Introduction to the new GMAT Exam Structure: GMAT Focus Edition

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a globally recognized standardized exam that plays a crucial role in the admissions process for many business schools worldwide. As of recently, the GMAT exam has undergone a significant transformation, unveiling a new GMAT exam structure that aims to enhance the test-taking experience and better align with the skills required in today’s business environment.

In this blog post, we will delve into the key changes brought about by the new GMAT exam structure and explore their potential impact on aspiring business school candidates.

Let’s first take a glance at key changes in GMAT Exam Structure

1. The new GMAT Exam has now been shortened from its earlier duration of 3 hours and 7 minutes to 2 hours and 15 minutes. Additionally, the test will now comprise of just 64 questions and 3 sections; the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section has been eliminated
2. The three sections in new GMAT exam will be:

• Quantitative Reasoning: It will consist of 21 questions and you will get 45 minutes to complete the section
• Verbal Reasoning: It will consist of 23 questions and you will get 45 minutes to complete the section
• Data Insights: It will consist of 20 questions and you will get 45 minutes to complete

3. For all you folks who were struggling with Sentence Correction – well, well, well!! It has been eliminated. Yes, you heard that right! The new “Verbal Reasoning” section will have 23 questions on Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning
4. Now that the Verbal section is sorted, let us break another good news for you – there will be no Data Sufficiency (DS) questions in the new GMAT Quant Section. Instead, you’ll encounter 21 “Problem Solving” questions in the “Quant Reasoning” section
5. However, there is a little bit of a catch with Data Sufficiency (DS). While it’s not part of “Quant Reasoning” Section, it will now be a part of new section called “Data Insights”
6. Data Insights Section: Following will be the types of questions:

• Data Sufficiency: This is same as the Data Sufficiency (DS) which was earlier the part of GMAT Quant section
• Multi-Source Reasoning: These questions will require you to examine data from multiple sources such as text passages, tablets, graphics, or a combination of all three. In some questions you will have to find out discrepancies in the data, while in others you will have to draw inferences or determine whether the data is relevant
• Table Analysis: You will have to sort and analyse data from a table, and determine what information is relevant basis the given conditions
• Graphics Interpretation: You will have to interpret the information presented in a graph or graphical image to draw relationships & inferences
• Two-Part Analysis: These questions might be slightly complex. They can be quantitative, verbal, or a combination of both

7. Answers can be “CHANGED”: Well, another significant change is that candidates can now bookmark & review as many questions as they want, and can change upto three answers per section
8. Choose the exam order: You can choose in what order you want to take the exam – whether you want to go with Quant Reasoning first, or Verbal Reasoning, or with Data Insights.
9. Score Report: There will be changes in Official Score Report, you will now get detailed insights on your performance
10. Score Reporting to Schools: Candidates can now send the scores, after knowing their scores, to five schools for free. Earlier candidates had to send the scores before knowing them.

The new GMAT exam structure represents a progressive step toward aligning the test with the evolving needs of business schools and the contemporary business landscape. With revisions in section timings, the introduction of optional breaks, and the ability to select section orders, the new structure provides candidates with increased flexibility and customization options. These changes aim to offer a more personalized and efficient test-taking experience, enabling candidates to showcase their skills and abilities effectively.

Aspiring business school candidates preparing for the GMAT should familiarize themselves with the new exam structure and adapt their study strategies accordingly. It is advisable to leverage official GMAT resources, practice tests, and expert guidance to optimize their preparation efforts and perform their best on test day.

Ultimately, the new GMAT exam structure signifies a step forward in ensuring that the test remains a valid and reliable assessment of a candidate’s readiness for graduate management education. By embracing these changes and adequately preparing, test-takers can position themselves for success in their pursuit of admission to top-tier business schools.

To read more about the latest changes in GMAT Exam structure and introduction of GMAT Focus Edition, visit the official GMAT website.