The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a globally recognized MBA entrance exam, developed to evaluate the verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and data analytics skills of the participants. The Graduate Management Admission Council sets the format of the exam and carries out the exam across the world. The score of this standardized test is accepted across the globe. It is quite flexible and easy for the students compared to the CAT exam. Therefore, if you are planning to sit for this exam, then you must know the GMAT total marks to secure a position at premier business schools.
In this guide, you will learn about the updated version of GMAT Focus Edition, along with the syllabus, exam pattern, and question paper.
What is GMAT?
GMAT full form is Graduate Management Admission Test, which includes both subjective and objective questions. It has a total of 64 questions that should be answered within 2 hours and 15 minutes. GMAT total marks depend on the questions you attempt. The test focuses on higher-order reasoning skills to examine the readiness of candidates for the contemporary business landscape. The exam comprises three sections: quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data insights.
GMAT Exam Syllabus
The GMAT syllabus includes three sections: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and data insight. The table below shows an overview of different types of questions under each section:
| Sections | Topics/ Type of questions |
| Verbal reasoning | Reading comprehension: Evaluate the candidates’ critical thinking |
| Main point: understand and sort out the key point from the paragraph | |
| Supporting idea: develop an association between different sets of information available in the paragraph | |
| Interference: draw a firm conclusion from the information | |
| Function: find the significance of different components shown in the paragraph | |
| Application: identify logical and rhetorical linkage in the paragraph | |
| Style and tone: analyse the writing pattern of the writer and finalize the effect of their writing on readers | |
| Critical reasoning: Deconstruct and analyze arguments. | |
| Quantitative reasoning | Numbers and number line |
| Decimal | |
| Properties and operations | |
| Exponents | |
| Multiplication | |
| Division | |
| Reminder | |
| Algebra | |
| Measurement conversion | |
| Linear equations | |
| Factoring equations | |
| Quadratic equations | |
| Formulas | |
| Inequality | |
| Functions | |
| Ratio and proportion | |
| Fraction | |
| Percentage | |
| Rate | |
| Work | |
| Mixture | |
| Statistics | |
| Sets | |
| Counting methods | |
| Probability | |
| Estimation | |
| Sequences and series | |
| Data insight | Data sufficiency |
| Multi-source reasoning | |
| Table analysis | |
| Graphic interpretation | |
| One-part analysis | |
| Two-part analysis | |
| Elementary arithmetic, algebra, and statistics | |
| Numerical-based logical reasoning | |
| Data-based argument evaluation | |
| Reading comprehension to draw data-driven conclusions |
GMAT Exam Pattern
The GMAT Focus Edition exam includes three sections and a total of 64 questions that should be completed within 2 hours and 15 minutes. Other takeaways include:
45 minutes are assigned for each section. Unlike fixed or sequential section-wise questions, the GMAT Focus Edition exam is flexible, since the applicants can begin with any section of their choice.
There is a privilege of ten-minute break after completing the first or second section to give the candidates a break. However, it is not mandatory, and negative marking will be applied if you do not resume the exam after the break. The GMAT total marks depend on this.
Applicants can bookmark and review their questions and change three questions in every section.
However, there is no provision of negative marketing in this new GMAT exam pattern
You can send 5 GMAT total marks reports to different colleges or programs within 48 hours of receiving the report card. There a minimal fees for sending additional reports.
The GMAT total marks are valid for 5 years.
Unlike the past format of GMAT, there is a standard fee provision in this new Focus Edition. You have to pay $413 for both offline and online exams.
The table below summarizes the exam pattern of GMAT:
| Feature | Details |
| Mode of exam | Online (both centre-based and remote) |
| Total duration | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
| Total number of questions | 64 |
| Type of questions | MCQs and Long-type |
| GMAT total marks | 205-805 |
| Median score | 546 |
| Exam sections | Three, no section-wise restriction |
| Verbal reasoning | 23 questions |
| Quantitative reasoning | 21 questions |
| Data insight | 20 questions |
| Marking scheme | Computer-based |
| Frequency of exam | Multiple times a year |
| Date of exam | Multiple times a year |
| Result of the exam | 5-20 days after the exam |
GMAT Question Paper
GMAC does not release the official GMAT questions after the exam. Hence, it is not possible to find the actual question paper anywhere. However, sample papers are available based on expert analysis and anticipated difficulty level. The sample papers can be solved to understand the difficulty level of the real GMAT exam.
Although the past year’s GMAT papers have not been released, several sources have tried to develop questions based on the same format and trends. These papers are helpful for practice purposes and time-bound performance evaluation. Solving the practice questions helps the students understand problem-solving logic. The step-by-step interpretations improve the clarity and minimize the repeated errors. The questions are high-quality quality developed by experts. By solving the sample papers, you can be more familiar with the test format, improve your speed, and control time.
Comparison between GMAT Total Marks in Old Version and Focus Edition
| Percentile ranking | GMAT Older Version | Focus Edition |
| 100% | 800 | 805 |
| 99.9% | 780 | 775 |
| 99.8% | 770 | 755 |
| 99.7% | 770 | 745 |
| 99.5% | 770 | 735 |
| 99.4% | 760 | 725 |
| 99.2% | 760 | 715 |
| 98.7% | 760 | 715 |
| 98.6% | 760 | 715 |
| 98.1% | 750 | 705 |
| 97.9% | 750 | 695 |
| 96.9% | 740 | 695 |
| 96.7% | 740 | 685 |
| 96.1% | 730 | 685 |
| 95.2% | 730 | 675 |
| 94% | 720 | 675 |
| 93.2% | 720 | 665 |
| 92.6% | 710 | 665 |
| 89.6% | 710 | 655 |
| 89.3% | 700 | 655 |
Tips to Maximize GMAT Total Marks
- Understand the GMAT structure properly
- Create a comprehensive study plan that outlines your preparation timeline
- Select quality preparation resources, both offline and online
- Find and strengthen grey areas to improve performance
- Develop the ability to answer questions quickly by practising time management
- Try elimination techniques to avoid getting stuck in the exam
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