GMAT Sections

The GMAT is comprised of 3 sections: an Analytical Writing Section, a Quantitative Section, and a Verbal Section.

Analytical Writing GMAT Section

The Analytical Writing GMAT Section has 2 essays: "Analysis of an Issue" and "Analysis of an Argument." The section is 60 minutes long (30 minutes per essay) and tests your ability to:

  • Clearly and concisely state a point
  • Support a point with written English
  • Analyze reasoning behind an argument
  • Write a critique of an argument
  • Master grammar usage and rules of written English when presenting an argument or analysis

Quantitative GMAT Section

The Quantitative GMAT Section has 2 types of multiple-choice questions: problem-solving and data sufficiency. There are 37 questions (including 9 experimental questions) and it lasts 75 minutes.

Skills Tested on Problem-Solving Questions:

  • Basic arithmetic, elementary algebra and basic geometry
  • Understanding of basic mathematical ideas and concepts
  • The ability to reason mathematically or quantitatively

Skills Tested On Data-Sufficiency Questions include the ability to:

  • Analyze a mathematical problem
  • Sort out and use relevant information
  • Determine when there is a sufficient amount of information to solve a problem

Verbal GMAT Section

The Verbal GMAT Section has 3 types of multiple-choice questions: reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction. There are 41 questions (including 11 experimental questions), and the section lasts 75 minutes and tests your ability to:

  • Understand words and sentences in a passage
  • Understand relationships between points in a passage
  • Draw inferences based on given information
  • Construct or evaluate an argument
  • Identify grammatical or structural sentence errors
  • Identify an effective sentence
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