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.
    In June 2012, the GMAT test changed its format, meaning test-takers have to navigate their way through a Quantitative section, a Verbal section, an Integrated Reasoning (IR) section and an Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA).
       Testing MBA applicants on their mathematical ability, the Quantitative section of the business school admissions test lasts for a maximum of 75 minutes, and candidates are expected to answer all of the 37 questions they are given. This section is split into two question types; problem solving, and data sufficiency.
The Verbal section of the test is split into three sections; reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction. Here, GMAT test-takers are offered 75 minutes in order to answer 41 questions, testing them on their understanding of the English language.
      The most recent addition to the GMAT exam, the Integrated Reasoning section consists of 12 questions which fall under four different categories; graphics interpretation, two-part analysis, table analysis and multi-source reasoning. Candidates are given 30 minutes to complete the Integrated Reasoning section.
Integrated Reasoning GMAT scores are based on a scale of 1-8, are scored separately on results sheets, and do not form part of the overall score
     The AWA section of the admissions test is usually considered to be the least important of the three sections. However, although the AWA test score is listed separately to the rest of the GMAT scores, business schools are still informed of how well applicants score in the AWA, and so should be thought of as influential in the majority of applications.
The AWA section is formed of one essay question; analysis of an argument. Candidates are given 30 minutes to complete the AWA.