The GMAT Focus Edition: How is The New GMAT different?

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) score directly impacts your MBA and postgraduate admissions. It is a multiple-choice test developed and administered by GMAC (Graduate Management Admissions Council). The GMAT format provides graduate and business schools globally with standard parameters to measure applicants’ ability for graduate-level academic work.

The GMAT Focus Edition, a revamped version of the test, was launched in November 2023. It has been designed to keep the exam relevant and aligned with the evolving needs of business schools and employers. The new format emphasizes critical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving skills, essential for success in both business education and professional environments.

The GMAT vs. the GMAT Focus Edition – How has the GMAT Format changed?: 

11 features to look forward to in The GMAT Focus Edition 

1) The GMAT Focus Edition is shorter

Drawing inspiration from the SAT playbook, the new GMAT format is much shorter, giving students a reason to celebrate. Compared to its predecessor’s gruelling three hours and seven minutes (with a break), the GMAT Focus Edition is a two-hour, 15-minute exam. (one optional 10-minute break between any two sections)

2) The GMAT Focus Edition introduces the Data Insights section

Remember the Integrated Reasoning (IR) section that carried a score that wasn’t part of the 800 total? It will soon be gone. In its place, you now have the Data Insights section, where you are expected to answer data-sufficiency questions. There’s no way you could have dodged that bullet. Data sufficiency is here to stay!

3) The GMAT Focus Edition bids farewell to AWA

GMAC has eliminated the 30-minute analytical writing assessment and kept the sections on quantitative, verbal, and integrated reasoning.

4) The GMAT Focus Edition is flexible with its order of sections 

The earlier GMAT let you pick the order of three out of four sections. On the new test, it’s open season. You can complete three sections in the order of your choice. Here are some of your options: 

• Quant – Data Insights – Verbal
• Quant – Verbal – Data Insights
• Verbal – Quant – Data Insights
• Verbal – Data Insights – Quant
• Data Insights – Verbal – Quant
• Data Insights – Quant – Verbal

5) The GMAT Focus Edition innovates with the ‘Question Review & Edit’ method

Unlike its predecessor, the GMAT Focus Edition lets you flag several questions, which you can return to if you have time. However, you can change answers to only three questions in a section. It’s true that you only get three edits. However, the earlier GMAT did not give you that option, and with only 20-23 questions per section, it can make a considerable difference. 

6) The GMAT Focus Edition makes all its sections adaptable 

The GMAT Focus Edition offers adaptive questions, where your performance on a specific question impacts the difficulty of the next one. However, this option was not available in the Integrated Reasoning section. With this section replaced by Data Insights, the test has become an entirely adaptive exam.

7) The GMAT Focus Edition ensures all sections contribute to the final score

You no longer need to squeeze out precious time to complete a section that doesn’t contribute to your final score.  The GMAT Focus Edition considers all three sections for the final score. Each section is scored on a scale of 60-90 in one-point increments, and the total score is 205-805 in 10-point increments. When a test undergoes significant changes, a new scale is required to differentiate scores from the old and new versions. However, GMAC has devised an intelligent solution by retaining the old scale for reference purposes. The new scores end in a five, while the old ones end in zero. This ensures that MBA admissions officers can still use the familiar ranges and scales to evaluate scores while also distinguishing between scores from the old and new tests.

8) The GMAT Focus Edition score reporting gets a makeover

Like the earlier test, the GMAT Focus Edition allows you to select up to five schools and send your scores to them for free. The difference is that you can now see your score before you select your colleges to make an informed decision. Earlier, you didn’t have that option.

9) The GMAT Focus Edition gives you an Enhanced Score Report (ESR)

If you wanted an Enhanced Score Report (ESR) after taking the GMAT in its earlier form, you had to pay a $30 fee. This report contains details of your performance in various sections and question types, which are not part of the standard score report. The GMAT Focus Edition give you “personalized insights” on your performance in a detailed and improved score report included with registration. 

10) The GMAT Focus Edition excludes geometry

Like the earlier Quantitative Section, the GMAT Focus Edition’s Quant section includes problem-solving questions. However, it no longer has Geometry, making the quantitative syllabus similar to the Executive Assessment.

11) The GMAT Focus Edition omits Sentence Correction from the Verbal Section

For many, Sentence Correction was the easiest part of the Verbal Section in the GMAT. However, while the GMAT Focus edition retains Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension, it has eliminated Sentence Correction, making the Verbal Section more challenging.

Despite all these changes, one thing remains unchanged. You still require substantial time, dedication, and energy to prepare for the new GMAT exam. If you need guidance on your MBA or Master’s applications, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team looks forward to helping you. Meanwhile, read our blogs: How to measure the return on investment of your MBA? and How to Shortlist the Best Business Schools for Your MBA.