The
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a multiple-choice test
for applicants to business schools. The test is administered by the
Educational Testing Service (ETS), under the sponsorship of the
Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The GMAT is a
computer-adaptive test (CAT). Here is what you’ll find on the GMAT:
An interactive tutorial
during which you will get a chance to familiarize yourself with the
conventions of computerized testing and practice entering answers. You
can spend as much time as you like on this tutorial
Two 30-minute
essays to be written on the computer using a generic word
processing program
One
75-minute, 37-question Math section
One 75-minute,
41-question Verbal section
What
is a CAT and how does it work? A CAT is a computer-adaptive test, whose software
calculates your score based on the number of questions you answer
correctly, the difficulty of the questions you answer, and the number
of questions you complete.
When you take the GMAT CAT, you'll begin each section with a
medium-level question and an average score. If you answer the question
correctly, the computer will raise your score and then give you a more
difficult question. If you answer the question incorrectly, your score
will decrease and you'll be given an easier question. The process
repeats for each question in the section, to arrive at your final
score for that section.
How is the GMAT scored? As soon as you’ve
finished taking the GMAT, your computer will calculate and display
your unofficial results. Several weeks later, you’ll receive a written
report from ETS in the mail confirming those results. Most people
think of the GMAT score as a single number, but in fact there are four
separate numbers:
Your
total score (This is reported on a scale that runs from 200 to
800.
Your verbal score
(This is reported on a scale that runs from 0 to 60.)
Your math score
(This is reported on a scale that runs from 0 to 60.)
Your Writing
Assessment score (This is reported on a scale of 1-6, in
half-point increments; 6 is the highest score.)
Your
Analytic Writing Assessment (AWA) essays are graded on a scale of 0 to
6. There are two essays, each evaluated by two readers (one human and
one computer). ETS averages the four scores, and rounds to the nearest
half point. Your AWA score does not count toward your composite score.
How important are my GMAT scores? GMAT scores vary in importance at different
schools. However, competitive programs tend to weight your GMAT score
more heavily. In addition to your GMAT score, schools consider your
age, work experience, undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation,
and essays. Be sure to contact the specific programs to which you are
applying in order to determine their unique requirements.
How many times can I take the GMAT? You may take the GMAT no more than once in any
calendar month and no more than five times within a 12-month period.
How do I pick a test date? First, find out the application deadlines for
the business schools to which you are applying, then work backwards
from your earliest deadline. Build some extra time into your planning
process for unexpected delays because you can only take the GMAT once
per calendar month (including tests for which you cancel your scores).
And remember that it can take as long as
four weeks for your official scores to arrive at your designated
schools.
When
the GMAT is conducted in Pakistan? The GMAT is offered at
testing centers almost every day in Pakistan. Call your local center
for details and to book your test. While in theory you could sign up
for the GMAT with only two days' notice, don't depend upon this
luxury. Call at least one month prior to your desired test date.
Where
the GMAT is conducted in Pakistan? There are two local
offices that conduct the GMAT in Pakistan. One is in Karachi and the
other is Lahore. The contact numbers of the two are as follows.
Global Education Center
Ph:021-5823671
LUMS (Lahore University of
Management Sciences)
Ph:042-5722670-79
What
fees are associated with the GMAT? The fee to take the GMAT is $225 worldwide.
Where can I get more
information about the GMAT?
You can contact GMAC by phone at (703) 749-0131 or on their website,
www.mba.com.
GMAT PowerPrep Software:
(FREE) – Includes two computer-based GMAT Tests, sample analytical
writing topics, scored sample essays and reader commentary,
test-taking strategies, a math review, and test tutorials.
How to get
Where You Want to Go?
Let's
recap. You have a good idea about the role of the GMAT in the
business school admission process. And you've begun to consider
the kinds of B-school programs you're interested in applying to.
As your choices become more specific and focused, your GMAT
goals will become clearer, based largely on the credentials
needed to win admission to the program(s) of your choice.
Now we come to the heart of this book. How can you make sure
that your GMAT scores will be a help rather than a hindrance to
you when you exist between your current levels of GMAT skills
and the ones you'll need to earn your highest possible score?
The Unofficial
Route to Top Scores
There are three levels of skill
that can help boost your GMAT scores. Each requires a different
kind of preparation. Most important, each requires a different
time frame to be completely developed. If you want to reach your
full potential on the GMAT, you'll want to devote time and
energy to all three levels of skill. The following sections tell
how the three levels work.
Level One-Testwiseness
(30 to 150 points)
This first level of test-taking
skill is the "low-hanging fruit" of test-preparation: skills
that are relatively quick and simple to learn and that can
rapidly boost your total GMAT score from 30 to 150 points. Level
One includes such skills as:
Familiarity
with the format, structure, and question types found on the
exam
Ability to
budget your time wisely as you work each section of the exam
Understanding
of the Computer Adaptive Test format and how to make it work
for you
Level One skills are specific
to the computerized GMAT. A student who'd never seen a
standardized exam before and had done no preparatory reading
about the GMAT would lack these skills, and therefore would lose
points through sheer ignorance of the game.
Fortunately, Level One skills
are easy to learn. Many students pick up some of them just by
taking a GMAT exam. That's why, as the test-makers admit, most
student increase their scores by 30 to 50 points whenever they
take the exam a second time, even if they do no studying between
the two tests.
If your preparation for the
GMAT is condensed into just a couple of weeks, you'll need to
focus especially on Level One skills.
Registration and Fee for
GMAT
With computer
adaptive testing, registering for the GMAT is quite simple and
easy. The cost to take the exam—or "appointment fee" is
currently $250. The Graduate
Management Admissions Council (GMAC) takes most major credit
cards, personal checks, and money orders.
Taking the
test in 2006?
The most
convenient way to register is online at
www.mba.com. You may also register by phone
(1-800-717-GMAT) or by mail (Pearson VUE,
Attention: GMAT Program, P.O. Box 581907, Minneapolis, MN,
55458).
Applicant
From Pakistan contact :
Region 6 - ASIA
Call: 60-3-7628-3333 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
FAX: 60-3-7628-3366
Test Centers
in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD
Test Center Number: 8782
TESTS OFFERED: GMAT, GRE, TOEFL
KARACHI
Test Center Number:
8781 TESTS OFFERED: GMAT, GRE, TOEFL
LAHORE
Test Center Number: 8783
TESTS OFFERED: GMAT, GRE, TOEFL
To retake the
exam, simply follow the same procedures. However, you are only
allowed to take the GMAT every 31 days.
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