GMAT Syllabus and Exam Pattern, Section by Section

GMAT exam pattern in one table

You pick the order of the three sections when the test begins, and you may take one optional 10 minute break after the first or second section. Within a section you can bookmark questions, review them at the end and change up to three answers, if time remains.

GMAT marking scheme and how the score is built

There is no fixed mark per question and no minus one for a wrong answer. The test is adaptive: the first question in a section is of medium difficulty, and each later question is chosen on the basis of how you have done so far. Harder questions answered correctly lift your score more.

• Each section is reported on a scale of 60 to 90.
• The total runs from 205 to 805 in steps of 10, with all three sections weighted equally.
• Questions you do not reach still pull your score down, so it pays to leave nothing blank and put down at least a reasoned guess before the 45 minutes end.

You see your score as soon as the test ends and can then decide which schools receive it. Scores stay valid for five years.

Quantitative Reasoning syllabus

All 21 questions are problem solving with five answer choices, and no calculator is allowed. Geometry has been removed, so the content is arithmetic and algebra:

Arithmetic

• Properties of integers, factors, multiples, divisibility and remainders
• Fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio and proportion
• Rates, work, speed and mixtures
• Descriptive statistics: mean, median, mode, range and standard deviation in simple form
• Counting methods, sets and elementary probability

Algebra

• Expressions, exponents and roots
• Linear and quadratic equations, inequalities and absolute value
• Functions and sequences
• Word problems that need you to frame an equation

The maths itself rarely goes beyond class 10. What makes it hard is that questions are worded tightly and test reasoning, so practise reading each one twice before you start writing.

Verbal Reasoning: what is tested

The 23 questions come in two forms. No outside subject knowledge is needed, but you must read closely and quickly.

Reading comprehension

Passages from business, science, social science and humanities, each followed by a few questions on the main idea, details stated, inferences, the author's tone and the structure of the argument.

Critical reasoning

Short arguments where you find the assumption, pick a statement that strengthens or weakens the claim, evaluate a plan, resolve a paradox or spot a flaw. This type gives quick marks once you learn to break each argument into premise and conclusion.

Grammar based sentence correction is no longer asked, so do not spend weeks on it.

Data Insights section explained

This is the section most Indian test takers find new. It mixes maths, logic and reading, and an on screen calculator is available here only. The five question types are:

• Data sufficiency: decide whether two statements give enough information to answer a question, without solving it fully
• Multi source reasoning: read tabs of text, tables or charts and combine them to answer
• Table analysis: sort a table and judge statements as true or false
• Graphics interpretation: read a graph or chart and fill in blanks from drop down menus
• Two part analysis: choose two linked answers from a shared set of options

Many of these questions have more than one part, and you get credit only when every part is right.

Covering the GMAT syllabus in about twelve weeks

Most working professionals can prepare in about 10 to 12 weeks with 10 to 12 hours a week. Here is one way to split it.

1. Weeks 1 to 3: take a full official practice test to get a baseline. Rebuild arithmetic and algebra basics and learn the critical reasoning question families.
2. Weeks 4 to 7: start data sufficiency and the other Data Insights types. Read one long article a day and summarise it in two lines to build reading speed.
3. Weeks 8 to 10: sit a timed full test every week in a different section order, and review every wrong answer and every lucky guess.
4. Weeks 11 and 12: revise your error log, fix pacing and book your slot.

Study material that fits the current test

Use material written for the current three section format. Older books still carry sentence correction, geometry and an essay, which wastes time. The official guide and the free practice tests from GMAC are the closest match to real questions, and the practice tests use the same adaptive engine.

For quant revision, your class 9 and 10 NCERT maths books are useful for basics like ratios, percentages and equations. If you are also thinking about Indian MBA tests, compare this pattern with the CAT syllabus and the XAT syllabus, since the reading and data skills overlap a great deal.

Who can register and how often

GMAC does not set a degree requirement or a percentage. Schools set their own rules, and most MBA programmes ask for a bachelor's degree. You can take the test up to five times in any rolling 12 month period, with at least 16 days between attempts, and there is no lifetime limit. Fees are charged in US dollars and differ for the centre and online versions, so check the current amount when you book.

If you are deciding between this test and the GRE for a master's abroad, the GRE syllabus page explains that exam's sections. Every management and other admission test we cover sits under the entrance exams listing.