GMAT … What is it and Do you Need it?

The GMAT is a computer-adaptive standardized test in mathematics and in English that has been designed to measure your aptitude to succeed academically in graduate business studies.

More specifically, the GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admission Test and it is used by the vast majority of America’s business schools to qualify students for the MBA Programs the schools provide. Yes … it’s that simple.

The test, which includes several sections or parts and takes four hours to complete, measures your verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills … and “tells” the school administrator whether or not you have the intellect to successfully complete the one-to-two years of course study. That makes this test critically important — to you.

The first section of the test – Part I – is called Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). In this initial part of the test, you are required to write two essays in clear, concise and understandable English. Your grade is determined by your analytical and reasoning skills … and by your proper use of English … spelling and grammar.

The next section – Part II – is called the Quantitative Section. In this part of the test you are required to answer 37 multiple choice questions. You have a full 75 minutes to answer all thirty-seven questions – lots of time – so you should know, in advance, that this section is not easy. It requires thought and the ability to solve problems – logically and intelligently.

Section III or Part III – Data Sufficiency … tests your reasoning ability, whether or not you are capable of thinking logically. In the next section – Part IV – known as the Verbal Section, you are required to answer 41 challenging multiple choice questions – in 75 minutes.

There are, of course, additional sections, including Part V – Sentence Correction – the part of this written examination that tests your knowledge and command of English. And, if you think that five sections will mark the end of the examination – you are wrong. An additional – and challenging section – tests your reading comprehension skills.

Clearly, this examination is anything but easy. And that makes perfect sense. Graduate schools use the grades you receive on this test to determine your qualifications and eligibility for admission to their graduate or MBA programs.

You need to do well to earn admission to the school of your choice. What does that mean? The maximum grade possible on the GMAT Exam is 800. Few ever reach that lofty status. The mean average for people taking the exam is 538.5.

Will that lower score help you get into a good graduate school? The answer is … maybe yes or maybe no. It probably depends, in part, on your previous scholastic record and educational achievements leading up to the test.

For obvious reasons, you need to score well on the GMAT … even if you have been a “star student” in undergraduate school … in high school … even in middle school. Why take chances with your future.

When it comes to the GMAT – study hard and prepare yourself. It’s definitely worth the effort.