Are you looking how to start your career in business? Learn how to start GMAT Preparation from scratch. The Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT is an important part of applying to an MBA. GMAT exams have usually multiple-choice questions, which are computer-based and computer adaptive. This is often required to get admission into MBA colleges or universities globally. You will find a list of colleges in India that accepts GMAT scores while applying for an MBA program.
There are four sections in the GMAT exam. Here are they-
- Analytical Writing Assessment
- Integrated Reasoning
- Quantitative
- Verbal
As you are preparing for the GMAT exam, you need to know the scoreboard, or you can say how you will be scored for the performance-
- The Analytical Writing Assessment section of the GMAT scores separately from 0 to 6 in half-point increments.
- The Integrated Reasoning section also scores separately on 1–8 scale, in one-point increments.
- The Quantitative and Verbal sections each have a mapped score of 0–60.
- You are probably familiar with that, both the sections are then combined to generate a score on the 200–800 scale, with 10-point increments
- Your score on the 200–800 scale, in 10-point increments, reflects the level of difficulty of the questions you answered correctly using a proprietary GMAC algorithm.
GMAT Score
| Percentile | Total GMAT Score |
| Top 10% of all test takers | 710 |
| Top 25% of all test takers | 650 |
| Top 50% of all test takers | 580 |
| Below 50th percentile of all test takers | 570 |
*If you are considering applying to any of the MBA programs, then you need to target 710 or higher on the GMAT to be a strong applicant.
How to start your GMAT preparation from scratch?
Those who are going to give the GMAT exam 2021. You can go through these top GMAT preparation tips.
- Learn all about the test sections and create your study plan.
- Candidates should follow a proper GMAT study plan and follow that religiously.
- Collect GMAT prep materials either online or offline. There are a lot of online GMAT prep materials that you can use to prepare for the test
- As you will be allocated limited time span, develop skills that will come in handy while giving the test. Find your fragile areas and work on it, so, it will not affect your action on the entire exam.
- Practice more and more, till the date you have given the exam.
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GMAT preparation for beginner’s
If you are deciding to take up the GMAT exam and is serious about business school. Here are some of the preparation tips you can follow to fulfil your dream-
- Start your GMAT exam preparation six months prior to the exam date. According to the surveys, it is advisable to have an eight-week study timeline that is ideal for a student preparing for this exam.
- Revise the basic maths skills and study one section of the test at a time.
- Practice pacing, because time management is difficult in completing the GMAT Exam.
- Review the types of questions in the Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Verbal, and Quantitative Reasoning sections for your test.
- Use the sample question papers or the previous question papers to practise better, before doing so analyse the question.
- Have a clear mindset, because preparing for the GMAT exam can be difficult. You need to have confidence in your abilities to beat other aspirants.
Where to start GMAT Preparation
As we have just read in this article that there are four sections in this section. Now we are going to know what are the topics are main to each section.
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
In this section, you will have to write an essay with your writing skills. Then, it will be scored by a human grader and then by a computing grading system, with the average of the two scores will get your final score. If there is a difference between the ratings, then another human grader reads and scores your essay.
As of the writing task, you will be presented a brief argument with a paragraph to find a Critical Reasoning question On the Verbal section. Remember not to present the point of your view, instead, you are tasked with critiquing the author’s argument, analysing the soundness of the author’s evidence and reasoning.
While scoring, essay graders are looking that you can clearly identify the argument and analyse it. To collect your thoughts and ideas, and, logically connect them with your statement.
Integrated Reasoning (IR)
In Integrated Reasoning, you will be asked questions about the multi-source or graphics Interpretation. You will be allocated 30 minutes, and the Integrated Reasoning section comprises four sections for a total of 12 questions.
The four types of questions in the Integrated GMAT Reasoning Section includes-Multi-Source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, and Two-Part Analysis. These questions involve both quantitative and verbal reasoning, either separately or in combination.
Quantitative
The GMAT Quantitative section compromised with analytical knowledge of basic maths including arithmetic and number properties, algebra, and geometry. The section consists of two question types-
Data Sufficiency
Data Sufficiency questions consist of a question and two statements of information. You have to find out whether the statement provides sufficient data to answer the question. You need to quickly identify the information and solve the problem to eliminate any other answer choices.
Problem Solving
Problem Solving is a similar question type. You will be handed a question and five possible answer choices. Problem-Solving questions use high-grade school–level maths up to algebra and plane geometry to test your critical thinking skills.
Verbal
The GMAT Verbal section is conducted to test your command of the standard of written English, your skill in analysing arguments, and your ability to read critically. There will be three question types in this section –
Critical Reasoning
Critical Reasoning questions test your skills involved in making and evaluating the arguments, as well as formulating a plan of action.
You will be presented with short arguments or a series of statements and a question relating to your actions.
Succeeding on Critical Reasoning, questions requires understanding the structure of each argument and exact logical analysis of the connections between shreds of evidence and conclusions.
Sentence Correction
In GMAT Sentence Correction, you will see long and involved sentences. A part—or all—of the sentence will be underlined, and you have to find the best version of the underlined section out of the original or one of four alternatives choices. The sentence may contain one or more errors, or not at all.
Reading Comprehension
The questions will test your critical reading skills, more specifically your ability to summarize the principle idea and differentiate between ideas. They are to be stated specifically and those implied by the author, make inferences based on all information in a text and analysing the logical structure of a passage. The author’s tone and attitude about a topic should be concluded.
You will be given an academic reading passage on a topic related to business, social science, biological science, or physical science and will be asked about 3 to 4 questions about that text.
| Test Section | Time Limit/ No. of Questions | Question Types | Score Range |
| Analytical Writing Assessment | 30 minutes1 Question | Analysis of an Argument | 0-6(in 0.5-point increments) |
| Integrated Reasoning | 30 minutes12 Questions | Graphics Interpretation, Table Analysis, Multi-source Reasoning, Two-part Analysis | 1-8(in 1-point increments) |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 62 minutes31 Questions | Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving | 6-51(in 1-point increments) |
| Verbal Reasoning | 65 minutes36 Questions | Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction | 6-51(in 1-point increments) |
There are some MBA colleges in India, that accept GMAT scores. Here is the list of the colleges –
- Indian School of Business
- Xavier Institute of Management
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM)
- S.P Jain Institute of Management and Research
- Amity School of Business
- Institute of Management Technology
- Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship
- Christ University Institute of Management
- SDM Institute of Management Development
- Fortune Institute of International Business
- Indus Business Academy
- Adarsh Institute of Management and Information Technology
- Indian Institute of Management
- Xavier University (XIMB)
- PES University
- Universal Business School
- Institute of Management Technology
- Indian Institute of Management
- International Management Institute
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
- NMIMS University School of Business Management
- Institute of Management Technology
- T.A. Pai Management Institute
- Indian Institute of Management
- Birla Institute of Management Technology
- Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management
- Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research
- Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management
- Asia Pacific Institute of Management
- Institute of Financial Management and Research