The GMAT and the GRE – All You Need to Know

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If you’re planning to get into business schools in global ed destinations, you must have considered the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and/or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Both these test/s are required by graduate schools to measure your ability to analyse and evaluate written material, think critically, and solve problems.

Table of Contents:

Here’s a superb guide that’ll give you all the information you need on these two tests. Also, scroll to the end of this article to get the latest on Home Tests during COVID – we’ve covered all about how you can take these from home and steps to follow

GRADUATE MANAGEMENT ADMISSION TEST (GMAT)

What is GMAT?

The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test which means that the difficulty of the test tailors itself in real-time to your ability level. GMAT is required for admissions to business (MBA) schools. This exam is used to measure your critical thinking and reasoning skills which is referred to as a predictor for your ability to succeed in chosen program. Currently, over 7,000 MBA and Masters programs use the GMAT exam.

The GMAT exam is offered year-round, and the candidate can choose the date and exam centres accordingly. In regard to the covid19 pandemic lockdown that may have caused delays for candidates across the country, the GMAT online is introduced especially for candidates working to meet upcoming business school application deadlines.

What is the Exam Structure for GMAT?

Under the GMAT exam, there are four sections with different allotted time and scorings respectively, i.e.

Analytical Writing Assessment

  • What it measures: ability to think critically and to communicate ideas
  • Question types: Argument analysis
  • Allotted time: 30 minutes
  • Allotted question/s: One
  • Score range: 0-6 in 0.5-point increments

Integrated Reasoning

  • What it measures: ability to analyse data and evaluate information presented in multiple formats
  • Question types: Graphics Interpretation, Table Analysis, Two-part Analysis, Multi-source Reasoning
  • Allotted time: 30 minutes
  • Allotted question/s: 12
  • Score range: 1-8 in 1-point increments

Quantitative Reasoning

  • What it measures: ability to analyse data and draw conclusions using reasoning skills
  • Question types: Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving
  • Allotted time: 62 minutes
  • Allotted question: 31
  • Score range: 6-51 in 1-point increments

Verbal Reasoning

  • What it measures: ability to read, understand written material; evaluate arguments and correct written material so as to conform to standard written English
  • Question types: Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction
  • Allotted time: 65 minutes
  • Allotted question: 36
  • Score range: 6-51 in 1-point increments

The total scores of GMAT exam is 200-800. There are negative markings for not completing each section of the exam where each unanswered question to lead to decrease in your score.

What is the Fee/pricing for GMAT exam?

The GMAT fees/pricing differ region wise. The GMAT fees/pricing for India region is US$250. The rescheduling fees ranges from US$50 to US$150 depending on the number of days before appointment.

Who can take GMAT exam?

Anyone can take GMAT exam if aged 13 years or above, across all nationality. However, for students aged 13-17, a parental consent letter will be required. There is no age limit or academic qualification limitations.

How frequent can GMAT exam be taken?

Few conditions are being laid down in the number of attempts allowed to take GMAT, i.e.

  • GMAT can be taken once every 16 calendar days
  • A maximum of five GMAT attempts are permitted in 12-month period

A maximum of eight GMAT attempts are allowed in a lifetime

GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION (GRE)

What is the GRE?

The GRE is also a computer adaptive test, in some places offered as a paper-based test (in region where computer-delivering is not available), which is required for admission to graduate schools and business (MBA) and law schools. The GRE is managed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). This exam is used to measure your overall academic readiness for graduate school.

The GRE Test is offered year-round, and the candidate can choose the date and exam centres accordingly. In regard to the covid19 pandemic lockdown, ETS has introduced GRE home test for students who are unable to take the test at a test centre due to public health concerns. For the GRE home test, it will be monitored by a human proctor online through ProctorU®.

What is the Exam Structure for GRE?

The GRE test is scored on three areas, i.e. Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. The scores under these are generated by the following sections-

Analytical Writing: (one section with two task)

  • What it measures: ability to articulate thoughts and responses to complex ideas in a clear and reasoned way
  • Question types: Two separately timed tasks, i.e. Analyse an Issue task, Analyse an Argument task
  • Allotted time: 30 minutes per task
  • Allotted questions: Two task
  • Score range: 0-6

Verbal Reasoning: (two section)

  • What it measures: ability to analyse written material; analyse relationships among component parts of sentences, including words and concepts.
  • Question types: sentence equivalence, reading comprehension, text completion
  • Allotted time: 30 minutes per section, 60 minutes total
  • Allotted questions: 20 questions per section
  • Score range: 130-170

Quantitative Reasoning: (two section)

  • What it measures: ability to reason and solve problems with quantitative methods; basic quantitative skills
  • Question types: quantitative comparison, problem solving
  • Allotted time: 35 minutes per section, 70 minutes total
  • Allotted questions: 20 questions per section
  • Score range: 130-170
There are also two additional section, i.e.
  • Unscored (varies between Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning)
  • Research (questions that will be used for ETS research purposes)

What is the Fee/pricing for GRE Test?

The GRE test fee/pricing differ from region wise. The GRE test free in India is US$213. The rescheduling fees and request for changing of centres are charged US$50 each.

Who can take GRE Test?

There are no set criteria for who can take GRE; however, it is recommended for students who are looking to pursue their Masters in MBA, business, law or diploma.

How frequent can GRE test be taken?

The number of GRE test attempts allowed per candidate in a year are-

  1. GRE can be taken once every 21 days
  2. A maximum of five GRE attempts are allowed in 12-month period (365 days).

The GRE At- Home Test

In light of the pandemic ETS has announced that for students who are unable to take the GRE due to the lock-down, a temporary GRE General Test at home option will now be available in selected areas.

To find out if the test is available in your area, you’ll need to log-in to your GRE account at ets.org. The at-home test is available in India.

In terms of format, content and on-screen experience, the at-home GRE test is identical to the GRE General Test taken at a test center. You can take it on your own computer at home, and is monitored by a human proctor online through ProctorU. The entire test session will be recorded and your photo will be taken.

How will the GRE at-home proctored test work? What will be the test experience?

To understand how the GRE at-home test will work and what you can expect from it, watch this video.

On the day of the exam, you and your computer screen will be monitored by a human proctor via a video camera.

These are the steps to follow on the test day:

  • Log in to your ProctorU account at the given time. You’ll be given 15 minutes after your scheduled time to begin your check-in. If you fail to check-in by that time, your test will be cancelled. Your fee will not be refunded.
  • First select – start session
  • Then complete the authentication steps by showing your ID to the proctor. The name on your ID has to match the name on your ETS account.
  • The proctor will then do the following
    • Review the exam rules for you and request access to your computer screen.
    • Ask you to use either a hand-held mirror or a mobile phone to show your computer screen.
    • Ask you to use the camera on your computer to show a 360-degree view of the room, including your tabletop surface.
    • Ask you to launch the ETS secure web browser.
    • Provide the password to access the test.

The GMAT At-Home Test

The online GMAT test could be taken until Dec 31st, 2020.  GMAC (Graduate Management Admissions Council ) take-home exams are using the serves of the online proctoring solution, Pearson VUE proctoring to administer the GMAT exam.

You’ll need to download the software (it requires a minimum of 1 Mbps speed).

These are the steps for the test:

  • Check-in by taking a head-shot picture and a picture of your government-issued identity card or Passport.
  • Take pictures of your surroundings, which lead you into the exam.
  • You will be monitored throughout the exam using a webcam and microphone.

Proctors are also available throughout for live chat.

Hope the above helps – all this information should give you a fair idea of the GRE/GMAT tests. Don’t let the pandemic stop you from pursuing your MBA and global ed goals.

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