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The traditional GMAT (10th Edition) was officially replaced by the GMAT Focus Edition last year. GMAT Focus is a simplified version of the test designed to reflect the evolving needs of business schools. With a reduced test duration of just over 2 hours, the GMAT Focus is more efficient, focusing on core skills like quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and data insights. Although the GMAT Focus Edition has a few changes from the traditional GMAT, these updates are designed to better match how business schools assess applicants today. It is now accepted by over 7,700 programs at more than 2,400 business schools around the world.
In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between the GMAT and GMAT Focus, helping you understand how these changes might affect your business school application and preparation strategy.
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- GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition: Differences
- GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition: Key Differences Explained
2.1 GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Exam Duration
2.2 GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Scoring
2.3 GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Sections
2.4 GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Question Types
2.5 GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Score Sending
2.6 GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Score Conversion
- GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition: Which is Better?
- FAQs
GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition: Differences
With several updates introduced in the GMAT Focus Edition (also known as the 11th Edition), there are some key differences compared to the previous GMAT exam. The table below compares the old GMAT format with the new GMAT Focus Edition, covering all important aspects of both versions.
| Parameter | GMAT Focus Edition | GMAT Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | 3 sections (64 questions) can be taken in any order:
| 4 sections (80 questions) can be taken in any order:
|
| Duration | 2 hours 15 minutes | 3 hours 7 minutes |
| Review & Edit Option | Bookmark and review as many answers as you like, but you can only change up to 3 answers per section. | Not available in the older version |
| Total Score Range | 205-805 All 3 sections are weighted equally towards the total score. | 200-800 Only the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections were weighted equally towards the total score. |
| Sectional changes | Sentence correction or geometry topics have been discontinued. The AWA section has been removed, and Integrated Reasoning is now included under the Data Insights section. | Included sentence correction, geometry topics, and the AWA section. |
| Score Sending | Send 5 free score reports to programs within 48 hours of receiving your Official Score Report (either at the test center or online). Additional reports can be sent for a fee. | GMAT Test Centre: Choose up to 5 programs before your exam to receive your Official Score Report for free. Online: Send 5 free score reports to programs within 48 hours of getting your Official Score Report. Additional score reports can be sent for a fee. |
| Exam Price | $300 (₹26,634) for online-delivered, $275 (₹24,415) for test-center-delivered | Fees vary depending on the location and whether you take the test online or at a test center, but they start at $275 (₹24,415). |
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GMAT Exam Price 2025GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition: Key Differences Explained
The GMAT Focus Edition is a newer, streamlined version of the GMAT. It’s shorter, lasting only 2 hours and 15 minutes, and includes just 3 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights. Each section is timed for 45 minutes. This updated format offers business schools a more focused evaluation of a candidate’s abilities.
Below are the key differences between the two versions of the GMAT:
GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Exam Duration
The GMAT Focus Edition has only 3 sections, each having a 45-minute duration:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning, and
- Data Insights
The total time for the exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes. This shorter exam duration makes the GMAT Focus Edition an appealing choice for prospective business school students.
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Whereas the classic GMAT consisted of 4 sections:
- Verbal Reasoning (65 minutes)
- Quantitative Reasoning (62 minutes)
- Integrated Reasoning (30 minutes)
- Analytical Writing Assessment (essay) (30 minutes)
The total time to complete the exam is 3 hours and 7 minutes.
GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Scoring
The GMAT Focus Edition is scored on a range of 205-805. It gives equal weight to all 3 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights. This simplified scoring system makes it easier for business schools to evaluate your abilities, providing a more straightforward assessment of your skills.
In comparison, the old GMAT had a total score range of 200 to 800. The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections were scored between 6 and 51, the Analytical Writing Assessment was scored from 0 to 6, and the Integrated Reasoning from 1 to 8.
Before applying, be sure to check the GMAT cutoff scores for your target business schools on their official websites to understand the score range you need to meet.
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GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Sections
There have been significant changes in the GMAT exam pattern of the Focus Edition. The GMAT Focus Edition has 3 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights.
- The Verbal Reasoning section tests your reading comprehension and ability to analyze written material.
- The Quantitative Reasoning section evaluates your problem-solving skills and understanding of basic math concepts.
- The Data Insights section evaluates your ability to interpret and analyze data presented in various formats. This section includes Integrated Reasoning topics from the older GMAT.
In contrast, the old GMAT consisted of 4 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), each measuring comprehension, problem-solving, and analytical skills of candidates.
In both editions, you could take the sections in any order you want.
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GMAT Syllabus 2025GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Question Types
The GMAT Focus Edition consists only of multiple-choice questions and does not include an essay section. The question types are mostly similar to those in the old GMAT, such as Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Data Sufficiency, and Problem Solving. The sentence correction topic has been done away with. The new Data Insights section, which includes Integrated Reasoning topics, focuses on testing your ability to interpret and analyze data.
In contrast, the old GMAT included multiple-choice questions as well as an essay section. The multiple-choice questions in the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections included formats like Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction, Data Sufficiency, and Problem Solving. The Integrated Reasoning section tested data analysis skills, including multi-source reasoning, graphics interpretation, table analysis, and two-part analysis.
GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Score Sending
With the GMAT Focus Edition, you can send 5 free score reports to the business schools you’re applying to after you receive your scores from GMAC. This is a change from the previous GMAT exam, where applicants had to select the 5 schools during registration, and the score reports were sent to them once the scores were released.
So, this is one of the key changes in the GMAT score sending of the Focus Edition.
GMAT vs GMAT Focus: Score Conversion
In the GMAT Focus Edition, each of the 3 sections is scored between 60 and 90. In comparison, the older GMAT had scores ranging from 60 to 80 for each of its 4 sections. Below is a quick comparison of the GMAT Focus Edition scores to the old GMAT scores:
| Percentile Ranking | GMAT Focus Score | Classic GMAT Score |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | 805 | 800 |
| 805 | 790 | |
| 795 | 790 | |
| 785 | 790 | |
| 780 | ||
| 99.9% | 775 | 780 |
| 765 | 780 | |
| 755 | 780 | |
| 99.8% | 755 | 770 |
| 99.7% | 745 | 770 |
| 99.5% | 745 | 770 |
| 99.4% | 735 | 760 |
| 99.2% | 725 | 760 |
| 98.7% | 715 | 760 |
| 98.6% | 715 | 750 |
| 98.1% | 705 | 750 |
| 97.9% | 695 | 750 |
| 96.9% | 695 | 740 |
| 96.7% | 685 | 740 |
| 96.1% | 685 | 730 |
| 95.2% | 675 | 730 |
| 94% | 675 | 720 |
| 93.2% | 665 | 720 |
| 92.6% | 665 | 710 |
| 89.6% | 655 | 710 |
| 89.3% | 655 | 700 |
GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition: Which is Better?
The GMAT Focus Edition is designed to better assess your readiness for business courses. With the addition of the Data Insights section, the Focus Edition scores are expected to be in higher demand at top business schools abroad and in India. The old GMAT exam included an essay section, but this was removed in the Focus Edition as it was not an effective way to measure business aptitude.
The Focus Edition is also shorter and more focused, with each section having significantly less time compared to the old GMAT. Overall, the GMAT Focus Edition offers a more efficient and precise assessment, making it a better option than the older GMAT.
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The GMAT Focus Edition offers a more streamlined, efficient, and relevant assessment for today’s business school applicants. With its reduced duration, simplified scoring, and inclusion of the Data Insights section, it aligns more closely with the current needs of top business schools. For candidates seeking a focused and time-efficient test, the GMAT Focus Edition is clearly the better choice.
FAQs
Ques. What is the difference between GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition?
Ans. The GMAT Focus Edition is a streamlined version of the traditional GMAT, with only 3 sections (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights), a shorter exam time (2 hours 15 minutes), and simplified scoring, while the classic GMAT had 4 sections and a longer duration.
Ques. How long is the GMAT Focus Edition?
Ans. The GMAT Focus Edition takes only 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete, significantly shorter than the classic GMAT, which took around 3 hours and 7 minutes.
Ques. How is the scoring different in GMAT Focus Edition?
Ans. The GMAT Focus Edition has a unified score that combines all 3 sections, with scores ranging from 205-805. The classic GMAT had separate scores for each section, with a total score range of 200-800.
Ques. Can I send my GMAT Focus scores to schools for free?
Ans. Yes, you can send 5 free score reports to schools within 48 hours of receiving your results in the GMAT Focus Edition. In the classic GMAT, you could only select the 5 schools for free before the test.
Ques. What is the price difference between GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition?
Ans. The price of the GMAT Focus Edition is generally $300 (₹26,634) for online-delivered, $275 (₹24,415) for test-center delivery. The fees for the classic GMAT vary by location but start at $275.
Ques. Will the GMAT Focus Edition be accepted by all business schools?
Ans. Yes, the GMAT Focus Edition is accepted by over 7,700 programs at more than 2,400 business schools globally, including top business schools in India and abroad.
Ques. Is the GMAT Focus Edition easier than the traditional GMAT?
Ans. While the GMAT Focus Edition is shorter and has a more streamlined structure, it still assesses the same core business skills. The difficulty level remains similar, but the reduced time per section can make it feel faster-paced.
Ques. Can I take the GMAT Focus Edition online or only at test centers?
Ans. The GMAT Focus Edition is available both online and at test centers, offering flexibility for test-takers depending on their location and preferences.
Ques. How many times can I take the GMAT Focus Edition?
Ans. You can take the GMAT Focus Edition up to 5 times within 12 months, similar to the classic GMAT. However, there is a 16-day waiting period between attempts.
Ques. Does the GMAT Focus Edition include adaptive testing?
Ans. Yes, like the traditional GMAT, the GMAT Focus Edition is a computer-adaptive test (CAT), meaning the difficulty of questions adapts based on your previous answers.
Ques. How does the Data Insights section in GMAT Focus differ from the Integrated Reasoning section in the classic GMAT?
Ans. The Data Insights section in GMAT Focus combines elements of Integrated Reasoning but focuses more on analyzing and interpreting data from different formats like graphs, tables, and charts, without requiring multi-source reasoning.
Ques. Can I change my answers in the GMAT Focus Edition?
Ans. Yes, in the GMAT Focus Edition, you can bookmark and review as many answers as you want, but you can only change up to 3 answers per section once you have moved on to the next question.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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