The test has three distinct sections : Analytical Writing Ability (AWA), Quantitative, and Verbal. The Quantitative section has two types of questions, Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency, mingled throughout the section. The Verbal Section has three types : Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension; here too, the questions of each type appear in no set sequence. There are a total of 78 questions, 37 in Quantitative (Including 9 Experimental Questions) and 41 in Verbal. These have to be done in 75 minutes each.
The analytical writing sections of the test measure the ability to think critically and communicate complex ideas through writing. There are two 30 minute essays—1 task is to analyze an issue; the other is to analyze an argument.
Analysis of Issue: Students are required to present their perspective/opinion on an issue.
Analysis of Argument: Students are required to analyse a given argument.
The quantitative sections of the test measure basic mathematical skills and understanding of elementary concepts, and the ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative problems, and interpret graphic data. This 75 minute section contains 37 multiple-choice questions (with 5 answer choices per question) of either two question types, Data Sufficiency or Problem Solving.
The verbal sections of the test measure the ability to understand and evaluate what is read and to recognize the basic conventions of standard written English. This 75 minute section contains 41 multiple choice questions (with 5 answer choices per question) of any of three question types, Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction.
The following table gives out the format of the GMAT-CAT :
Remember:
The Analytical Writing section is always the first section followed by the Quantitative Section and then the Verbal Section.
GMAT Score : The GMAT score is for a total of 800. The score is based on a combination of the Quantitative and Verbal sections and will be in a range of 200-800.
