GMAT Focus Edition | What We Know So Far

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If you are planning to take the GMAT exam in the near future, you may have heard about the GMAT Focus Edition – a new version of the GMAT exam that will be launched by the end of 2023. The GMAT Focus Edition is designed to test your verbal reasoning, quantitative ability, and integrated reasoning skills in a shorter and more flexible format. In this article, we will discuss what we know so far about the GMAT Focus Edition and how it differs from the current GMAT exam.

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The GMAT Focus Edition was announced by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) on March 8, 2023. According to the official announcement, the GMAT Focus Edition will offer “a more streamlined and personalized test experience that reflects the changing needs of business schools and candidates”. The GMAT Focus Edition will also align with the Executive Assessment (EA), another exam offered by GMAC for experienced professionals seeking admission to executive MBA programs.

Timeline and Availability

The GMAT Focus Edition is slated to debut as early as October 2023, though a December 2023 launch is more likely. Aspirants will be able to register for the exam starting in Q3 of 2023. Test-takers will also be able to access GMAT prep materials tailored explicitly for the GMAT Focus Edition in late Q2 2023, giving them ample time to prepare and hone their skills for the revamped exam. With these timelines in mind, it’s essential for test-takers to stay up-to-date with the latest information and understand the key changes to the test that are being suggested.

Main Changes to the Exam

  1. The most significant changes to the GMAT Focus Edition are the removal of the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) and Sentence Correction (SC) sections.
  2. The Official Guide (OG) for the GMAT Focus Edition will include three new sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Ability and Data Insights. Geometry is missing from the Quantitative review, so it is safe to assume it will be removed. The new OG will also include Data Insights section, which is the successor of the Integrated Reasoning section.
  3. The Quantitative section will only contain Problem Solving (PS) questions, and Data Sufficiency (DS) will be part of the Data Insights section. The Data Insights (DI) section will be expanded to 18 questions instead of 12.
  4. The GMAT Focus Edition will consist of three sections, each lasting 45 minutes, with a total exam time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. The sections (confirmed via Amazon screenshot) are Verbal, Quant, and Data Insights. There is no official information on breaks or the number of questions in each section.
  5. The GMAT Focus Edition will remain adaptive, meaning the difficulty level of the questions will depend on how well the test-taker performs. However, there is a new feature that allows test-takers to go back and change answers on up to three questions per section.

What Does It Mean for Test-Takers?

To prepare for the GMAT Focus Edition, you will need to update your study materials and strategies. GMAC will release new official guides for Problem Solving, Verbal, and Data Sufficiency in April 2023. These guides will contain practice questions and explanations that reflect the new format and content of the GMAT Focus Edition. You can also expect a new version of the GMAT Prep software that will simulate the GMAT Focus Edition experience. 

However, if you are looking for a free resource that will provide you with quality GMAT-level questions every day, you should definitely check out Daily Targets by GMATPoint. Daily Targets provide free daily tests in Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning, along with video solutions so that you are in touch with all the topics throughout your preparation journey.

The syllabus content is being reduced, which gives students more time to deal with fewer topics. This will ensure that students are able to spend more time on their weaknesses. Also, it will become much easier for students to tackle GMAT preparation along with their jobs. However, you can only score well if you practice regularly and with the right content. 

The GMAT Focus Edition is a significant change in the history of the GMAT exam. It aims to measure the relevant skills and abilities for today’s business world in a more efficient and user-friendly way. Whether you decide to take the current version or the new version of the GMAT exam, you should do your research and plan your preparation accordingly.

We hope this blog post has given you some useful information about the GMAT Focus Edition and what we know so far. Stay tuned to our exam blog of GMATPoint for more latest updates.

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