Yasmin, Suleymaan, and Idilanni are friends. In a few months, they will be taking the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) exam for the first time. They're concerned about the test, as they have little or no knowledge about the different types of questions on the GMAT. To prepare for the test, they joined a GMAT study group.
What types of questions should this group of friends expect for the GMAT exam?
They'll need to practice these questions to improve their chances of success!
#1 — Analytical Writing
Do you have a strong grasp of the English language? The question on the Analytical Writing Assessment section will give you an opportunity to put your knowledge into practice.
⏱️ You'll find one essay question in this section with a 30-minute time limit to organize your ideas and thoughts and write your response.
📝 Format of questions
a single passage presentedas a writtenargument, an editorial, or a statement
with unstated assumptions, flawed observations, and vague language
💯 What does it assess?
your essay organization & presentation skills (introduction, body & conclusion)
your ability to logically analyze an argument & evaluate complex ideas
your ability to write (type) a well-constructed, coherent critique
🔍 Check out an example of an Analytical Writing Assessment question with a sample answer (scroll down to the "What Types of Questions are on the GMAT?" section on the linked page).
#2 — Integrated Reasoning
Data analysis is a critical business skill that is a core component of the GMAT. You'll find the Integrated Reasoning section filled with questions that use multiple forms and sources of data.
⏱️ You're given 12 multi-part questions and a 30-minute time limit to analyze information and complete your answers.
📝 Format of questions
4 sub-sections which cover:
multi-source reasoning
table analysis
graphics interpretation
two-part data analysis
presented in the form of an assortment of charts, graphs & short passages
💯 What is assessed?
your ability to interpret data sources presented in graphs, charts, or diagrams
your ability to evaluate data in text passages & in multiple chart formats
your ability to identify data presented in sortable tables
🔍 Check out an example of an Integrated Reasoning question with a sample answer (scroll down to the "What Types of Questions are on the GMAT?" section on the linked page).
#3 — Quantitative Reasoning
Is mathematics one of your strong subjects? You'll find different types of secondary school-level math that will call on your knowledge and skills in the Quantitative Reasoning part of the test.
⏱️ You're given 31 multiple-choice and multiple-part questions to complete within 62 minutes.
📝 Format of questions
2 sub-sections covering:
data sufficiency
problem-solving using various types of math skills such as algebra, geometry, arithmetic, rates, ratios, percentages & general statistics
💯 What is assessed?
your ability to use logic & analytical reasoning to solve quantitative problems
your ability to use basic math concepts to apply arithmetic, algebra & geometry to evaluate information
your ability to apply analytical & reasoning skills, & use of statistics for complex problem-solving
🔍 Check out an example of a Quantitative Reasoning question with a sample answer (scroll down to the "What Types of Questions are on the GMAT?" section on the linked page).
Quiz
Which types of questions on the GMAT require application of critical thinking skills?
#4 — Verbal Reasoning
Are you able to use critical thinking and logical reasoning skills to quickly articulate concepts and ideas? If so, your skills will be an asset when tackling Verbal Reasoning questions.
⏱️ This is the longest section of the GMAT with 36 multiple-choice questions and a time limit of 65 minutes.
📝 Format of questions
3 sub-sections which cover:
short reading passages on a range of topics including business
reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction tasks
💯 What is assessed?
your ability to evaluate & summarize an argument in a text passage
your ability to read data & information to draw conclusions
your ability to apply correct grammar, sentence construction, & spelling
your ability to analyze information & clearly articulate ideaswith logical arguments
🔍 Check out this example of a Verbal Reasoning question with a sample answer (scroll down to the "What Types of Questions are on the GMAT?" section on the linked page).
⚡Knowledge Quiz
After reviewing the GMAT question in each section, Yasmin is ready to tackle some of the different types of exam questions. She selects a sample test question to practice, shown here:
Directions: Read the passage below and replace the highlighted bold text with the best answer choice.
Because scarcity of clean water has caused operational costs of businesses to escalate, many large organizations are looking to shift base to places where the resource is cheaper.
Quiz
Based on what you've learned about the GMAT, what type of question is this?
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