What is GMAT and how it is structured?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a multiple-choice test for applicants to business schools. The test is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), under the sponsorship of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test (CAT). Here is what you’ll find on the GMAT:An interactive tutorial during which you will get a chance to familiarize yourself with the conventions of computerized testing and practice entering answers. You can spend as much time as you like on this tutorial Two 30-minute essays to be written on the computer using a generic word processing program One 75-minute, 37-question Math section  One 75-minute, 41-question Verbal section What is a CAT and how does it work? A CAT is a computer-adaptive test, whose software calculates your score based on the number of questions you answer correctly, the difficulty of the questions you answer, and the number of questions you complete. When you take the GMAT CAT, you'll begin each section with a medium-level question and an average score. If you answer the question correctly, the computer will raise your score and then give you a more difficult question. If you answer the question incorrectly, your score will decrease and you'll be given an easier question. The process repeats for each question in the section, to arrive at your final score for that section. How is the GMAT scored? As soon as you’ve finished taking the GMAT, your computer will calculate and display your unofficial results. Several weeks later, you’ll receive a written report from ETS in the mail confirming those results. Most people think of the GMAT score as a single number, but in fact there are four separate numbers: Your total score (This is reported on a scale that runs from 200 to 800. Your verbal score (This is reported on a scale that runs from 0 to 60.) Your math score (This is reported on a scale that runs from 0 to 60.) Your Writing Assessment score (This is reported on a scale of 1-6, in half-point increments; 6 is the highest score.) Your Analytic Writing Assessment (AWA) essays are graded on a scale of 0 to 6. There are two essays, each evaluated by two readers (one human and one computer). ETS averages the four scores, and rounds to the nearest half point. Your AWA score does not count toward your composite score. How important are my GMAT scores? GMAT scores vary in importance at different schools. However, competitive programs tend to weight your GMAT score more heavily. In addition to your GMAT score, schools consider your age, work experience, undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, and essays. Be sure to contact the specific programs to which you are applying in order to determine their unique requirements. How many times can I take the GMAT? You may take the GMAT no more than once in any calendar month and no more than five times within a 12-month period. How do I pick a test date? First, find out the application deadlines for the business schools to which you are applying, then work backwards from your earliest deadline. Build some extra time into your planning process for unexpected delays because you can only take the GMAT once per calendar month (including tests for which you cancel your scores). And remember that it can take as long as four weeks for your official scores to arrive at your designated schools. When the GMAT is conducted in Pakistan? The GMAT is offered at testing centers almost every day in Pakistan. Call your local center for details and to book your test. While in theory you could sign up for the GMAT with only two days' notice, don't depend upon this luxury. Call at least one month prior to your desired test date. Where the GMAT is conducted in Pakistan? There are two local offices that conduct the GMAT in Pakistan. One is in Karachi and the other is Lahore. The contact numbers of the two are as follows.  Global Education Center Ph:021-5823671  LUMS (Lahore University of Management Sciences) Ph:042-5722670-79 What fees are associated with the GMAT? The fee to take the GMAT is $225 worldwide. Where can I get more information about the GMAT? You can contact GMAC by phone at (703) 749-0131 or on their website,www.mba.com. GMAT PowerPrep Software: (FREE) – Includes two computer-based GMAT Tests, sample analytical writing topics, scored sample essays and reader commentary, test-taking strategies, a math review, and test tutorials. How to get Where You Want to Go? Let's recap. You have a good idea about the role of the GMAT in the business school admission process. And you've begun to consider the kinds of B-school programs you're interested in applying to. As your choices become more specific and focused, your GMAT goals will become clearer, based largely on the credentials needed to win admission to the program(s) of your choice. Now we come to the heart of this book. How can you make sure that your GMAT scores will be a help rather than a hindrance to you when you exist between your current levels of GMAT skills and the ones you'll need to earn your highest possible score? The Unofficial Route to Top Scores There are three levels of skill that can help boost your GMAT scores. Each requires a different kind of preparation. Most important, each requires a different time frame to be completely developed. If you want to reach your full potential on the GMAT, you'll want to devote time and energy to all three levels of skill. The following sections tell how the three levels work. Level One-Testwiseness (30 to 150 points) This first level of test-taking skill is the "low-hanging fruit" of test-preparation: skills that are relatively quick and simple to learn and that can rapidly boost your total GMAT score from 30 to 150 points. Level One includes such skills as:   Familiarity with the format, structure, and question types found on the exam   Ability to budget your time wisely as you work each section of the exam   Understanding of the Computer Adaptive Test format and how to make it work for you Level One skills are specific to the computerized GMAT. A student who'd never seen a standardized exam before and had done no preparatory reading about the GMAT would lack these skills, and therefore would lose points through sheer ignorance of the game. Fortunately, Level One skills are easy to learn. Many students pick up some of them just by taking a GMAT exam. That's why, as the test-makers admit, most student increase their scores by 30 to 50 points whenever they take the exam a second time, even if they do no studying between the two tests.     If your preparation for the GMAT is condensed into just a couple of weeks, you'll need to focus especially on Level One skills.

Registration and Fee for GMAT

With computer adaptive testing, registering for the GMAT is quite simple and easy. The cost to take the exam—or "appointment fee" is currently $250. The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) takes most major credit cards, personal checks, and money orders.   Taking the test in 2006? The most convenient way to register is online at www.mba.com. You may also register by phone (1-800-717-GMAT) or by mail (Pearson VUE, Attention: GMAT Program, P.O. Box 581907, Minneapolis, MN, 55458).    Applicant From Pakistan contact : Region 6 - ASIA Call: 60-3-7628-3333 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) FAX: 60-3-7628-3366   Test Centers in Pakistan ISLAMABAD Test Center Number: 8782  TESTS OFFERED: GMAT, GRE, TOEFL KARACHI Test Center Number: 8781  TESTS OFFERED: GMAT, GRE, TOEFL LAHORE Test Center Number: 8783  TESTS OFFERED: GMAT, GRE, TOEFL To retake the exam, simply follow the same procedures. However, you are only allowed to take the GMAT every 31 days.