As part of the admission process, the majority of graduate programs in the U.S. require at least one or more standardized test scores. Universities and colleges in the U.S. have their own admission requirements and each of them accepts different standardized test scores from third-party organizations. Make sure to find out which test scores are required on the website of each institution.
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardized test that measures Verbal, Mathematical, and Analytical Writing skills to pursue graduate management programs such as an MBA. The Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections of the GMAT are computer-adaptive, meaning that the difficulty of the test is adjusted in real-time to your ability level.
Components
- Analytical Writing Assessment — Measures your ability to think critically and to communicate your ideas.
- Integrated Reasoning — Measures your ability to analyze data and evaluate information presented in multiple formats.
- Quantitative Reasoning — Measures your ability to analyze data and draw conclusions using reasoning skills.
- Verbal Reasoning — Measures your ability to read and understand written material, to evaluate arguments and to correct written material to conform to standard written English.
Total testing time
3 hours and 30 minutes, including two optional breaks.
Exam type
Multiple choice and open questions.
Score reporting
Analytical Writing Assessment: 0.0 – 6.0 score scale.
Integrated Reasoning: 1 – 8 score scale.
Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning: 6 – 51 score scale.
Total score: 200 – 800 score scale.
How to study
A list of both free and paid preparation materials can be found here: www.mba.com/exams/gmat/before-the-exam/perform-your-best-on-test-day
Official preparation books can also be borrowed at our EducationUSA Advising Center in Brussels for a refundable deposit of 20 euros per book.
Taking the test
The GMAT Exam is owned by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and is administered only at designated Pearson VUE test centers around the world. In Belgium, the computer-based test is offered year-round at a couple of test centers. In order to find a test date and to register, you will need to create an account online and follow the instructions on the official website of mba.com.
Required or not
Most graduate management programs will require that you take the GMAT for admission consideration.
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