GMAT Exam 2024: Registration, Syllabus, Pattern and New GMAT Focus Edition

GMAT 2024: The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a widely recognized exam taken by Business school candidates every year. Candidates aspiring to pursue management-related courses from top colleges worldwide can appear for GMAT. The test is conducted and designed by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC.) Every year, more than 100,000 interested applicants register for the GMAT exam because it is one of the most credible exams accepted by dream business schools. The GMAT score is accepted in more than 7,700 programs at 2,400 colleges in a total of 110 countries around the world.

What's New in GMAT?

GMAC has announced an updated version of the test, called GMAT Focus Edition (or 11th edition) which is being conducted now. The older version of the test, GMAT (10th edition), has been discontinued. GMAT Registration for the new and updated format can be done online through the official website - mba.com. 

As per the new format, the test will be shorter and concentrate solely on concepts relating to business. It will be a useful choice for aspiring applicants to business schools. Analytical Writing Assessment will not be part of the revised edition, and consequently, the exam will be 1 hour shorter. In addition, the GMAT Focus Edition will include two of the existing exam's sections—Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning— along with a new Data Insights section. This new portion, which will essentially replace the Integrated Reasoning section on the present exam, will assess applicants' abilities in areas including data analysis, data interpretation, data visualization, etc.

Various prominent programs like Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Masters in Management (MIM), Master in Engineering Management (MEM), and Masters in Finance (MFin), amongst others, require a GMAT score. Candidates with a GMAT score above 700 can enjoy the possibility of getting into ultra-competitive management colleges like Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Stanford Graduate School of Business, London Business School, etc. This score can be achieved by aligning the preparation with the GMAT syllabus and pattern. Many colleges have given a waiver for GMAT, yet a strong GMAT score in one’s application is recommended as it can help candidates stand out from others. Continue reading to get a detailed overview of the GMAT exam.    

What is GMAT Exam?

GMAT is one of the most widely used exams for management admissions. 9 out of 10 new MBA enrollments are made through a GMAT score. In fact, according to the latest survey conducted by Kaplan, a 44% rise in graduate business admissions professionals have indicated a preference for the GMAT exam since 2014. 

The GMAT exam is designed primarily for business school admissions. It tests candidates’ ability to evaluate, analyze, and synthesize information and determines who is the right fit for B-schools. Simply put, the exam measures the skills that are essential to success in a graduate management program. Read ahead to know how to start the GMAT process. 

Also Check: GMAT Slot Booking 2024

GMAT Exam 2024 - Highlights

Candidates can take a look at the GMAT exam highlights in the table below. 

GMAT 2024: How To Begin?

The GMAT exam can be taken anytime throughout the year according to the availability of slots at test centres and the candidate’s personal preference. To begin the GMAT process, applicants need to follow three simple steps, which are:

• Step 1: Check the application deadlines of the target universities and business master’s programs that interest the candidates. 
• Step 2: Register and create an account on the official website (mba.com), proceed to schedule the exam, and book a slot at one of the GMAT test centres.
• Step 3: Preparing well for the exam is the final step. Applicants are advised to align their preparation with the GMAT syllabus and pattern for effective results.

GMAT Focus Edition

As stated above, GMAC has launched a more efficient and flexible version of the test called GMAT Focus Edition. Some features that will be included in the new version are-

• No essay, only three 45-minute components, and less material to prepare 
  
• With features like Question Review & Edit, Select Section Order, and better score sending, students may customise their test-taking experience
• Detailed performance insights available to students 
• No AWA and IR sections 
• A new data insights section

GMAT Eligibility 2024

The test is open to applicants from all around the world no matter how they identify themselves on the grounds of race, sex, religion, or background. However, a basic criterion has been put forth by GMAC that has to be met by candidates. This criterion is mainly based on qualification and age. 

GMAT Eligibility: Qualification

Anyone who has acquired a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or board is qualified to sit for the GMAT exam. No minimum or maximum grade point average is necessary to register for the GMAT. Along with recent graduates, the GMAT exam is also taken by a variety of working professionals. Freshers can choose from programs like MIM, Deferred MBA, MFIN, etc. as admission to various MBA programs abroad generally require at least three to four years of work experience. 

GMAT Eligibility: Age Limit

The maximum age at which a student may take the GMAT exam is not specified. Many candidates that show up for the test are older than 40. Candidates must be at least 18 years old to register for the test on the official website. However, in order to appear for the exam, candidates between the ages of 13 and 17 must have their parents' or guardians' consent to be eligible. 

GMAT Eligibility: Other Factors

English proficiency: Scoring well in GMAT verbal reasoning is necessary to get a strong score. Although to validate one’s English language proficiency, the candidate must take the TOEFL or IELTS after receiving an acceptable GMAT score.

Work Experience: To appear for the exam, candidates may either be recent graduates or working professionals. Neither will preclude you from taking the GMAT.  However, a candidate needs a few years of relevant industrial experience if they wish to pursue an MBA as their management course. Freshers without prior work experience are not accepted into MBA programs at competitive business schools. However, some colleges like LBS would demand work experience for courses like MFin too. It mainly depends from college to college.

Nationality: The GMAT exam has no set nationality requirements because it is taken by students from all over the world. GMAC has established rules that have to be followed by all candidates, regardless of where candidates are from.

GMAT Registration 2024

Candidates planning to appear for the exam should know how and when to register for it. To register for GMAT, candidates need to go to the official website. In order to make a valid GMAT account, the GMAT registration form needs to be filled up by applicants. The GMAT registration fee is $275, which is approximately INR 22,566. 

To register for the exam, candidates must stick to the following steps:

• Select the  “Register for GMAT” option on the official website
• Provide the asked information
• Make a mba.com account
• Pay the GMAT registration fee

It is advisable to register for the test 2 to 3 months prior to the exam date. GMAC allows sending the score to a maximum of 5 universities. Checking the application deadline and submitting the GMAT score accordingly is crucial. Having a 2-3 month window allows candidates to effectively analyze this and gives them time for GMAT preparation.

Check more: GMAT Application Form

GMAT Slot Booking 2024

GMAT slot booking determines the day, time, and venue of the exam centre. After the candidates are finished with the registration process, the next step would require them to book a slot at a test centre to appear for the exam. Applicants are free to choose the slot according to their preference and personal choice. Although, the decision could be affected by the availability of slots at the selected test centre. 

To prevent unnecessary last-minute hassle, candidates should book their GMAT slot two to three months in advance. Candidates may, however, make an exam appointment up to 24 hours in advance of a test window.

Follow the steps mentioned below to learn how to book a GMAT slot:

• Go to the official website; mba.com
• Log in to your registered account
• Go to ‘schedule your appointment’
• Check if the desired slot is available
• If it is, select the date and test centre to take the exam

GMAT Exam Dates 2024

GMAT does not have any official or specific exam dates like other management exams such as CAT. The test is conducted throughout the year according to the candidate’s preference. Candidates will be asked to select a date while booking a GMAT slot. However, the selected date may not always be available due to a high number of applicants and the limited availability of slots at test centres. 

Candidates are recommended to pick their GMAT date while considering the application timeline of their targeted universities. It is preferable to select a date three to four months prior to the application deadline to prevent any last-minute errors. Applicants can select the GMAT date that fits their calendar and aligns with their level of preparation.

If applicants wish to reschedule or cancel their GMAT slots, they can simply do so through the official website. Candidates can reschedule or cancel their GMAT exam up to 72 hours prior to their scheduled appointments. Continue reading to know the process for the same. 

Read more: GMAT Dates 2024

How to Reschedule the GMAT Exam?

The test can be rescheduled by following these steps:

•  Go to the official website
•  Go to the "Exam" section
•  Select the "My Account" option
•  Look up the appointment that needs to be rescheduled
•  Pay the GMAT reschedule fee

How to Cancel the GMAT Exam?

The GMAT cancellation process is more or less similar to the rescheduling process. The following steps highlight how to cancel the test:

• Log in to the existing GMAT account
• Go to the "Exam" section
• Select the "My Account" option
• Look up the appointment that needs to be cancelled
• Pay the GMAT cancellation fee

GMAT Pattern 2024 - Focus Edition

According to the GMAT Pattern, the test will be conducted for 2 hours and 15 minutes. There will be a total of 64 questions on the GMAT question paper, divided between the Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights sections. The test includes three sections that candidates need to thoroughly prepare for in order to get a strong score. The sections are:

GMAT Syllabus 2024

The GMAT syllabus is of paramount importance for candidates planning to appear for the test. To get a score above 700, applicants are advised to align their preparation with the GMAT pattern and syllabus which has been outlined by GMAC. Continue reading to know the detailed section-wise syllabus of the GMAT exam. 

GMAT Verbal Reasoning Syllabus

This section has questions on Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, and Critical Reasoning, hence, it tests students’ command of the English language.

 Candidates will be asked questions in the Sentence Correction segment that would require them to identify the error in a sentence and develop a suitable replacement. Additionally,  applicants will be expected to study and evaluate questions in the Critical Reasoning segment and come up with the best approach. Students will also have to interpret passages for Reading Comprehension. For this particular section, students should study the following topics:

GMAT Quantitative Reasoning Syllabus

There are two categories of questions on the GMAT Quant syllabus: Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving. Candidates will be given false statements followed by factual statements in data sufficiency problems, and they will be required to determine whether or not the question is sufficient. The next set of questions is problem-solving, and they involve in-depth questions from subjects like algebra, geometry, etc. In the GMAT quant section, some key topics include:

GMAT Data Insights Syllabus

The Data Insights Section in GMAT Focus edition evaluates a candidate’s ability to interpret, analyse and draw conclusions from data presented in various formats. This section focuses on assessing data interpretation, multi-source reasoning skills, etc. Candidates will be tested on the following topics 

Read More: GMAT Syllabus 2024

GMAT Score Report 2024

There are different interpretations of the exam results included in one's official score report. The GMAT exam results are provided on a fixed scale and contain a percentile ranking for each of the five sections (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment, and Total). This information can be found on the Official GMAT Score Report by applicants and their selected score receivers (graduate business programs) get, along with your background information such as GMAT ID, exam date, appointment number, etc. The official scorecard is available between seven to twenty business days. And the GMAT validity lasts up to 5 years.

GMAT Prep Tips 2024

The thought of preparing for the exam may sound daunting, but candidates can attain the desired GMAT score with a solid study plan. A strong score can help with admission to dream colleges with scholarship assistance, hence preparation should be done effectively. Some prep tips that candidates should follow are:

Develop a preparation strategy & study plan: Applying for MBA or other business master's programs abroad is a hectic process. It has many components like essays, LORs, resumes, strong applications, etc. Candidates should avoid juggling all this while also studying for the GMAT. Hence, developing a study plan early on is essential. Students should build up a preparation strategy well in advance and prepare accordingly. 

Thoroughly understand the GMAT syllabus and pattern: Before candidates formulate a study plan, they should know the pattern and syllabus of the exam. Applicants should ensure they are aware of the exam's duration, the types of questions that will be asked, and the amount of time allotted for each section. Tuning the GMAT preparation with the syllabus and pattern can bring fruitful results.

Pick the study material wisely: GMAT study material is abundant, but not all are beneficial. That is why it is important to choose prep material wisely: using the GMAT Official study guide is recommended to maximize one’s score (and imitate the actual test-taking experience)

Target a high GMAT score: As mentioned earlier, a score above 700 is necessary to get into top B-schools. Various candidates think scoring that well is unlikely, but setting a target score of 700+ is advisable as that would motivate candidates to prepare well.

GMAT Books 2024

Candidates must ensure that the GMAT books they pick for their preparation are in line with the GMAT syllabus and format. Books with devoted sections and solved sample questions have shown to be of great use to students. To learn about the best options for GMAT study material, read on:

(Make sure to purchase the updated series of the study material listed below)

• GMAT Official Guide
• Kaplan GMAT Prep Book
• Manhattan Prep GMAT Strategy Guide Set
• Veritas Prep Complete GMAT Course Set
• GMAT For Dummies 

Other useful material: Apart from these series, candidates can also prepare online through readily available courses. Moreover, candidates can join offline classes if that proves to be a suitable option for them. GMAT forums and mock tests are also available. 

GMAT Attempts

Please note, the GMAT can be taken five times in a year with a 16-day gap between each attempt. Moreover, the exam can be taken eight times in a lifetime. Put simply, the GMAT attempts are 5 in a rolling 12-month period and 8 in a lifetime.

GMAT Colleges 2024

GMAT colleges have a vast network spread all over the world. With various options, GMAT test-takers may struggle to choose the right colleges to target in order to get the best education and opportunities. Many Indian B-school candidates submit their applications to GMAT programs abroad in the hopes of improving their financial and career prospects. But, before one submits their application, selecting the right management colleges is one of the initial steps of the process. 

Candidates are advised to carefully analyze which management course and the country is the right fit for them. Some factors that should be considered are:

• Is the country chosen suitable for the course that has been picked? For example, if a student wishes to study finance, choosing London would be the best as it is known to be a finance hub. 
• Does your cost of living match with the chosen college and country?
• Does the picked college provide scholarship assistance?
• Dorm and mess facilities in the chosen university.
• Is the cost of return greater than the cost of expenditure?

Read More: GMAT Colleges