What are the Different Sections of the GMAT?
The GMAT exam is designed to test the skills which are very important to business and management programs. It assesses problem-solving abilities, analytical writing, critical reasoning skills, data sufficiency, and logic that are important to real-world business and management success.
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Key sections of the GMAT exam
The GMAT exam consists of key four sections including, a quantitative test, a verbal test, an integrated reasoning test, and an analytical writing assignment. The verbal reasoning section and the GMAT Quantitative sections are the key sections for MBA and graduate school admission.
1. The GMAT Verbal Reasoning section
There are 36 questions in the GMAT verbal reasoning section, six of which are experimental. There are three types of questions on the GMAT verbal score, including, reading comprehension, sentence reasoning, and critical reasoning.
Reading Comprehension (RC): The 13 RC questions on the GMAT test are based on four passages that are scattered throughout the exam. There are three to four questions following each passage on science, art, history, and economics. Reading Comprehension is a test of an individual’s ability to read and comprehend written material.
Critical Reasoning: GMAT Verbal Reasoning consists of 10-11 CR questions. A short passage presenting an argument will follow the questions. It is expected that GMAT test takers will demonstrate their abilities to strengthen or weaken arguments, identify the roles of different components within an argument, identify assumptions that underpin conclusions, and resolve apparent paradoxes and discrepancies.
Sentence Correction: A GMAT test will consist of 12-13 questions. By combining logic and grammar, test takers select the best option from five variations of a particular sentence.
2. The GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment Section (AWA):
GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment consists of a 30-minute essay. In the GMAT test, candidates are asked to formulate a credible and constructive critique of a specific conclusion. AWA sections present test takers with arguments. Their next step is to evaluate that argument and show their communication skills in an essay. The AWA score ranges from 0.6 to 6.0. A score of 6 is outstanding, a score of 5 is strong, and a score of 4 is adequate. The GMAT analytical writing assessment test scores are based on how well a candidate answers questions.
3. GMAT Quantitative Reasoning (QR):
Quantitative Reasoning consists of 31 questions. These three are experimental and do not contribute to the score. The quantitative section of the GMAT consists of two questions, one concerning data sufficiency and the other regarding problem-solving. GMAT Data Sufficiency questions require students to evaluate whether two statements are sufficient to answer a question. This section is likely to take 62 minutes to complete. On average, one has two minutes to answer each question. In this section of the GMAT, proficiency in mathematics will be based on the secondary school level. There will be a mix of intermediate, easy, and difficult questions. The Quant section of the GMAT requires a strong understanding of basic maths and a flexible mindset.
4. The GMAT Integrated Reasoning (IR)
GMAT Integrated Reasoning tests test-takers’ ability to combine quantitative and verbal reasoning skills. The IR section tests students’ ability to identify relevant information from superfluous data. This section measures the ability to comprehend and evaluate multiple types of information including tabular, textual, quantitative, graphic, verbal, and visual. The integrated reasoning section includes four types of questions namely table analysis, two-part analysis, multi-source reasoning, and graphics interpretation.
Knowing each section in detail of the GMAT exam will allow you to understand exactly what to expect from each one and how to prepare for the test. You can contact IMS for more information about GRE & GMAT exams.
