Home | mba admissions | gmat

What is the GMAT?

GMAT preparation

editorial image

The Graduate Management Admissions Test, or GMAT for short is the most popular and widely used MBA admissions test.

Currently split into three sections, the GMAT test is due to change its format in June 2012. However, for the time being, test-takers will have to navigate their way through a quantitative section, a verbal section, and an analytical writing assessment, or AWA for short.

However, while the majority of business schools require their MBA applicants to submit GMAT scores alongside the rest of their applications, there are some alternatives to the exam.

GMAT Preparation Advice

business-school-interview-web.jpg
Getting into business school: MBA application success
Top business school faculty and experts on management education from around the world...

GMAT Quantitative

gmat-quantitative-problem-solving-questions.jpg
GMAT Quantitative: Problem Solving questions
The problem solving questions in the GMAT Quantitative section should be familiar to the...

Share with friends

GMAT Verbal

gmat-verbal-sentence-correction-questions.jpg
GMAT Verbal: Sentence Correction questions
English language pedants will be over the moon with the sentence correction questions in...

GMAT AWA

gmat-awa.analysis.of_.an_.argument.questions.jpg
GMAT AWA: Analysis of an Issue questions
Analytical Writing Assessment, or AWA for short is the essay writing section of the GMAT.

GMAT news and advice

amit-mahajan-web.jpg
Preparing for an MBA: QS Scholarship winner
Applying to business school was a roller coaster ride for Amit Mahajan, but that didn’t...
gmat-intergrated-reasoning-revision-web.jpg
Preparing for the new GMAT exam: The Integrated Reasoning section
As of June 5th 2012, the GMAT exam is going to change to incorporate a brand new GMAT...
business-school-interview-web.jpg
Getting into business school: MBA application success
Top business school faculty and experts on management education from around the world...
verbal1.jpg
Testing for successful business leaders: GMAT or GRE?
Some students commencing their MBA in 2012 will be among the first to enter business...
how-to-get-a-high-score-in-the-gmat-awa.jpg
The GMAT lowdown
Amongst future MBA applicants, one of the most common concerns is achieving an acceptable...

Also in MBA Admissions

MBA admissions advice | Improve your GMAT score | Financing your MBA | MBA scholarships | Apply for an exclusive MBA scholarship

Find Business Schools

Our find business schools section provides you with the tools and resources to be able to find and choose the best business school to study your MBA:

Find your perfect business school

MBA guides to help you choose where to study

Which MBA program?

It's not just a case of choosing the right business school; which MBA program format you choose can impact not only your time studying, but also your future career:

Which MBA program?

MBA program featured areas

Studying an executive MBA

Executive MBAs are for professionals with six or more years work experience. Our detailed section on executive MBAs will give you all the information you need to find the right EMBA program for you.

Find out more about the executive MBA

What is an MBA?

One question that business schools are regularly asked by MBA applicants is: ‘What is an MBA?’ Don't be worried if you're not sure on the answer, you're not alone.
What is an MBA?

Useful Resources

QS MBA Events

QS runs a variety of exclusive MBA fairs and events which connect candidates with the top business schools from around the world.

All QS MBA events on offer

QS MBA Events by Region

QS World MBA Tour Partners

QS Flagship MBA Events

QS World MBA Tour
The QS World MBA Tour is the leading MBA tour in the world and has been connecting MBA candidates with business schools for over a decade.
Choose a QS World MBA Fair

QS World Executive MBA Tour

The QS World Executive MBA Tour is a series of global events designed specifically for candidates looking to study an executive MBA.
Find a QS World Executive MBA Fair

MBA rankings and ratings

QS rates business schools and MBA programs across a variety of key criteria and produces reports throughout the year which help people rank MBA programs and business schools in their region or MBA specialization. On top of this, TopMBA.com hosts various MBA rankings, including a personalized MBA ranking tool, TopMBA Scorecard.

The QS Global 200 Business Schools Report

Resources for MBA rankings

Personalized MBA rankings with TopMBA Scorecard
TopMBA Scorecard allows business school applicants to create their own MBA rankings, based on a wide selection of criteria and weightings.
Create your personalized MBA rankings

Sustainability MBA Rankings

The Sustainability MBA Rankings are designed to show which MBA programs are the best at preparing their students for the environmental, social and ethical complexities of modern-day business.
View the Sustainability MBA Rankings

MBA admissions advice

TopMBA.com's advice on MBA admissions is designed to provide you with the information and resources to ease your MBA application process and help you get into your ideal business school.

MBA admissions advice

Tools for MBA applicants

TopMBA.com Applicant Survey

The largest survey of the mindset and aspirations of MBA applicants in the world, with in-depth expert analysis.
Read the QS TopMBA.com Applicant Survey 2011

Resources for MBA applicants

You've decided which MBA your going to apply to. Now find out how best to traverse the MBA application process:

MBA scholarships

Every year, QS offers over US$1,200,000 in MBA scholarship funding for selected applicants from around the world.
Find out more about our MBA scholarships

Improve your GMAT score

Use TopMBA.com's tools and advice on the GMAT to improve your GMAT score, increasing your chances of getting into your ideal business school.
Find out how to improve your GMAT score

MBA Jobs

The QS TopMBA.com Jobs and Salary Trends Report reveals upcoming MBA recruitment levels and salaries reported by MBA employers around the world. The leading report contains unparalleled data and expert analysis on which industries will pay, and hire the most MBA graduates and alumni in the coming years.
Read the QS TopMBA.com Jobs and Salary Trends Report 2011/12

Useful resources

Essential Resources

Essential Resources for MBA Jobs

MBA job opportunities in an unstable global economy

As Western economies continue to reel from recent financial strife, there are promising indicators on how current global economic events will affect the future MBA job market.
Read about how the current economic climate will affect the global MBA jobs market

Global surge in employer demand for MBAs

Influential research and MBA employer opinion alike agree that the future MBA job market is set to boom.
Read about the future global MBA job market