If you are still considering whether or not to take the GMAT this year, start studying now! GMAC is scheduled to introduce its new GMAT text in June 2012, and test-takers will be expected to study an extra 30 or 40 hours to get a high score on the new test.
An article in The Financial Times (“New GMAT Test Means More Work for Aspiring MBAs”) looks at the ways in which the new GMAT will change the test-taking experience for MBA program applicants. Some of the changes that will be made include:
- The current GMAT test begins with two essay questions, but the new one will only have one essay with a new integrative reasoning test.
- The old verbal reasoning section had three formats of questions, but the new test will have four formats.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which is often an alternative entry test accepted by business schools instead of the GMAT, will also be changing its examination and scoring system this August. So, those who are afraid of the new GMAT—there will be no easy outs.
Most business schools are supportive of the GMAT, since many were part of creating the new section that “requires test-takers to reach judgments based on input from several sources – similar to real life business decisions.” But it looks like the new test will definitely be more difficult than the first—so sign up for a test before June!
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