New for the GMAT™ Test

What is the GMAT™ Test?

The Graduate Management Admission Test™, or GMAT™, is a standardized exam that is commonly used to assess readiness for MBA programs in business schools. It’s designed to measure aptitude in mathematics, verbal skills, and analytical writing. Recent changes to the exam went into effect on April 16, 2018. Potential examinees should familiarize themselves with these changes to ensure they know what to expect on their exam date.

Total Exam Time

The revamped exam includes changes to the exam time and different questions. The new format includes a shorter overall examination time. The GMAT™ was shortened by 30 minutes in the 2018 change so that the overall test time, including breaks and instructions, is three-and-a-half hours rather than four hours. This exam time still contains two optional breaks that are eight minutes each.

Specific Timing Changes

Part of this reduction also includes a reduction (by seven minutes) in the amount of time that it takes to use the instruction screens prior to taking the exam. Additionally, the timed verbal section was reduced from 75 minutes to 65; and the timed quantitative section was reduced from 75 minutes to 62. There were no changes to the times allotted for the analytical writing and integrated reasoning sections. The sum of these changes equals the 30-minute reduction in overall testing time.

Number of Questions

The 2018 changes also include a reduction in the number of questions on the exam by dropping 11 questions total. There are five fewer on the verbal section for a new total of 36 questions (previously 41), and six fewer on the quantitative section for a total of 31 (previously 37). The number of questions remained the same for the analytical writing and integrated reasoning sections.

Be Prepared

Completing the GMAT™ is a major milestone for any business school candidate. Adequate preparation means understanding fully what to expect on your exam date. While the 2018 changes aren’t a tremendous difference, it’s still a good idea to know how they may impact your overall testing experience. Knowing this allows you to position yourself to be prepared and ready to successfully take this exam and get a great score.