11. How to GMAT?



The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a test that has been produced by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), and is used to help business schools in making admissions decisions. The GMAT test is taken by students who are applying for admission to either MBA or other graduate management programs.

The GMAT test is given in English only, and it tests analytical writing, quantitative, and verbal skills. In the United States, the GMAT test is a computer-based test.

The GMAT test is a computer-adaptive test. This means that the multiple choice questions in the quantitative and verbal sections are adjusted to the ability level of the test taker (if you get the question, the next question get harder). Because the computer test system will not advance to the next question without answering the current question, all questions must be answered. In cases where the answer is not known, it is better to make a guess. It is also imperative that all test questions are completed.

The GMAT test consists of three sections.
  • The first section of the test is the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). The AWA consists of two writing tasks. The first is an analysis of an issue, and the second task is the analysis of an argument. The Analytical Writing Assessment is always found at the beginning of the GMAT test, and test takers are given 30 minutes to complete each writing task.
  • The second section of the GMAT test is the quantitative section. This section tests the knowledge of arithmetic, elementary algebra, and common geometry through questions on data sufficiency and problem solving. There are 37 multiple choice questions in this section, and test takers have a maximum of 75 minutes to complete these questions.
  • The third section of the GMAT test is the verbal section. This section has 41 multiple choice questions, and the questions test reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction. There is a maximum of 75 minutes to complete this section of the examination.


In addition, there will be pretest questions mixed in to these sections of the exam. These questions will not be identified as pretest questions, so it is important to answer all questions as best as possible. Pretest questions are not scored. Examples of all of the types of questions that may be seen on the GMAT test can be found online at GMAC’s website.

The verbal and quantitative sections of the GMAT test have scores that range from zero to 60. These raw scores are then converted to an overall “total” score that ranges from 200 to 800. Two thirds of all test takers will have a total score between 400 and 600. The scores in the verbal and quantitative sections are determined by several things: the number of questions answered, if the questions were answered correctly or incorrectly, and the level of difficulty of the questions answered, as well as the statistical nature of the questions.

The Analytical Writing Assessment is scored by two independent essay readers. These readers score the AWA on a scale from zero to six, and the scores from each reader are averaged to come up with an overall sore. The overall score ranges from zero to six, in half point increments. If the scores from the independent readers vary by more than one point, an expert essay reader is used to help determine the final score. The score from the AWA does not impact the total score for the verbal and quantitative sections.

TOEFL Links

  • If English is your second language you will have to sit at the TOEFL as well. If you to try the want to sample TOEFL tests, download the PPTFL10.exe, unless you would prefer the online ones from Mickey.
  • TestMagic.com is the best starting point for you to understand all about the TOEFL
  • Dethi.net offers some free sample paper test
  • At Free-English.com, all software contents are guaranteed, not free, but the packaging and color of packaging may not be exactly as shown on the webpage.
  • Languagesystems.com helps you to assess your strength and helps you practice better through their online tools
  • How to Ace the TOEFL, using this expensive step-by-step study guide

GMAT Links

Books

  • “The Official Guide for GMAT Review”
  • “Kaplan GMAT 800”, by Kaplan
  • “Arco teach yourself the GMAT CAT in 24 hours” by Stewart, Mark A
  • “Everything you need to score high on the GMAT CAT, computer -adaptive test” by Martinson, Thomas H.
  • “GMAT CAT: answers to the real essay questions” by Stewart, Mark A
  • “Graduate admissions essays: write your way into the graduate school of your choice” by Asher, Donald.
  • “How to get into the top MBA programs”, by Montauk, Richard
  • “How to write a winning personal statement for graduate and professional school”, by Stelzer, Richard J.
  • “Perfect personal statements”, by Stewart, Mark A
  • “Which MBA?: a critical guide to the world's best MBAs”, by Bickerstaffe, George
  • “Words for smart test takers”, by Stewart, Mark A.