The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test you can take to enter a graduate program in management. Unlike the CAT, another common exam for entrance to Indian business schools, the GMAT is universal and accepted by schools around the world.

The GMAT doesn’t test you on technical business knowledge. Instead, it covers reasoning and critical thinking skills that are just as vital to business programs like an MBA.

By studying for and taking the GMAT, you prove to business schools in India and elsewhere that you’re ready for the intensity of a graduate management degree like an MBA or a Master’s in Management.

But what exactly does the GMAT entail, and how can you ace this important exam?

Which Business Schools Accept the GMAT?  

The GMAT is a widely accepted business school entrance exam used at 2,400 institutions in 110 countries. At many of these universities and colleges, the GMAT is a significant element to the admissions procedure onto an MBA or MiM program.

For example, if you’re applying to top-ranked business schools abroad, a GMAT score is a prerequisite. With GMAT scores at the world’s top business institutions rising each year, a high score is necessary to keep up with the competition.

However, at many international business schools, a GMAT score isn’t mandatory for admission, though a high score can earn you extra points from the admissions team.

Consequently, GMAC strongly recommends the GMAT to students pursuing graduate management education, whether you’re applying to an MBA, MiM (Master in Management), or another related program.  

As of today, a few of the top business schools in India including ISB Hyderabad, IMT Ghaziabad and SPJIM have begun accepting the GMAT for Indian students in lieu of CAT or other entrance tests for their flagship two-year MBA programs.

Consequently, by taking the GMAT, you can ensure that your applications to both Indian and international business schools are competitive.

The GMAT Exam Structure

Before we look at typical GMAT scores and how to prepare, let’s first review the structure of the test.

The GMAT is made up of four parts: Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Verbal Reasoning (VR), Integrated Reasoning (IR) and the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). You’ll get a total of 3 hours 7 minutes to take the exam, plus two optional eight-minute breaks. The largest sections are QR and VR, with 31 and 36 questions respectively.

The QR portion of the exam tests your problem solving and data sufficiency skills and includes questions on arithmetic and elementary algebra. However, the QR is quite unlike a standard mathematics examination in that it mainly tests logical and analytical skills over numerical skills.

The VR section, meanwhile, measures reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and English language proficiency, plus your ability to correctly interpret ideas and identify arguments.

The IR portion of the GMAT contains 12 questions that test elements of both quantitative and verbal reasoning together. You will be asked to analyze a table of data, examine data from other graphics, and solve problems.

Finally, the AWA asks you to write a critique of an argument. These questions are always presented the same way in every GMAT exam: a short paragraph featuring an argument and the question. You can find examples of possible Analytical Writing Assessments here.

The GMAT is a computer-adaptive exam: that is, questions become easier or harder as you go depending on how well you’re doing. If you get answers right, the test will subsequently give you harder questions. Or, if you answer a few wrong, it will lower the difficulty level.

You may be given a question which is either beyond your league or will take too much time to solve. What can sometimes happen is a student will keep trying until feeling exasperated and then lose nerve.

So, instead of spending too much time solving a difficult question, check your answer and move on to the next. You don’t get marked down for a negative answer, but if you waste too much time with one very difficult question, you risk losing valuable time during which you could answer others.

How is My Score Calculated?

While the scores of the IR and AWA are reported separately, it’s the combined score of QR and VR that is popularly known as your GMAT score. This can range between 200-800, but two-thirds of students who take the GMAT score between 400-600.

As criteria for admission to any business school comprises of several aspects of a candidate’s profile, schools generally accept a range of GMAT scores for their management programs. So, you should never think a lower than average score is proof that you’ll never be accepted into a management program.

For example, a GMAT score of around 650 is in the 75th percentile bracket, and this will open doors to many business schools ranking in the top 50 worldwide.

To enter more elite business schools, for example those in the top 20 in Financial Times ranking, you should aim to score between 690-700 (the 85 percentile). For Ivy League schools in the US and the likes of INSEAD and London Business School in Europe, you would generally need a score of 720 and above (the 95 percentile) to stay competitive.

For example, the average GMAT score for MBA students at Harvard Business School is 730, while at Stanford Graduate School of Business, the average is 738. The highest GMAT score for MBAs at both these schools is 790.

How to Successfully Prepare for the GMAT Exam

Sufficient preparation is the key to performing well in the GMAT. There’s a clear relationship between time spent studying for the exam and GMAT scores, with test takers who spend over 100 hours preparing, generally achieving scores of 700+.

Some students also think that, because they have high levels of English language or numerical skills, they can complete the exam with little to no preparation.

However, the GMAT exam is unlike other formal mathematical and reading comprehension exams that you may have taken in formal education, so there’s every possibility that you’ll get confused during the test and make mistakes. For example, in the VR section, proficiency in reading and writing in the English language is not enough to score highly.

Consequently, most of the time, the reason for low scores in practice GMAT exams is not a reflection of poor ability, but poor preparation. To rectify this, GMAC offer a free Official GMAT™ Exam 8-Week Study Planner for students planning to take the GMAT exam.

The planner advises how you should spend your preparation time in the eight weeks prior to your exam. We recommend you familiarize yourself with the GMAT exam format early, and then work to identify your strengths and weaknesses to focus your preparation efforts.

GMAC Tools To Help You Prepare

To get your GMAT preparation started, GMAC provides a Mini Quiz. The short exam comprises of just eight questions from past GMAT exams: four Quantitative Reasoning and four Verbal Reasoning questions.

From these eight questions, the quiz gives you an estimate of your overall GMAT score, and can give you an indication of where you need to focus your exam prep.

GMAT also provides six full-length Official Practice Exams that are modeled to replicate the actual GMAT examination. These practice exams feature the same format as the GMAT as well as similar computer-adaptive questions to prepare you for the real thing.

Once your GMAT prep is in full swing, you can use the Official Practice Exams to see how prepared you are and get feedback on the areas you need to improve. Based on the experiences of many expert GMAT coaches, I advise you to not begin taking the GMAT Official Practice Exams before completing exhaustive preparation for the test.

If you decide to take these tests earlier, chances are you might underperform and thereby either compromise your target score or be tempted to entirely give up your plan to complete the GMAT. 

However you prepare, it’s important that you set a GMAT target score that aligns with your target business schools, either in consultation with an expert counsellor or by your own research. This is critical, as having an inspiring goal is the first step towards achieving your end goal, as well as ensuring you can gain entry to a competitive business program.

Remember, you can take the GMAT at any time that suits your busy schedule and as many times as you wish (up to five times in a 12-month period) until you get the score that you are satisfied with.

The preparation is worth it; a good GMAT score and a subsequent Master’s degree from your dream business school can dramatically transform your career possibilities. 

Santanu Choudhury, Founder Director of Lesli India Education (P) Ltd., and an alum of IIT Kharagpur and IIM Ahmedabad.

This article was originally published for GMAC on mba.com.