Graduate Management Admission Test
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The Graduate Management Admissions Test, better known by the acronym GMAT (pronounced Jee Mat), is a standardized test for determining aptitude to succeed academically in graduate business studies. The GMAT is used as one of the selection criteria by most respected business schools globally, most commonly for admission into an MBA program.
The GMAT is one of many factors schools use when reviewing applications for admission; it is typically balanced with work experience, grades in previous schools, recommendation letters and other admissions criteria.
The fee to take the GMAT is currently US$250, worldwide.[1]
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[edit] The Test
GMAT scores are valid for five years from the date the test taker sits for the exam.
[edit] Analytical Writing Assessment
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section of the test consists of two essays. In the first, the student must analyze an argument and in the second the student must analyze an issue. Each essay must be written within 30 minutes and is scored on a scale of 0-6.
Each essay is read by two readers who each mark the essay with a grade from 0-6, in 0.5 point increments. If the two scores are within one point of each other, they are averaged. If there is more than one point difference, the essays are read by a third reader.
The first reader is Intellimetric, a proprietary computer program developed by Vantage Learning, which analyses creative writing and syntax. The second and third readers are humans, who generally look at the overall impact rather than spelling and grammar.
Although spelling does not formally count against your total score, it can bring the score down if the reader is having a hard time reading the essay due to misspelled words. There are many factors involved when deciding the score. There are no length requirements and the readers mainly look for a well structured essay that flows smoothly.
The mean score on the AWA based on a 622,975 sample size is 4.1/6.0. 34% of all test takers receive less than a 4.1/6.0.[2]
[edit] Quantitative and Verbal Sections
The quantitative section consists of 37 multiple choice questions, which must be answered within 75 minutes. There are two types of questions: problem solving and data sufficiency. The quantitative section is scored from 0 to 60 points. The current mean score on this section is 35.0/60.[2]
The verbal section consists of 41 multiple choice questions, which must be answered within 75 minutes. There are three types of questions: sentence correction, critical reasoning and reading comprehension. The verbal section is scored from 0 to 60 points. The current mean score on this section is 27.3/60.[2]
The "Total Score", comprised of the quantitative and verbal sections, is exclusive of the analytical writing assessment (AWA), and ranges from 200 to 800. The GMAT is scored-based on a 100 point standard deviation, meaning that the test is designed for 68% of examinees to score between 400 and 600, whilst the median score was originally designed to be near 500. The current median score is 540. The current mean score is 526.6/800.[2]
The quantitative and verbal sections comprise a computer-adaptive test. The first question may be very difficult. The next few questions in each section may be around the 500 level. If the examinee answers correctly, the next questions are harder. If the examinee answers incorrectly, the next questions are easier.
Also, questions left blank (that is, those not reached) hurt the examinee more than questions answered incorrectly. This is a major contrast to the SAT, which has a wrong-answer penalty. Each test section also includes several experimental questions, which do not count toward the examinee's score, but are included to judge the appropriateness of the item for future administrations.
[edit] Changes to the GMAT
As of January 2006, paper and pencil will no longer be available to use for scratch notes during the exam. The test proctor will provide a wet erase booklet and special wet erase pen. The test takers will be required to raise their hand and ask for a new book or pen if either one is needed. This change saves paper and discourages cheating (by smuggling test questions out of the testing center through paper and pencil.) Booklets similar to the ones used at the test center are available at numerous websites.
[edit] Required Scores
Most schools do not publish the median, average, or minimum acceptable score for the Analytical Writing Assessment section of the test.
Most schools do not publish a minimum GMAT score. Schools do generally publish the average and median score of their latest intake. While these should be used as a guide, applicants must remember that half of all successful applicants will have scored below the median mark.
At nearly all of the top business schools that are commonly listed in popular magazines and ranking services, the scores will average in the upper 600s. According to Fortune magazine, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, commonly regarded as one of the top business schools in the US, reports an average GMAT score of 714. Other, less prestigious schools, will have average GMAT scores that may be in the 500s or even less. It may be possible to overcome a low GMAT score with impressive real world accomplishments, good undergraduate performance, outstanding references, or a good essay.
There are many test preparation companies that assist individuals in preparing for the GMAT, including Kaplan, Princeton Review, Manhattan GMAT, and Veritas Prep.
[edit] History of GMAT
In 1953, the organization now called the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) began as an association of nine business schools, whose goal was to develop a standardized test to help business schools select qualified applicants. In the first year it was offered, the assessment (now known as the Graduate Management Admission Test), was taken just over 2,000 times; in recent years, it has been taken more than 200,000 times annually. Initially used in admissions by 54 schools, the GMAT is now used by more than 1,500 schools and 1,800 programs.
Until the end of 2005, Educational Testing Service (ETS) administered the GMAT exam. On January 1, 2006, GMAC transitioned vendors to a combination of ACT Inc, which develops the GMAT, and Pearson Vue, which delivers the exam.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ MBA.com Pay for the GMAT web site.
- ^ a b c d GMAT 2006 Official Score Report (see sample test report for verification)
[edit] External links
- mba.com (Online registration for GMAT)
- Graduate Management Admission Council (administers GMAT)Test preparation companies
