GMAT Exam 2020

Overview

GMAT 2020 is a computer based exam that measures verbal, quantitative and analytical ways how candidates write in this particular exam. Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) conducts GMAT every year to choose those candidates who will bring changes in the business world through analytical ideas. GMAC introduced a new section of Integrated Reasoning in GMAT in June 2012 to measure the data analytical ability of the test taker. Test takers have to attempt 80 questions in a period of 3hrs 30 minutes in GMAT. GMAT exam fee costs $250(INR 18,366) 

GMAT Latest Updates

GMAC has announced that from mid week of April, Candidates can avail GMAT Test Facility at their homes. It has also stated that the structure of the exam will be same with Quant, Verbal and Logica Reasoning section but no Essay. It is also expected that cost of the exam will be less than current cost. 

GMAC, the conducting body of GMAT takes special effort to stop the spreading impact of COVID 19. Due to this epidemic outbreak, GMAT testing has been suspended in many locations due to safety issues. All across the world, it is a challenging issue for the test takers to take GMAT. GMAC decides for the interim GMAT exam to take control of this epidemic situation. Exam comprises the same structure and scoring scale as the original one. Syllabus of GMAT includes sections like Quant, IR, and Verbal except for AWA. Geoffrey Basye, spokesperson of GMAC told that this interim GMAT exam will be available online from mid of April. 

More than 2 lakhs test takers write GMAT every year to take admissions in the top business schools. With GMAT score, business schools will get the list of interested candidates who prefer to study business. Data Surveyed by KAPLAN that since 2014, organizations prefer professionals with GMAT score increased by 44%. 

GMAT 2020: Highlights

Exam Name	Graduate Management Admission Test
Official Website	www.mba.com/exams/gmat
Organizing Body	Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
Accepted by	Top Business Schools
Mode of Exam	Computer Based
GMAT Fee	US $250 (INR 18,366)
Score Range	200-800 Overall
GMAT Test Centers	650 across the world
GMAT Helpline	+852-3077-4926|+91 120-439-7830(India) Email – GMATCandidateServicesAPAC@pearson.com

Why Apply for GMAT?

GMAT exam is known to be the best predictor of success in management programs globally. Appearing for this exam and scoring well gives you an edge over the other students as it gives an idea of how motivated and committed you are to succeed in management career. Your exam is guarded against bias and you can take it whenever you are ready.

GMAT offers the following benefits:

• Unmatched Expertise – Backed by Decades of Peer-Reviewed Research
• Relevant – For You, Your Candidates, and Their Futures
• Consistent – Over Time and Across the Globe
• Precise – For Accurate Student-to-Program Matches
• Secure – Using State-of-the-Art Technology
• Reliable and Available – Around the World

What is a computer-adaptive test?

A computer-adaptive test is the one that adjusts to the level of a candidate’s ability. At the beginning of the test, a candidate is presented with questions of average difficulty. The difficulty level of the upcoming questions increases or decreases based on the candidates performances on previous questions. If a candidate answers the questions incorrectly, the difficulty level decreases. If a candidate is getting most of the questions correct, then the difficulty level of the next questions increases. This process continues until all the questions in every section is attempted.

Since the next question is generated based on a candidate’s performance in current question(s), one cannot revisit any previous question(s). It is mandatory to answer every question in order to proceed to the next question.

What is Executive Assessment Exam?

GMAC has recently introduced a new Mini GMAT called Executive Assessment Exam for Executive MBA course. This exam is designed for candidates willing to pursue E-MBA. The exam is of considerably shorter duration than the regular GMAT. The test is formulated to examine analytical and logical thinking abilities of the test takers, It is intended to judge suitability of the candidates for the E-MBA course.

Exam Pattern

GMAT 2020: Exam Pattern

Before preparation, candidates should have a detailed overview of GMAT exam pattern for better preparation purposes. As a whole there are four sections in GMAT 2020. Sections are 

Analytical Writing Assessment: In this section, how well a test taker communicates and thinks critically has been measured 

Integrated Reasoning: this section tests how well a test taker analyzes a plethora of data to evaluate information represented in multiple formats 

Quantitative Reasoning: this section measures how well a test taker comes to a conclusions using analytical skills and reasoning 

Verbal Reasoning: it measures how well a candidate reads and understands the written material and evaluates arguments out of it

Detailed overview on GMAT Exam Pattern are as follows 

Syllabus

GMAT 2020: Syllabus

There are four sections in GMAT 2020. GMAT Syllabus consists of all those sections that help in accustoming useful things for business environment. 

In Quantitative section of GMAT 2020, test takers will have to attempt two types of questions – Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency. In both sections, analytical ability of the test takers has been measured along with logical reasoning. In this section, no calculator has been used. Test takers should know rudimentary algebra and clear concepts of geometry. 

In Verbal Reasoning, candidates should be critical in making inferences. It measures how well a test taker reads passages and makes logical structure out of it. All these reading passages are related to social sciences, humanities, technology, or a business related fields. 

In Integrated Reasoning, test takers have to analyze data given in graphical representation like graphs, tables, charts or passages. One has to solve problems that can be verbal or quantitative. Test takers have to find out logical relationships between two entities. In this section, test takers have been measured on both graphs and data analysis. 

In Analytical Writing, applicants have to present a well-researched idea along with coherence and logical argument. In this section, test takers have to be efficient enough to articulate logical arguments clearly through writing skills. 

Registration

GMAT 2020: Registration

Applicants can complete GMAT Registration 2020 at any time of the year. If one has planned a particular session to start business school then at least a year before it, one should take GMAT exam. 

How to Register for GMAT?

Test takers can register for GMAT either via online or offline or phone or via mail. Interested candidates can only attempt GMAT five times a year. Steps to register for GMAT are as follows 

Step 1: Visit the official website 

Step 2: If you are an existing candidate then you just need to login with password and id. If you are not an existing user then you will just have to register with id and password after creating an account 

Step 3: After creating an account, candidates have to fill up different details required for GMAT registration 

Step 4: In this step, candidates have to fill up all necessary details required while filling up the form. In this form, one has to provide all necessary personal details 

Step 5: In this section, candidates have to select what are the preferences of communication. Through this mode of communication, candidates will get any latest information of GMAT

Step 6: In this section, candidates have to give detailed educational information. In this section, candidates also have to submit tentative dates of graduation. Here candidates will also get an overview idea about GMAT score range.

Step 7: In this section, candidates have to give work experience details. Usually top business schools prefer all those candidates who have work experience. In this section, candidates also have to write about specific industry in which they have worked earlier.

Step 8: In this section, candidates have to write down their preferred location where they aim to pursue higher education. Here candidates also have to write down tentative time to start the academic session.

Step 9: In this section, candidates have to select preferable test centers as preferred location and convenience. There are more than 573 test centers allocated for GMAT across 100 countries by GMAC.

Step 10: In this section, candidates have to write about the scheduled date for your GMAT exam. There will be a calendar where you will have to select a date as per availability.

Step 11: It is the last step of GMAT registration, where candidates have to complete the final step by making a payment of exam fee of $250 through credit card.

GMAT 2020: Register as a Test Taker with Disabilities

GMAC believes in making exam patterns easily accessible to both test takers with or without disabilities. Following steps have to be followed by the test taker with disabilities to request for special accommodations 

• First create an account with an id 
• Complete the entire Exam Accommodations Request Form to GMAC to request for accommodation 
• On next step, candidates have to mention necessary disability type to avail required accommodation 
• Send complete GMAT accommodation request form with all necessary documents to Pearson VUE either via mailing address or fax. After receiving the documents, candidates will receive a confirmation mail on registered email id 
• If GMAC approves request for accommodation, then only the candidate should book a slot for exam 

GMAT 2020: Phone Registration

Interested candidates can register GMAT via phone. For this step, candidates can contact GMAT Customer Service of preferred regions. For this kind of registration, candidates have to make an additional payment of $10 along with registration fee. 

Region	Communication Address
American Region	Telephone (toll-free): +1 (800) 717-GMAT (4628), 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT Telephone: +1 (952) 681-3680, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT Fax: +1 (952) 681-3681
Asia Pacific Region	Telephone: +852 3077 4926, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. AEST In India: +91 120-439-7830, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Indian Standard Time Fax: 6038319 1092
China Region	Telephone: 86-10-8234-5675, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. China Standard Time Fax: 86-10-61957800
EMEA Region	Telephone: +44 (0) 161 855 7219, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. GMT Fax: +44 (0) 161 855 7301

GMAT 2020: Registration via mail 

For this kind of registration, interested candidates have to follow these below mentioned steps 

• Request for GMAT Handbook from the nearest Pearson VUE center in preferred region 
• Need to fill up GMAT application form as per instructions 
• Registration fee has to be sent via money order or demand draft
• Application form along with fee should reach the authorities at least 10 days before GMAT exam 

GMAT 2020: Rescheduling or Retaking

GMAC provides applicants an option to cancel GMAT if necessary. For this applicant has to visit the official website of GMAT to select Cancel option. If the applicant manages to cancel the registration form before the deadline, then a partial refund fee of $80 will be credited back to the bank account. 

GMAT 2020: Rescheduling

Applicants can also reschedule GMAT if necessary after following below mentioned steps 

• Visit the official website of GMA 
• Click on : Reschedule your GMAT Exam 
• One needs to enter with login ID and password 

For rescheduling, candidates have to pay accordingly. If the applicant chooses a day after 7 calendar dates of previously scheduled GMAT date, then has to make a payment of $50. If the date is within 7 calendar days then has to make a payment of $250. 

Eligibility

GMAT 2020: Eligibility

Before GMAT registration, candidates should know about minimum eligibility criteria required for GMAT. Following criteria are required for GMAT eligibility 

• Applicants should have basic educational qualification from any registered university or college 
• Candidates should be minimum of 18 years of age, if a candidate is below 18 years then require a no-objection certificate from the guardian 
• Applicants can appear for GMAT only 5 times a year and 8 times a lifetime 
• Candidates can appear for GMAT only after 16 days of the first held exam 
• There is no specific requirement for work experience but this criteria is preferred by the top business schools of the world 

GMAT 2020: Exam Fee Payment

GMAT is a globally acclaimed exam conducted to measure business analytical skills of the candidates. Exam fee of GMAT is $250. One needs to pay $50 for rescheduling exams on different dates. An amount of $80 is also charged if a candidate cancels an exam. GMAT exam fee can be paid via online or offline mode. 

Online Payment Mode

For making an online payment of GMAT fee, candidates have to initiate payment via credit or debit cards, visa card, and mastercard, Amex or JCB. If a candidate fails to make a payment via debit or credit card then registration will be cancelled automatically. Candidates have to restart the appointment schedule with a valid session. 

Offline Payment Mode 

For making an offline payment of GMAT fee, candidates have to make a payment via money orders, cashier cheque and personal cheque. This payment has to be made only in favor of Pearson GMAT in US dollars. Within this registration fee, candidates have to pay applicable taxes. In this form, candidates should mention bank details along with name and signature and address proof. Conducting body should receive GMAT offline mode at least 10days before the date of exam. If the bank account doesn’t have sufficient amounts then the registration form will be nullified. Candidates will not be able to complete GMAT registration. 

Dates

GMAT 2020: Important Dates

It is one of the crucial exams for those who want to get exposure to the global business world. GMAT measures analytical and logical skills of the candidates. One must plan exam day at least 3-4 months before hand. Taking exam is also dependent on the application deadline of the promising business schools. Important GMAT exam dates are as follows 

Events	Important Dates
Application Form	Started
Last date for form fill up	May 2020
Last date to change city for interview	May 2020
Shortlist of Candidates	June 2020
Interview dates	June to July 2020
Final Results	July 2020

Test Centers

GMAT 2020: Test Centers

As GMAT is a computer adaptive test, therefore, GMAC tries to make it easily accessible to every test taker. Across India, there are 34 cities where GMAT exams have been conducted in 39 test centers. List of GMAT Test Centers are put on satellite maps for easy use 

GMAT 2020: Preparation Tips

Test takers who aim to take GMAT have to follow strict plans for preparations. GMAT preparation tips consist of how strategically a test taker plans for the exam. For better preparation, many test takers opt for practice papers to perform well in the exam. GMAT is taken by both students and working professionals. Few GMAT preparation tips are as follows 

• One can learn new things or shortcuts for calculations in quant section, but one needs to implicate it in exam for better performance 
• Test takers should make a diary where important prep questions and solution behind them are written 
• In diary, it is advisable to write down all weaknesses and strengths as required during preparation 
• Always make an exponential timetable for GMAT, where test takers will make a rapid practice in solving problems as the exams are nearby 
• Aim for a feasible score that can be easily secured with a little push one can achieve easily 
• Always attempt those answers of which you are sure of 
• If a test takers doesn’t know about the answer, then guessing is the only option left 
• Never indulge in making weaknesses your strengths. Only few test takers are equally good in all aspects 
• Focus on time management properly, without that it will be difficult to manage and attempt each question 
• Make it a routine to take at least 1 mock test in a week 

How long should one study for GMAT 2020?

Time duration for preparation is completely dependent on the ability of the applicant. There are applicants who spend a minimum of time but can score higher as compared to others. It is completely dependent on the ability of the candidates. Before GMAT preparation, one should make a strategic plan to bring success. 

GMAT Mean Score

Before appearing for GMAT, candidates should get an overview of mean score of GMAT from 2014-2018 as a whole