GMAT Format and Timing

The GMAT measures high school concept based basic verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing. It does not measure job skills, knowledge of business, specific classroom content, or subjective qualities like creativity or leadership skills. The test consists of four separately timed sections.

The GMAT exam consists of three main parts, the Analytical Writing Assessment, the Quantitative section, and the Verbal section.

You have three and a half hours in which to take the GMAT exam, but plan for a total time of approximately four hours.

Anatomy of a typical GMAT Test

GMAT CAT Format

Each of the first two sections consists of an analytical writing task; the remaining two sections (Quantitative and Verbal) consist of multiple-choice questions delivered in a computer-adaptive format. Questions in these sections are dynamically selected as you take the test; the multiple-choice questions will adjust to your ability level, and your test will be unique.

For each multiple-choice section of the GMAT exam, there is a large pool of potential questions ranging from a low to high level of difficulty. Each section of the test starts with a question of moderate difficulty. If you answer the first question correctly, the computer will usually give you a harder question. If you answer the first question incorrectly, your next question will be easier. This process will continue until you complete the section, at which point the computer will have an accurate assessment of your ability level in that subject area.

In a computer-adaptive test, only one question at a time is presented. Because the computer scores each question before selecting the next one, you may not skip, return to, or change your responses to previous questions.

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) or Essay Section

The GMAT exam begins with the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). The AWA measures your ability to think about and communicate ideas in essay format. The AWA includes two writing tasks: Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument. You are allowed 30 minutes to complete each one. In the Analysis of an Issue task, you will analyze an issue and write an essay explaining your views. In the Analysis of an Argument task, you must analyze the reasoning behind an argument, and write a critical essay.

GMAT Quantitative or Math Section

Then you begin with the Quantitative or Math Section of the GMAT test. It contains questions which measure basic math skills, understanding of elementary concepts, and the ability to reason quantitatively. Three basic areas are covered: Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry.

This section contains 37 multiple-choice questions of two question types:

• Data Sufficiency: This type of question assesses your ability to analyze a quantitative problem, and determine which information is relevant and sufficient to finding a solution.
• Problem Solving: This type of question assesses basic mathematical skills and understanding, and basic reasoning skills. Some of the questions are word problems, in which you must reason with a common scenario.

GMAT Verbal Section

After the Quantitative Section, you begin the Verbal Section of the GMAT exam. This section contains 41 multiple choice questions of three question types

• Sentence Correction: This tests grammar and expression which consist of a sentence, all or part of which has been underlined, with five associated answer choices. You must choose the best way of rendering the underlined part. This question type tests your ability to recognize English.
• Critical Reasoning: This tests logical thinking. Critical thinking items present an argument that you are asked to analyze. Questions may require you to draw a conclusion, to identify assumptions, or to recognize strengths or weaknesses in the argument.
• Reading Comprehension: This tests your ability to read critically. Reading comprehension questions relate to a passage that is provided for you to read. The passage can be about almost anything, and the questions about it test how well you understand the passage and the information in it.