GMAT Focus Edition 2024: Complete Guide about the GMAT Focus Edition

GMAT Exam – Focus Edition: First Exam on Nov 7, 2023; Complete Guide about the GMAT Focus Edition

Conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) for more than 60 years, the GMAT is a ‘Computer Adaptive Test’ which is backed by decades of peer-reviewed research including hundreds of validity studies. The GMAT exam score is accepted by more than 2,400 MBA colleges and universities across the Globe. Effective 2024, New GMAT Format – ‘GMAT Exam Focus Edition’ is introduced. GMAC is making substantial changes in the new GMAT Focus Edition exam pattern, making it more aspirant friendly in its newly launched Edition. The first GMAT Focus Edition Exam is on November 7, 2023 and till January 31, 2024 you can apply and appear in both the GMAT exams – present GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition. However, from February 1, 2024, there will be only GMAT Focus Edition available.

GMAT Focus Edition: Latest Updates

• GMAT Exam Focus Edition: Effective 2024, GMAT will be 1 hr shorter with 2 hr 15 minutes duration
• Registration: Open from August 29, 2023
• GMAT Focus Edition Exam Date: November 7, 2023 onwards
• Date of Complete Takeover by GMAT Focus Edition on Present GMAT: February 1, 2024
• 3 Section Exam: Instead of present 4 sections, GMAT Focus Edition has 3 sections
• Equal Sectional Time Limit: Each section in GMAT Focus Edition will have 45 minutes duration
• Scoring Pattern Changed: Instead of present score range of 200-800, it will have 205-805 score range
• Two Testing Modes: Option to Take Exam in CBT Mode at Test Center Or, Online Test from home

Like present exam, the GMAT Focus Edition will be conducted round the year and you can apply and appear in GMAT 5 times a year to improve your GMAT score and percentile. GMAT is conducted in two testing modes – Computer based test at Exam Centres and Online Proctored Test which you can take from the convenience of your home. Read Table of Contents below to know all about the GMAT Exam Focus Edition key highlights, Difference and Similarities between GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition, key changes among other details

Table of Contents

1. What is the GMAT Focus Edition? Check All Details
2. GMAT Exam Focus Edition 2024: Key Highlights
3. GMAT Focus Edition Syllabus
4. GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Current Edition
5. GMAT Focus Edition Implications of the Reduced Syllabus
6. GMAT Focus Edition Advantage
7. GMAT Focus Edition and MBA Admissions

1. What is the GMAT Focus Edition? Check All Details
GMAT is a ‘computer-adaptive’ MBA entrance examination. In a computer-adaptive test, candidates will receive questions one at a time and the difficulty level and score of the GMAT Focus Edition 2024 will depend on the accuracy of the previous answer of the candidate. GMAC has announced to bring more aspirant friendly changes in GMAT exam with fewer questions, reduction in sections from 4 to 3 and making all the sections accountable for score calculation. With all these changes, the GMAT in 2024 is launched with the revised nomenclature as GMAT Exam Focus Edition

Conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) for more than 60 years, the GMAT exam has been the test of choice by the world’s business leaders to get into the world’s leading business schools. GMAT is fast gaining popularity in India. In addition to International B-schools, the colleges accepting GMAT score in India are more than hundred. Top MBA colleges in India accepting GMAT include IIMs, ISB, XLRI, SPJIMR and many other B-schools.

1.1 Important dates for New GMAT Format - GMAT Focus Edition are as below:

• Notification for GMAT Focus Edition Release Date: June 6, 2023
• GMAT Focus Edition 2024 Registration Start Date: August 29, 2023
• GMAT Focus Edition Exam Date: November 7, 2023 Onwards

2. GMAT Exam Focus Edition 2024: Key Highlights
There are three different sections in GMAT Exam Focus Edition 2024 Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights. Total duration of GMAT Focus Edition 2024 is 2 hours 15 minutes with 45 minutes allotted for each of the three sections. Key highlights of GMAT Focus Edition pattern 2024 are as shared below:

3. GMAT Focus Edition Syllabus
Details of GMAT Focus Edition Syllabus for all the three Sections is as below:

3.1 GMAT Focus Edition Section-1 Quantitative Reasoning Syllabus

• This section no longer contains Data Sufficiency questions.
• This section measures your algebraic and arithmetic foundational knowledge and how you apply this knowledge to solve problems.
• The section is composed of 21 Problem Solving questions.
• The questions in this section would require some knowledge of arithmetic and elementary algebra. Answering these questions correctly relies on logic and analytical skills, and not only on the underlying math skills
• You cannot use a calculator while working on this section.

3.2 GMAT Focus Edition Section-2: Verbal Reasoning Syllabus

• This section no longer contains Sentence Correction (SC) questions
• This section measures your ability to read and comprehend written material and to reason and evaluate arguments
• VR in GMAT Focus Edition is composed of 23 Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning questions
• Reading Comprehension questions measure your ability to understand words and statements, understand logical relationships between significant points, draw inferences, and follow the development of quantitative concepts
• Specifically, the following reading skills will be tested: main idea, supporting idea, inference, application, logical structure, and style.
• Critical Reasoning questions measure your ability to make arguments, evaluate arguments, and formulate or evaluate a plan of action
• Critical Reasoning questions are based on a short reading passage of fewer than 100 words
• The short text comes with a question that asks you which of the five answer options strengthens or weakens an argument, tells why the argument is flawed, or strongly supports or damages the argument
• You will not need specialized knowledge of the subject matter to answer the questions.

3.3 GMAT Focus Edition Section-3: Data Insights Syllabus
The Data Insights section measures candidates’ ability to analyze and interpret data and apply it to real-world business scenarios With the GMAT™ Exam - Focus Edition’s updated test design, Data Insights leverages Integrated Reasoning and Data Sufficiency question types to measure a newly calibrated digital and data literacy dimension—one of the most relevant and in-demand skills in business today GMAT Focus Edition Data Insights section is composed of 20 questions that ask you to assess how multiple sources and types of information – including graphic, numeric, and verbal – relate to one another and can be leveraged to make informed decisions Questions may require math, data analysis, verbal reasoning, or all three You can use an on-screen calculator while working on this section.

The question types you'll find on this section are:

• Data Sufficiency: Measures your ability to analyze a quantitative problem, recognize which data is relevant, and determine at what point there is enough data to solve the problem.
• Multi-Source Reasoning: Measures your ability to examine data from multiple sources including text passages, tables, graphics, or some combination of the three—and to analyze each source of data carefully to answer multiple questions. Some questions will require you to recognize discrepancies among different sources of data, while others will ask you to draw inferences, or require you to determine whether data is relevant
• Table Analysis: Measures your ability to sort and analyze a table of data, similar to a spreadsheet, in order to determine what information is relevant or meets certain conditions
• Graphics Interpretation: Measures your ability to interpret the information presented in a graph or other graphical image (scatter plot, x/y graph, bar chart, pie chart, or statistical curve distribution) to discern relationships, and make inferences
• Two-Part Analysis: Measures your ability to solve complex problems. They could be quantitative, verbal, or some combination of both. The format is intentionally versatile to cover a wide range of content. Your ability to evaluate trade-offs, solve simultaneous equations, and discern relationships between two entities is measured.

4. GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Current Edition
With the announcement by GMAC to launch new version of GMAT - GMAT Exam Focus Edition in 2024 with more flexibility, shorter duration, three sections instead of present four sections with the score of all the 3 sections taken into account for score and percentile calculation, the registration for the GMAT Exam Focus Edition begins on August 29, 2023 and the first GMAT exam focus edition will be conducted from November 7, 2023.

The current version of the GMAT™ exam will continue to be available until early 2024 to facilitate your in-progress preparation and applications for business school. The GMAT new version – GMAT Exam Focus Edition will be launched with many aspirant friendly changes as below:

5. GMAT Focus Edition Implications of the Reduced Syllabus
If we go for GMAT focus edition review and edit, the GMAT focus edition implications of the reduced syllabus are:

• More flexible syllabus to prepare
• Shorter duration exam
• Three sections to prepare for instead of present four sections
• Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) removed from the exam
• Integrated Reasoning section dropped and questions included in new Data Insights section
• Data Sufficiency part from QR removed and included in Data Insights section
• Equal Sectional Time duration
• Score range up in the range of 205-805
• Same Weightage
• Score of all three sections taken into account for percentile calculation as against two sections earlier

6. GMAT Focus Edition Advantage
GMAT Exam Focus Edition advantage is that it is a more focused test which hones on the higher-order critical reasoning and data literacy skills as these are more relevant and applicable in the business environment of tomorrow. Below are shared some of the GMAT Focus Edition Advantages:

More Efficient: New features make GMAT focus edition only three section exam with 45-minute duration to attempt each section instead of earlier more than 3 hours exam Easy Preparation: With the reduced number of sections and contents without essay writing test, the preparation for GMAT focus edition has become easier Flexible Exam: You can select your Section Order to attempt the GMAT focus edition and , personalize your test-taking experience with Questions in GMAT focus edition review and edit. Easier & Free Score Sending: After you know your score, send it to 5 schools for free

7. GMAT Focus Edition and MBA Admissions
In addition to International B-schools, GMAT focus edition offers admission to more than hundred MBA colleges in India. Top MBA colleges in India accepting GMAT Focus Edition score for MBA admission include IIMs, ISB, XLRI, SPJIMR and many other B-schools.

7.1 GMAT Focus Edition and MBA Admissions Abroad

7.2 GMAT Focus Edition and MBA Admissions in India