GMAT Practice Exam Guide - Take a Free GMAT Practice Test & Learn About Our GMAT Tutor 3-Step Self-Study Guide
In this guide, you will learn about the GMAT exam, and why taking a GMAT practice exam is critical to your preparation. You'll learn how to prepare efficiently for GMAT using our NEW GMAT Tutor app.
If you're looking for a free GMAT practice exam, click the button below to start the GMAT simulation. After completing the test you'll receive a complete diagnostic score report based on your performance.
play_circle_outline Start GMAT Practice ExamBelow, you'll find a list of online GMAT practice exams based on the NEW GMAT Focus Test. The number of GMAT exam practice tests is based on the available questions in the question bank. Just like the official GMAT exam, each test automatically adapts based on your performance.
GMAT Practice Exam 1 - 15
GMAT Practice Exam Guide
The remainder of this guide will give detailed information about the GMAT test.
You'll also find GMAT test examples for each question type.
Table Of Contents
GMAT Exam Introduction (GMAT Focus Test)
If you're already familiar with the GMAT exam, feel free to skip this section :)
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test widely used as an admissions requirement for graduate business programs, particularly for MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs. It is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).
The GMAT is designed to assess various skills important for success in business and management studies. It contains three sections: Data Insights (DI), Quantitative Reasoning (Quant), and Verbal Reasoning (VR). Previously the GMAT contained four sections. That format is no longer offered.
The individual sections of the GMAT and their respective time allocations are as follows:
Also, before starting your test, you will be given the option to choose the test order for each section.
The following is an image of our GMAT practice test selection screen
Additional Features of the New GMAT Test
There are some new features of the new GMAT Focus test that the traditional GMAT test doesn't have. These features give test-takers more flexibility while taking the exam. Pay attention to the following new features:
- You can now bookmark any questions you feel unsure about during the exam. Once these questions are bookmarked, you can go back to these questions in the review and edit section.
- You can review all answers at the end of each section, but you can only change three answers per section.
The GMAT Test Automatically Adapts Based on Your Performance
We briefly discussed how the GMAT exam automatically adapts based on your performance. Let's go into a bit more detail:
2. As you answer each question, the computer assesses your response and uses it, along with your previous answers, to determine the next question.
3. If you answer a question correctly, the computer will present a more challenging one. Conversely, if you answer a question incorrectly, the next one will be easier.
4. This process continues until you complete the section, at which point the computer will have an accurate assessment of your ability in that particular subject.
Therefore, as you answer more questions correctly, the section will progressively present more challenging questions. However, if you encounter a seemingly easier question, it does not necessarily indicate that you answered the previous question incorrectly. The test needs to cover a range of content, both in terms of question types and subject-matter presented. Your score is determined by the difficulty and statistical characteristics of the questions you answer correctly, as well as the number of questions you get right.
How The GMAT Exam is Scored
After taking the GMAT, each section (Data Insights, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning) will be scored on a scale between 60 and 90, with 1-point increments. Your GMAT Total score is then calculated based on the three sections. The GMAT has an algorithm that will convert the sum of all three sections into a score ranging between 205 and 805, in 10-point increments. Keep in mind that the total score is not a simple sum of the Data Insights, Verbal, and Quantitative scores.
Therefore, upon completing the GMAT Focus Edition, you will receive four different scores:
- The score for Data Insights (score between 60 and 90)
- The score for Verbal Reasoning (score between 60 and 90)
- The score for Quantitative Reasoning (score between 60 and 90)
- The GMAT Total score (score between 205 and 805, with 10-point increments)
The image below showcases a Section Performance graph from our diagnostic score report. You'll view the score report after completing a GMAT mock test.
How to Improve with a GMAT Exam Practice Test
Are you ready to learn how GMAT exam practice tests are helping our students pass GMAT? First, it's important to understand the two biggest problems students face when their trying to prepare for the GMAT.
The two biggest problems students face when preparing for GMAT
- You study for the GMAT test using free resources online, but you're seeing little progress.
- Your test date is coming up soon, but you don't feel confident you'll get the score you need.
If you relate to one or both of these problems, you're not alone. Many students struggle to overcome these issues, but the good news is they're not difficult to solve, and we're going to show you exactly how simple it is.
The 3-Step Self-Study Guide & GMAT Practice Tests
Please don't undervalue the simplicity of these steps. It's simple, but requires effort and dedication. You'll need to spend a lot of time taking GMAT practice tests, learning lessons, and practicing with GMAT test sample questions. However, we're here to help you stay on track and to make sure you're progressing enough to achieve your target score :)
Step #1
Take a GMAT practice test to learn where you struggle most. BestMyTest offers a comprehensive diagnostic score report. It includes
- your overall and each section's score performance,
- a performance analysis for each question type,
- a list of all correct and incorrect answers,
- and an analysis on your time management, time pressure, and review and edit performance.
You can take a free GMAT practise test and experience the score report anytime you like.
Step #2
Go through our GMAT lessons and learn the necessary skills, tips, and strategies needed to improve where you struggle. We have over 100 GMAT lessons from basic core lessons to advanced lessons teaching specific skills for specific issues.
Step #3
Practice your newly learned skills. Finally, you'll hone your new skills with over 1000+ GMAT test questions, an AI writing tutor, and GMAT exam practice tests.
Step 4...Isn't there only 3 steps?
This isn't really a step, but it needs to be mentioned. After about 5 - 7 days of practice, go back and do steps 1 - 3 again. e.g. (Take a new GMAT practice exam, analyze the results, and hone the necessary skills to improve. Do this until you're scoring above your target GMAT score.)
Why Preparing with GMAT Practice Exams is Important
So why is it important to take a GMAT practice test BEFORE taking the official GMAT test? There are 4 major reasons why it's important, so let's look at each one now.
#1 Confidence is key to reducing stress
The GMAT practice exam will test you on the same three sections: Data Insights, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. Therefore, taking a practice test, at least a practice test from BestMyTest, is like taking the official GMAT exam. This experience will help you feel comfortable and relaxed during your actual exam, and gives you an opportunity to become familiar with the GMAT test structure. Remember, stress hinders your brain's performance. Preparing with a GMAT practice test allows you to focus on what matters...solving problems.
#2 You'll need stamina to succeed
The GMAT exam is 2.25 hours in length, and you only get one 10-minute break (if you decide to take it). Therefore, along with familiarizing yourself with GMAT, taking timed, full-length GMAT practice tests will help you prepare your body and mind to sit through the entire GMAT exam. Think of it like preparing for a marathon. You cannot show up and run 10 miles unprepared; it takes consistency and dedication to train your body and mind to run the whole marathon. The same is true for taking long, mentally exhausting tests. You must improve your mental stamina to ensure optimal brain functionality throughout the entire GMAT exam.
#3 GMAT Simulations matter in your GMAT preparation
It's not easy finding a GMAT simulation almost identical to the official GMAT exam. The quality of the GMAT exam simulation matters, and it matters a lot. If you don't use a GMAT simulation that looks and feels like the official GMAT exam, you're going to do poorly. Now, If you're interested, you might be able to find good free resources online, but none of them come close, in terms of length and format, compared to what you'll experience from the official GMAT test. Because of this, you should not solely rely on them for your GMAT preparation.
#4 Determining your weaknesses is critical to a high GMAT score
Last, but certainly not least, it's a great way to identify your strengths and weaknesses. As we've mentioned, there are three sections: Data Insights, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning, and even though your Quant scores might be excellent, you could struggle with the Verbal section. In this case, the Verbal section would be considered your weakness and could be the reason you fail to achieve your target GMAT score. By taking a GMAT mock test, you'll be able to diagnose and improve your weakness or weaknesses and significantly improve your ability to score high in GMAT.
Data Insights (DI)
The Data Insights (DI) section has 20 questions, and you will encounter a combination of the following 5 question types throughout the section.
- Graphics Interpretation
- Two-Part Analysis
- Table Analysis
- Multi-Source Reasoning
- Data Sufficiency
To go further in detail and practice more questions, check out GMAT Data Insights Questions Guide.
Multi-Source Reasoning
In this question type, you are asked to evaluate information from multiple sources to answer questions. Each question is accompanied by two or three sources of information displayed on tabbed pages, which can consist of a combination of text, charts, and tables.
Table Analysis
In this type of question, you are asked to analyze data presented in a table format. The question comes with a sortable table of information, kind of like a spreadsheet. Look at the following example question:
Graphics Interpretation
In this type of question, you are asked to analyze a graph, chart, or table to answer questions. Look at the following question from GMAT Offical IR Practice.
Two-Part Analysis
In this question type, you are asked to solve a problem by selecting two answers from multiple options. Look at the following example question:
Data Sufficiency
In this question type, you are asked to determine whether the given data is sufficient to solve a math problem. The math problem includes a question, accompanied by initial data, along with two statements labeled (1) and (2) that provide additional data. Your task is to determine if you have sufficient information to answer the question using either statement (1) or (2) alone, both of them together, or even with all the given data combined.
Quantitative Reasoning (Quant)
You will encounter 21 Problem-Solving questions in the Quantitative Reasoning section. The Problem-Solving questions require you to solve mathematical problems and select the correct answer from multiple-choice options. The GMAT Quantitative Reasoning questions test the following math concepts:
To go further in detail and practice more questions, check out GMAT Quantitative Reasoning Questions Guide.
|
Category |
Subcategory |
Test Frequency |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Integer Properties, Factors, Multiples, Exponents, and Roots |
Integer Properties and Absolute Values |
10% |
22% |
|
Divisibility, Multiples, Factors |
5% |
||
|
Remainder Problem |
3% |
||
|
Exponents and Roots |
4% |
||
Algebra |
Linear Equations and Quadratic Equations |
5% |
32% |
|
Equation Inequality and Min/Max problems |
5% |
||
|
Word Problems - Quadratic Equations and Linear Equations |
12% |
||
|
Word Problems - Equation in Multiple Variables |
4% |
||
|
Word Problems - Define the Function |
6% |
||
Rates, Ratios, and Percents |
Arithmetic Operations with Decimals, Fractions, and Percents |
4% |
28% |
|
Word Problems - Percent and Interest |
8% |
||
|
Word Problems - Mixture Problems |
7% |
||
|
Word Problems - Fraction |
4% |
||
|
Word Problems - Work/Rate problems |
5% |
||
Statistics, Sets, Combinations, Probability, and Sequences |
Statistics |
5% |
18% |
|
Sets |
4% |
||
|
Combinations |
3% |
||
|
Probability |
3% |
||
|
Sequences |
3% |
||
Let's look at a few example questions.
Verbal Reasoning (VR)
The VR section assesses your ability to understand written material and evaluate arguments. It has 23 multiple-choice questions and includes two types of questions: Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning
Critical Reasoning
Critical Reasoning questions generally consist of
- A short reading passage that is often under 100 words. The passage presents an argument.
- 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 an argument.
For further information on the 10 most common question types, check out GMAT Verbal Reasoning Questions Guide - Critical Reasoning.
Reading Comprehension
Each Reading Comprehension passage is accompanied by several questions that require you to identify the main idea, understand the supporting ideas, draw the inference, find out relationships between ideas, or evaluate the organization/logic from the reading passage.
The reading passage typically spans around 350 words and covers topics from various domains, such as:
- Social sciences or humanities
- Physical or biological sciences
- Business-related fields like marketing, economics, and human resource management
For further information on the five specific question types, check out GMAT Verbal Reasoning Questions Guide - Reading Comprehension.
Let's look at the following sample question:
What's next?
If you're preparing to take the GMAT, start by taking our Free GMAT Practice Exam to learn your strengths and weaknesses, and get a diagnostic report on your performance. It's the best way to start your preparation.