The Definitive Guide – Start GMAT Preparation From Scratch
GMAT Preparation From Scratch - Definitive Guide
Introduction to GMAT Examination
The GMAT is one of the most often taken MBA entrance examinations globally, and the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) organises it. When starting your GMAT preparation from scratch, its very important to know more about it. It's a test known to test the analytical and critical thinking abilities of a candidate. The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a Computer-Adaptive Test.
Every management aspirant hopes to achieve a high GMAT score that will allow them to apply to some of the best MBA schools in the world. First, one should be aware of the examination pattern clearly and have a proper GMAT preparation plan
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Structure of GMAT Examination
The beginners should know the GMAT exam structure to start their preparation in a well defined manner.
| Exam Duration | 3 hours and 7 minutes, plus two optional 8-minute breaks (GMAT Online) |
| No. of Sections | Four |
| No. of Questions | 80 |
| Mode of GMAT Exam | Online (candidates have the option to take at Home or at Test Centre) |
| Negative Marking | No |
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GMAT Exam Pattern & Format
| Subject Name | No. of questions | Points | Time Limit |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 31 | 6-51(in 1-point increments) | 62 Min |
| Verbal Reasoning | 36 | 6-51(in 1-point increments) | 65 Min |
| Integrated Reasoning | 12 | 1-8(in 1-point increments) | 30 Min |
| Analytical Writing Assessment | 01 | 0-6(in 0.5-point increments) | 30 Min |
- Students interested in applying for MBA, PGDM, and other management-related programmes at colleges outside of India, in particular, will need to perform well in GMAT Exam to be considered for selection and admission to international schools.
- Because of the high level of competition, the GMAT is one of the most demanding MBA entrance exams. Aspirants must achieve a score of at least 650 out of 800 in the GMAT exam and gain admission to top management schools. With the appropriate planning and strategic approach to exam preparation, you can achieve above 650.
- After finishing your examination you will be getting a rough score for every section immediately after the exam and the final score will be in 7 to 16 working days.
GMAT Eligibility
According to GMAC, the GMAT's regulating body, there are no precise eligibility requirements for taking the exam. However, before applying to any institution or university, make sure you are aware of all of the requirements.
GMAT Syllabus
Quantitative Reasoning
Problem Solving & Data Sufficiency are the two sections of the Quantitative Section. Questions will be from both sections there is not definite no. of questions for each section. However There will be total of 31 questions in the Data Sufficiency section and Problem Solving section. The questions will be objective, with multiple-choice responses. The following are the topics that come under the math syllabus:
Problem Solving
It evaluates the candidates' ability to solve quantitative issues using logic and analytical thinking.
Data Sufficiency
It evaluates applicants' abilities to analyse a quantitative issue, determines whether data is relevant, and assesses when enough information is available to solve the problem.
Topics divided into the following categories:
- Ratio Proportions
- Properties of Integers
- Permutation and combinations
- Exponents and roots
- Geometry
- Elementary Algebra
- Arithmetic, Linear equations etc.
Verbal Section
There will be 36 multiple-choice questions in the Verbal Skills segment. Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Sentence Correction are the three sections of this section. This component assesses the applicants' ability to read and comprehend written information and the logical relationship between the passage's arguments and concepts.
Critical Reasoning
It evaluates the candidates' ability to construct and analyse arguments and formulate and evaluate a plan of action.
Reading Comprehension
It tests the candidates' ability to make inferences, comprehend logical linkages between significant points, understand words and sentences, and track the progression of numeric concepts. Aside from that, candidates will be judged on their reading skills, including inference, application, primary idea, supporting the notion, logical structure, and style.
Sentence Correction
This part examines two different areas of the candidates' language skills. The first is to correct expressions while referring to grammatically and structurally sound phrases. The second aspect is an adequate expression, which refers to phrases that and grammatically represent a concept or relationship.
Topics on Verbal section:
- Reading unseen passages
- Subject-verb agreement
- Misplaced modifiers
- Countable Vs Uncountable
- Parallelism
- Critical reasoning
- The rhetorical construction of the sentences
- Sentence correction to finding error or omission
Analytical Writing Assessment
The Analytical Writing part may include themes for the candidate to write about or a piece from which questions will be asked. The candidate will be required to respond based on the passage. The syllabus for this subject is extensive and diverse, as the passage's topic could be anything of interest.
Argument essay
One must analyse the logic and then present their argument in this area. Keep in mind that you'll be graded on how well-reasoned you think a particular statement is.
Issue essay
One must compose an essay on the topic assigned to them in this section. In approximately 600 words, the candidate must express their opinion. Candidates can express their support for the stated statement, or they can express their own opinion. However, make sure to provide your viewpoint in a well-structured manner, as this will be used to evaluate you.
Integrated Reasoning
The Integrated Reasoning component of the GMAT Exam is the most recent addition to the exam's syllabus. This component assesses the applicants' ability to evaluate data provided in the form of a graph or table. This section will have 12 questions of the following type:
Table Analysis:
This segment examines applicants' ability to sort and analyse data in a table, such as a spreadsheet, to find the most critical information or the information that satisfies specified criteria.
Two-Part Analysis:
This score represents a candidate's ability to tackle complex problems. The issues can be verbal, numerical, or a combination of the two. The format is adaptable and may accommodate a wide range of topics. The ability of the applicants to solve simultaneous equations, analyse trade-offs, and discover linkages between two items is assessed.
Multi-Source Reasoning:
It evaluates candidates' ability to study data from a variety of sources, including tables, visuals, text passages, or a mix of all three, and carefully analyse each source of data in order to answer numerous questions. Candidates may be asked to make inferences, and others may demand you judge the importance of facts.
Graphics Interpretation:
It measures candidates' ability to deduce relationships and make inferences from data provided in a graph or graphical representation (scatter plot, x/y graph, bar chart, pie chart, or statistical curve distribution).
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Study-plan for GMAT - Section wise
GMAT preparation from Scratch:
Candidates must focus on each part individually when preparing for the GMAT Online Test. As previously said, devoting a set amount of time each day to each portion can assist keep your mind sharp and retain crucial concepts from each section. Here are a few pointers to help you prepare for the GMAT Online Exam in 2021.
During the exam, a candidate has the option of taking two "8-minute breaks."
The GMAT exam is divided into four parts: the GMAT Paper Pattern, which we mentioned before. The GMAT exam is meant to assess specific skill sets in applicants. Read on to learn more about each GMAT paper pattern 2021.
- Analytical Writing Assessment: This section evaluates a candidate's ability to think critically and convey their thoughts in writing.
- Integrated Reasoning: This section evaluates applicants' ability to analyse and evaluate data in various formats.
- Quantitative Reasoning: This section considers a candidate's ability to analyse facts and draw conclusions based on their reasoning abilities.
- Verbal Reasoning: This part assesses candidates' abilities to comprehend written material, evaluate arguments, and edit written material to meet standard English requirements.
When is the best time to start preparing for the GMAT exam?
- Five months before the exam date is ideal for studying for a highly competitive exam like the GMAT. According to prior year exam takers, it takes about 90 days for an average mind to adjust to a timetable.
- Starting to study for the GMAT five months before the exam date gives the brain enough time to adjust to a study regimen, and applicants can use the remaining days to polish their GMAT exam preparation.
- By cramming for elongated periods rather than building the conceptual framework, they have placed an unreasonable burden on themselves. If done correctly, 10 hours per week from three months before the GMAT exam date can be more effective.
Can I take the GMAT Exam Online at Home?
The GMAT Online Test at Home option is available in most countries except China, Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and Sudan. The language of instruction for the test is just English. Test takers for the GRE can take the exam on either a Windows or a Mac Personal Computer or Laptop at home.
Registration /TEST Centres
Candidates have to register for the GMAT exam on the official website mba.com
The GMAT Exam registration fee in India is $250 (INR 18,300), while the fee in the United States is $275. In a few European nations, the GMAT fee is $285, and in other European countries, the fee is charged in Euros or Pounds.
Also, make sure to schedule your examination at the right time. You risk missing an admission cycle if you are unable to take the test at your selected time. When registering for the exam, you should take into account the admission cycles of the colleges you've chosen.
Preparation tips for GMAT Examination
- Start a video preparation series so that you can understand each and every concept clearly.
- After that, solve a lot of questions and Make notes for the concepts you learned so that when you want to revise a particular topic don't need to watch the whole video. Just looking at notes, you can understand the entire concept.
- Do as many problems and questions as you can so that by the end of each concept, you will be able to learn the concept as well as tricks to solve certain problems.
- Taking Mock Tests daily before you taking the GMAT examinations so that you can know the mistakes and weaker areas
- After this next step is to schedule your exam after you've established a timeline for your exam preparation. Don't put off planning your exam until the last minute. The GMAT is a tremendously popular exam, with seats typically being reserved months in advance.
- As soon as you've created your study timetable, you should schedule your examination. You risk missing an admission cycle if you are unable to take the test at your selected time.
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