Before starting the GMAT exam preparation, knowing the exam's pattern and syllabus is crucial. The GMAT Exam Pattern consists of 64 questions spread over three sections - Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, & Data Insights, per the new version of the GMAT Focus Edition. The GMAT Paper Pattern comprises only objective questions tested in the MCQ format. The GMAT exam pattern for the Focus Edition focuses on assessing the applicant's problem-solving skills, challenging critical thinking, and testing data analysis skills, which are essential components for pursuing graduate business programs abroad. In this article, we will discuss everything about the GMAT exam pattern and what all the applicants should look forward to in the new version of the exam, including the new GMAT question pattern.
The GMAT exam format is developed to test applicant's business aptitude. The exam is divided into three sections, which are tested over 2 hours and 15 minutes along with an optional 10-minute break. Overall, there are 64 questions, each section has a different set of questions, but all are timed equally. More details on GMAT exam format are given below:
- Quantitative Reasoning: 21 questions, 45 minutes
- Verbal Reasoning: 23 questions, 45 minutes
- Data Insights: 20 questions, 45 minutes.
GMAT exam pattern 2024 and the GMAT syllabus for the current version of the GMAT Focus Edition exam can be understood from the table given below:
GMAT Exam Section | No. of Questions/ Time Limit | GMAT Question Type | GMAT Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
Quantitative Reasoning | 21 questions (45 minutes) |
| 60-90 |
Verbal Reasoning | 23 questions (45 minutes) |
| 60-90 |
Data Insights | 20 questions (45 minutes) |
| 60-90 |
Total | 64 questions (2 hours 14 minutes + 10 minutes optional break) | - | 205 - 805 |
Moreover, this is the latest GMAT Focus Edition syllabus that is being followed across.
GMAT is a standardized exam, score of which are used for obtaining admissions to B-schools abroad and in India as well. Most of the US, UK, Italian, Australian and Canadian universities accept GMAT scores for admissions to MBA programs. Students who are pplying for MBA or MS in Management related courses may have to submit GMAT scores. GMAT is now GMAT Focus Edition, thus, those who are applying for the first time can submit GMAT Focus scores, while those who have previously taken GMAT can submit the scores if they still are valid.
Yes, it is possible that applicants can choose the section order on GMAT. There are three sections, namely Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Verbal Reasoning (VR) and Data Insights (DI) on the GMAT. Any of the section can be followed:
- QR - VR - DI, or,
- QR - DI - VR or,
- VR - QR - DI or,
- VR - DI - QR or,
- DI - QR - VR or,
- DI - VR - QR
There are six variations, applicants can choose any as per GMAT question pattern to attempt GMAT exam.
- GMAT Exam Pattern 2025
- GMAT Exam Pattern: Quantitative Reasoning Section
- GMAT Exam Pattern: Verbal Reasoning Section
- GMAT Exam Pattern: Data Insights
- GMAT Test is Computer Adaptive
- GMAT Exam 2025 Pattern FAQs
GMAT Exam Pattern 2025
GMAC launched the GMAT Focus Edition and the GMAT paper pattern has evolved from the previous versions. The latest GMAT Focus Edition exam pattern has brought in new changes. GMAT 11th Edition syllabus and pattern are different from the previous version of the GMAT exam. The table given below provides the details of the GMAT Focus Edition pattern 2025:
| GMAT Focus Edition Section | Number of Questions | Time | GMAT Focus Edition Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning (QR) | 21 Questions | 45 Minutes | 60-90 (1-point Increment) |
| Verbal Reasoning (VR) | 23 Questions | 45 Minutes | 60-90 (1-point Increment) |
| Data Insights (DI) | 20 Questions | 45 Minutes | 60-90 (1-point Increment) |
| Total | 64 Questions | 2 Hours + 15 Minutes | 205-805 (10-point Increment) |
| Breaks | - | 1 Optional Break of 10 Minutes | - |
It can be noted that the AWA section has been removed and a new section, called Data Insights, has been introduced. In addition to this, Sentence Correction (SC) has been removed and the Data Sufficiency (DS) will now be a part of the Data Insights (DI) section.
Commonly asked questions
The table given below provides a comparison between the current version of the GMAT exam and the GMAT Focus Edition:
| Head | GMAT Old Edition | GMAT Focus Edition (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 hours and 7 minutes | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
| Questions |
|
|
| Breaks | 2 optional breaks of 8-minutes each | 1 optional break of 10 minutes |
Check out: GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT: Key Differences
GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, it adapts to the performance of the candidate while he is giving the test. The difficulty level of the questions changes based on whether the candidate is answering the questions right or wrong. If the candidate is answering the questions right, the level of the questions will rise, similarly, if the candidate is answering the questions wrong, the candidate will start getting easy questions. Also, as the next question is generated based on the performance in the current question, the candidate cannot visit the previous question. The candidate needs to answer a question about whether he is able to solve it or not in order to move ahead in the exam. If you get an easy question while taking the GMAT exam, you need not panic whether the previous question was correct or incorrect. Instead of wasting your time, you must focus only on solving the current question.
GMAC has introduced the GMAT Focus Edition. The GMAT Focus Edition syllabus and pattern are different from the current GMAT 2023 exam. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) and Sentence Correction (SC) are not a part of the GMAT Focus Edition syllabus. A new section, called Data Insights (DI), has been introduced. Data Sufficiency (DS), which used to form a part of the GMAT Quants section, will now be a part of the Data Insights (DI) section. Moreover, the GMAT Focus Edition is shorter than the current version of the GMAT 2023 exam by about an hour.
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GMAT Exam Pattern: Quantitative Reasoning Section
It measures the candidates' ability to analyse data and give conclusions using reasoning skills. Here is how the Quant section GMAT is assessed:
- Applicants will be tested on their problem-solving skills through the use of algebraic and arithmetic concepts.
- The applicants benefit from the GMAT Focus Edition because, for the Quant section, there is an on-screen calculator available. Thus, they will not have additionally carry one with them.
- Geometry questions have been scrapped from the GMAT exam pattern of Focus Edition.
Thus, there are 21 questions in the Quantitative Reasoning section on GMAT Focus. The GMAT exam retains its Quantitative Reasoning section, check out:
| Syllabus for GMAT Quantitative Reasoning | Arithmetic in GMAT Focus QR section |
| Prep Tips for GMAT Quant Section | GMAT Sample Questions on Quantitative Reasoning |
These will aid applicants to prepare for the GMAT QR section.
Commonly asked questions
The Quant section on GMAT or the Quantitative Reasoning (QR) pattern is quite simple, there are 21 questions on this sections. Applicants have 45 minutes to attempt all the questions on this section. This section basically focuses on applicant's algebraic and arithmetic skills and how they are applied. The use of calculators for this section is prohibited, thus, answering questions correctly on QR relies on the applicant's logical and analytical skills purely and not just math skills.
Below are some of the topics that need to be covered to prepare for the GMAT Quants:
- Arithmetic: Number system (unit digit, powers, roots, fractions, decimals, etc.), average, ratio and proportion, mixtures and allegations, percentages, profit and loss, interest, speed, time and distance, sets, probability, statistics, etc.
- Algebra: Equations, quadratic equations, polynomials, functions, exponents, inequalities, permutation and combination, etc.
- Geometry: Triangle, lines and angles, quadrilaterals, circles, coordinate geometry, etc.
Students must note that the GMAT Focus Edition syllabus and pattern for Quantitative Reasoning section is different from the current version of the GMAT 2023 exam. In the GMAT Focus Edition Quants, there will be two topics, viz. Algebra and Arithmetic. Data Sufficiency will form a part of the Data Insights (DI) section.
GMAT Exam Pattern: Verbal Reasoning Section
This section measures candidates' ability to understand reading comprehension and evaluate critical reasoning in standard English.
- The assessment evaluates an applicant's comprehension skills and ability to make inferences from written texts. It does this through two types of multiple-choice questions.
- The first type involves reading passages up to 350 words long, followed by answering certain questions. These questions test your capacity to interpret the given text, draw inferences from it, and identify logical connections between different parts of the content.
- The second type, Critical Reasoning questions, measures your ability to conclude from short argumentative passages.
Thus, GMAT exam pattern for Verbal Reasoning on the Focus Edition is relatively similar to the previous one. The section includes 23 questions and they are timed for 45 minutes.
GMAT Exam Pattern: Data Insights
Data Insights is the new section on the GMAT exam and has been introduced to assess the applicant's aptitude for understanding data. Here's the pattern on the GMAT exam for the Data Insights on the Focus Edition:
- The GMAT Focus will assess the applicant's ability to read and interpret data in multiple formats, including tables and graphs.
- The GMAT exam pattern for this section is designed to imitate how today’s business world runs on data. How businesses and managers procure data from multiple sources and identify patterns, to make decisions, and solve small or big business problems.
- Hence, the applicant will be tested on 20 questions for 45 minutes in this new section.
Commonly asked questions
The Data Insights (DI) section on GMAT Focus Edition is structured this way -
- DI is timed for 45 minutes
- DI consists of 20 MCQ based questions
- Questions on DI will test applicant's knowledge in the areas of:
- Data Sufficiency
- Multi-Source Reasoning
- Table Analysis
- Graphics Interpretation
- Two-Part Analysis
- Applicants will be scored on a 60-90 scale for this section and based on the overall sectional scores, GMAT scores will be generated.
Thus, this is how the structure of DI has been defined by GMAC for the latest GMAT exam's edition.
Unlike other sections on the GMAT Focus, there are just 20 questions on the Data Insights section. All 20 questions are tested around the topics of - multiple-source reasoning, table analysis, graphics interpretation, two-part analysis, and data sufficiency.
GMAT Test is Computer Adaptive
After discussing the GMAT pattern, we will explain how the GMAT test is Computer Adaptive. Out of the four sections of the GMAT format, the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative sections of the GMAT are computer-adaptive. It means that the difficulty level of the test modifies according to the test taker's ability. This feature allows the test to assess the candidate's ability with utmost precision. This is the reason that business schools trust the GMAT test scores to give admission to the aspirants.
The first question that comes either in the Quantitative or in Verbal Sections is of medium difficulty level. As the test taker proceeds with the test, the computer scores the answers and uses them and your responses for the next question. If your first answer is incorrect then the next question will be less hard. If you answer the second question correctly then the next question will be harder. This process continues until the end and it accurately assesses the candidate's ability in that particular subject.
Hence, if you keep answering the GMAT questions correctly, you will keep receiving tougher questions and will score higher. Whereas, if you keep answering the questions incorrectly, you will keep getting easier questions but your score will be towards the lower side.
At the start of the GMAT exam, you will be given questions of average difficulty; hence, it is extremely important to get them correct. If you answer the starting 10-15 questions correctly, you will reach the higher spectrum of the GMAT score.
The test-takers are not allowed to return to change their answers because the computer uses their answers to select the next question. So, it is important to give answers carefully, as you will not be able to change them later.
GMAT Exam 2025 Pattern FAQs
Please visit the FAQs section to know more about the GMAT pattern.
Commonly asked questions
GMAC has launched the GMAT Focus Edition in the year 2023. The GMAT Focus Edition is significantly different for the current version of the GMAT exam. The GMAT Focus Edition is shorter (by about an hour), efficient (no AWA and no SC), more flexible, and more details (with respect to the performance report). The current version of the GMAT exam will be available until at least early 2024. Hence, students will have an option to register for both the exams. There have been no changes in the pattern of the current version of the GMAT (test centre) and the online GMAT exam at home.
The most important point for any examination prep is familiarity with the exam pattern and the exam syllabus. Without these, you will not be able to start the preparation. Hence, the starting point for the GMAT exam 2023 is its pattern and syllabus. Once you are clear with the GMAT pattern 2023 and its syllabus, you can start with the official GMAT study material. Make sure that you complete the GMAT official study material at least twice. Once you are done with that, you can move on to other GMAT books and online resources. The most important aspect of your GMAT 2023 preparation is your GMAT mock tests. Candidates must appear for as many mocks as possible to gauge their level of preparation from time to time.
Yes, the formats for the GMAT 2023 exam and GMAT online exam are the same. GMAT consists of four sections; Quantitative, Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), and Integrated Reasoning (IR). AWA and IR are not a part of your GMAT score that ranges from 200-800 and are scored separately. AWA consists of 1 topic (30 minutes), IR consists of 12 questions (30 minutes), quantitative aptitude consists of 31 questions (62 minutes), and verbal reasoning consists of 36 questions (65 minutes). Overall, GMAT consists of 80 questions that are to be answered in 3 hours and 7 minutes.
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The current version of the GMAT exam "will continue to be available until early next year". There is no specific date for the same. After MCom, you may opt for an MBA as it will enhance your profile. You might as well venture into a new field (e.g. supply chain management) if you find it interestin