What Does GMAT Stand For?

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Last Updated on March 21, 2024

The acronym GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admission Test. The GMAT, which is designed and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Council, is a computer-adaptive, standardized exam created to test the skills necessary to being successful in the business world, skills such as critical thinking, use of logic, data analysis, and basic math and English skills. Business schools look at GMAT scores as key measures of how applicants will perform in their MBA programs. Although most MBA programs now also accept the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), the GMAT remains the more commonly taken exam for admission to business school.

What does GMAT stand for
What is the GMAT

KEY FACT:

The acronym GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admission Test.

Now that we’ve answered the question “what does GMAT stand for,” let’s take a look at how the GMAT is structured.

The Structure of the GMAT

The GMAT takes about 3.5 hours to complete and is broken down into four sections:

KEY FACT:

The GMAT takes about 3.5 hours to complete and is broken down into four sections.

Additionally, there are several timed introductory screens that appear at the beginning of the exam, and two optional eight-minute breaks during the exam.

Choosing Section Order on the GMAT

GMAC allows test-takers to choose the order in which they see the sections of the GMAT on test day. This option gives test-takers the flexibility to tailor the test-taking experience to their skills and preferences. For instance, if Verbal is your strongest area and you tend to get tired toward the end of the exam, you may want to choose the section order that allows you to see the Verbal section last, so that your mind is fresher for the sections that present more of a challenge for you.

KEY FACT:

GMAC allows test-takers to choose the order in which they see the sections of the GMAT on test day.

There are three possible section orders on the GMAT:

  1. Writing, IR, (break), Quant, (break), Verbal
  2. Verbal, (break), Quant, (break), IR, Writing
  3. Quant, (break), Verbal, (break), IR, Writing

Among the introductory screens at the beginning of your exam, there will be a screen for selecting your section order, and you’ll have one minute to make your selection. Ideally, prior to test day, you’ll figure out which order you prefer, so you’ll have a selection planned. If you don’t select a section order within the time limit, the computer will default to order #1.

Every test-taker is different, so the best section order for one person may not be preferable for someone else. Meanwhile, for some GMAT test-takers, section order does not noticeably affect how they perform on the test.

Time Limits on the GMAT

You may have noticed the different time limits associated with the various sections of the GMAT. The time restrictions reflect the standardized nature of the exam; essentially, time limits are a way to even the playing field. But they’re also important for another reason: because each section of the test has a time limit, the GMAT tests more than just ability to arrive at correct answers. The GMAT also tests ability to reason through problems quickly and efficiently

KEY FACT:

The GMAT tests ability to reason through problems quickly and efficiently.

Accordingly, once you select an answer to a question on the test and press the button to submit your answer, you will be taken to the next screen containing the next question, and you will not be able to return to the previous question or any other earlier questions. Furthermore, you must select an answer to a question before you can see the next question. You can’t, for instance, work on a tough question for 60 seconds and return to it after you’ve completed the rest of the questions in that section. Since you must complete the questions in the order in which they are presented and in the given time limit for each section, pacing yourself during the GMAT is an essential aspect of earning a high GMAT score.

KEY FACT:

On the GMAT, you must select an answer to a question before you can see the next question.

The GMAT is Computer-Adaptive

Another key aspect of the GMAT is that, as we mentioned before, the GMAT is computer-adaptive, meaning that the computer that presents the test selects the questions that you see on the basis of your responses to questions that you have already seen, with the difficulty of questions increasing or decreasing, depending on whether you answer questions correctly or incorrectly. Note that the GMAT’s computer-adaptivity applies only to the Quant and Verbal sections; however, you still can’t skip questions or go back to previously answered questions in the Integrated Reasoning section.

KEY FACT:

The GMAT is computer-adaptive; the computer that presents the test selects the questions that you see on the basis of your responses to questions that you have already seen.

Now that you know the basics of what the GMAT is and how it’s structured and timed, check out this article on how and when to register for the GMAT, and learn how to curb your GMAT-related costs in our article about the common fees associated with the GMAT.

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