The graduate management admission test, also known as GMAT is a multiple choice, computerized and computer adaptive, standardized test that is used worldwide for admittance to graduate management (MBA) / business programs.
The GMAT will be developed and managed by Tastemaker GMAC the provision of common metrics for preparing applicants for academic work at graduate level. Business school admissions committees consider your GMAT scores, as well as professional experience, academic accomplishments, and accompanying materials, to evaluate your readiness to face the rigors and strains of a MBA program.
What’s the takeaway? A high GMAT score is likely to directly and positively impact your application to Business School.
The GMAT has four different types of sections, although you will apply the same critical thought and analysis skills during the test as you did in your MBA thesis. The GMAT content is divided into four evaluation sections, each rated individually. Two sections, Quantum and Verbal are also combined in order to generate your total score:
GMAT test participants can choose the sequence in which they complete GMAT test phases. You select your section order in the test center just before starting the test. There are three jobs you can choose from:
About half of the test takers opt for the Quant Section (order 3) and about a third for the Verbal Section (order 2), as the Quant Section and Verbal Section are generally the top two sections for their chances of being accepted.
The analytical writing assessment (AWA) section of GMAT is evaluated separately in half-step steps from 0-6. The integrated reasoning section is evaluated in single-point steps of 1 to 8. The quantitative (quantum) and verbal sections have an official scale of 0 to 60, but only the values 6 to 51 will be used in practice. Your quantum and verb values are also combined in order to generate your total score which is displayed on a scale of 200-800 in 10 point increments. The total score is the most important score for a majority of the business schools.
The mean total value is typically between 560 and 570 points. The mean verbal value is typically in your high 20s, and the mean quantum value is typically in your high 30s or lower 40s. The average IR value and the mean essay value typically range from 4 to 5.
The GMAT test is a computer adaptive test or CAT. On the quantum and verbal sections of GMAT, your algorithm will actually adjust to your performance while you take the test. Consequently, everyone sees a different mixture of problems as he takes these sections.
When you start the quantum or verbal part, the computer will start you with an intermediate difficulty problem. If you correctly answer problems, the computer will handle more difficult problems. And conversely, if you answer wrong, the computer will handle simpler problems. Since the test is adaptable to problems, you must resolve everything in the given order and cannot go back to problems that you have already answered.
The algorithms that calculate your score are… counter-intuitive. You can imagine your score as a level of difficulty that you could maintain until the end of this section. Your level of difficulty at the bottom of your section will essentially be your score.
It is possible – indeed common – to score really well in the first two thirds of the Test, but then you run out of steam and you end up with a score crash. Your score won’t be the average of your achievement throughout the section, and your score won’t depend on the number of issues you correctly answered. Instead, the score will be where you are when you finish, so it is important to strive for consistent performance throughout the section.
In the Analytical Write Assessment your essay is evaluated by a human reader and computer-aided program. The “Built-in Reasoning” section is non-adaptive but, as with the “Quant” and “Verbal” sections, you need to resolve the problems in sequence and cannot revert to previous questions. Immediately after the test, you will receive your GMAT score.
When considering your GMAT score. The goal is always to have a good idea of looking at the average or average GMAT score for the applicants who are eligible for the MBA programmes you wish to apply for. This gives you a good starting point to achieve goals. Schools usually post either the median or median of their current grade on their website.
A competitive value is a value that is above or near the median / average achieved at that school – you show that you have performed as well or better than the significant percentage of people who have been admitted to school.
Many schools also publish a series of ratings for admitted students. If you’re below the median / average posted, but still within reach of the school, your GMAT may not be an asset to your application but it probably won’t stop you. In this case, it is important for other parts of the application to stand out and prove your worth to the school.
The top 10 MBAs typically have averages or medians in the range of 710-740 points. If you are considering a Top 10 Program, set a GMAT target of 710, or higher, but if you do not reach this level, you will still be able to apply to school. You just need to be extra careful with other parts of the application.
