What is GMAT and how it is useful- !!

In 1953, the organization now called the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) began as an association of nine business schools, whose goal was to develop a standardized test to help business schools select qualified applicants. In the first year it was offered, the assessment (now known as the Graduate Management Admission Test), was taken just over 2,000 times; in recent years, it has been taken more than 250,000 times annually. Initially used in admissions by 54 schools, the test is now used by more than 1,500 schools and 5,400 programs worldwide.

 GMAT exam consists of four main parts—the Quantitative section, the verbal section, the integrated reasoning section, and the analytical writing assessment. Total testing time is three and a half hours, but test takers should plan for a total time of approximately four hours, with breaks. The quantitative and verbal sections of the GMAT exam, both multiple-choice, are administered in the computer-adaptive format, adjusting to a test taker’s level. This both shortens the time it takes to complete the exam and establishes a higher level of accuracy than a fixed test. At the start of each multiple-choice section of the exam, test takers are presented with a question of medium difficulty. As they answer each question, the computer scores their answer and uses it—as well as their responses to any preceding questions—to determine which question to present next. Correct responses typically prompt questions of increased difficulty. Incorrect responses generally result in questions of lesser difficulty. This process continues until test takers complete the section, at which point the computer will have an accurate assessment of their ability level in that subject area.

Quantitative section

Verbal section

Integrated reasoning

Total score

The total score ranges from 200 to 800 and measures performance on the quantitative and verbal sections (performances on the AWA and IR sections do not count toward the total score.) The score distribution resembles a bell curve with a standard deviation of approximately 100 points, meaning that 68% of examinees score between 400 and 600.

The final score is not based solely on the last question the examinee answers (i.e. the level of difficulty of questions reached through the computer adaptive presentation of questions). The algorithm used to build a score is more complicated than that. The examinee can make a mistake and answer incorrectly and the computer will recognize that item as an anomaly. If the examinee misses the first question his score will not necessarily fall in the bottom half of the range.

All scores and cancellations in the past five years will be on a student's score report, a change from the previous policy of the last three scores and cancellations being kept on the score report.

The GMAT contains sections that measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills.

Verbal reasoning
The verbal section tests your ability to read and understand written material, to reason and evaluate arguments, and to correct written material so that it conforms to standard written English. Specifically, you'll answer three types of questions

·            Reading Comprehension Questions
Reading passages of up to 350 words long are accompanied by interpretative, applied, and inferential questions. The passages discuss topics from the social and physical sciences, as well as business-related fields such as marketing and economics.

This section does not assume detailed knowledge of the subject matter. Instead, the test measures your ability to understand, analyze and apply information presented in written form. All of the questions are to be answered based on what is stated or implied in the passage.

These questions evaluate your ability to:

 (1) Understand the reading passage,

 (2) Follow the logical of the passage and evaluate the importance of the arguments presented, and

(3) Draw inferences.

·            Critical Reasoning Questions
These questions test the skills involved in making and evaluating arguments as well as creating and evaluating plans of action. Items tap your ability to construct, evaluate, and form arguments and plans of action.

·            Sentence Correction Questions
These questions test your ability to correctly express ideas in standard written English and to improve incorrect or ineffective expressions.

Quantitative Section
The quantitative section tests basic math skills and your ability to understand and apply quantitative skills to solve problems. Two types of questions appear:

·            Problem Solving
Test basic math skills, the understanding of basic concepts and the ability to reason and solve quantitative problems

·            Data Sufficiency Questions
Each item consists of a question and two statements that contain additional info. Your job is to decide if there is sufficient info to answer the question posed. This measures your ability to analyze problems.

Analytical Writing
The Analytical Writing Assessment tests your ability to analyze and evaluate issues and arguments. This portion of the exam consists of two 30-minute writing tasks

·            Analysis of an Issue
Analyze an issue and explain your point of view, providing reasons and examples. Ability to form an argument.

·            Analysis of an Argument
Analyze the reasoning behind an argument and write critique of that argument. This measures your ability to think critically.

Within each portion of the Analytical Writing Section, you are assigned a topic of general interest. It is not assumed that you will have any specialized knowledge of the subject. In correction the writing portion of the exam, raters consider:

(1) Your ability to organize and express your ideas,

(2) Your ability to use reasons and examples to support your statements, and

(3) Your use of standard written English.