GMAT Exam Pattern: Section-wise Marking Scheme & Question Types
The GMAT Focus Edition is the 11th edition of the GMAT exam, designed to streamline the assessment process while maintaining its rigorous evaluation standards.
Let's begin by comparing the format of the classic GMAT test with that of the GMAT Focus Edition.
New GMAT Exam Format
GMAT Focus Edition Section | Number of Questions | Time | GMAT Focus Edition Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
Quantitative Reasoning (QR) | 21 Questions | 45 Minutes | 60-90 (10-point Increment) |
Verbal Reasoning (VR) | 23 Questions | 45 Minutes | 60-90 (10-point Increment) |
Data Insights (DI) | 20 Questions | 45 Minutes | 60-90 (10-point Increment) |
Total | 64 Questions | 2 Hours + 15 Minutes | 205-805 (10-point Increment) |
Breaks | - | 1 Optional Break of 10 Minutes | - |
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Old Vs New GMAT Exam Pattern
The GMAT exam has changed significantly over the years, focusing more on measuring your analytical and problem-solving skills. The new format makes the testing process simpler and highlights how knowledge applies to real-life situations.
The following is a comparison between the old GMAT exams and the new Focus Edition:
Components | Old GMAT exam | New GMAT (Focus Edition) |
|---|---|---|
Exam duration | 3 hours 7 minutes | 2 hours 15 minutes |
Exam Fees | $275 (INR 23,091) | $275 (INR 23,091) |
Total Number of Questions | 89 | 64 |
Score range | 200-800 | 205-805 |
Sections |
|
|
No. of Questions per section |
|
|
Question type | Multiple choice questions + One essay | All multiple-choice questions |
Time Allocation for Each Section |
| 45 minutes each for 3 sections |
Section Selection Order |
| Any order possible |
Optional Break | 2 optional 8-minute breaks | one optional 10-minute break |
Review and Bookmarking of Answers in the test | - No option available to bookmark questions or edit and review answers | Can bookmark and review as many questions as possible; modify up to 3 answers per section |
Number of Attempts | Allows a maximum of five (5) GMAT exam attempts within any rolling 12-month period and a total of eight (8) attempts over their lifetime. | Allows a maximum of five (5) GMAT exam attempts within any rolling 12-month period and a total of eight (8) attempts over their lifetime. |
GMAT Exam Pattern for Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning Section of the GMAT evaluates your ability to interpret and analyze quantitative data, applying mathematical concepts to solve problems. This section consists of 21 questions and has a time limit of 45 minutes.
With an average of just over 2 minutes per question, this section challenges your logical reasoning and mathematical skills. Scores for Quantitative Reasoning range from 60 to 90 in 1-point increments, contributing equally to your overall GMAT score alongside the Verbal and Data Insights sections. You need to brush up on your skills in the following areas to be completely prepared:
Arithmetic: fractions, decimals, percentages, numbers - their powers and roots, counting methods, ratio and proportion, sets, discrete probability.
Algebra: inequalities, absolute value, equations, functions, and exponents.
Geometry: Lines and angles, Triangles, Special right triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circles, Polygons, 3D geometry, Rectangular solids and Cylinders, Coordinate geometry.
Modern Maths: Set Theory, Sequences and Series, Permutation and Combination, Probability.
How is the Quantitative Reasoning Section's score calculated?
The Quantitative Reasoning score is calculated based on the number of correct answers to primarily Problem-Solving questions, with difficulty levels adjusted in a computer-adaptive format. The raw Quantitative Reasoning score is then converted into a scaled score ranging from 60 to 90 in 1-point increments, contributing equally to your overall GMAT score.
GMAT Exam Pattern for Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning Section of the GMAT evaluates your ability to read and understand written material, assess arguments, and correct sentences according to standard English. The average time for each question is approximately 2 minutes. This section includes 23 questions to be completed in 45 minutes, covering three main areas:
Reading comprehension: You'll read passages up to 350 words and answer questions testing your ability to interpret the text, draw inferences, and identify logical connections between different parts.
Critical reasoning: This part measures your ability to analyze arguments, evaluate conclusions, and assess short argumentative passages.
Sentence correction (might be excluded): You are required to fix grammar, sentence structure, and idiomatic errors.
How is the Verbal Reasoning Section's Score Calculated?
Verbal Reasoning is scored on a scale of 60-90 with 1-point increments, and the total score is on a scale of 205-805 with 10-point increments. Your score depends on the number of correct answers, adjusted for question difficulty. The GMAT uses a computer-adaptive format, adjusting the difficulty level of each question based on your previous responses.
GMAT Exam Pattern for Data Insights
The Data Insights section is a new section introduced in the GMAT Focus Edition exam pattern. It assesses your ability to interpret and analyze data using various graphical and tabular representations. Similar to the quant and verbal sections, the DI section is also for 45 minutes but includes 23 questions. The applicants can prepare for the Data Insights Section based on the syllabus given below for reference:
Data Sufficiency: Analyze two data statements and decide if you have enough information to solve the problem.
Multi-Source Reasoning: Synthesize, compare, and interpret data from multiple sources, such as passages, graphs, or tables.
Table Analysis: Interpret ratios, proportions, or statistics from spreadsheet-like tables.
Graphics Interpretation: Answer fill-in-the-blank questions using visual data such as bar graphs, line graphs, and scatter plots.
Two-Part Analysis: Solve connected problems that test both quantitative and verbal reasoning.
How is the Data Insights Section's Score Calculated?
Data Insights is scored on a scale of 60-90 in 1-point increments. The overall GMAT Total Score ranges from 205-805 in 10-point increments, combining performance across all sections. Despite the changes, the relocation of Data Sufficiency questions to the DI section has little impact on test-takers, as the core content remains similar.
GMAT Exam Features
The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the difficulty level of questions adjusts based on your performance. As you answer questions correctly, the following questions become more challenging, and vice versa.
Question Review and Edit
Reviewing and editing your responses allows you to answer more accurately. By reviewing and editing your answers, you will save time on questions you’re not sure about and you can come back at a later time and answer them.
Once you start answering questions, you can bookmark those questions that you would like to review before finally submitting them.
Once answer all the questions of a section, you will proceed to the Question Review * Editing screen. However, if there is not sufficient time remaining, then you will not proceed to this screen and will automatically move on to the next section.
There will be a list of questions for each section on the Question Review& Edit screen which will indicate the questions bookmarked by you.
Once you click on a question, it will take you to that question and your response.
This feature allows you to review as many questions as you like and you can edit up to three responses.
Select Section Order
You can select three sections in order of your preference. This allows you to personalize your testing experience. You will also have the flexibility to choose your optional 10-minute break whenever you want. You can adapt to the test situation based on your preparation and it will offer you opportunities to perform to the best of your knowledge.
Flexible Score Sending
You have the flexibility to select schools you want to receive free score reports once the exam is over and tell them about your performance. It means you can focus on taking your test and not on the score required for your school yet.
Detailed Results in a Short Time
Your GMAT Official Score Report will be released after 3 to 5 days of the test. It will provide you deep insights into your overall exam performance, section-wise performance, performance by Course & School and Content Domain, Question Type and Skills.
GMAT Exam Pattern at Test Centre vs Online
The GMAT exam is available in two formats: Test Centre and Online. While both formats aim to assess the same skills and follow a similar structure, there are some key differences in terms of administration, flexibility, and features.
Here's a detailed comparison of the GMAT exam pattern at a test centre versus the online GMAT:
Particulars | Test Centre | Online |
|---|---|---|
Pattern & Sections |
|
|
Exam Duration | 2 hrs 15 mins | 2 hrs 15 mins |
Breaks | 10-minute optional break | 10-minute optional break |
GMAT Exam Fees in India | USD 275 (INR 22,980) | USD 300 (INR 25,070) |
Validity | 5 years | 5 years |
Scratch Work | 5-page laminated booklet and two dry-erase markers | Physical whiteboard, online whiteboard, or both |
Additional Score Report | USD 35 (INR 2,920) each | USD 35 (INR 2,920) each |
Score Range | 205-805 | 205-805 |
Attempts | 5 times in a year and 8 times in total. | 5 times in a year and 8 times in total. |
GMAT Score Penalty for Unanswered Questions
To maximize your GMAT Focus Edition score, it's crucial to manage your time effectively during the exam. Each section has a strict time limit, and not completing them can impact your overall performance.
If you don't complete each section within the time limit, you'll face a penalty. This causes your score to drop based on the number of unanswered questions. To make sure your GMAT score reflects your true abilities, aim to answer all questions within the time limit.
What is GMAT Section Order Selection?
GMAT section order selection refers to the option for test-takers to choose the order in which they complete the sections of the GMAT exam. Unlike the traditional format, where sections are presented in a fixed sequence, the updated GMAT allows candidates to select their preferred order from a set number of options.
Order Number | Order Sequence |
|---|---|
1 | Data Insights > Quantitative > Verbal |
2 | Verbal > Quantitative > Data Insights |
3 | Quantitative > Verbal > Data Insights |
4 | Data Insights > Verbal > Quantitative |
5 | Verbal > Data Insights > Quantitative |
6 | Quantitative > Data Insights > Verbal |
