Those looking to know the GMAT Exam Pattern should learn that the GMAT has four sections. The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer adaptive test with a total duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes. The GMAT Exam Structure is decided by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), which is the official exam administrating body. The GMAT Pattern comprises both objective and subjective questions.

In this article, we will discuss everything about the GMAT exam pattern. Overall the GMAT has 80 questions which are divided into four sections namely Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. Further, candidates are given a specific time to complete every section of the exam.

GMAT Exam Pattern

The GMAT exam takes under 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete the test including two optional breaks. The medium of the GMAT is English and the mode is computer-based. The score range of the GMAT is between 200-800. If a candidate scores more than 760 that means a 99 percentile in comparison. Each of the GMAT sections has a time limit and it varies according to the sections. Apart from this, candidates are can control their test-taking experience and have the option of choosing amongst the three combinations in the order to attempt the exam.

The Integrated Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections are computer adaptive, so, you cannot skip the question and move to the next one. Also, you cannot return to the previous question and the answers once marked cannot be changed. Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections include multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The GMAT format is given below:

A candidate has the option to take two ‘8-minute breaks’ during the exam.

The GMAT format has four sections, we have discussed the GMAT Paper Pattern above. The GMAT exam format is designed to evaluate certain skillsets of aspirants. read below about each of the GMAT paper pattern.

Analytical Writing Assessment

This section assesses the candidate’s ability to think critically and communicate their ideas. The candidate is required to analyse a given argument and write a critique on it. The topics are usually of general interest. This section checks the candidate’s ability to organize his/her thoughts and use of given evidence to support their viewpoint.

Integrated Reasoning

This section requires candidates to analyse and evaluate information presented in different formats. The questions in this section will test your quantitative and verbal skills.

• Multi-source reasoning: in these questions, you have to compare, interpret or apply the information presented in tables, graphs, diagrams, written passages, and other types of visual representation
• Table analysis: in these questions, a candidate has to determine statistics, ratios, probabilities or proportions, etc. from a given spreadsheet-like table
• Graphics interpretation: there will be fill-in-the-blanks type questions to be answered on the basis of given bar graphs, bubble graphs, and line graphs
• Two-part analysis: in these questions, a candidate has to determine trade-offs, calculate proportion, etc. and choose answers that will be given in the tabular format

Quantitative Reasoning

It measures the candidates’ ability to analyse data and give conclusions using reasoning skills.

• Algebra: inequalities, equations, functions, exponents, and absolute value
• Geometry: circles, lines and angles, solids, coordinate geometry, and polygons
• Arithmetic: ratio and proportion, fractions, decimals, percentages, discrete probability counting methods, and sets
• Word problems: time and work, rate, simple and compound interest, discounts, profit and loss, data interpretation, measurement problems, and geometry questions

Verbal Reasoning

This section measures candidates’ ability to understand the written matter, evaluate arguments, and correct written matter to make it to standard English.

• Reading comprehension: in these questions, you have to refer to a passage of up to 350 words and answer questions based on the main idea, supporting ideas, context, style, and tone, etc.
• Critical reasoning: these questions check a candidate on argument evaluation and formulating/evaluating a plan of action
• Sentence correction: these questions are characterized into an agreement, grammatical construction, logical predication, parallelism, idiom, verb form, and rhetorical construction

The GMAT Test is Computer Adaptive

After discussing the GMAT pattern, we will explain how the GMAT test is Computer Adaptive. Out of the four sections of the GMAT format, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative sections of the GMAT are computer-adaptive. It means that the difficulty level of the test modifies according to the test taker’s ability. This feature allows the test to assess the candidate’s ability with utmost precision. This is the reason that business schools trust the GMAT test scores to give admission to the aspirants.

The first question that comes either in the Quantitative or in Verbal Sections is of medium difficulty level. As the test taker proceeds with the test, the computer scores the answers and uses them and your responses for the next question. If your first answer is incorrect then the next question will be less hard. If you answer the second question correctly then the next question will be harder. This process continues until the end and it accurately assesses the candidate’s ability of that particular subject.

The test-takers are not allowed to return to change their answers because the computer uses your answers to select the next question. So, it is important to give answers carefully, as you will not be able to change them later.

GMAT Section Order

In July 2017, GMAC introduced Select Section Order that allows students to customize their GMAT exam experience by giving them the freedom to choose the section order they want to adopt during the exam. So, you can control your test taking experience.

Now candidates have the opportunity to choose from three options for the exam’s section order:

1. Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal
2. Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
3. Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

This choice gives candidates the freedom to take the GMAT Exam as per their own preference. So test-takers can select the section order from the GMAT exam strcuture as per their convenience.