GMAT 2024: Check The Latest Syllabus And Exam Pattern

GMAT 2024 Syllabus and Exam Pattern: The candidates who are planning to appear in the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exam must check the syllabus and the exam pattern of GMAT 2024 thoroughly. This exam is a computer adaptive test that is used in admission to management courses, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) conducts this test to assess the analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills of the candidates.

The GMAT exam is used by more than 7,700 programs offered by more than 2,400 universities and institutions in 114 countries. The test is conducted online and in 600 standardised test centres in 114 countries around the world.

In this article, we will get a detailed insight into the latest syllabus and exam pattern of the GMAT 2024 exam.

GMAT 2024 Exam: Overview

Before discussing the syllabus and exam pattern of the GMAT exam let’s quickly get an overview of the GMAT 2024 exam. Below we have tabulated the basic information of the GMAT exam:

GMAT Syllabus 2024

The GMAT 2024 syllabus consists of four sections, i.e., analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning. All the candidates appearing in the GMAT 2024 exam must be well-versed in GMAT syllabus 2024 before starting their preparation. Check the important topics and section-wise breakage for GMAT syllabus.

Analytical Writing Assessment

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) consists of a 30-minute writing task, in which the aspirants have to write an essay on the given topics. The essay will be given two independent ratings, a computerised reading evaluation gives one and a person at GMAC gives another, and these ratings are averaged together to determine the test taker's AWA score. The AWA rating is based on a scale of 0 (minimum) to 6 (maximum). 

Integrated Reasoning

The Integrated Reasoning (IR) section was introduced in June 2012. This section is designed to check the ability to analyse the data presented in multiple formats. The integrated reasoning section includes four question types:

• Table Analysis
• Graphics Interpretation
• Multi-source Reasoning
• Two-part Analysis

Quantitative Reasoning

This section checks the ability to solve quantitative problems and analyse the information given in various data forms. Questions based on algebra, geometry, and arithmetic are asked in this section. The quantitative section consists of two types of questions: 

• Problem-Solving 
• Data Sufficiency

Problem-solving questions assess one's quantitative reasoning and solution-solving skills. However, data sufficiency questions gauge the ability to comprehend and analyse quantitative problems, recognise the relevant or irrelevant information, and determine the fact that there is insufficient information given to solve a particular problem. 

The use of calculators is not allowed in this section.

Verbal Reasoning

The purpose of the Verbal Reasoning (VR) section is to check the reading comprehension skills, critical reasoning ability, and knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary. The verbal reasoning section includes the following question types:

• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Reasoning
• Sentence Correction

The reading comprehension question type checks the ability to analyse the information given in the passage and draw a conclusion. The critical reasoning question type assesses reasoning ability and in the sentence correction question type grammar and effective communication skills are tested.

GMAT Exam Pattern 2024

The total testing time is 187 minutes which is divided into four sections. The quantitative and verbal reasoning sections of the exam are administered in the computer-adaptive format, adjusting to a test taker's level of ability. The latest exam pattern of the GMAT exam is given below:

GMAT Exam: Section Order Selection

From July 2017, the GMAC started providing the options to choose the order in which the different sections of the GMAT can be answered. There are total three options available at the test centre and the candidates have to choose one option at the beginning of the exam. All three options are given below for reference:

1. Analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning, quantitative, verbal (original order)
2. Verbal, quantitative, integrated reasoning, analytical writing assessment
3. Quantitative, verbal, integrated reasoning, analytical writing assessment

What is the Computer Adaptive Approach in the GMAT exam?

The GMAT exam comprises computer-adaptive multiple-choice sections for both quantitative and verbal reasoning sections, tailoring the difficulty of questions based on the test taker's performance. Each section begins with an average-difficulty question, and as correct responses are given, the computer offers progressively challenging questions. Conversely, incorrect answers prompt the presentation of easier questions. This process concludes when test takers finish each section providing the computer with an accurate evaluation of the test taker's ability and generating a raw score for each section.