How to Prepare for GMAT Exam

GMAT Focus Edition — Format and Scoring

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) was updated to the GMAT Focus Edition in 2023. This is now the only version available.

GMAT Focus Edition sections: Quantitative Reasoning: 21 questions, 45 minutes. Problem-solving only (no Data Sufficiency in Quant section). Tests arithmetic, algebra, and word problems. Verbal Reasoning: 23 questions, 45 minutes. Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. Sentence Correction has been removed. Data Insights: 20 questions, 45 minutes. Combines Data Sufficiency, Multi-Source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, and Two-Part Analysis.

Total: 64 questions, 2 hours 15 minutes (plus optional breaks). Scoring: Each section scored 60–90. Total score 205–805 in 10-point increments.

Key change from old GMAT: Sentence Correction removed; Data Insights is a new combined section. The adaptive algorithm still applies — harder questions mean you're doing well.

Test format: Computer-adaptive. Available at Pearson VUE test centres or online (GMAT Online with remote proctoring).

Target GMAT Scores for Indian MBA Aspirants

Indian applicants to top MBA programmes face stiff competition, partly because a large Indian applicant pool means higher score benchmarks:

ISB Hyderabad (Indian School of Business): Average GMAT ~720. Competitive range 700–760. India's most competitive 1-year MBA.

IIM Ahmedabad (PGPX — Executive MBA): 700+ expected.

Top US Business Schools (HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, Kellogg): Average scores 720–740. Indian applicants (especially male engineers from IT) need 740–760+ to stand out in an over-represented pool.

Top European B-Schools (INSEAD, LBS, IMD): 700–720 competitive. INSEAD India class average ~700–710.

Mid-tier US MBA (Tepper, Kelley, Ross, Darden): 650–700 competitive.

Formatting for GMAT Focus: Old GMAT scored out of 800 (avg 568). GMAT Focus scores 205–805. A 705 on GMAT Focus roughly equates to a 700 on the old test, but comparisons are approximate. Use GMAC's official conversion tables.

Data Insights — The Most Important Section

Data Insights is the section most unique to GMAT Focus and deserves extra preparation time.

Sub-types in Data Insights: Data Sufficiency: Classic GMAT question — given a question and two statements, determine if the statements alone or together are sufficient to answer. Tests logical thinking, not just calculation. Multi-Source Reasoning: 2–3 information sources (text, tables, charts). Questions ask you to synthesise information across sources. Table Analysis: Sort a table and answer questions about it. Graphics Interpretation: Fill in statements about a graph or chart. Two-Part Analysis: Two-column answer table requiring two related choices.

Strategy: Data Sufficiency is learnable with pattern recognition — learn the 5 answer choices cold (A, B, C, D, E). Multi-Source Reasoning rewards careful reading. The common mistake is confusing 'sufficient' with 'correct' — a statement is sufficient if it gives one definitive answer, even if the answer is 'no'.

Practice: The Official GMAT Guide (GMAC) is the best resource for Data Insights. Third-party prep companies (Manhattan Prep, Target Test Prep) also have excellent Data Insights modules.

Preparation Plan and Resources

3-month GMAT Focus preparation plan:

Month 1 — Foundation: Week 1–2: Learn the new format. Take a full diagnostic (GMAT Official Starter Kit — 2 free tests from GMAC). Week 3–4: Quant fundamentals (Target Test Prep Quant is excellent). Data Insights introduction.

Month 2 — Skill Building: Week 5–6: Verbal — Critical Reasoning strategies (LSAT CR practice is surprisingly useful). RC passage structure. Week 7–8: Data Insights deep practice. Full section timed tests.

Month 3 — Simulation: Week 9–10: 2 full mock tests per week. Official GMAT Prep software mocks are most accurate. Week 11–12: Weak area targeting. Test-day strategy and stamina.

Best resources: Free: GMAC Official Starter Kit (2 full tests), GMAT Club question forum (free), GMATPrep software. Paid: Manhattan Prep GMAT Focus (comprehensive), Target Test Prep (best for Quant), e-GMAT (popular for Verbal, good for Indian students), Official GMAT Focus Guide.

Study time: 150–200 hours total to improve from a 600-level to a 700+ score. 100 hours for strong quant backgrounds (Indian engineers) targeting 700+.

GMAT vs GRE for MBA

Most MBA programmes today accept both GMAT and GRE. Here's how to choose:

GMAT advantages: Specifically designed for business school. GMAT scores signal serious MBA intent. Admissions committees have decades of experience interpreting GMAT scores. Some very traditional programmes (Wharton, HBS historically) are more comfortable with GMAT.

GRE advantages: Also accepted for MS programmes (more flexible). GRE Verbal is different from GMAT Verbal — no Critical Reasoning, more vocabulary. Some find GRE Quant easier than GMAT.

For Indian IT engineers (the largest Indian MBA applicant segment): GRE Quant is easier (perfect 170 Quant is common), but b-schools know this and may discount very high GRE Quant scores. A 740 GMAT may signal stronger management aptitude than a 330 GRE for MBA purposes.

For social science/humanities backgrounds targeting MBA: GRE may be more natural given the vocabulary focus.

Recommendation: Take both a GRE and a GMAT diagnostic. See which you score better on after minimal preparation. For top global MBA programmes, go with whichever gives you the higher percentile relative to that programme's average.