Latest Update On GMAT Focus Edition (Changes In Format)

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If you want to showcase your skills and potential to top business schools, consider the GMAT™ Focus Edition. This new version of the GMAT™ Exam has been redesigned in partnership with leading business schools. It is built for ambition and focused on you. The GMAT™ Focus Edition is accepted by over 7,700 programs at more than 2,400 business schools.

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Change in Format

The upcoming version of the GMAT, the GMAT Focus Edition, will have a shorter duration compared to its previous versions. The total time will be reduced from 3 hours and 7 minutes to 2 hours and 15 minutes, allowing test-takers to concentrate better throughout the exam. The Verbal
Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections, which are currently 65 and 62 minutes long, respectively, will be reduced to 45 minutes each. Moreover, a new section called Data Insights will be introduced, a modified version of the current Integrated Reasoning (IR) section, with an allotted time of 45 minutes instead of the current 30 minutes.
Notably, the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section will be removed, and the entire test will only include multiple-choice questions. All three new sections will contribute to the final test score.
The Focus Edition allows you to customise your test experience by choosing the order of the sections and the number of responses you can change. The exam consists of 3 sections (64 questions) that measure your Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights skills.
The duration of the exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes.
You can bookmark and review as many of your answers as you want and change up to 3 responses per section. The total score scale ranges from 205 to 805, with all three sections weighted equally towards your total score. This is different from the current format, which rates the final score from 200 to 800.

Report

The Focus Edition gives you immediate feedback on your performance. After taking the exam, you can view your unofficial score right away. Official Score Reports can be accessed online within 7 business days (but may take up to 20). You can send 5 free score reports to programs within 48 hours of receiving your Official Score Report. Additional sending of score reports is available for a fee. Scores are valid for five years.

The Focus Edition also offers you flexibility and convenience in scheduling your exam just like the current version. Appointments for the exam are available up to 7 days a week at a test centre or around the clock for exams delivered online. They can be scheduled up to 6 months in advance. Reschedule and cancellation fees are based on location, currency and advance notice. You can take the exam up to 5 times in a rolling 12-month period and up to 8 times in a lifetime.

Provisions

The cost of the Focus Edition will be at par with the GMAT™ Exam. Scratch work resources include 5 laminated pages and 2 dry-erase markers at test centres or, a physical whiteboard, dry-erase marker, and eraser, plus access to a built-in online whiteboard for exams delivered online. Accommodations such as additional testing time, breaks, and access to other resources are available.

Important Dates

The GMAT™ exam’s current edition will be accessible until early next year to help with in-progress preparation for business school and applications. Furthermore, please note the following schedules for GMAT™ Focus Official Prep, registration, and appointment availability:

Event	Date
Official Prep Guide Release Date	June 6, 2023
GMAT 2023 Registration	August 29, 2023
Testing Begin	Q4 2023

Comparison Of GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition

Parameter	GMAT™ Focus Edition	GMAT™
Structure	3 sections (64 questions), completed in the order of your choosing: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights.	4 sections (80 questions), completed in a choice of 3 section orders: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing.
Duration	2 hours 15 minutes	3 hours 7 minutes
Review & Edit	Bookmark and review as many of your answers as you want, and you can change up to 3 responses per section.	Not applicable
Total Score	205–805 All 3 sections are weighted equally towards your total score.	200–800 Only 2 sections, Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning, are weighted equally towards your total score.
Score Sending	Send 5 free score reports to programs within 48 hours of receiving your Official Score Report. Additional score reports are available for a fee.	Select up to 5 programs before your exam to receive your Official Score Report at no charge.

What Should Students Do?

If you have been getting ready for the GMAT and have a test date scheduled within the next year or so, you don’t need to worry. It’s best to stay on track with your current study plan.

However, if you’re planning to take the GMAT during the second half of 2024, it’s crucial to concentrate on the GMAT’s foundational topics like arithmetic, algebra, and reading comprehension. Take the Free GMAT Daily Targets offered by GMATPoint. Daily Targets delivers daily practice tests in Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning, accompanied by free instructional videos to ensure that you stay connected with the subject matter throughout your study journey.

The GMAT Focus Edition marks a significant milestone in the GMAT exam’s evolution. Its primary objective is to evaluate the vital skills and abilities required in today’s business world more efficiently and conveniently. It’s crucial to conduct thorough research and develop a preparation strategy, whether you opt for the current or new GMAT version.

We hope this blog post has provided valuable insights into the GMAT Focus Edition and its current status. Please continue to follow GMATPoint’s exam blog for further updates.

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