GMAT Test

The letters G M A T stand for 'Graduate Management Admission Test'. GMAT test is a required part of the admissions process for most MBA programs in the U.S., Canada and the rest of the world. GMAT is a multiple choice test that is administered in English. Until June 1997 GMAT was a standardized multiple choice test - meaning that all test takers were given the same questions. GMAT is now a Computer Adaptive Test where test takers will not receive the same questions. The multiple choice format has been retained.

What is a Computer-Adaptive GMAT Test?
In a computer-adaptive test, the computer screen displays one question at a time, which is chosen from a very large pool of questions categorized by content and difficulty. The first question is always of a medium difficulty, and each subsequent question is determined by your responses to all the previous questions. In other words, the CAT adjusts itself to your ability level - you’ll get few questions that are either too easy or too difficult for you.

Each question in the GMAT CAT has five answer options, and you are required to select one of these five as the correct answer by clicking on it. A subsequent question is displayed on the screen only after you have answered the previous question, so you cannot skip a question. You cannot also go back to a previously answered question to change your answer. Thus, if you guess a correct answer or answer a question incorrectly by mistake, your answers to subsequent questions will lead you back to questions that are at the appropriate level of difficulty for you.

Who administers the GMAT?
The GMAT test is developed and administered by the US-based Pearson VUE under the direction of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), a non-profit organization of graduate business schools worldwide. This implies that Pearson VUE conducts the test, and sends each examinee the score report. For the conduct of the test, Pearson VUE has appointed testing centers in various countries.

When is the GMAT held?
All-round-the-year. Unlike other exams, you can choose your own date and time for taking the GMAT! The test is administered  five-days-a-week (Monday through Friday), twice-a-day. September to December is the high season for GMAT, so in case you intend to take the test during this period, you need to register very early (say 90 days in advance) to get a date of your choice. Otherwise, registering at least 15 days in advance is mandatory. The GMAT test lasts roughly 4 hours, and most centers offer two slots : 9 A.M. and 2 P.M.

> Format of the GMAT test
> Eligibility and Fees
> Scoring Pattern
> GMAT Registration