieve that level, you can still apply to the school. You’ll just need to take extra care on other parts of your application.

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When is the GMAT Result Available?

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The candidates receive almost the entire GMAT Score Report just after finishing the GMAT test except for the AWA Score. The candidate will have the option of accepting it or rejecting it. In the case of accepting the result, the candidate and the institutes of choice can view the result; but if the candidate declines the result none of the parties will be able to view the GMAT result. Once the exam is over, candidates can download the non-official GMAT result. Finally, the candidates receive the complete GMAT Score Report within 20 days of giving the test including the AWA Score.

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GMAT Score Validity

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Candidates should note that GMAT scores are valid for a period of 5 years. Hence, candidates should check the application deadlines of various universities and schedule their GMAT exam accordingly.

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