GMAT 2016 Exam Pattern and Syllabus, Reference Books

GMAT 2016 Exam Pattern and Syllabus: The prestigious GMAT or the Graduate Management Aptitude Test is a computer based test which is aimed at assessing the writing, analytical, quantitative, verbal and reading skills in written English, the scores of which play a pivotal role in admissions to management program, such as the MBA, overseas. Contrary to the misconception, the GMAT exam does not measure Business knowledge, nor does it measure for intelligence.

Rather, it addresses analytical and problem-solving skills along with logic and critical reasoning abilities that are a must-have in today’s competitive world. The GMAT exam which is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has over 5900 programs offered by over 2100 universities globally. The GMAT exam is administered in around 112 countries, India being one.

GMAT 2016 Exam Pattern and Syllabus:-

The computer adaptive test of the GMAT is aimed at assessing the candidate on various parameters. It has 4 sections in the new pattern:

  • Analytical Writing assessment
  • Reasoning section
  • Quantitative ability section
  • Verbal section

A total time of three and a half hours is allotted to the candidates to complete these four sections. For the quant and verbal section the maximum score is 800. The other two sections have their independent scores.

  1. Analytical writing assessment: This section comprises a 30 minute essay evaluated on the following parameters:
  • Examine and analyze the argument
  • Reason the argument and critique the same
  • Proceed with a methodical approach to answers
  • All view points to dealt with
  • Correct grammar to be used

The marking on this section is on a 6 point scale. The essay is given two independent ratings and the average is then considered.

  1. Integrated Reasoning: This new section was introduced in the GMAT in 2012, June. This section has 12 questions and 30 minutes to answer the same. It is scored on a scale of 1 to 8. This section tests the candidate on analytical skills to solve a complicated problem. The date is provided in various formats, your skills depend on being apt to handle the data, scoop relevant information and select the right answer.

The various formats given are:

  • Table analysis
  • Graphical interpretation
  • Multi source reasoning
  • Two part analysis
  1. Quantitative ability: it is the third section of the GMAT exam. A candidate has to answer 37 questions in 75 minutes. The questions test the mathematical skills to test. They include basic arithmetic, algebra and geometry. It is a multiple choice sections with following pattern of questions
  • Data sufficiency questions: it tests the ability of assessing the given data systematically. A question with two sentences and five answer choices is given. These answer choices always remain the same.
  • Problem solving questions: this section tests for the quantitative ability and its implementation in problem solving involving questions on mathematics.

The above two categories appear randomly in the quant section.

  1. Verbal ability: this section has 75 minutes to answer 41 multiple choice questions of the following categories:
  1. Reading Comprehension: a passage of approximately 350 words is given on some topic which is followed by multiple choice questions. The key strongholds required to clear through this section are:
  • Comprehend the underlying concept of the passage.
  • Capture the key idea and the relationship between the entities involved.
  1. Critical reasoning: It is quite the unique feature of the GMAT exam. This section has about 14 questions with five choices for each question. To do well in this section the candidate must be able to:
  • Sort the relevant information from the small passage provided
  • Mark the key points that strengthen, support or weaken the argument.
  1. Sentence correction: the candidate is given a sentence with an underlined part and five choices that follow. The candidate must be versed in grammar to do well in this section.

GMAT Exam Syllabus 2015-2016:

  1. GMAT quant/Math section: the following topics are of importance:
  • Math Formulas List
  • Integers
  • Decimals
  • Fractions
  • Number properties
  • Order of operations
  • Percentage
  • Ratio and proportion
  • Profit and loss
  • Simple and compound interest
  • Speed, distance and time
  • Permutation & combination
  • Linear equations
  • Quadratic equations
  • Sets
  • Statistics: Average, Median, Mode, Range, Standard deviation
  • Powers and roots
  • Probability
  • Pipes, cisterns, work, time
  • Lines and angles
  • Triangles
  • Polygon
  • Quadrilateral
  • Circles
  • Co-ordinate geometry
  • Volume and surface area
  1. GMAT verbal/ grammar section:
  • Basic grammar, use of nouns and pronouns and verb.
  • Verb Tense
  • Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions
  • Noun Agreement
  • Subject-Verb Agreement
  • Modifiers
  • Parallelism

GMAT Reference Books:

to be substantially prepared for the GMAT exam is the key. The following books could be of great help:

  • The Official Guide for GMAT Review 13th Edition
  • 8 Manhattan GMAT Guides
  • The Official Guide for GMAT Review 12th Edition
  • The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2nd Edition
  • The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible
  • Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction
  • The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review 2nd Edition
  • Manhattan GMAT Test Simulation Booklet w/ Marker
  • Manhattan GMAT Advanced GMAT Quant
  • Kaplan GMAT Premier Live 2012-2013
  • Manhattan GMAT Number Properties
  • Kaplan GMAT Advanced (Kaplan 800)
  • Manhattan GMAT Foundations of GMAT Math
  • GMAT Ultimate Grammar
  • Manhattan GMAT Word Translations
  • Great Applications for Business School
  • Manhattan GMAT Reading Comprehension
  • The PowerScore GMAT Sentence Correction Bible
  • The Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook
  • The Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook