GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test) : GMAT Exam Structure

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GMAT : Next Generation

GMAT consists of three different test sections :

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability

In the Analytical Writing Assessment, the test taker will be presented with two essay topics and they have to type their responses using the computer keyboard. The Verbal and Quantitative sections contain computer adaptive multiple-choice questions.

The timing information of each sections are :

	Questions	Timing
Analytical Writing Assessment
Analysis of an Issue	1 topic	30 minutes
Analysis of an Argument	1 topic	30 minutes
Optional Rest Break		5 min
Quantitative
(Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency)	37 questions	75 minutes
Optional Rest Break		5 minutes
Verbal
(Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction)	41 questions	75 minutes
Total Time (with breaks)		4 hours (approx.)

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
It is the essay sections consists of two parts (i) Analysis of an issue and (ii) Analysis of an argument. The computerized testing system will select the topic for issue/ argument randomly from a large pool. There is no choice for the candidates to choose among topics.
AWA is designed to examine a candidate's ability
i) to argue effectively and persuasively for a position on an issue, using sound reasons and relevant supporting examples
ii) to present their ideas in a cohesive and organized manner
iii) to reason critically, analytically, and logically
iii) with the English language (diction, word usage, and vocabulary)
iv) with the conventions of Standard Written English, including grammar and syntax (sentence structure)
For Analysis of an Issue, you will need to analyze a given issue or opinion and then explain your point of view on the subject by citing relevant reasons and/or examples drawn from your experience, observations, or reading.
For Analysis of an Argument, you will need to analyze the reasoning behind a given argument and then write a critique of that argument.

Quantitative Ability
Problem Solving questions and Data Sufficiency are the two segments of Quantitative ability. Both types of questions are intermingled throughout the section and require knowledge of arithmetic, algebra and geometry.
(i) Problem Solving - These questions are designed to test mathematical skills, understanding of mathematical concepts, and the ability to reason quantitatively and to solve quantitative problems.
(ii) Data Sufficiency - It is designed to measure the ability to analyze a quantitative problem, to recognize which information is relevant, and to determine at what point there is sufficient information to solve the problem. Each Data Sufficiency question consists of a question and two statements, labeled (1) and (2), which contain additional information. You must decide whether the data given in the statements are sufficient for answering the question.

Verbal Ability
Verbal Ability contains three different sections like sentence correction, reading comprehensive and critical reasoning in which all the questions are intermingled. This section measures your ability to read and comprehend written material, to reason and evaluate arguments, and to correct written material to conform to standard written English.
(i) Sentence Correction : It is designed to gauge a candidates command over English language and the conventions of Standard Written English, including grammar, syntax (sentence structure) and diction. Among the five versions of a sentence, they have to choose the best example of proper grammar and effective expression.
(ii) Reading Comprehension : This section is intended to measures a candidates ability to understand, analyze, and apply information and concepts presented in written form. Reading Comprehension passages are accompanied by interpretive, applied, and inferential questions. They are presented as a series of four distinct sets, each set including three (or four) questions. All questions in one set pertain to one particular passage. Each passages are up to 350 words long, and they discuss topics from the social sciences, the physical or biological sciences, and such business related fields as marketing, economics, and human resource management.
(iii) Critical Reasoning : Questions in this sections are designed to examine the candidates ability to understand, critique, and draw reasonable conclusions from arguments. Each argument is presented as a brief one-paragraph passage. The materials on which questions are based are drawn from a variety of sources.