GMAT Pattern 2018: GMAC® prescribes the GMAT® 2018 pattern in a way that appearing candidates can improve their overall verbal and critical thinking abilities. According to the GMAT 2018 exam pattern, the total test duration is of three hours and thirty minutes with specific time allotted for each of the four sections of the GMAT test, namely Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative and Verbal. GMAT is the most popular computer-adaptive entrance examination conducted for shortlisting candidates to pursue business management programmes at more than 2,300 Graduate Business schools. Careers360, in this article, brings forth pertinent information about the GMAT pattern 2018 including test sections, test, duration details for each of the sections etc.
GMAT Test Pattern 2018: What is a Computer Adaptive Test?
The test takers will receive questions one at a time and the difficulty level and score of the GMAT 2018 will depend on the accuracy of the previous answer of the candidate. If the response to the previous question is accurate, the next question will be of higher difficulty level. If the answer is incorrect, the following question will be of lower difficulty level and will get scored accordingly. The final score, as per the paper pattern of GMAT 2018 depends on the difficulty level of questions that the student had attempted. Correct answers to difficult questions will result in obtaining higher scores while correct responses to easier questions will result in getting lower scores. The GMAT 2018 pattern does not have any negative marking. The GMAT registration 2018 should be filled online and payment should be made successfully to be able to appear for the test. GMAT re-test can opt after 16 days from the last exam.
Quick Glance: GMAT Pattern 2018
GMAT Test Section | Number of Questions | Question Types | Duration |
Analytical Writing Assessment | One Topic | Analysis of Argument | 30 Minutes |
Integrated Reasoning | 12 Questions | Multi-Source Reasoning Graphics Interpretation Two-Two Part Analysis Table Analysis | 30 Minutes |
Quantitative | 31 Questions | Data Sufficiency Problem Solving | 62 Minutes |
Verbal | 36 Questions | Reading Comprehension Critical Reasoning Sentence Correction | 65 Minutes |
Total Exam Time (excluding breaks or tutorials) |
|
| Three hours, seven minutes (3 hrs, 7 mins) |
GMAT Pattern 2018: Order of Sections
Officially, three options are available for the GMAT exam's section order:
Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal (original order)
Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
Candidates should note that there is nothing called “correct”, “recommended” or “ideal” section order to select. This choice provides more control and flexibility to appear for the GMAT exam based on the candidates’ strengths and testing preferences.
GMAT Test Pattern 2018: Section-Wise exam pattern of GMAT 2018
GMAT Pattern 2018: Analytical Writing Assessment Section (AWA) - According to the GMAT 2018 exam pattern, the Analytical Writing Assessment evaluates the candidates' ability to think critically and to communicate their ideas with relevant supporting reasons and examples. Test takers need to analyse the argument, provide logical ideas and write a critique of that argument. This section covers a single topic and candidates are given 30 minutes to complete the test. The Analytical Writing Assessment encompasses analysis of the argument.
GMAT Pattern 2018: Integrated Reasoning Section (IR) - The Integrated Reasoning section assesses the candidates' ability to evaluate information presented in multiple formats from various sources – skills they need to nourish in this technologically advanced, data-driven world. According to the GMAT 2018 test pattern, this section consists of 12 questions and candidates are rendered 30 minutes to complete the task.
The questions revolve around:
Understanding and interpreting information provided in graphics, text and numbers
Appraise information received from multiple sources
Organise data to see relationships and figure out interrelated problems
Complex problems of combining and manipulating data obtained from multiple sources
Points to Remember about IR Questions:
Candidates must answer all parts of a single question accurately to receive credit. No partial credit is awarded to candidates.
All answer choices for a single question are presented on the same screen.
Candidates must submit responses to all parts of the question before moving on to a new question on another screen.
Once answered, test takers may not go back and change their response.
Answer options for one question will not aid in solving other questions.
Candidates may find multiple questions for one set of data. If the answer to one question is incorrect, the incorrect answer will not necessarily affect the answer provided to another question based on the same data.
GMAT Pattern 2018: Quantitative Section - The Quantitative section evaluates the candidates' ability to analyse data and draw conclusions using reasoning skills. The level of mathematics needed to understand and solve the questions in this section of the GMAT pattern 2018 is similar to what is usually taught in secondary school grades. According to the revised timings of GMAT 2018, candidates will be given 62 minutes instead of 75 minutes to attempt 31 questions instead of 37 questions. Quantitative Section consists of Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving questions.
The areas covered in Problem Solving are:
Arithmetic | Basic Algebra | Basic Geometry Concepts |
Real numbers | Linear Equations | Inequalities |
Integers | Quadratic Equations | Triangles |
Fractions | Exponents | Special Right Triangles |
Decimals | Inequalities | Quadrilaterals |
GMAT Pattern 2018: Verbal Section - According to the GMAT 2018 test pattern, the Verbal section evaluates the candidates' ability to read and comprehend a written material, to evaluate arguments, and to correct written material to conform to standard written English. According to the revised timings of GMAT 2018, candidates will be given 65 minutes instead of 75 minutes to attempt 36 questions instead of 41 questions. This section covers the following areas:
Reading Comprehension
Critical Reasoning
Sentence Correction
GMAT Test Format 2018: Score Statistics
According to 2017 statistics, 23 percent of GMAT takers scored over 650, and 11 percent crossed the much-desired 700 threshold. The average score of GMAT was 552.
GMAT is a standardised management entrance exam conducted by GMAC to be used in the selection procedure of more than 2,300 Graduate Business Schools across the globe. The GMAT exam is accepted at more than 7,000 programmes around the world and administered at more than 600 test centres in 114 countries. Business schools use this test as a criterion for admission into a wide range of management programs like MBA, Master of Accountancy and Master of Finance programs. GMAC does not mention any GMAT eligibility criteria 2018. The exam pattern of GMAT 2018 contains both multiple-choice as well as writing assessment; GMAT 2018 syllabus covers four sections, namely, Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative and Verbal.
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