The GMAT

For many admissions committees, an applicant's GMAT score is one of, if not the most, important considerations when admissions decisions are being made. Candidates may question this practice. After all, their four years of study, positive work history, and glowing recommendations are certainly more important than a test that only lasts a few hours. However, there are several important reasons why the GMAT is such an important part of the application process.

What is the GMAT?

The GMAT, which stands for Graduate Management Admission Test, is a type of standardized test. Most reputable business schools require MBA candidates to write the GMAT as part of the application process. These scores, along with an applicant's academic background, work history, MBA interview, and MBA essay, are used to determine whether an individual will be admitted into an MBA program.

The GMAT test is used to measure a number of different skills. It is divided into three sections. The first, the verbal section, consists of three different types of questions. Reading comprehension questions test the individual's ability to read, comprehend, and make inferences based on a short written passage about an academic topic. Critical reasoning questions present the test taker with various statements, and then asks them to determine what conclusions can be drawn from those statements. Sentence correction questions test the ability to express ideas in an accurate, succinct, and grammatically correct format.

The quantitative section, as the name suggests, focuses on problems involving numbers. The problem-solving section tests a candidate's knowledge of a variety of mathematical concepts, including algebra, arithmetic, and geometry. Data sufficiency questions require the test taker to identify information that is essential for answering a stated question.

The first two sections of the test are scored by a computer, and scores can range from 200 to 800. The higher the test taker's score, the greater their chances of being accepted into a top MBA program, particularly if they have a strong academic and work history. These sections are completed on a computer, and the GMAT uses what is known as a computer adaptive format, whereby the difficulty of succeeding test questions is influenced by the answers provided to previous ones. In addition, failing to answer questions will lower the score significantly, even more so than providing an incorrect answer.

The analytical section of the GMAT is scored separately, and is graded by both a human scorer and a computer scoring program. It measures a test taker's ability to construct and analyze arguments.

The GMAT is a favored selection criteria among business schools because it allows them to accurately compare candidates from various schools and academic backgrounds. For example, graduates from some schools may have a higher average GPA. With the GMAT, however, all candidates are essentially on a level playing field because the scores are only influenced by the number of questions answered correctly, allowing admissions committees to evaluate candidates more objectively.