Graduate Management Admission Test - Format and Timing

Format and Timing

The GMAT exam consists of four main parts—the Quantitative section, the verbal section, the integrated reasoning section, and the analytical writing assessment. Total testing time is three and a half hours, but test takers should plan for a total time of approximately four hours, with breaks. The quantitative and verbal sections of the GMAT exam, both multiple-choice, are administered in the computer-adaptive format, adjusting to a test taker’s level. This both shortens the time it takes to complete the exam and establishes a higher level of accuracy than a fixed test. At the start of each multiple-choice section of the exam, test takers are presented with a question of medium difficulty. As they answer each question, the computer scores their answer and uses it—as well as their responses to any preceding questions—to determine which question to present next. Correct responses typically prompt questions of increased difficulty. Incorrect responses generally result in questions of lesser difficulty. This process continues until test takers complete the section, at which point the computer will have an accurate assessment of their ability level in that subject area.