Set out to a top business school

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a computer–adaptive test required by most business schools. The GMAT is required to apply to many MBA programs and business-related masters programs.

If you want to get accepted to a competitive school, your GMAT score is very important. However, GMAT scores vary in importance at different schools. In addition to your GMAT score, schools consider the extent and caliber of your work experience (again, especially for more competitive programs), undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, interview and essays. Be sure to contact the specific programs to which you are applying in order to determine their unique requirements.

The GMAT is a computer-based test that can be taken at a certified center, or more recently, online from home. The structure of the test is the same for both modalities.

You can take the GMAT exam once every 16 calendar days and no more than five times in a rolling 12-month period and no more than eight times total.

The GMAT exam consists of four sections:

Quantitative:
32 questions, 62 minutes. Tests general knowledge in arithmetic, basic algebra and basic geometry

Verbal:
36 questions, 65 minutes. Tests grammar, logic skills, and your ability to answer questions about a reading passage.

Integrated Reasoning:
12 questions, 30 minutes. Tests your ability to make inferences based on data presented in various charts, graphs, and tables.

Analytical Writing Assessment:
1 essay topic, 30 minutes. An analysis of an argument on business or a topic of general interest. You can take the 4 sections in any order you want

The most familiar number is the Overall, or composite, GMAT score. This number ranges from 200 to 800 in 10-point increments and is determined by a combination of your scores on the Quantitative and Verbal sections of the test. Business schools tend to focus on your Overall GMAT score.

Your Verbal and Quantitative sections are graded separately. You will receive a score ranging from 0 to 60 for each section. Scores below 8 and above 51 are rare.

Your Integrated Reasoning section is scored from 1 to 8 in 1-point increments. Questions have multiple parts, and you must answer each part correctly to get credit for the question. The Integrated Reasoning score is not included in the Overall score.

Your Analytic Writing Assessment (AWA) section is graded on a scale of 0 to 6 evaluated by two readers (one human and one computer). GMAC averages the two grades for the essay and rounds to the nearest 1/2 point. Your AWA GMAT score does not count toward your Overall GMAT score.

For the top business school, you’ll need a GMAT score of about 700 or above to be a competitive applicant. That number can go as high as 740 for the most competitive schools. For less competitive schools, a score of 620 and above could pass. Each school’s profile or admission page should have a required score range specific to it.

More than 7000 business and management programs worldwide accept the GMAT Exam Score. This has been the test of choice of the world’s business leaders for admissions into leading business schools.

On your test day at the center, you can choose up to 5 programs to receive your official score reports by email or physical mail depending on their preference. Those 5 score reports are covered by your GMAT exam registration fee. To send additional score reports, you must log into your online account and use the Additional Score Reporting service. Each additional score report costs about $35.

For candidates who choose to take the online test at home, they will receive a complimentary unlimited score sending to programs after they receive their scores.

Your GMAT score remains valid for five years. If you have taken the GMAT several times, GMAC will report all GMAT scores from the past five years.