Recent Changes to the GMAT

The Analytical Writing Section was removed from the GMAT in 2023. However, with the rise in students using AI-assisted programs to complete business school applications and craft personal statements, business programs began to search for a way to better assess applicants' writing. After business schools expressed the need for a way to evaluate applicants' writing skills, the GMAC reintroduced the AWA in July 2024 as the Business Writing Assessment (BWA), which is essentially the same test under a new name. The BWA is a stand-alone writing exam test-takers can complete independently of the GMAT if a particular business school they are applying to requires it.

The BWA is a 30-minute writing assignment completed online that is designed to evaluate a test-taker's ability to effectively analyze, evaluate, and critique arguments. The arguments are drawn from a wide range of topics relevant to business, as well as general interest subjects. Specific, in-depth knowledge of a topic is neither expected nor required. The BWA is evaluated using a standardized rubric and scored in 1-point increments using a scale of 0 to 6.

The GMAT underwent significant changes in 2023. On November 7^th, 2023, the GMAC launched the GMAT Focus Edition, an updated version of the GMAT exam. As of February 1^st, 2024, this is the only available version of the GMAT test-takers can complete. 

According to the GMAC, the Focus Edition offers "a more focused test-taking experience that hones in on the higher-order critical reasoning and data literacy skills that are especially relevant and applicable in the business environment of tomorrow." Compared to previous versions of this test, there is now a greater focus on efficiency, flexibility, and providing test-takers with important insights into their performance, allowing those who take the test to be as informed as possible about their abilities and educational options.

Test Time

The GMAT Focus Edition can be completed in only 2 hours and 15 minutes (excluding breaks), whereas the previous GMAT was 3 hours and 7 minutes long (excluding breaks).

Thus, the GMAT Focus Edition is approximately one hour shorter than the previous version of the GMAT. This change is largely due to the removal of the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section, which we will discuss in greater detail later. According to the GMAC, the goal of offering a shorter exam is to make the testing process more efficient and less time-consuming for candidates, in addition to reducing test-taking fatigue and allowing those taking the test to perform at their best over the course of the entire exam.

Sections

The GMAT Focus Edition (commonly referred to as "the GMAT") contains three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. 

The Quantitative section retains the Problem-Solving questions that were in the previous GMAT. But the GMAT Focus Edition Quantitative section no longer contains Data Sufficiency problems, since these problems have been moved to the new Data Insights section.

All topics that were covered in the previous GMAT Quantitative section have been retained in the Focus Edition with one important exception: geometry. Geometry is no longer tested in the Quantitative and Data Sufficiency sections, which means the GMAT Focus Edition only requires test-takers to use algebra and arithmetic.

Additionally, while the previous Quantitative section of the GMAT had 31 questions, this section on the Focus Edition only has 21 questions. Test-takers have 45 minutes to complete it.

The Verbal section has undergone extensive changes and now consists only of Reading Comprehension (RC) and Critical Reasoning (CR) questions. All Sentence Correction (SC) questions have been removed.

In the previous version of the GMAT, about one-third of the Verbal section was comprised of Sentence Correction problems, and many test-takers found it to be the simplest part of the Verbal section, both in terms of their knowledge of the content and their ability to answer problems correctly. So, the absence of Sentence Correction may make the Verbal section seem more difficult than before to some test-takers.

On the previous GMAT, the Verbal section was comprised of 36 questions. On the Focus Edition, the Verbal section contains 23 questions. Test-takers have 45 minutes to complete it.

The Integrated Reasoning section of the GMAT has been expanded to include broader content and the renamed Data Insights (DI). Digital literacy and the ability to quickly and accurately interpret data are crucial in the ever-changing business environment, which is why increased emphasis has been placed on these skills as reflected in the Data Insights section. 

The GMAT Focus Edition's Data Insights section contains the same Multi-Source Reasoning (MSR), Table Analysis (TA), Graphical Interpretation (GI), and Two-Part Analysis (2PA) problems that were part of the previous GMAT's Integrated Reasoning section. In addition, the DI section also contains the Data Sufficiency problems that were traditionally included in the Quantitative Reasoning section.

There are 20 questions in the Data Insights section, and test-takers have 45 minutes to complete it.

The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section has been removed from the GMAT, and test-takers are no longer required to complete an essay.

However, after business schools expressed the need for a way to evaluate applicants' writing skills, the GMAC created the Business Writing Assessment (BWA). The BWA is an optional writing assignment test-takers can complete if a particular business school they are applying to requires it.

The BWA is a 30-minute writing task completed online that is designed to evaluate a test-taker's ability to effectively analyze, evaluate, and critique arguments. The arguments are drawn from a wide range of topics relevant to business, as well as general interest ones. Specific, in-depth knowledge of a topic is neither expected nor required. The BWA is evaluated using a standardized rubric and scored in 1-point increments using a scale of 0 to 6.

The GMAC claims that students can now prepare for the Focus Edition faster than they could for the previous GMAT because of all the changes. Reduced preparation time likely reflects the removal of the AWA section, meaning test-takers now only need to prepare for three sections rather than four (unless they are also completing the BWA). 

However, since the aim of the Focus Edition is the same as the previous GMAT—to accurately assess a candidate's readiness to perform well in a business program—reduced content and subsequently reduced preparation time do not mean it's an easier or less challenging exam. The GMAT Focus Edition places more emphasis on applying relevant business skills in order for test-takers to demonstrate competency in the areas of data analysis and critical thinking. Preparation is still an incredibly important part of obtaining the high score business programs want to see. 

Scoring

The GMAT's scoring system also underwent a significant change in 2023. The Data Insights section score now contributes equally to the GMAT Total Score with the Quantitative and Verbal scores. Data Insights has replaced Integrated Reasoning from the previous GMAT, which had been scored separately, meaning it didn't contribute towards the GMAT Total Score. 

Scores on the GMAT Focus Edition also look a little different. Each section is scored on a scale of 60–90 with 1-point increments, and the Total Score is on a scale of 205–805 with 10-point increments.
This means the maximum possible score on the GMAT Focus Edition is 805, as opposed to 800 on the previous GMAT. Since Integrated Reasoning is no longer a part of the Focus Edition, its 0–8 score is now gone. 

It's very important to note that, according to the GMAC, GMAT Focus Edition scores cannot be compared to scores from the previous version of the exam. The score scale on the Focus Edition has been adjusted to better reflect changes in the test-taking population, which has become increasingly global and diverse. Scores have risen significantly over the time the GMAT has been in use, and this has ultimately resulted in an uneven score distribution. Updating the score scale will even out the distribution, helping schools to understand and differentiate test performances more accurately. 

Another welcome change to GMAT scoring is that test-takers no longer have to request and pay separately for an enhanced score report (ESR). 

The previous version of the GMAT let test-takers purchase an ESR for $30 after taking the test. The GMAT Focus Edition doesn't require them to apply for an ESR in order to obtain their performance data. Instead, each test-taker receives "personalized insights" about their performance in a full and expanded score report that is included as part of their GMAT registration.

The ESR provides more information about the test-taker's performance across the many test sections and question types than is available on the normal score report. According to the GMAC, the ESR contains the usual section and total scores, but also allows test-takers to better understand their performance on the specific skills tested in each section and how long it took them to complete each question. They can also see how their skills compared to other test-takers. 

Students who complete the GMAT Focus Edition can send their scores to up to five schools for free. One major change, however, is that you no longer have to select the schools you want scores sent to before you complete the exam. 

The previous GMAT prompted you to select up to five schools to send your test results to before you began the exam. The GMAT Focus Edition prompts you instead to send your score to up to five schools after you have completed the exam and viewed your final score. This new feature is consistent across both the online and the test center version of the GMAT Focus Edition.

Finally, any Official Score Report you send to schools will not include your entire GMAT score history—it will only include a single score, which will be your latest, or most recent, GMAT score. So, after taking the GMAT Focus Edition and seeing your score, you can decide to send it to a few colleges (up to five), and those colleges will only see your score from the most recent test you took, not your scores from the previous five years. You are no longer required to disclose past test results to colleges if you choose not to. 

Select Section Order

After the 2023 update, test-takers are now able to choose the order in which they complete the three sections of the GMAT Focus Edition.

On the previous GMAT, test-takers were given three options for section order (Option 1: AWA and IR (now called Data Insights)-Quant-Verbal; Option 2: Verbal-Quant-AWA and IR; Option 3: Quant-Verbal-AWA and IR). By comparison, the GMAT Focus Edition lets you complete the three sections in whichever order you wish.

So, instead of the three options you previously had, you now have six, allowing you to choose any order of Data Insights, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. Taking the exam in the order you choose offers you greater control over your testing experience, allowing you to complete sections with confidence and obtain your best score.

Adaptability

Another significant change to the GMAT made during the 2023 update is that all three sections of the Focus Edition are now adaptive. On previous versions of the GMAT, only the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections were adaptive. Now, Data Insights (which has replaced Integrated Reasoning) is also adaptive.

Test-takers don't need to be concerned though, as all this means is that questions on the GMAT Focus Edition adapt based on your performance, so your response to one question will determine the difficulty level of the next question you are given. 

Bookmark and Review

Perhaps the most exciting change made during the 2023 update to the GMAT is that test-takers can now go back and review or change their answers to questions in each section.

In order for the scoring system to function, the majority of your responses in a section must remain unchanged. This unfortunately means that he ability to change your answers isn't unlimited, since the GMAT Focus Edition is a question-adaptive test. Because of this, you can change up to three responses in each section, which is still an improvement over the previous GMAT, which didn't allow candidates to change any answers.

You can also review your responses to as many questions as you want in each of the three sections. By using the bookmarking option, you can mark as many questions as you like and return to review them later.

So, let's say you bookmarked four questions in a section because you were uncertain of your responses. Knowing that you can only change responses to three questions, you could, if time allows, revisit and review them, then decide which three responses need to be changed. It's important to note that changing your answers is time-dependent. If you run out of time for a particular section, you won't be able to go back and change any of your answers in that section.

Some important changes were made to the GMAT exam beginning in April 2018. GMAC shortened the test by 30 minutes, bringing the total length of time it took to complete the exam to 3.5 hours from 4 hours. GMAC did it by cutting a combined 23 minutes from the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections, as well as offering an online tutorial you could view at home instead of at the test center. 

Quantitative & Verbal Sections

The changes to the exam were in the Quantitative and Verbal sections. The new test had 31 total questions in the quantitative section as opposed to 37. While it used to take 75 minutes to finish this section, it was shortened to 62. The verbal section used to consist of 41 questions and take 75 minutes, which was brought down to 36 questions in 65 minutes. The other two sections, the Analytical Writing Assessment and the Integrated Reasoning section remained the same.

Scoring

The scoring algorithm, as well as the number of scored questions in each section and average time per question, did not change. The questions GMAC cut in quant and verbal were considered "research" or "pre-test questions" that were unscored and used for development of future tests. There were still some unscored questions on the exam, but the change didn't affect the scoring process.

Select Section Order

The GMAT gave students three options for the order in which the individual test sections appeared starting in July 2017. The original order was Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning, and that remained one of the options. The change let students take the verbal and quant sections first, in whichever order they wish. In those cases, the third and fourth sections were always Integrated Reasoning and Analytical Writing, respectively. 

Online Tutorial 

An additional seven minutes was cut from the exam by allowing students to view an online tutorial of what to expect on the day of the test at home, as opposed to watching it on test day before the start of the exam.

2012 GMAT Content and Policy Revisions

Beginning in 2012, the GMAT became a four-part exam with the introduction of an Integrated Reasoning section that included multi-part problems requiring both verbal and quantitative skills. The other major 2012 content revision was to reduce the number of required essays in the analytical writing assessment from two to one. The previous GMAT included two essay tasks: analysis of an argument and analysis of an issue. The latter essay task didn't appear on the revised exam, and the verbal and quantitative sections of the GMAT didn't have any changes. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) also implemented a series of policy revisions that took effect in July 2015. Cancelled scores were no longer included on score reports, the minimum waiting period for GMAT retakes was reduced from 31 days to 16 days, and the authentication code required to access online score reports was replaced by date of birth. The official limit of five GMAT test attempts in any 12-month period remained in place. 

Motives for Changes to the GMAT

GMAT revisions were inspired by requests from business schools for additional measures of evaluating applicants, especially those that tested student ability to solve complex problems. Hundreds of academic officials at graduate business programs around the world were surveyed, and those officials noted that multi-step problems requiring integrated skill sets were more typical of graduate business courses and professional situations than the narrowly focused questions (such as algebra or sentence completion) that appeared on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GMAT. The integrated reasoning section was GMAC's response to these requests. In order to avoid lengthening the exam, one of the essay tasks was dropped from the analytical writing assessment, for which students were previously given the 30 minutes allotted to the integrated reasoning section.

GMAT Changes and Test Difficulty

When the integrated reasoning section was announced, GMAC repeatedly assured test-takers that the GMAT would not be significantly more difficult. Some GMAT teachers disagreed, with a few even recommending that students make every effort to take the GMAT before the changes took effect. Aspiring graduate business students with significant work experience tended to view the integrated reasoning section favorably, and claimed that their professional duties greatly eased preparation (which would seem to have validated the changes). Other GMAT students felt that the new test included too much material, and that the time limit on the new section was unreasonable. At the individual level, the changes ultimately benefited students with strong problem-solving skills, and students whose greatest strength was writing needed to invest more effort than before in the other areas of GMAT preparation.

GMAT Content Changes and Business School Acceptance

Though the total GMAT score (based on the verbal and quantitative sections only) remained the most emphasized component of the GMAT score report, there were indications that the Integrated Reasoning section was gaining wide legitimacy. Among business school admissions officials surveyed in 2015, nearly 60% claimed that a candidate's Integrated Reasoning score was a significant factor in overall assessment of GMAT performance. Even among schools that considered the addition to the GMAT less important, a low Integrated Reasoning score could have a negative effect. 

Institutional Requirements and Averages

Though many business schools avoid setting specific GMAT admission prerequisites, some institutions required minimum scores on the Integrated Reasoning and/or Analytical Writing Assessment sections. Business schools most commonly provided averages for total GMAT scores only, but some reported averages for the other sections.

Beginning in 2012, the GMAT became a four-part exam with the introduction of an Integrated Reasoning section that included multi-part problems requiring both verbal and quantitative skills. The other major 2012 content revision was to reduce the number of required essays in the analytical writing assessment from two to one. The previous GMAT included two essay tasks: analysis of an argument and analysis of an issue. The latter essay task didn't appear on the revised exam, and the verbal and quantitative sections of the GMAT didn't have any changes. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) also implemented a series of policy revisions that took effect in July 2015. Cancelled scores were no longer included on score reports, the minimum waiting period for GMAT retakes was reduced from 31 days to 16 days, and the authentication code required to access online score reports was replaced by date of birth. The official limit of five GMAT test attempts in any 12-month period remained in place. 

Motives for Changes to the GMAT

GMAT revisions were inspired by requests from business schools for additional measures of evaluating applicants, especially those that tested student ability to solve complex problems. Hundreds of academic officials at graduate business programs around the world were surveyed, and those officials noted that multi-step problems requiring integrated skill sets were more typical of graduate business courses and professional situations than the narrowly focused questions (such as algebra or sentence completion) that appeared on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GMAT. The integrated reasoning section was GMAC's response to these requests. In order to avoid lengthening the exam, one of the essay tasks was dropped from the analytical writing assessment, for which students were previously given the 30 minutes allotted to the integrated reasoning section.

GMAT Changes and Test Difficulty

When the integrated reasoning section was announced, GMAC repeatedly assured test-takers that the GMAT would not be significantly more difficult. Some GMAT teachers disagreed, with a few even recommending that students make every effort to take the GMAT before the changes took effect. Aspiring graduate business students with significant work experience tended to view the integrated reasoning section favorably, and claimed that their professional duties greatly eased preparation (which would seem to have validated the changes). Other GMAT students felt that the new test included too much material, and that the time limit on the new section was unreasonable. At the individual level, the changes ultimately benefited students with strong problem-solving skills, and students whose greatest strength was writing needed to invest more effort than before in the other areas of GMAT preparation.

GMAT Content Changes and Business School Acceptance

Though the total GMAT score (based on the verbal and quantitative sections only) remained the most emphasized component of the GMAT score report, there were indications that the Integrated Reasoning section was gaining wide legitimacy. Among business school admissions officials surveyed in 2015, nearly 60% claimed that a candidate's Integrated Reasoning score was a significant factor in overall assessment of GMAT performance. Even among schools that considered the addition to the GMAT less important, a low Integrated Reasoning score could have a negative effect. 

Institutional Requirements and Averages

Though many business schools avoid setting specific GMAT admission prerequisites, some institutions required minimum scores on the Integrated Reasoning and/or Analytical Writing Assessment sections. Business schools most commonly provided averages for total GMAT scores only, but some reported averages for the other sections.