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byShubhankar Das Content Writer - Study Abroad
GMAT vs GMAT focus edition has some major changes in the syllabus and scoring pattern. The exam is a popular standardized test taken by prospective students looking to pursue a career in business management. GMAT is designed to test the skills required for business schools, including analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Candidates must have a better Idea about the timing, scoring, question types, section order, flexibility, score sending, and performance insights of the current GMAT and the new GMAT Focus Edition. GMAT new pattern is shorter and only consits 3 sections, a new section Data Insights has been added and removed the AWA and IR sections.
There are many changes in GMAT Focus Edition and the old GMAT Version, it's important to first have a brief understanding of what are the main differences. GMAT is a standardized test that measures skills required for business schools, such as analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It is a popular exam taken by prospective students looking to pursue a career in business management. GMAT Registration requires candidates to submit a valid Passport and need to pay the fees of $275(INR 22582.56) in India, and $300(INR 24635.52) for the online exam.
GMAT Focus Edition is a new version of GMAT exam that has been introduced recently. It is designed to be a shorter and more focused version of the current exam. The Focus Edition has only three sections: GMAT Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights. The exam is now 2 hours and 15 minutes long, and each section is timed for 45 minutes. GMAT Focus Edition provides business schools with a more targeted evaluation of a candidate's ability.
GMAT Focus Edition Vs GMAT Exam
| Contents | GMAT Focus Edition (New Version) | GMAT (Current Version) |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance | accepted by over 7,700 program at more than 3,400 business schools | |
| Structure | 3 sections (64 questions), completed in the order of your choosing: Quantitative Reasoning. Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights. | 4 sections (80 questions), completed in a choice of 3 section orders: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing. |
| Duration | 2 hours, 15 minutes. | 3 hours, 7 minutes. |
| Review & Edit | Bookmark and review as many of your answers as you want, and you can change up to 3 responses per section. | Not applicable. |
| Total Score Scale | 205-805 All 3 sections are weighted equally towards your total score. | 200-800 Only 2 sections, Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning, are weighted equally towards your total score. |
| Your score | View your unofficial score immediately following the exam. Official Score Reports can be accessed online typically within 7 business days (but may take up to 20). | |
| Score Sending | Send 5 free score reports to programs within 48 hours of receiving your Official Score Report. Additional score reports are available for a fee. | Test Center: Select up to 5 programs before your exam to receive your Official Score Report at no charge. Online: Send 5 free score reports to programs within 48 hours of receiving your Official Score Report. Additional score reports are available for a fee. |
| Score Validity | Scores are valid for 5 years. | |
| Appointment Availability | Appointments available up to 7 days a week at a test center or around the clock for exams delivered online. Can be scheduled up to 6 months in advance. | |
| Reschedule and Cancel | Reschedule and cancel fees based on location, currency and advance notice. | |
| Exam Attempts | 5 attempts permitted in a rolling 12-month period and 8 attempts in a lifetime across both exam versions. | |
| Cost | GMAT Focus Edition fees will be at parity with the GMAT Exam. | |
| Scratch Work Resources | Test Center: 5 laminated pages and 2 dry erase markers are provided. Online: A physical whiteboard, dry erase marker, and eraser are permitted, plus access to a built-in online whiteboard. | |
| Accommodations | Additional testing time, breaks, and access to other resources. | |
Key Differences Between GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition
To begin understanding the distinctions between GMAT Focus Edition and the old GMAT Version, it's important to first have a brief understanding of the exams. GMAT is a standardized test that measures skills required for business schools, such as analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It is a popular exam taken by prospective students looking to pursue a career in business management. GMAT Focus Edition is a new version of the GMAT exam that has been introduced recently. It is designed to be a shorter and more focused version, GMAT Focus Edition has only three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights. The exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes long, and each section is timed for 45 minutes. GMAT Focus Edition provides business schools with a more targeted evaluation of a candidate's ability. Below are the key differences between the two types of GMAT exams:
Timing of GMAT Versus GMAT Focus Edition
GMAT has four sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment (essay section). The time allotted for each section is 65 minutes, 62 minutes, 30 minutes, and 30 minutes, respectively. The total time to complete the exam is 3.1 hours.
On the other hand, GMAT Focus Edition has only three sections: Verbal Reasoning, GMAT Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights. The time allotted for each section is 45 minutes. The total time to complete the exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes. The shorter exam time of GMAT Focus Edition makes it an attractive option for business school students.
GMAT and the GMAT Focus Edition Scoring Pattern
The current GMAT has a total score ranging from 200 to 800. The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are each scored between 6 and 51. The Analytical Writing Assessment is scored from 0 to 6, and Integrated Reasoning is scored from 1 to 8. In contrast, the GMAT Focus Edition has a unified score gathered from the three sections. This single score is an attractive option for students as it provides business schools with an easier evaluation of the candidate’s ability. Candidates must check GMAT Cutoff for the Top Business Schools from the official websites before applying.
GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition Sections
The old GMAT has four sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment. The Verbal Reasoning section tests the student’s reading comprehension and ability to analyze written material. The Quantitative Reasoning section tests the student’s problem-solving ability and understanding of basic mathematical concepts. The Integrated Reasoning section tests the student’s ability to evaluate information from various sources and solve complex problems. The Analytical Writing Assessment section tests the student’s ability to analyze an argument and convey their ideas effectively in writing.
In contrast, GMAT Focus Edition has three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights. The Data Insights section tests the student’s ability to interpret and analyze data presented in different formats.
GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition Question Types
GMAT includes multiple-choice questions and an essay section. The multiple-choice questions in the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections come in different formats, including Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction for Verbal Reasoning, and Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving for Quantitative Reasoning. The Integrated Reasoning section consists of questions that test data analysis skills, including multi-source reasoning, graphics interpretation, table analysis, and two-part analysis.
On the other hand, GMAT Focus Edition consists of multiple-choice questions only. There are no essay sections in this exam. The questions are also similar to those in GMAT, including Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction, Data Sufficiency, and Problem Solving. However, there is a new section called Data Insights, which focuses on data interpretation skills.
GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition Score Sending
Candidates can send their score to the universities within 5 years after they receive the results. Score sending is an important aspect of the GMAT, as test-takers must submit their scores to business schools they wish to attend. GMAT allows test-takers to select up to five schools to send their scores for free before starting the exam. Additional score reports can be sent for a fee of $35 per report.
GMAT Focus Edition, on the other hand, allows test-takers to send their scores to up to five schools for free after they have received their scores. This means that test-takers do not have to pay for additional score reports, saving them money in the long run.
GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition Performance Insights
One of the most significant differences between GMAT and the GMAT Focus Edition is the level of performance insights available to test-takers. With GMAT, test-takers can purchase the Enhanced Score Report (ESR) for an additional cost of $30. The ESR provides detailed insights into test-takers' performance in each section of the exam, including the percentage of questions answered correctly, the difficulty level of the questions, and the pacing of the test-taker. The ESR can help test-takers identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop a more effective study plan.
GMAT Focus Edition offers an improved official score report with detailed insights into test-takers' performance. This new feature is expected to be particularly beneficial for business schools, as it will provide a more comprehensive evaluation of candidates' abilities. However, it is not yet clear what specific insights will be included in the new official score report.
GMAT Focus Edition Test Center and Online Exam
Whether taken at a test center or online, GMAT Focus Edition was designed for candidates who want to accelerate their future and achieve their career ambitions. With two convenient options, you can choose the test delivery channel that works best for you. Candidates can complete GMAT online registration by siting at their convinient places.
| Contents | Test Center | Online |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance | Accepted by over 7,700 programs at more than 2,400 business schools | |
| Duration | 2 hours, 15 minutes. | |
| Structure | 3 sections (64 questions), completed in the order of your choosing: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights. | |
| Appointment Availability | 7 days a week during test center operating hours | 7 days a week, around the clock. |
| Review & Edit | Bookmark and review as many answers as you want, and change up to 3 answers per section, within the section time remaining | |
| Score Scale | 205-805 and all 3 sections are weighted equally towards your total score. | |
| Cost | Fees range depending on location. | Fees range depending on location. |
| Reschedule | Reschedule and cancel fees based on location, currency and advance notice. | |
| Scratch Work Resources | 5 laminated pages and 2 dry erase markers are provided. | A physical whiteboard, dry erase marker, and erasers are permitted, and access to an online whiteboard is provided. |
| Accommodations | Additional testing time, break, and access to other resources. | |
| Your Score | View your unofficial score on screen immediately following the exam. Your Official Score Report will be available typically within 7 business days (but may take up to 20). | |
| Score Validity | Scores are valid for 5 years | |
| Exam Attempts | 5 attempts permitted in a rolling 12-month period and 8 attempts in a lifetime across both delivery channels and exam versions. | |
| Score Sending | Send 5 free score reports to programs within 48 hours of receiving your Official Score. Additional score reports are available for a fee. | |
Overall, the new GMAT Focus Edition presents a more streamlined and flexible option for business school candidates. With a shorter test time, unified scoring, and improved score sending and performance insights, it may be a more attractive option for those looking to take the GMAT exam. However, those who prefer the essay section or a set section order may prefer the traditional GMAT format. Ultimately, it is important to carefully consider your individual needs and preferences when deciding which GMAT exam to take.
FAQs
Ques. What is the difference between the GMAT and the GMAT Focus Edition?
Ans. The GMAT and the GMAT Focus Edition are two versions of the same exam. The GMAT is the standard exam, consisting of four sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The GMAT Focus Edition, on the other hand, is a shorter version of the exam, consisting of only three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights.
Ques. How do the two exams differ in terms of timing?
Ans. The total time to complete the GMAT is 3 hours and 7 minutes, while the GMAT Focus Edition takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete. The shorter exam time of the GMAT Focus Edition makes it a more attractive option for busy business school students.
Ques. How are the two exams scored?
Ans. The GMAT has a total score ranging from 200 to 800, with individual section scores ranging from 0 to 60. The GMAT Focus Edition provides a single unified score that represents the candidate’s ability across all three sections.
Ques. What sections are included in each exam?
Ans. The GMAT has four sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The GMAT Focus Edition has three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights.
Ques. What question types are included in each exam?
Ans. The GMAT includes multiple-choice questions and an essay section. The GMAT Focus Edition includes multiple-choice questions and questions that test the student’s ability to interpret and analyze data presented in different formats.
Ques. Can students choose the order of the sections they take?
Ans. For the GMAT, students can choose the order of their sections, with the exception of the Analytical Writing section, which is always the last section. For the GMAT Focus Edition, the three sections must be completed in the order in which they are presented.
Ques. How long are the scores valid for each exam?
Ans. Scores for both the GMAT and the GMAT Focus Edition are valid for 5 years.
Ques. Are there any differences in the accommodations offered for each exam?
Ans. Both exams offer accommodations for additional testing time, breaks, and access to other resources. However, the GMAT Focus Edition allows students to use a physical whiteboard, dry erase marker, and eraser, as well as access to a built-in online whiteboard, while the GMAT only provides laminated pages and dry erase markers at the test center.
Ques: Should I take classic GMAT or GMAT Focus?
Ques: Does Harvard accept GMAT Focus Edition?
Ques: What is the GMAT focus format?
Ques: Is Focus Edition GMAT harder?
Ques: Is GMAT focus accepted in India?
Ques: Will ISB accept GMAT Focus Edition?
Ques: How long is GMAT Focus Edition?
Ques: What is the GMAT score for ISB Focus Edition?
Ques: What is a good GMAT focus score?
Ques: What is the new format for the GMAT 2024?
Ques: Which section of GMAT is most difficult?
Ques: Can a weak student crack GMAT?
*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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