The GMAT , or Graduate Management Admission Test, is a standardized test used by business schools around the world to assess the quantitative, verbal, and analytical writing skills of prospective students. It is a computer-adaptive test, meaning that the difficulty of the questions you are asked is adjusted based on your performance on previous questions.
The test consists of four sections:
- Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
- Integrated Reasoning (IR)
- Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
- Verbal Reasoning (VR)
The AWA section consists of two essays: an analysis of an argument and a critique of a reasoning process. The IR section consists of 12 questions that assess your ability to analyze and interpret data from multiple sources. The QR section consists of 37 questions that assess your quantitative and problem-solving skills. The VR section consists of 36 questions that assess your reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and vocabulary skills.
The test is scored on a scale of 200 to 800. The AWA section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, the IR section is scored on a scale of 1 to 8, and the QR and VR sections are scored on a scale of 0 to 60. Your total test score is calculated by averaging your QR and VR scores.
Eligibility criteria
The test is open to all the candidates worldwide. However, some criteria are to be fulfilled by the candidates. The criteria are mentioned below:
- The candidate must be graduated with a bachelor’s degree from a recognized board or university.
- There is no maximum age limit to be eligible for the exam.
- The candidate can either be a fresher or an industry professional. However, if a candidate wants to pursue an MBA as their management course then they will need a suitable industrial experience of a few years.
Cut-offs
The cut-off for Indian MBA colleges is as follows:
| Indian MBA college | Average GMAT cut-off |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 720 |
| IIM Banglore | 720 |
| IIM Calcutta | 697 |
| IIM Indore | 650 |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | 700(HRM)730(BM) |
| ISB Hyderabad | 530-780 |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 650 |
| MDI Gurgaon | 700 |
| SP Jain | 650 |
| TISS | 650+ |
Difference between GMAT and other Business Entrance Exams
The GMAT is a standardized test used by business schools around the world to assess the quantitative, verbal, and analytical writing skills of prospective students. It is a computer-adaptive test, meaning that the difficulty of the questions you are asked is adjusted based on your performance on previous questions.
Other business entrance exams, such as the GMAT, GRE, MAT, CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, TISSNET, and SNAP, are also used by business schools in India to assess the quantitative, verbal, and analytical writing skills of prospective students. However, there are some key differences between these exams, including their difficulty level, focus areas, and the institutes that accept their scores.
| Exam | Difficulty Level | Focus Areas | Institutes that Accept Scores |
| GMAT | Difficult | Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability, and Reading Comprehension | Business schools around the world |
| GRE | Moderate to Difficult | Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing | Business schools, graduate programs in other fields |
| MAT | Easy to Moderate | Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability, Indian and Global Environment | A wide range of B-schools in India |
| CAT | Difficult | Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | IIMs and other top B-schools in India |
| XAT | Difficult | Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, General Awareness | XLRI and a few other B-schools in India |
| NMAT | Moderate | Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Skills | NMIMS and a few other universities in India |
| CMAT | Moderate | Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness | Many AICTE-approved B-schools in India |
| TISSNET | Moderate to Difficult | General Awareness, Social Awareness, Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning | Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in India |
| SNAP | Moderate | Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning, General English | Symbiosis Institutes in India |
As you can see, the test is the most difficult of the business entrance exams listed above. It is also the most widely accepted exam, with business schools around the world accepting GMAT scores. If you are planning to apply to a top business school anywhere in the world, the GMAT is the exam you should take.
However, if you are only interested in applying to business schools in India, you may have other options. The CAT is the most popular business entrance exam in India, and it is accepted by all IIMs and other top B-schools. Other exams, such as the MAT, CMAT, and NMAT, are also accepted by many B-schools in India.
Points of Difference between GMAT vs. GRE
The GMAT and GRE are both standardized tests that are used for graduate school admissions. However, there are some key differences between the two exams.
The GMAT is specifically designed for business school admissions, while the GRE is more general and can be used for admission to a variety of graduate programs, including business school, law school, and graduate programs in other fields.
The GMAT is also more difficult than the GRE. The GMAT focuses on quantitative and verbal reasoning skills, while the GRE also includes a section on analytical writing.
FAQs
- Who should take the GMAT?
The GMAT is required for admission to most MBA programs, as well as some other graduate business programs, such as Master of Science in Finance (MSF) and Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) programs.
- When should I take the GMAT?
The GMAT can be taken year-round, but it is important to start preparing early. Most business schools recommend that students take the GMAT at least six months before their desired application deadline.
- How is the GMAT scored?
The GMAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800. The AWA section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, the IR section is scored on a scale of 1 to 8, and the QR and VR sections are scored on a scale of 0 to 60. Your total GMAT score is calculated by averaging your QR and VR scores.
- What is a good GMAT score?
The average GMAT score for admitted students at top business schools is typically between 700 and 750. However, the GMAT score that is considered \”good\” will vary depending on the business school to which you are applying.
