Test Format
The GMAT has three parts: a Writing section that consists of two essays (analysis of an issue and analysis of an argument), a Quantitative section, and a Verbal section. You can take an optional five-minute break between each section. The following table summarizes the test format and breakdown of questions in every section:
SECTION |
NUMBER OF QUESTIONS |
TYPES OF QUESTIONS |
ALLOTED TIME |
Analytical Writing (Always the 1st Section) |
2 |
One "Analyze an Issue" task and one "Analyze an Argument" task |
30 minutes per essay |
Quantitative |
37 questions |
- Problem Solving (Multiple Choice)
- Data Sufficiency
|
75 minutes |
Verbal |
41 questions |
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Reading
- Sentence Correction
|
75 minutes |
In the GMAT, the different types of verbal questions are mingled. The same is true for the quantitative questions. The total testing time is three and a half hours including the two essay questions.
Test Scores
The total scaled GMAT score ranges from 200 to 800. The raw Verbal and Quantitative scores range from 0 to 60. The Analytical Writing Assessment score ranges from 0 to 6 in 0.5 point intervals; it is an average of the ratings given to the Analysis of an Issue and the Analysis of an Argument sections. Each essay is given an independent rating and once both the essays are scored, the average of the scores is reported as an overall score. The AWA scores are reported separately and have no impact on the Verbal, Quantitative, or the total GMAT scores.
How much time does it take to receive the scores?
Another advantage of taking a computer-based exam is that you can see your unofficial score on the Verbal and Quantitative parts of the exam immediately after the test! Official scores, including those for the AWA, usually arrive by mail within ten business days.
You can retake the test once per calendar month. However, if you retake the test, your scores from that and the two previous tests will be sent to all business schools to which you are applying. Many schools average your scores if you take the test more than once. Therefore, unless you have a reason to expect a substantial improvement in your score, retaking the exam is not usually worthwhile.
You can cancel your scores if you want before leaving the test center. You have to indicate this on the computer screen after completing the test. However, if you cancel your scores, the fact that you took the test would still be reported to all the places you designated. Therefore, canceling your scores is generally not advantageous unless you have some reason to believe that you have done substantially worse on the test than you should have. For example, if you became ill while taking the exam, you might choose to cancel your scores. Once a score is canceled from your record, it cannot be put back or reported at a later date.
