Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

GMAT Syllabus

GMAT Syllabus for Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

In Analytical Writing, a candidate has to write and read and answer the question accompanying an essay. There is 1 essay in the AWA section.

Argument Essay: In this section, the reasoning and all underlying assumptions must be considered. The candidate must analyze the statement and argument in isolation without biases.

GMAT Syllabus for Integrated Reasoning

This section has been added to the GMAT recently. It comprises 12 questions of the following type:

Two-Part Analysis: This section tests a candidate’s ability to interpret and solve problems. These problems can be of quantitative, verbal, and a combination type.
Table Analysis: This section tests a candidate’s ability to sort the table to find the most important information that may be relevant to solve the problem. The table may comprise information, such as statistics, ratios, probabilities, and so on.
Multi-Source Reasoning: This type of information is presented in the form of graphics, charts, and tables. The candidate is expected to collate the information and interpret it.
Graphics Interpretation: In this section, the candidate has to interpret the graphics presented. The graphics may feature line plot, scatter plot, box plot, area under curve, cumulative frequency distribution, probability frequency distribution, confidence level graph, x/y graph, pie chart, statistical curve distribution, or bar chart.

GMAT Syllabus for Quantitative Reasoning

There are 31 questions in this section, which are distributed across data sufficiency and problem solving.

Data Sufficiency: It tests the candidate’s ability to look at the quantitative problem, identify important data, as well as find enough data required to answer the problem.
Problem Solving: In this section, the candidate is driven to use their analytical reasoning and logic to answer quantitative reasoning questions.

The following are some key Quant Topics:

Algebra	Arithmetic	Modern Math	Geometry
Elements of Algebra	Number System	Set Theory	Lines and Angles
Quadratic Equations	Ratio and Proportion	Sequences and Series	Triangles
Linear Equations	Averages	Probability	Polygons
Logarithm	Mixtures and Allegations	Permutation and Combination	Circles
Inequalities	Percentages		Coordinate Geometry
Functions	Time, Speed, Work, and Distance
Functions	Profit, Loss, and Discounts		Solids (3D Geometry)

GMAT Format for Verbal Reasoning

This section comprises three types of questions – critical reasoning, reading comprehension, and sentence correction:

Critical Reasoning: It measures the candidate’s ability to evaluate arguments and make a plan of action.
Reading Comprehension: This section measures the candidate’s ability to evaluate the argument and draw inferences from it. The questions require candidates to focus on main idea, logical structure, supporting ideas, and style.
Sentence Correction: In this section, a candidate has to identify errors or omissions, misplaced modifiers, subject-verb disagreement, and so on.

Tips for GMAT Preparation

This section offers individual GMAT preparation tips for Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning.

Quantitative Reasoning

This section comprises data sufficiency and problem-solving questions. It tests your math skills such as value order and factors, algebra, equalities and inequalities, ratios, rates, and percentages, statistics, sets, counting, probability, estimation and series, and geometry. The tips offered in this section will help you solve problems effectively.

Data Sufficiency: These questions measure your ability to analyze a problem and find relevant data required to solve the problem.

Check if the question offers you only one value or a value range required to solve the problem.
Do not make assumptions based on geometric figures.

Problem Solving: These questions measure your analytical and logical reasoning skills.

Check the on-screen timer while answering the questions.
Read the questions carefully and do not spend much time on challenging questions. You can attempt them later.
Read the sentence question carefully to translate the data provided into equations or mathematical representations.
Work out your answers on an erasable note board provided at the center to deduce answers.
Try to do mental mathematics for questions that require approximations. Then try to find similar answers in the data provided.

Verbal Reasoning

This section comprises 36 multiple-choice questions of three types – Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction.

Reading Comprehension.

Read the passages carefully. Some passages may appear quite familiar than others, but do not presume answers. Always answer the questions based on the information provided in the passage.
Focus on how a fact relates to an argument or idea, how passages discuss different ideas, try to understand keywords or phrases that indicate this transition of ideas, distinguish the main ideas as well as supporting ideas of the passage, and determine the conclusions offered in the passage.
Read the answers carefully and choose the best one that matches the information in the passage.

Critical Reasoning

Read the statements carefully and try to interpret the factual information and claims put forward.
Understand the soundness of reasoning put forward by the statement.
For questions based on arguments, try to understand which argument part can form the conclusion.
Read the questions before reading the arguments, this would prepare you for the answer.
Read all the answer choices carefully before answering the question. Do not presume any answer due to the familiarity of the question.

Sentence Correction

Read the sentence and answer choices carefully.
Focus on the underlined part of the sentence as it may have errors and require possible corrections.
Think about how to correct the mistakes in the original sentence.
Focus on idiomatic and grammatical usage, clarity, language precision, diction appropriateness, etc.
Substitute the most appropriate answer choice in the underlined sentence.
Generally, the first answer choice is the repetition of the underlined passage. Some sentences may not require corrections, and in such scenarios, you can always choose the first answer choice.

Integrated Reasoning

This section will present you with 12 questions of four types – Two-Part Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, Table Analysis, and Multi-Source Reasoning.

Multi-Source Reasoning

Analyze the data source carefully, because the questions can be answered better once you gain a thorough understanding of the given data.
In text passages, the ideas are presented in sequences, which contribute to the main idea passage. So, read and interpret them carefully.
The questions may feature graphic elements such as graphs, tables, charts, and diagrams.
Read all questions carefully to understand what is being asked. Sometimes, you may be asked to identify the discrepancies or draw inferences between data sources. Else, you may be required to identify relevant data sources.
Answer the questions based on the provided data.

Table Analysis

See the table and accompanying text to know the type of information offered.
Read the question and evaluate every answer statement carefully based on the specified condition. This condition may be yes/no or true/false.

Graphics Interpretation

See the data presented in graphics carefully. Check the marked values, scales on the axis, and labels. Check if there are any discrepancies between the graph units or the units in the text.
Read the text accompanying the graph, as it may comprise data that is not included in the graphic, but necessary to answer the question.
Check all choices offered in the drop-down menu. With this, you may get additional information required for your assigned task.
Select the option that completes the statement accurately.

Two-Part Analysis

You will see a two-part analysis question that presents a brief problem or scenario and you may be required to choose two answers.
See what the question exactly wants you to do. The headings of response columns may sometimes lack details that would help you understand the question requirements.
Make a final choice of answers after reviewing them.
You may be provided independent or dependent tasks.
A question may have two tasks that need to be performed independently. Else, a question may have one task with two independent parts.
An answer may serve for both columns.

Begin your Test Preparations by Completing the GMAT Diagnostic Test.

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Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

Identify the weaknesses and strengths of the argument.
When writing a response, you must consider the underlying assumptions, counterexamples that may arise, additional evidences that would strengthen or weaken the argument, and if your response reads like a discussion.
Ensure your response comprises full sentences, logical transitions between two ideas, a coherent organizational scheme, and examples, which are neatly organized and introduced.
Always draw examples from your experiences, observations, or reading.

How to Utilize GMAT Mock Tests to Improve Your Results

Every year thousands of individuals attempt the GMAT, however, only a few succeed with good scores. GMAT mock tests help distinguish between candidates with good and average scores. A mock exam simulates the original test and allows an individual to practice and boost their confidence. The Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT tests an individual for diverse skills. Thus, to master GMAT, you must be involved in every aspect of the preparation and GMAT mock tests can help you with it. These tests would help you analyze your strengths and weaknesses and work accordingly. Here’s is how mock tests will help you ace the GMAT with good scores:

You will be prepared for the big day because GMAT mock exams are similar to the real GMAT. These exams will help you get familiarize yourself with the syllabus, difficulty level, format, and so on.
You can try different methods for solving the questions.
You can learn time management and identify areas that require more time than others.
GMAT mock exams will help ease your nervousness and fears regarding the main exam.
With weekly tests, you can track the progress. You will be able to see how you have improved or the areas where more improvements may be required.