The GMAT exam is attempted by many candidates who would like to pursue their MBA overseas. It is one of the most competitive exams and requires a lot of preparation by the students to be able to gain admissions at the universities of their preference. The admissions committee of these top B-schools uses the GMAT scores as one of the measures to judge the candidate’s competencies and whether they are capable of adapting to the demanding and challenging schedules of an MBA program.
To be able to perform well in the GMAT and attain the desired scores you must first be familiar with the different sections of the GMAT exam. The GMAT exam is composed of 4 main sections but there are several other aspects that one has to keep in mind before attempting the exam. We have listed below five prominent features of the GMAT exam which many candidates are unaware of.
- The Adaptive Testing Pattern
- Canceling Scores and Reinstating them
- Retaking the GMAT exam
- Authentication code for Enhanced Score Report
- AWA Re-evaluation Service
Let us learn more about each of these points in detail.
The Adaptive Testing Pattern of the Exam and No Pass Score for the Exam
The adaptive testing technology which is used in the exam is one of the most unique features of the GMAT exam. The adaptive testing method is the process by which the computer algorithm increases or decreases the difficulty level of the questions based on your performance on the previous questions. While this may be challenging for many candidates it has proved beneficial since it provides more accurate test results and uniform scores. Another advantage is that the same kind of testing environment is provided for all candidates irrespective of their caliber. The Computer Adaptive Test selects the questions on the basis of how each candidate has answered the previous questions unlike the rigid traditional paper and pencil-based tests and computer tests. The computer adaptive test has to meet certain content specifications so that there are no errors while the candidates are attempting the exam. Another important feature of the GMAT exam is that there is no specific score that you need to achieve to pass the exam. The total score range of the GMAT exam is between 200-800. Each university has its own GMAT score cutoff range and the score you need will depend on the school and program you are applying to for admissions.
Canceling Scores and Reinstating Them
On completion of the GMAT exam, your unofficial scores will be displayed on the screen for 2 minutes. You will have the opportunity to either accept or reject the scores within this time limit. It is essential that you have a specific idea about the score range you would like to be in so that you can make your decision accordingly. In the event that you have initially accepted your GMAT scores but later change your mind and would like to cancel the scores, then GMAC provides you with the opportunity of doing so within 72 hours of taking the test. However, you will be charged a small fee of $25 for the same.
Similarly in a situation where you have already canceled your scores on the date of the exam but later would like to reinstate them, then GMAC provides you with this feasibility as well. The time limit for the same is 4 years and 11 months from the date of the exam.
Such flexibility in accepting or rejecting scores provides an immense advantage since you won’t be forced to make an irreversible decision within the time limit. Most candidates wish to either cancel or reinstate their scores on the basis of the cutoff scores at the universities they are applying to for admissions.
Retaking the GMAT Exam
You have the option to retake the GMAT exam if you are unsatisfied with your performance and scores on your first attempt. GMAC allows you to attempt the GMAT exam up to 5 times in a calendar year with a 16-day gap between each attempt.
The gap between each attempt will provide you with sufficient time to rectify the mistakes you made in your first attempt so that you are able to fare better in your next attempt. This will also help to improve your GMAT scores which will aid in securing admissions at the university of your preference. Since the admissions committee will be able to view your previous scores and attempts it is important to show an improvement in your overall GMAT score and section-wise performance in your consecutive attempts of the exam.
The duration of the GMAT exam is 3 and a half hours inclusive of two optional 8-minute breaks. Each section of the exam has a stipulated time limit and it is crucial that you complete answering the questions within the mentioned time. Therefore you must pace yourself appropriately to be able to finish the exam on time. Failing to do so will lead to a negative impact on your overall GMAT score. It is recommended that you don’t spend too much time on a particular question and miss out on answering other questions of the exam.
Authentication Code for Enhanced Score Report
If you would like to gain more insights into your GMAT exam score then you can request an Enhanced Score Report. The Enhanced Score report contains a comprehensive analysis of your overall performance, your performance by question type, a detailed analysis of your strengths and weaknesses, your time management, the percentage of questions that you answered correctly, and more. This report is available for five years from the date of purchase. The Enhanced Report is sent to you along with an authentication code. While previously you were provided with a separate code for this purpose, now you can access the same using your date of birth as an authentication code.
AWA Re-evaluation Service
Once you complete your exam you will receive a raw score or unofficial score report which consists of your Quant, Verbal and Integrated Reasoning scores. Your scores in the AWA section are provided along with your official score report 21 days after you complete the GMAT exam. If you are not satisfied with your AWA scores then you can request a reevaluation for this section alone for a fee of 45$. You can request rescoring of the AWA section within 6 months of your exam date. The scores could increase or decrease after rescoring. Do remember that the results which you receive after rescoring will be final.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about the different features of the GMAT in detail.
Good Luck!