The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer-adaptive standardized test in mathematics and the English language for measuring aptitude to succeed academically in graduate business studies. Business schools use the test as a criterion for admission into graduate business administration programs (e.g. MBA, Master of Accountancy, etc.) throughout the world.

The GMAT consists of three main parts—the Analytical Writing Assessment, the Quantitative section, and the Verbal section. You have three and a half hours in which to take the exam, but plan for a total time of approximately four hours. The fee to take the Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) is US$250 worldwide.

GMAT Test Format
Test Section
Number of Questions
Alloted Time
Analytical Writing 1 30 min.
Analysis of an Issue 1 30 min.
Analysis of an Argument - -
Quantitative 37 75 min.
Problem Solving
23-24
Data Sufficiency
13-14
Verbal 41 75 min.
Reading Comprehension
12-14
Critical Reasoning
14-15
Sentence Correction Total Time: 210 min.
14-15
Unofficial scores from the Verbal and Quantitative multiple-choice sections, along with the Total score, are available immediately after you complete the test. If you chose to receive your Official Score Report online, you will generally receive an email within 20 calendar days of testing, with a link to access your Official Score Report online. After clicking the link you must enter the authorization number from the Unofficial Score Report to view the Official Score Report. You may view, download, or print your Official Score Report, which includes the AWA score. If you opted to receive your Official Score Report by mail, it will be sent to you approximately 20 calendar days after testing. Your scores are good for five years, so you have the ability to start your graduate studies now or down the road.
How does it work?
For each multiple-choice section of the GMAT exam, there is a large pool of potential questions ranging from a low to high level of difficulty. Each section of the test starts with a question of moderate difficulty. If you answer the first question correctly, the computer will usually give you a harder question. If you answer the first question incorrectly, your next question will be easier. This process will continue until you complete the section, at which point the computer will have an accurate assessment of your ability level in that subject area.

In a computer-adaptive test, only one question at a time is presented. Because the computer scores each question before selecting the next one, you may not skip, return to, or change your responses to previous questions.