The GMAT exam has been around for over 60 years and is accepted by more than 6,000 business and management programs worldwide. The Graduate Management Admission Test is used to assess reasoning skills that are important for success in MBA programs. Business schools trust the GMAT exam to make admission decisions which is why taking the exam is crucial to your acceptance.

Decades of research has confirmed that the GMAT exam is reliable and valid at predicting your academic performance in graduate level business programs. The exam has four sections that include quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, integrated reasoning and analytical writing with test duration of 3.5 hours. Scores range from 200 to 800 and being on the higher-end improves chances of acceptance.

Should You Study For The GMAT?

Like any test that assesses performance, studying for the GMAT exam is highly recommended. From printed study guides to the best online GMAT courses, test takers have many options that can help them prepare. A good rule of thumb is to do some background research on the program you are interested in. Finding the average GMAT scores they accept, knowing the application deadlines and figuring out the requirements of that program can help give you more insight.

You can customize your study plan based on your skills and focus on the areas of the exam that you may need extra help in. Familiarize yourself with the test structure which includes the format and the types of questions you might face.

Integrated Reasoning

The integrated reasoning section of the GMAT consists of 12 questions that can vary in four different formats:

• Graphic interpretation
• Two-part analysis
• Table analysis
• Multi-source reasoning

Online GMAT study courses often provide examples of each form, giving you example test questions to work on. This can help you discover which sections you are capable of completing and which sections you may need some extra practice and study time on.

Analytical Writing Assessment

This section of the exam consists of a 30 minute writing task that asks you to analyze an argument. The essay examines your grammar skills as well as your ability to analyze the reasoning behind a given argument while writing a critique of that argument. However, this section and the integrated reasoning portion are scored separately from the quantitative and verbal sections. Performance on the writing and integrated reasoning does not contribute to the total GMAT score.

Quantitative Reasoning

This section measures your ability to:

• Solve quantitative problems
• Interpret graphic data
• Reason quantitatively
• Analyze and use information given in a problem

Questions on this section of the GMAT cover arithmetic, algebra and geometry. Brushing up math skills is important because knowledge of equations and formulas will equate to correct answers.

Verbal Reasoning

The verbal reasoning section of the GMAT will examine the test-takers ability to:

• Read and comprehend material
• Reason and evaluate arguments
• Correct written material to express ideas effectively

Some of the reading comprehension passages can vary from one paragraph to several paragraphs long. Since each section is timed, effectively understanding the passage and reading it quickly can leave you ample time to answer the questions in their entirety.

Utilizing prep courses for the GMAT can get you ready to take the exam by providing you with examples and offering instructed help on areas you may struggle in. Your GMAT score has a high impact on your acceptance into a program, so wouldn’t you rather study and be prepared rather than taking the test with a blind eye?