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Contents:
 Tips on taking the GMAT
What's in the Math Section?
What's in the Verbal Section?
What is the GMAT?
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
is a standardized test used by business schools as a tool to decide whom
they are going to let into their M.B.A. programs. The GMAT is one of a
new generation of tests that are offered only on computer. To take the
test, you must go to an approved testing center where you will be seated
in front of a secure computer terminal. After a short tutorial in how
to use the computer you will then start the exam, entering your answers
on the screen with a mouse. You must compose your essays for the Writing
Assessment on the computer as well.
The GMAT has three sections:
- Two 30 minute essays to be written on the computer
using a generic word-processing program.
- A 75-minute, 37 question Math section
- A 75-minute, 41-question Verbal section
On average this gives you two minutes for each
math question, and a little less than two minutes for each verbal question.
You must answer a question in order to get to the next question-which
means you can't skip a question and come back to it. And while you are
not required to answer every question, your score will be adjusted downward
to reflect the questions you did not answer.
There will be optional 5-minute breaks between each section. On each of
the Math and Verbal sections, approximately 10 of the questions you encounter
will be experimental and will not count toward your score. These 20 questions,
which will be mixed in among the regular questions, are there so the test
company can try out new questions for future tests.
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Tips
on Taking the GMAT:
Process of Elimination
Wrong answers are often easier to spot than right answers. Sometimes they
just sound weird. At other times they're logically impossible. While it
is rare to be able to eliminate all four of the incorrect answers choices
on the GMAT, you will almost always be able to eliminate at least one
of them-and frequently two or more by using Process of Elimination. Process
of Elimination (POE for short) will enable you to answer questions that
you don't have the time or inclination to figure out exactly.
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What's
in the Math Section
The 37 math questions on the GMAT come in two different
formats. About half of the questions will be regular solving questions
and the other half of the questions, mixed in among the regular problem
solving questions, will be of a type unique to the GMAT: data sufficiency
questions and they will ask you to determine whether you can answer a
math question based on two pieces of information.
But whether the question falls into the category
of problem solving or data sufficiency, the GMAT questions will test your
general knowledge of three subjects:
- Arithmetic
- Basic Algebra: Problems comprise of about one
quarter of the math questions.
- Basic geometry: Problems comprise of less than
one quarter of the problems.
Problem Solving Questions:
The problem solving questions on the GMAT will
always have the instructions available to look at on-screen, but to avoid
wasting time reading these during the test, read our version of the instructions
now:
Directions: Solve the following problem, using
the scratch paper provided for your computations.
Numbers: This test uses only real numbers; no imaginary numbers are used
or implied
Diagrams: All problem solving diagrams are drawn
as accurately as possible UNLESS it is specifically noted that a diagram
is "not drawn to scale." All diagrams are in a plane unless
stated otherwise.
Data Sufficiency Questions:
About half of the 37 math questions on the GMAT
will be data sufficiency questions. The point is to figure out if there
is enough information provided to solve the problem. Once you know the
data is sufficient (or not) stop solving. It is pointless to actually
find out what the answer is. Don't get curious.
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What's
in the Verbal Section?
Sentence Correction Section:
Sentence corrections make up roughly a third of
the 41 questions on the verbal section. Sentence correction questions
are designed to measure your correct use of grammar, your ability to form
clear and effective sentences, and your capacity to choose the most appropriate
words.
Tip: Pick the answer that best states what
was meant in the original sentence, avoiding constructions which are awkward,
unclear, or which unnecessarily repeat themselves. Read the instructions
now, so you don't waste time at the time of the test.
Directions: Part of all of each sentence that
follows has been underlined. If you think the sentence is correct as written,
pick the first answer choice, which simply repeats the underlined portion
exactly. If you think there is something wrong with the sentence, as written,
choose the answer choice that best replaces the underlined portion of
the sentence.
Reading Comprehension Section:
Reading comprehension section makes up roughly
a third of the 41 questions. Reading comprehension questions come in clumps
of three or four, and are based on reading passages that range from 200
to 350 words in length.
Tip: Read and familiarize yourself with
directions below, so not to waste time.
Directions: Read the passage below, then answer questions based on your
knowledge of what has been directly said in the passage or what can be
inferred from it. You may have to use the scroll bar to see the entire
passage. Answer each question by clicking the oval in front of the best
response.
* GMAT Waivers: There are not any GMAT waivers available.
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