WHAT IS THE GMAT?
A standardized test, the Graduate Management Admissions Test measures the Verbal, Mathematical and Analytical skills. The test primarily intends to aid graduate schools of business assess the potential of the applicants for advanced study in business and management. Nearly 900 management institutes all over the world require GMAT scores from the applicants.
The GMAT is different from most other customary examinations. The examination is entirely computer-based, and no two students get identical sets of questions. Also, students cannot skip questions. The test is scored on a maximum of 800. The GMAT Score alone cannot guarantee admission into a school. The test is only one of the major factors taken into consideration in the long process of an applicant getting admitted into a Business School he/she desires.
The US-based "Educational Testing Service" (ETS), which is under the directions of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) develops and administers the GMAT. ETS is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to each examinee. The Indian Agency - "Sylvan Testing Services Private Ltd," is appointed by ETS to administer the GRE at the 9 centres in India, namely:- Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Trivandrum.
FAQs on GMAT
Does one have to be a graduate for taking the GMAT?
Not necessarily. However, to do a master's course, one has to be a graduate in any stream.
What is the syllabus?
The course consists of Maths and English with the following pattern:
30 min: Analysis of an issue
30 min: Analysis of an argument
5 min: break
75 min: Maths section- 37 questions
5 min: break
75 min: Verbal section- 41questions (reading comprehension, critical reasoning and sentence correction)
The total exam is nearly four-hour long.
What is the scoring system?
The total marks are 800, out of which 600 and above is considered good. Different questions carry different marks, depending on its difficulty level. There is no fixed break up for Maths and English.
How often can I take the exam?
You can take the exam a maximum of five times after 1st January 2002. You can also take it only once in a calendar month.
Which score will the college consider?
Usually they accept the most recent score.
What is the cost of the exam?
The charges are $225 payable to ETS-GMAT in US dollars.
How do I register?
You can register by phone or submit the form physically at their centre. When registering through the phone, keep your passport and international credit card number ready along with the expiry date.
What happens if I postpone my exam date?
If you postpone the exam at least seven days before your scheduled date, you would have to pay an additional $48 to reschedule else the entire fees is forfeited.
How soon do I get my score?
You will see your score for the maths and verbal section the moment you finish the exam but official scores (with scores for AWA) will take 21 days to reach you.
What happens if I cancel the exam?
After taking the exam you are given the choice of cancelling your score without seeing it. If you choose to do so the score is lost forever but it gets reported on all subsequent score charts that you had cancelled an exam.
How do I pass on my score to the college?
The universities only accept official scores sent directly by ETS. Scores to five colleges can be sent free of cost while taking the exam. Subsequently, for each score report sent to a college, you would have to pay $25.
Is GMAT valid only for going abroad or it has some relevance in India also?
GMAT is valid in some of the premier Indian institutes, like Narsee Monjee, XLRI, IIFT, S P Jain, FMS and ISB.
Is work experience necessary to get admission in universities?
It is not necessary to have work experience to get admission in MBA colleges abroad. However, it is recommended to have at least two years work experience to get into good MBA programs. However, very high GMAT scores, combined with exceptional college record and extra curricular achievements can compensate. In some universities, work experience is a must.
What is percentile?
If you secure 85 percentile it would mean 85 % of the students taking the exam in the past five years are below you and 15% are equal to or above you.
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