How to prepare and do excellent in GMAT (Also some free tests)
What is GMAT?
GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admission Test. GMAT is the most effective predictor of student success of in leading business schools and management education programs.
How the test works?
The GMAT test consists of four main sections
- Analytical Writing Assessment
- Integrated Reasoning
- Quantitative
- Verbal
You have three and a half hours in which to take the exam, but plan for a total time of approximately four hours to include optional breaks.
The GMAT adjusts to your individual ability level, which 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, you are presented with a question of medium difficulty. As you answer each question, the computer scores your answer and uses it—as well as your 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.
What are changes to GMAT in 2013?
What You Need to Know About the GMAT Exam, Now with Integrated Reasoning
1. Integrated Reasoning is a 30-minute section of 12 questions with a separate score.
2 Features four new question types that let you showcase your data-handling skills.
3 Integrated Reasoning replaces the AWA Analysis of an Issue essay.
4 Only one essay question. Quantitative and Verbal sections remain the same & so does the total score schools use.
5 The exam remains 3 hours, 30 minutes in length.
How to prepare for this exam?
First-Free GMATPrep Software
Free to registered users of mba.com, GMATPrep software is available to help you prepare for the GMAT exam.
GMATPrep software uses the same technology as the official GMAT exam so that you can simulate the actual test-taking experience.
The GMATPrep software features:
•90 free questions – 30 Quantitative, 45 Verbal and 15 Integrated Reasoning - with answers and explanations
•Tools to create your own practice question set
•2 full-length computer adaptive practice tests with answers (detailed explanations of answers are not included)
•Accurate computing of GMAT Total, Verbal, Quantitative and Integrated Reasoning scores, which you can use to judge how prepared you are for the actual GMAT exam
•A comprehensive math review
•A step-by-step guide to preparing for the GMAT exam
•Ability to extend the GMATPrep software by purchasing additional content (requires new version of GMATPrep)
2. Practicing sample questions
Understanding the format, practicing sample questions, and reviewing one section at a time will help you arrive fully prepared on the day of your exam. To help you prepare, mba.com offers the GMATPrep® test preparation software, free to registered users. Available as a downloadable application or as a CD-ROM, GMATPrep simulates the actual test experience by using retired questions from previous GMAT exams. Related study materials are available for purchase at the mba.com store.
The GMAT Checklist includes study pointers and links to preparation material including:
- GMAT Paper Tests, three easy-to-download sets of “retired” paper tests.
- GMAT Write, an online tool that helps you prepare for the Analytical Writing Assessment with confidence.
- GMAT Focus, an online tool that gives you immediate insight into your weaknesses so you can optimize your study time.
GMAT Preparation Strategies
Get tips on easing the test-taking preparation process. Learn how to use your testing time wisely and develop a game plan that works for you.
Some common questions about GMAT
Q: How do I schedule an appointment to take the GMAT exam?
A: If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment to take the GMAT exam, your first step is to register for an mba.com account.
Q: Where can I take the GMAT exam?
A: The GMAT exam is delivered year-round and on demand in test centers around the world.
Q: How much does it cost to take the GMAT exam?
A: The cost to take the GMAT exam is US $250 globally. To learn more about payment methods, potential taxes, cancellation fees and other considerations, please visit our Pay for the Test page.
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Q: What are the test dates for the GMAT exam?
A: The GMAT is available year-round and on demand, which offers test takers greater flexibility in scheduling. Available time slots change continuously based on capacity and ongoing registration. You will find out which times are available at your chosen test center when you register to take the exam.
Some Free sample questions
Part 1-GMAT Quantitative
A Problem-solving
Solve these problems and indicate the best of the answer choices given. All
Numbers used are real numbers.
Question 1
If a = 3 and b = -2, what is the value of a2 + 3ab – b2?
A. 5
B. -13
C. -4
D. -20
E. 13
Question 2
34 is what percent of 80?
A. 34%
B. 40%
C. 42.5%
D. 44.5%
E. 52%
Question 3
Jack and Kevin play in a basketball game. If the ratio of points scored by
Jack to points scored by Kevin is 4 to 3, which of the following could NOT be the total number of points scored by the two boys?
A. 7
B. 14
C. 16
D. 28
E. 35
Question 4
Factor the following expression: x2 + x – 12
A. (x – 4) (x + 4)
B. (x – 2) (x + 6)
C. (x + 6) (x – 2)
D. (x – 4) (x + 3)
E. (x + 4) (x – 3)
Question 5
The average of six numbers is 4. If the average of two of those numbers is 2, what is the average of the other four numbers?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
E. 9
Question 6
What is the next-highest prime number after 67?
A. 68
B. 69
C. 71
D. 73
E. 76
Question 7
Solve: 0.25 x 0.03 =
A. 75
B. 0.075
C. 0.75
D. 0.0075
E. 7.5
Question 8
Dean’s Department Store reduces the price of a $30 shirt by 20%, but later raises it again by 20% of the sale price. What is the final price of the shirt?
A. $24.40
B. $32
C. $30
D. $28.80
E. $26.60
Question 9
How many 3-inch segments can a 4.5-yard line be divided into?
A. 15
B. 45
C. 54
D. 64
E. 84
Question 10
Sheila, Janice, and Karen, working together at the same rate, can complete a job in 3 1/3 days. Working at the same rate, how much of the job could Janice and Karen do in one day?
A. 1/5
B. 1/4
C. 1/3
D. 1/9
E. 1/8
Answer Key
Quantitative
Problem-solving
1. B. Simply substitute the given values for a and b and perform the required
operations.
2. C. This problem is solved by finding x in this equation: 34/80 = x/100.
3. C. Every possible combination of scores is a multiple of 7, since the two terms of
the ratio have a sum of seven.
4. E. To solve this problem, work backwards. That is, perform FOIL on each answer
choice until you derive the original expression.
5. A. A set of six numbers with an average of 4 must have a collective sum of 24. The
two numbers that average 2 will add up to 4, so the remaining numbers must add up
to 20. The average of these four numbers can be calculated: 20/4 = 5.
6. C. Prime numbers are those that are only evenly divisible by one and themselves.
7. D. Simple Multiplication.
8. D. Multiply 30 by 0.2 and subtract this from the original price of the shirt to find
the sale price: $24. Then multiply 24 by 0.2 and add the product to the sale price to
find the final price.
9. C. There are 12 inches in a foot and 3 feet in a yard. Four and a half yards is equal
to 162 inches. To determine the number of 3-inche segments, divide 162 by 3.
10. A. If it takes 3 people 3 1/3 days to do the job, then it would take one person 10
days: 10 3/13× 3 = . Thus, it would take 2 people 5 days, and one day of work for two
people would complete 1/5 of the job.
