By Brendan Clugston, August 2, 2024
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is widely recognized and valued by business schools around the globe.
While preparing for the GMAT can seem daunting for beginners, with the right approach, it can be a manageable and even rewarding process. The key to success lies in understanding the exam structure, identifying your strengths and weaknesses and developing a plan tailored to your needs.
Whether you’re aiming for a top business school or want to showcase your skills to potential employers, mastering the GMAT requires dedication, practice and a willingness to adapt your study methods as you progress.
Understanding the GMAT
The GMAT’s widespread acceptance is a testament to its importance in business education. It is recognized by over 7,700 programs at more than 2,400 business schools worldwide. Taking the GMAT demonstrates a candidate’s commitment to business education and can provide a competitive edge in admissions and scholarship opportunities.
At University Canada West, for incoming MBA students who don’t have a relevant professional designation or bachelor’s degree, an acceptable score on either the (GMAT) or a different test, the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), is a requirement for applicants.
What is the GMAT?
The Graduate Management Admission Test, commonly known as the GMAT, is a standardized exam designed to evaluate the skills and knowledge essential for success in graduate business programs, particularly MBA programs. This test plays a crucial role in the admissions process for business schools worldwide, helping institutions assess applicants’ readiness for advanced quantitative and analytical work in graduate management programs.
Steps to start preparing for the GMAT
In preparing for the GMAT, take a strategic approach to make the process more manageable and effective. It’s important to come up with a well-structured plan and a thorough understanding of the exam.
Research and plan
Start by understanding the test’s format, sections and question types. Gather information on various study resources, such as prep books, online courses and practice tests, to find the ones that best suit your learning style. Create a detailed study schedule that allocates time for each section of the test, ensuring a balanced focus on your strengths and weaknesses. Regularly evaluate your progress through practice exams to adjust your study plan as needed and stay on track for success.
Gathering study materials
Gathering the right study materials is crucial for effective GMAT preparation. Start with official GMAT prep books and practice tests provided by the Graduate Management Admission Council, as these materials offer the most accurate representation of the exam. Supplement these with highly-rated prep books from trusted publishers and consider enrolling in online courses that offer interactive lessons and personalized feedback. Additionally, use flashcards and mobile apps to reinforce key concepts and practice on the go. Make sure to have a diverse mix of resources to cover all sections of the GMAT comprehensively.
Creating a study schedule
Creating a study schedule for the GMAT involves setting a realistic timeline that accommodates your daily routine and learning pace. Begin by determining your test date and work backwards to allocate sufficient time for each section of the exam, ensuring a balanced approach. Break down your study plan into manageable daily or weekly goals, incorporating regular review sessions and practice tests to track your progress. Be flexible and adjust your schedule based on your performance, focusing more on areas that need improvement. Consistency and regular assessment will keep you on track and build your confidence as test day approaches.
Utilizing practice tests
Utilizing a practice test for the GMAT is an essential component of effective preparation, as it helps simulate the actual exam experience and identify areas that need improvement. Regularly taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions can enhance your time management skills and reduce test-day anxiety. Analyzing your performance on these tests allows you to pinpoint specific weaknesses and adjust your study plan accordingly. Practice tests provide a good opportunity to familiarize yourself with the exam’s question formats and difficulty levels. The Graduate Management Admission Council administers the GMAT and offers practice tests, including two free ones.
How is the GMAT score calculated?
GMAT scores are calculated based on performance in four main sections: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative and Verbal. Here’s a breakdown of how each section is scored and how the total score is derived:
- Analytical Writing Assessment:
- Score range: 0 to 6 in half-point increments.
- Scoring criteria: Assesses the ability to analyze an argument and communicate thoughts effectively. Essays are scored by both a human rater and a computer program. The scores from both raters are averaged to produce the final AWA score.
- Integrated Reasoning:
- Score range: 1 to 8 in whole-point increments.
- Scoring criteria: Evaluates the ability to interpret and analyze data from multiple sources. There are 12 questions in this section, and the score is based on the number of correct answers. Partial credit is given for some multi-part questions.
- Quantitative Section:
- Score range: 6 to 51 in one-point increments.
- Scoring criteria: Measures problem-solving abilities and understanding of basic mathematical concepts. The section includes 31 multiple-choice questions on data sufficiency and problem-solving.
- Verbal Section:
- Score range: 6 to 51 in one-point increments.
- Scoring criteria: Assesses reading comprehension, critical reasoning and sentence correction skills. The section includes 36 multiple-choice questions.
Total score:
- Score range: 200 to 800 in 10-point increments.
- Scoring criteria: The total score is derived from the combined performance on the Quantitative and Verbal sections. These two sections are scaled separately and then combined to produce the overall score. The AWA and IR scores do not contribute to the total score but are reported separately on the score report.
Score calculation process:
- Computer adaptive testing: Both the Quantitative and Verbal sections use a computer adaptive format, meaning the difficulty of the test tailors itself to the test-taker’s ability level. The first question in each section is of medium difficulty. As the test-taker answers questions correctly, subsequent questions become more difficult. Incorrect answers lead to easier questions. The final score is based on the number of questions answered correctly, the difficulty level of those questions and the total number of questions answered.
Final score report:
- The score report includes the total score (200-800), individual scores for Quantitative and Verbal sections (6-51), AWA score (0-6) and IR score (1-8). Each score provides business schools with a comprehensive view of the candidate’s skills and readiness for graduate business studies.
Conclusion
Whether aiming to secure admission to a top-tier business school or enhance career prospects, mastering the GMAT is a journey that demands dedication and adaptive learning strategies. With thorough preparation and a focused mindset, beginners can confidently approach the GMAT and strive towards achieving their academic and professional aspirations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the GMAT?
The GMAT can be challenging as it tests advanced analytical, quantitative and verbal skills. With dedicated study and preparation, many find it manageable to achieve their target score.
What is on the GMAT?
The GMAT includes sections on analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning. Each section tests different skills, like problem-solving and critical thinking.
How long does it take to study for the GMAT?
Most students spend about two to three months preparing for the GMAT, with study times ranging from 100 to 200 hours. The exact time needed can vary depending on the individual’s background and goals.
What is a good GMAT score?
A good GMAT score typically ranges from 650 to 700, which can make you competitive for many business schools. However, top-tier programs often look for scores above 700.
What is the syllabus of GMAT?
The GMAT syllabus covers quantitative topics like algebra, geometry and arithmetic, and verbal topics like reading comprehension, critical reasoning and sentence correction. It also includes an analytical writing assessment and an integrated reasoning section.
Who is eligible for the GMAT exam?
Anyone can take the GMAT, but it is primarily intended for individuals seeking admission to graduate business programs. Most test-takers are college graduates or in their final year of undergraduate study.
Do you need the GMAT for UCW?
For direct entry into University Canada West’s MBA program, besides a cumulative GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.33 scale) or better in a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university and English proficiency, students need one of the following:
- A suitable score on a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) that has been written in the last five (5) years.
- A relevant Canadian professional designation or equivalent international designation (e.g., CPA, CA, CGA, CMA, CHRP or P.Eng).
- Bachelor’s degree in business or a STEM-related program from a recognized university.
- A minimum of three (3) years documented professional or management experience with evidence of career progression and relevant education and/or training.
So for incoming MBA students who don’t have a relevant professional designation or bachelor’s degree, an acceptable score on either the GMAT or GRE is required.
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