GMAT: Exam and scoring pattern is different; scores available immediately after the exam

Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) exam is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the global non-profit council of business schools. GMAT is the exam that measures the skills you have and the skills schools need. The GMAT exam is relied upon more by graduate business schools worldwide. The scores of GMAT are accepted by more programs and schools than acceptability of any other MBA entrance exam in the world.

GMAT Examination Pattern

GMAT is an online computer adaptive test. Test Components and duration are as follows

Test section
No of questions
Type of question
Duration

Analytical Writing Assessment

1 topic (Subjective)

Analysis of argument

30 minutes

Integrated Reasoning

12 questions

Multi-source reasoningp Graphic interpretation, 2 part analysis, tables

30 minutes

QuantitativeAptitude


37questions

Data sufficiency,
Problemsolving

75 minutes

Verbal Ability

41 questions

RC, Critical Reasoning, Sentence correction

75 minutes

Total Time : 3 Hours 30 minutes ( 210 minutes)

Scoring pattern in GMAT

Total score is based on Verbal and Quantitative scores. Analytical Writing Assessment and Integrated Reasoning scores do not affect the Total score. Total GMAT scores range from 200 to 800. As per the trend two-thirds of test takers score between 400 and 600.

Verbal and Quantitative scores range from 0 to 60; scores below 9 and above 44 for the Verbal section and below 7 and above 50 for the Quantitative section are rare.

Verbal and Quantitative scores are on a fixed scale and can be compared across all GMAT test administrations, but because they measure different constructs, they cannot be compared to each other.

If you do not finish in the allotted time, your scores will be calculated based upon the number of questions answered as long as you worked on each section. Your score will decrease significantly with each unanswered question.

GMAT Result

No other exam shares the scores as promptly as GMAT does. You get unofficial as well as official scores of the exam.

After you take the GMAT exam, you will receive five scores: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal, and Total. A new score feature now enables you to preview your unofficial GMAT scores before deciding whether to accept or cancel them. The change gives you more control of your score reporting

Availability of Unofficial scores

Unofficial scores from the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GMAT exam, along with the total score, are available immediately after completion of the test. The unofficial report should be kept for ready reference as it includes an authorization number, which will be needed later to access official scores.

Availability of official score

On Mail: You will receive your Official Score Report on mail approximately 20 calendar days after testing (it may take longer due to variances in delivery time).

Online: You will receive an email with a link to access your Official Score Report online within 20 calendar days of testing. After clicking the link you must enter the authorization number from the unofficial score. You may view, download, or print your report.

Your chosen Programs will receive your scores

The programs that you selected to receive your scores while you were at the test center will be made available with your scores within 20 calendar days after testing. Schools that have chosen to receive only paper score reports will need more time to receive them by mail. If you choose to send additional score reports after completing the GMAT exam, the programs will receive your scores approximately seven calendar days after your score is reportable.

Components of official score report

Apart from GMAT scores, the Official Score Report includes Digital photograph taken at the test center; Self-reported background information, such as telephone number, undergraduate institution, grade point average (GPA), and intended graduate study; Percentile Rank.

Compare Your Scores with a Previous GMAT Exam

If you have taken the previous version of the GMAT exam, your Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Quantitative, Verbal, and Total scores are directly comparable to the current exam.

The Percentile Ranking

The percentile rank of your score shows you the percentage of tests taken with scores lower than you for the most recent three-year period. Every year, each test takers score is updated with the most recent years percentiles.

Using a combination of GMAT scores, transcripts, work experience, essays, and interviews, admissions professionals strive to build strong, cohesive cohorts each year. Comparing each individual GMAT score with the most recent three years of test scores gives them a more complete picture of the B-school applicant pool. For example, if you achieve a Total score of 690 that places you in the 87th percentile, it means that your total score and skill level are greater than 87 percent of all GMAT test takers over the past three years. GMAT scores are valid for five years. Even though your GMAT score wouldnt change, your percentile ranking might change when compared to a fresh pool of applicants.