What is the Purpose of the the GMAT Exam: The Graduate Management Admission Test, commonly known as the GMAT, serves several significant purposes within the realm of graduate business education and professional development. This standardized examination plays a pivotal role in assessing thev
qualifications, readiness, and potential of individuals aspiring to enroll in graduate-level business and management programs, primarily MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs.
Purpose of GMAT Exam
GMAT is a popular entrance test taken by management aspirants in India and abroad. It forms a crucial part of the admission process in top-ranked business schools worldwide. GMAT registration is available all throughout the year, and a candidate can appear for the exam five times a year. With a good GMAT score, a student can opt for a coveted MBA/MS program and, later on, explore lucrative career opportunities in the relevant field. Prior to starting your GMAT prep, you must learn about the purpose of taking the exam:
What is GMAT?
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardized test conducted by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council). It is a 3.5-hour computer-based exam designed to check the critical thinking abilities and reasoning skills of the candidate. GMAT consists of four sections focused on analytical writing, quantitative, verbal, and integrated reasoning, respectively. The exam is generally challenging in terms of difficulty level, with the verbal and quantitative reasoning sections being computer-adaptive in nature.
GMAT score basically reflects your aptitude and academic preparedness for the corresponding management degrees and related courses. Most of the candidates devote 2-4 months to GMAT prep.
Who should take the GMAT?
GMAT provides a gateway to the best management programs and similar business degrees in topmost educational institutes. It is usually taken by the budding managers and entrepreneurs who want to pursue higher education abroad. After completing their master’s degree, the students can avail themselves of high-paying job profiles in global corporates or start their own venture. In GMAT-accepting institutes of India, the average placement salary of management graduates is around Rs. 20-23 LPA. Likewise, in the renowned business schools of the US, such as Stanford, Harvard, etc., the average annual placement package goes up to above $200k.
Owing to the flexible scheduling of GMAT, both the freshers as well as working professionals can conveniently opt for the exam. Besides, the GMAT score is valid for 5 years after the exam date.
Where is GMAT Score Accepted?
GMAT scores are accepted for over 7000 programs at 2300 institutes across 110 countries. In India alone, GMAT is considered by more than 100 B-schools, of which the top ones are as follows:
- ISB Hyderabad
- IIM Ahmedabad
- IIM Calcutta
- IIM Bangalore
- XLRI Jamshedpur
- MDI Gurgaon
- SPJIMR Mumbai
Amongst the global institutes, the highest-ranked GMAT-accepting B-schools are listed below:
- London Business School
- Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania)
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- Columbia University
- INSEAD
For enrolment in reputed management institutes, it is recommended to target a score of 700 or above in GMAT.
Other Benefits of GMAT Score
Apart from being an admission criterion, your GMAT score can prove beneficial in various other aspects. For instance, the top-scoring candidates often bag scholarships based on their marks in the GMAT. The scores are also helpful for securing internships with prestigious organizations. Further, several consulting firms use GMAT scores as one of the evaluation parameters to assess the job applicant’s capability. In other words, your GMAT prep plays an important role in gaining multiple benefits on the professional front.
Today, a majority of companies seek candidates from top-tier business schools. Hence, with a high score on the GMAT, you are bound to land in your dream career destination. You can always check out sites like CareerLabs to further your understanding on all things GMAT.
Featured
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Test Purpose | Admission test for graduate business schools |
| Sections | 1. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) 2. Integrated Reasoning (IR) 3. Quantitative Reasoning 4. Verbal Reasoning |
| Test Duration | Approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes |
| Scoring Range | AWA: 0-6 (in half-point increments) IR: 1-8 (in one-point increments) Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning: 6-51 (in one-point increments) |
| Total Score Range | 200-800 (in 10-point increments) |
| Format | Computer-Adaptive Test (CAT) |
| Registration Fee | $250 USD |
| Score Validity | Valid for 5 years |
| Test Centers | Numerous test centers worldwide |
| Test Frequency | Offered year-round |
| Test Languages | Available in English only |
| Retake Policy | 16-day waiting period for retakes |
| Score Reporting | Scores available immediately for AWA and IR, within 20 days for Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning |
| Score Percentiles | Provided for Quantitative, Verbal, IR, and Total scores |
| Test Prep Resources | Official GMAT prep materials, test prep books, online courses, and practice exams |
| Test Accommodations | Available for individuals with disabilities, with proper documentation |
FAQs
The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is a standardized test used to assess the skills and abilities of individuals applying for admission to graduate business and management programs, particularly MBA programs.
The GMAT assesses test-takers’ abilities in analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and integrated reasoning. It is designed to evaluate their readiness for graduate-level business studies.
The GMAT exam consists of four sections and takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours to complete.
The GMAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800 in increments of 10 points. The scores for the AWA and IR sections are separate from the combined Quantitative and Verbal (QV) score.
GMAT preparation typically involves studying test content, taking practice exams, and familiarizing oneself with the test format. Many test-takers also opt for GMAT prep courses or materials available online.
