GMAT Exam Syllabus and Pattern 2024: Section-wise GMAT Format

Planning to sit for the GMAT exam? Your first step should be to understand the section-wise GMAT Syllabus in detail. This guide will provide you with the updated GMAT syllabus, discussing each section at length so you know what to expect and how to prepare effectively. 

Whether you’re a first-time test-taker or aiming to improve your score, this resource will equip you with the insights and strategies needed to crack the code to the world’s leading business schools and embark on your journey to becoming a future business leader.

GMAT Syllabus 2024: A Snapshot

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized exam crucial for students aspiring to pursue MBA or other business-related master’s degrees abroad. 

This computer-adaptive test assesses candidates’ analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative, and verbal skills—competencies essential for success in graduate business programs and beyond. 

The GMAT syllabus, thus, covers the four key sections:

Let’s discuss the syllabus of each of these GMAT sections in detail. 

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment Syllabus

The GMAT analytical writing assessment (AWA) section measures your ability to think critically and communicate your ideas effectively through writing. This section, often referred to as the essay section, consists of a single task: the Analysis of an Argument.

Here, you’ll be given a short argument that makes a specific claim or recommendation, supported by reasoning and evidence. Your task is to produce a well-structured essay, analyzing the logical soundness of the argument.

Your essay should include an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of the argument, such as assumptions, evidence, or logical fallacies.

You will have 30 minutes to complete the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment section.

As for the scoring criteria, your essay will be scored on a scale of 0 to 6, in half-point increments. Scores are based on the quality of your critical thinking and the clarity and coherence of your writing.

Preparation Tips for GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment:

• Regularly practice writing AWA essays on a variety of argument topics to improve your analytical writing skills.
• Study high-scoring sample essays to understand what makes an effective critique.
• Create a basic essay structure template that you can adapt to any argument topic.
• Practice writing essays within the 30-minute time limit to ensure you can complete your analysis and writing in the given time frame.

GMAT Integrated Reasoning Syllabus

The GMAT integrated reasoning section evaluates your ability to analyze and synthesize data from multiple sources and formats. This section consists of 12 questions, to be completed in 30 minutes, covering four primary question types: 

1. Multi-source Reasoning: You’ll be presented with information from multiple sources (text, graphs, tables) and asked to compare and interpret information from these sources, identify discrepancies, and draw conclusions.

2. Table Analysis: This involves analyzing data presented in a sortable table. You will need to determine which data points meet specific criteria or identify patterns and trends within the table.

3. Graphics Interpretation: Data will be presented in graphical formats such as bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, or scatter plots. You must interpret the information accurately and draw logical conclusions based on the graphical data.

4. Two-Part Analysis: You will be presented with a scenario that includes two interrelated questions. You’ll have to identify the connection between both parts and select the correct answers accordingly.

Preparation Tips for GMAT Integrated Reasoning: 

• Regularly practice interpreting data from different formats and sources to become comfortable with the diverse presentation styles.
• Focus on improving your ability to analyze, synthesize, and integrate information quickly and accurately.
• Utilize GMAT official practice questions and mock tests to familiarize yourself with the types of questions and the format of the IR section.

GMAT Quantitative Reasoning Syllabus

The GMAT quantitative reasoning section assesses your mathematical skills and your ability to reason quantitatively, solve problems, and interpret graphical data. This section consists of 31 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 62 minutes, covering a range of topics in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. 

This section includes two primary question types: Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency (whether given data is sufficient to answer a question).

Mathematical Topics Covered in GMAT Quantitative Reasoning:

1. Arithmetic: Numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, sets, counting methods, discrete probability.
2. Algebra: Equations, inequalities, functions, and word problems involving algebraic concepts.
3. Geometry: Basic geometric concepts, properties of shapes, coordinate geometry.

Preparation Tips for GMAT Quantitative Reasoning: 

• Ensure a strong grasp of basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry concepts.
• Practice, practice, practice – as many math questions as you can!
• Understanding how to approach data sufficiency questions. This requires a different strategy than typical problem-solving questions.
• Give mocks.

GMAT Verbal Reasoning Syllabus

The GMAT verbal reasoning section evaluates your reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction skills. This section consists of 36 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 65 minutes, covering three primary question types:

• Sentence Correction: Identify errors in grammar, usage, and style in sentences.
• Critical Reasoning: Analyze arguments, strengthen or weaken them, draw inferences, and evaluate information.
• Reading Comprehension: Understand complex passages and answer questions based on the text. This includes the main idea, supporting details, inferences, and the author’s tone.

Preparation Tips for GMAT Verbal Reasoning: 

• Regularly read articles, essays, and passages from various disciplines to improve your reading comprehension skills and expand your vocabulary.
• Brush up on the rules of standard written English, focusing on common grammatical errors and sentence structure. 
• Give mock tests to become familiar with the types and formats of questions in the GMAT Verbal Reasoning section.

Conclusion

GMAT’s comprehensive syllabus ensures that each candidate is thoroughly evaluated for their readiness for the rigors of graduate business education. By mastering the GMAT syllabus, you not only prepare for the exam but also develop skills essential for success in international business programs and future management roles.

When covering the GMAT syllabus, dedicate ample time to practice, build a strong foundation in quantitative and verbal reasoning, and hone your analytical writing skills. 

With consistent effort and strategic preparation, you can confidently tackle the GMAT exam and open doors to enhanced career opportunities and networking prospects in the global business arena.