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Next Generation GMAT

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By QS Contributor Updated Sep 26, 2014
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Next Generation GMAT
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The new GMAT, or what's being referred to by Graduate Management Admission Council as the "next generation" GMAT, was launched in June 2012. You can register for it at the official GMAT website. What makes the next generation GMAT different from what preceded it? The biggest change has been a new integrated reasoning section designed to measure a candidates ability to analyze different types of complex information. In order to make way for the new integrated reasoning section, the analytical writing assessment has been reduced from two 30 minute essays to one Analysis of Argument essay. 

The new integrated reasoning takes place right after the essay and takes 30 minutes. The new questions having been designed to measure your ability to:

  • synthesize information presented in graphics, text and numbers
  • evaluate appropriate information from different sources
  • organize information to see patterns and solve several interrelated problems
  • Combine and manipulate information that depend on information from more than one source

Question topics include: graphics interpretation, table analysis, multisource reasoning and two-part analysis.

According to GMAC, the table analysis questions measure your ability to analyze and find patterns within data tables (similar to a spreadsheet) so you can organize information to solve problems effectively. The graphics interpretation questions ask you to interpret a graph or graphical image responding with fill in the blank statements from pull down menus. Multi-source reasoning questions require you to use 2 to 3 information sources to answer traditional multiple-choice or opposite answer (yes/no or true/false) questions. Two-part analysis questions require you to choose two response components from two different columns.

Another change has been beefed up security measures to ensure that test takers are honest. State-of-the-art palm readers will be used to keep records on those taking the test. GMAC is also developing software which documents copyright infringement. These questions will include sortable numeric columns, but some columns can be sorted alphabetically to measure data skills that aren't just mathematical. 

What stayed the same? The test still takes 3 hours and 30 minutes (4 hours total including breaks). The optional breaks take place before and after the Quantative sections. The quantative and verbal GMAT sections remain 75 minutes long. Unofficial score reports are still sent out immediately after the test. More information on GMAT scoring is available on the GMAC website.

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