GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition: Know the Differences

Edited By Agrima Didwania | Updated on Feb 03, 2025 04:56 PM IST | #GMAT Focus Edition

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GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT - Starting from February 1, 2024, the previous version of GMAT is not available for test takers, only the GMAT focus edition is available. GMAT vs GMAT focus edition has some major changes in the test duration, exam section, number of questions, total score range, and scoring pattern. The GMAT Focus Edition is shorter in test duration, with only a test time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. While earlier, in the previous version, it was 3 hours and 7 minutes. The exam section of GMAT Focus Edition has only 3 exam sections, compared to 4 in the previous one.

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This Story also Contains

GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Highlights
GMAT vs GMAT Focus - New Features
GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Exam Structure
GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition Syllabus
GMAT vs GMAT Focus Scores
GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Score Percentile
GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Section Order
GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition: Which is Better?

GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition: Know the Differences

The latest edition of GMAT, known as GMAT Focus Edition, is more insightful, flexible and efficient and is in line with today’s competitive environment of B-schools around the world. The number of questions has been reduced to just 64. New features like review and edit are introduced in the latest version, which was not available in the previous edition of GMAT. The registration process and GMAT fees for both exams are the same.

GMAT focus exam is accepted by more than 2,400 universities and institutions in 114 countries around the world. Candidates can register for GMAT 2025 to secure admission in around 7,700 programmes offered by the top b-schools. The GMAT can be taken at over 600 test centres around the world or online.

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GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Highlights

Particulars	GMAT Focus Edition	GMAT
Test duration	2 hours 15 minutes	3 hours 7 minutes
Exam sections	3 (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights)	4 (Quantitative Reasoning Verbal Reasoning Integrated Reasoning Analytical Writing Assessment)
Test duration for each section	45 Minutes	Varies for each section
Number of questions	64	80
Review & edit feature	Yes	No
GMAT exam fees	USD 300 ( for online) USD 275 (at test centre)	USD 300 ( for online) USD 275 (at test centre)
GMAT total score range	205-805	200-800
GMAT score validity	5 years	5 years

GMAT vs GMAT Focus - New Features

The new GMAT Focus Edition exam is the enhanced version of the previous edition. There are some new candidate-friendly features introduced in the GMAT focus exam. Below is the overview of what has changed in the GMAT focus edition.

The GMAT focus test duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes (exclusive of one optional break of 10 minutes).
The GMAT Focus Edition comprises only 3 sections and no essay. All three sections will be weighted equally in the GMAT total scores.
The duration of all three sections is 45 minutes each. Candidates can attempt the sections in any order they wish.
A new section called Data Insights (DI) is introduced in the GMAT focus edition syllabus, while sentence correction is removed.
Candidates can select the section which they want to attempt first in the exam. The selection of section order is now up to the candidate in the GMAT focus edition.
In the GMAT focus exam, candidates can now bookmark as many questions as they want and review them. However, they can only change three questions per section in the focus edition exam.
The GMAT focus edition score scale will be 205-805. All three sections will be weighed equally towards the total GMAT score chart.
The GMAT focus scores will be available right after the completion of the examination. The official GMAT score will provide a detailed performance insight of the candidate for free. Test takers can also send their official GMAT scores to up to 5 b-schools for free.

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GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Exam Structure

The GMAT exam pattern of both versions is different. The total GMAT exam duration is now reduced to 2 hours, 15 minutes. Test takers will now get equal time for all three sections, while in the previous GMAT exam, the test duration was 3 hours and 7 mintues. The total number of questions in each section has also been reduced. The detailed GMAT vs GMAT focus exam pattern is given below.

GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Exam Structure
Particulars	GMAT Focus Edition		GMAT
Sections	Quantitative Reasoning Verbal Reasoning Data Insights		Quantitative Reasoning Verbal Reasoning Integrated Reasoning Analytical Writing Assessment
No. of Questions	64		80
Section-wise Questions	Quantitative Reasoning	21	Quantitative Reasoning	31
	Verbal Reasoning	23	Verbal Reasoning	36
	Data Insights	20	Integrated Reasoning	12
	–	–	Analytical Writing Assessment	1
Time limit	Quantitative Reasoning	45 minutes	Quantitative Reasoning	62 minutes
	Verbal Reasoning	45 minutes	Verbal Reasoning	65 minutes
	Data Insights	45 minutes	Integrated Reasoning	30 minutes
	–	–	Analytical Writing Assessment	30 minutes

GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition Syllabus

There were four sections in the previous version of the GMAT exam, Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning Section, Quantitative Section, and Verbal Section. In the GMAT focus edition, Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning Section is removed and a new section called Data Insights is introduced. The deletion of writing assessment is a major change in the new GMAT syllabus. The details of the newly added Data Insights section are provided below.

Data Insights Section in the Latest GMAT Syllabus

This section comprises a total of 20 questions. Data Insights is introduced to measure the digital and data literacy dimension of the candidate.
The questions in the Data Insights section will be asked from Integrated Reasoning and Data Sufficiency.
There will be data sufficiency, graphics interpretation, table analysis, multi-source reasoning and two-part analysis-type questions in the Data Insights section, and candidates can use the on-screen calculator in this section.

The Following Sections/Topics Have Been Removed in the Latest GMAT Test Syllabus

Essay
Sentence correction questions
Data Integration section
Geometry

GMAT vs GMAT Focus Scores

There are some differences when comparing the GMAT score for the previous version and the latest GMAT focus exam. The GMAT total score range is now 205 to 805, while in the previous version of GMAT exam, the score range was 200-800. In the GMAT focus, all total scores end with 5, whereas GMAT section scores ranged from 200 to 800.

The motive to change the GMAT total score is to create a clear difference between the previous version of the GMAT score and the focus edition score. B-schools and candidates can easily distinguish the scores of both versions.

GMAC also updated the scoring algorithm in the GMAT focus exam. Candidates can check their unofficial GMAT scores immediately after the completion of the exam.

Is the Previous GMAT Score Valid After the GMAT Focus Exam?

Yes, the GMAT score validity is five years. All the GMAT participating universities will consider the top score of the candidate for admission. The previous GMAT scores are available on the official website mba.com in the candidate's profile.

GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Score Percentile

Test takers cannot compare the scores of both versions of GMAT exam because the total score calculation is different in the new pattern. In the GMAT focus edition, the contribution of each section's score to the GMAT total score calculation is the same. All three sections of the GMAT focus exam are equally weighted across sections.

For a better understanding of the test takers, the GMAT vs GMAT Focus edition total score comparison and their relative percentiles are provided in the table below.

GMAT Focus vs GMAT Score

GMAT Score	GMAT Focus Score	Percentile
800	805	100.00%
790	805	100.00%
790	795	100.00%
790	785	100.00%
780	785	100.00%
780	775	100.00%
780	765	99.90%
780	755	99.90%
770	755	99.90%
770	745	99.80%
770	735	99.70%
760	735	99.50%
760	725	99.40%
760	715	99.20%
750	715	98.70%
750	705	98.60%
750	695	98.10%
740	695	97.90%
740	685	96.90%
730	685	96.70%
730	675	96.10%
720	675	95.20%
720	665	94.00%
710	665	93.20%
710	655	92.60%
700	655	89.60%
700	645	89.30%
690	645	86.70%
690	635	85.10%
680	635	83.50%
680	625	82.70%
680	615	80.10%
670	615	80.10%
660	615	78.30%
650	615	74.50%
650	605	74.50%
650	595	71.50%

GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Section Order

There used to be three sectional orders of GMAT. On GMAT Focus Edition, there are six types or sectional orders possible. So, now, applicants can appear for the test in any one of the desired section orders they wish to, that is, either:

QR, VR, DI, or
QR, DI, VR, or
VR, QR, DI, or
VR, DI, QR, or
DI, QR, VR, or
DI, VR, QR

The applicants can take any of the GMAT Focus sectionals to take the test.

GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition: Which is Better?

The comparison on GMAT vs. GMAT focus edition, to choose which is better, depends on your individual needs and preferences. Here are the key differences between GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition.

GMAT:

Traditional format: Includes four sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment.
Longer test: Around 3 hours of testing time.
Fixed section order: You take the test in a predetermined order.
No answer review: Once you move on from a question, you cannot go back and change your answer.

GMAT Focus Edition:

Shorter and more streamlined: Three sections - Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Total testing time is 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Flexible section order: You can choose the order in which you take the sections.
Review and revise: Allows you to bookmark questions, review them at the end of the section, and change up to three answers per section within the remaining time.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Should I appear for GMAT or GMAT Focus Edition?

Test takers can only appear in the GMAT focus exam from February 1, 2024. Hence the option of appearing the previous GMAT Exam is not available now.

2. What is the difference between GMAT and GMAT focus verbal section?

The GMAT Verbal Reasoning section in the focus edition comprises 23 questions, which are to be completed in 45 minutes. In the GMAT exam, the verbal reasoning section was 65 minutes long, and the total number of questions was 36.

3. What is the GMAT focus exam fees in India?

The GMAT Focus fees is same as the previous exam. For test centres, the GMAT focus fees in India is nearly INR 22,824 for test centres, and INR 24,900 for online exam.

4. Is the GMAT Focus Edition accepted?

The GMAT Focus Edition has recently changed across business schools on every continent, thus establishing the current GMAT Focus Edition worldwide for graduate management education.

5. How flexible is GMAT Focus Edition from GMAT exam?

The most important modification in GMAT Focus Edition is its flexibility. The candidates are free to opt for the question they wish to answer as they prefer, and they can also bookmark answers. During GMAT Focus Edition, an applicant can only modify three answers, which was something not available previously on the conventional format of GMAT.