• Pre-Test Computer Tutorial (untimed)
• Analysis of an Issue (30 minutes, 1 essay topic)^*
• Analysis of an Argument (30 minutes, 1 essay topic)^*
• 5-minute break (optional)
• Quantitative Ability (75 minutes, 37 questions)^**
  • Problem Solving (23–24 questions)
    
  • Data Sufficiency (13–14 questions)
    
• 5-minute break (optional)
• Verbal Ability (75 minutes, 41 questions)^**
  • Critical Reasoning (14–15 questions)
    
  • Sentence Correction (14–15 questions)
    
  • Reading Comprehension (4 passages, 12–14 questions)
• Post-Test Procedures

^* The two essay sections may appear in either order on the exam.

^** The Quantitative and Verbal sections may appear in either order, and the different types of questions included within each section are interspersed.

Before you begin the timed test, you'll step through a computerized tutorial, during which you'll learn all you need to know about

• using the mouse
• scrolling the screen display vertically
• selecting and changing your responses to questions
• confirming your responses to questions
• moving ahead from one question to the next
• using the built-in word-processor (for the two Analytical Writing sections)
• accessing the on-line help
• accessing the directions for the current test section

This section is designed to gauge

• your ability to argue effectively and persuasively for a position on an issue, using sound reasons and relevant supporting examples
• your ability to present your ideas in a cohesive and organized manner
• your facility with the English language (diction, word usage, and vocabulary)
• your facility with the conventions of Standard Written English, including grammar and syntax (sentence structure)

NOTE: The testing service has pre-disclosed its entire list of Analysis-of-Issue topics, which you can download from the GMAC website (www.gmac.com), free of charge.

Keep in mind the following procedural features of the Analysis-of-Issue section:

• Directions for this section will appear on your screen before the CAT presents your essay prompt, and you can access the directions at any time by clicking on the HELP button. (The testing clock will be running while the directions are displayed.)
• To record your response you must use the word processor built into the testing system. (Handwritten responses are not allowed.)
• You can proceed to the next test section anytime you want — without waiting for the clock to run out.
• Scratch paper and pencils are provided for this section (just as for all other test sections).

This section is designed to gauge

• your ability to reason critically, analytically, and logically
• your ability to present your ideas in a cohesive and organized manner
• your facility with the English language (diction, word usage, and vocabulary)
• your facility with the conventions of Standard Written English, including grammar and syntax (sentence structure)

NOTE: The testing service has pre-disclosed its entire list of arguments, which you can download from the GMAC website (www.gmac.com), free of charge.

The procedural features of the Analysis-of-Argument section are the same as for the Analysis-of-Issue section:

• Directions will appear on your screen before the CAT presents your essay prompt, and you can access the directions at any time by clicking on the HELP button. (The testing clock will be running while the directions are displayed.)
• To record your response you must use the word processor built into the testing system. (Handwritten responses are not allowed.)
• You can proceed to the next test section anytime you want — without waiting for the clock to run out.
• Scratch paper and pencils are provided (just as for all other test sections).

This multiple-choice section is designed to measure your basic math and algebraic skills, your understanding of basic quantitative concepts, and your ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative problems and interpret graphical data. In the Quantitative section you'll encounter questions involving

• arithmetical operations
• the number line and ordering
• integers, factors and multiples
• decimals, percentages, and ratios
• exponents and square roots
• arithmetic mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation
• operations on variables
• algebraic equations
• algebraic inequalities
• geometry (including coordinate geometry)

Each Quantitative question will adhere to one of two different formats: Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency (questions in the two formats are interspersed). Any of the content areas listed above is fair game for either format.

Problem Solving (23-24 questions): Questions in this format require you to work to a solution, which will appear among the five answer choices.
(Take a peek at a sample Problem Solving question.)

Data Sufficiency (13-14 questions): Each question in the Data Sufficiency format consists of a question followed by two statements (labeled 1 and 2). Your task is to determine whether the information provided in the two statements suffices to answer the question.
(Take a peek at a sample Data Sufficiency question.)

Keep in mind the following procedural features of the Quantitative section:

• Directions for the Quantitative section will appear on your screen before the CAT presents the first question, and you can access the directions at any time by clicking on the HELP button. (The testing clock will be running while the directions are displayed.)
• You can proceed to the Verbal Ability section (or to the post-test procedures if the Quantitative section is your final test section) anytime you want — without waiting for the clock to run out — even if you haven't responded to all 37 available Quantitative questions.
• Scratch paper and pencils are provided for the Quantitative section (just as for all other test sections).

This multiple-choice section includes the following three different question types (questions of these three types are interspersed):

Sentence Correction (14-15 questions): These questions are designed to gauge you command of the English language and the conventions of Standard Written English, including grammar, syntax (sentence structure) and diction — but not punctuation. For each question your task is to determine which among five versions of a sentence is the best example of proper grammar and effective expression.
(Take a peek at a sample Sentence Correction question.)

Reading Comprehension (12-13 questions): These questions are designed to measure your ability to read carefully and accurately, to determine the relationships among the various parts of a reading passage, and to draw reasonable inferences from the information in the passage. The questions are presented as a series of four distinct sets, each set including three (or four) questions. All questions in one set pertain to one particular passage. Each passage is 150-300 words in length. GMAT reading passages are drawn from a variety of academic disciplines—the humanities, the social sciences, the physical sciences, ethics, philosophy, and law.
(Take a peek at a sample Reading Comprehension question.)

Critical Reasoning (14-15 questions): These questions are designed to gauge your ability to understand, critique, and draw reasonable conclusions from arguments. Each argument is presented as a brief one-paragraph passage.
(Take a peek at a sample Critical Reasoning question.)

Keep in mind the following procedural features of the Verbal section:

• Directions for the Verbal section will appear on your screen before the CAT presents the first question, and you can access the directions at any time by clicking on the HELP button. (The testing clock will be running while the directions are displayed.)
• Specific directions for each type of question will appear again on your screen before the first question of that type is presented.
• You can proceed to the Quantitative Ability section (or to the post-test procedures if the Verbal section is your final test section) anytime you want — without waiting for the clock to run out — even if you haven't responded to all 41 available Verbal questions.
• Scratch paper and pencils are provided for the Verbal section (just as for all other test sections).

During the GMAT you're allowed two 5-minute breaks. The first break is provided after the second essay section (after 60 minutes of actual exam time); the second break is provided after the first multiple-choice section (after another 75 minutes of actual exam time). Both breaks are optional; you may terminate either break at any time and proceed immediately to the next section.

The testing clock will be running during these breaks, and after five minutes the next section will start, with or without you! Also, if you pause too long between sections, the exam session will automatically terminate (after a warning), and no responses or scores will be tabulated or reported.

Immediately following the timed test the computerized testing system will engage you in the following sequence of post-test procedures:

1. The system will ask you whether you want to view an unofficial score report for the Quantitative and Verbal sections. (Remember: If you request a score report at this time, you waive your right to cancel your scores.) You'll have 5 minutes to consider whether to cancel or view your scores.
2. If you choose to view your scores, the system will then ask you which five schools you wish to receive your score report. (A complete list of graduate business schools will be provided.)
3. The system will present to you a brief multiple-choice questionnaire about your test-taking experience (e.g., about your exam supervisor and the testing environment).