Conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) for more than 60 years, the GMAT is a ‘Computer Adaptive Test’ which is backed by decades of peer-reviewed research including hundreds of validity studies in the last 10 years alone. The GMAT exam score is accepted by more than 2,400 MBA colleges and universities across the Globe. The GMAT 2023 exam pattern is developed to primarily test a candidate’s Reasoning Skills. The exam is conducted round the year and you can apply and appear in GMAT 5 times a year to improve your GMAT score and percentile. GMAT is conducted in two testing modes – Computer based test at Exam Centres and Online Proctored Test which you can take from the convenience of your home. Read Table of Contents below to know all about the GMAT 2023 Exam key highlights, pattern, testing mode, sectional composition, scoring pattern, key changes and more
Table of Contents
- GMAT Test Pattern 2023: Key Highlights
- GMAT Exam Pattern 2023: Sectional Composition & Score Range
- GMAT Test Pattern 2023: Key Facts
- GMAT Test Pattern: What is a Computer Adaptive Test?
- GMAT Exam Pattern at Test Center & Online Exam: Similarities & Differences
- GMAT Pattern to Change as GMAT Exam Focus Edition in 2024
1. GMAT Test Pattern 2023: Key Highlights
There are four different sections in GMAT Exam Format 2023, namely Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA); Integrated Reasoning (IR); Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning.
Total duration of GMAT test pattern 2023 is three hours and seven minutes with specific time allotted for each of the four sections. Key highlights of GMAT exam structure and scoring pattern are as shared below:
GMAT Exam Particulars
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GMAT Paper Pattern 2023
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GMAT 2023 Testing Mode
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1. Computer Based Test at Exam Centre
2. Online Proctored Test (Can be Taken from Home)
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Total Sections
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4
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Total Questions
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80
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Name of Sections with number of questions
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Quantitative Reasoning (QR)-31
Verbal Reasoning (VR)-36
Integrated Reasoning (IR)-12
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)-1
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Sectional Individual Time Limit to Attempt the Questions
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QR-62 Minutes
VR- 65 Minutes
IR-30 Minutes
AWA-30 minutes
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Exam Duration
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3 hrs 7 minutes
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Type of Questions
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QR-MCQs
VR-MCQs
IR- Multiple Answer Qs
AWA-Descriptive
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GMAT Score Range
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200-800
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Sections Responsible for Arriving at Merit Score
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Quantitative Reasoning and
Verbal Reasoning
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GMAT Exam Syllabus & Pattern 2023 at A Glance
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QR: Quant based Problem Solving questions and Data Sufficiency questions in MCQ format
VR: Questions based on English Grammar like Sentence correction, Critical Reasoning, RC Passages
IR: Questions include on different type of analytical reasoning, logical reasoning problems
AWA: Descriptive answer is needed with due analysis on the argument or statement given as the question
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Validity of GMAT Exam 2023 Score
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5 Years
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Negative Marking in GMAT Exam Pattern 2023
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The GMAT 2023 pattern does not have any negative marking
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Business schools worldwide use GMAT scores as part of their admissions process to evaluate applicants' academic abilities and potential for success in graduate business programs.
2. GMAT Exam Pattern 2023: Sectional Composition & Score Range
The GMAT exam is designed to test skills that are highly important to business and management programs. It assesses analytical writing and problem-solving abilities, along with the data sufficiency, logic, and critical reasoning skills that are vital to real-world business and management success. In June 2012, the GMAT exam introduced Integrated Reasoning, a new section designed to measure a test taker’s ability to evaluate information presented in new formats and from multiple sources—skills necessary for management students to succeed in a technologically advanced and data-rich world.
Section
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Time Limit / Number of Questions
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Sectional GMAT Exam Syllabus & Pattern 2023-Type of Questions
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Score Range
05-30
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Analytical Writing Assessment
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30 minutes
1 question |
Analysis of an Argument
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0-6 (in 0.5-point increments)
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Integrated Reasoning (IR)
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30 minutes
12 questions |
Graphics Interpretation, Table Analysis, Multi-source Reasoning, Two-part Analysis
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1-8 (in 1-point increments)
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Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
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62 minutes
31 questions |
Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving
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6-51 (in 1-point increments)
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Verbal Reasoning (VR)
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65 minutes
36 questions |
Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction
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6-51 (in 1-point increments)
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3. GMAT Test Pattern 2023: Key Facts
- GMAT exam has a sectional time limit which varies with each section.
- Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections in GMAT Exam are computer adaptive and have multiple-choice questions.
- In the Quantitative Reasoning & Verbal Reasoning sections, one cannot skip, return to or change the response to the previous questions.
- There are two 8-minutes breaks during the GMAT exam. These breaks are, however, optional
- Test takers are given three options to choose the order in which they can attempt the four sections of the GMAT exam. Test takers can attempt the exam in one of the following three orders –
- Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal
- Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
- Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
- Analytical Writing Assessment consists of an essay question and Integrated Reasoning consists of non-MCQs
4. GMAT Test Pattern: What is a Computer Adaptive Test?
GMAT is a ‘computer-adaptive’ entrance examination. This is different from being merely a ‘computer-based’ test. In a computer-adaptive test, candidates will receive questions one at a time and the difficulty level and score of the GMAT 2023 will depend on the accuracy of the previous answer of the candidate as below:
- If the response to the previous question is accurate, the next question will be of higher difficulty level If the answer is incorrect, the following question will be of lower difficulty level and will get scored accordingly
- The final score, as per the paper pattern of GMAT 2023 depends on the difficulty level of questions that the student had attempted
- Correct answers to difficult questions will result in obtaining higher scores while correct responses to easier questions will result in getting lower scores
5. GMAT Exam Pattern at Test Center & Online Exam: Similarities & Differences
Key Features, similarities and differences in GMAT 2023 exam pattern at Test Centre and Online Exam are as below:
5.1 GMAT Exam at Test Center & Online Exam: Similarities
GMAT Similarities
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GMAT Pattern at Test Center
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GMAT Online Pattern
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Exam Structure
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4 sections, to be completed in the order of your choosing: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment. There are two optional 8-minute breaks.
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4 sections, to be completed in the order of your choosing: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment. There are two optional 8-minute breaks.
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GMAT Exam Duration
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3 hours, 7 minutes
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3 hours, 7 minutes
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GMAT Scoring Pattern
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Official Score Report displays your Total Score, section scores, and your percentile ranking. Your unofficial score appears on screen upon completion of the exam.
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Official Score Report displays your Total Score, section scores, and your percentile ranking. Your unofficial score appears on screen upon completion of the exam.
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GMAT Exam Attempts
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5 attempts in a rolling 12-month period and 8 attempts in a lifetime
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5 attempts in a rolling 12-month period and 8 attempts in a lifetime
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GMAT Score Viewing
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You can view your unofficial score immediately following the exam. Official Score Reports can be accessed on your mba.com account in seven business days. May take up to 20 business days.
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You can view your unofficial score immediately following the exam. Official Score Reports can be accessed on your mba.com account in seven business days. May take up to 20 business days.
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Validity of GMAT Score
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5 Years
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5 Years
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5.2 GMAT Exam at Test Center & Online Exam: Differences
GMAT Differences
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GMAT Pattern at Test Center
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GMAT Online Pattern
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Test Taking Experience
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Delivered at test centers around the globe year-round
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Taken from the comfort of your home or other private location, online appointments are convenient and available year-round.
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Appointment
Availability |
Available up to 7 days a week and can be scheduled up to 6 months in advance.
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Available around the clock and can be scheduled up to 6 months in advance.
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GMAT Exam Fees (India)
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USD 275
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USD 300
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Scratch Work Resources
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A 5-page laminated booklet and two dry erase markers are provided
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You may use your own physical whiteboard and you will have access to an online whiteboard
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Sending of GMAT Score to B-schools Free
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You can select up to 5 programs to receive your Official Score Report at no charge. Additional score reports are available for a fee.
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Can send 5 free score reports to programs within 48 hours of receiving your Official Score Report. Additional score reports are available for a fee.
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6. Current GMAT Pattern to Change as GMAT Exam Focus Edition in 2024
The current version of the GMAT™ exam pattern will continue to be available until early next year and will change to GMAT Exam Focus Edition in 2024 with more flexibility, shorter duration, three sections instead of present four sections with the score of all the 3 sections taken into account for score and percentile calculation. The registration for the GMAT Exam Focus Edition begins on August 29, 2023 and the first GMAT exam focus edition will be conducted from October 2023.