This is a sheet put together and updated by Chris Lozano of the Eberhardt School at the University of the Pacific.

1. What is the GMAT?
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
is a standardized assessment that helps business schools
assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study
in business and management. The GMAT consists of
four sections which measure basic verbal, quantitative,
integrated reasoning and analytical writing skills.
Registration Information
There is a fee of $250 to take the GMAT. The test is
offered almost daily, year-round. For further information
and to register, visit www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam.
Key GMAT Facts
• The GMAT is computer adaptive which means
questions are scored and adjusted in difficulty by
the computer after each question is answered.
• There are four key GMAT exam sections:
»» Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) consisting of
a 30-minute Analysis of an Argument essay
»» Integrated Reasoning (IR) section consisting of 12
data analysis based questions in 30 minutes
»» Quantitative section consisting of 37 problem
solving and data sufficiency questions
»» Verbal section with 41 reading comprehension,
critical reasoning and sentence correction questions
• Business Schools only use the GMAT as one of several
assessment factors in making an admission decision.
• Other key admission decision factors include:
»» Academic Record and Grade Trends
»» Recommendations
»» Professional work experience
»» Interviews
»» Extra-curricular and community activities
»» Personal Statements
»» Interviews
• The exam may be taken more than once, however,
unless you cancel a score, all scores you have taken
in the past five years will be reported to the graduate
management programs you designate as score recipients.
Go.Pacific.edu/MAcc•Go.Pacific.edu/SacMBA•Go.Pacific.edu/MBA
GMAT Preparation
GMAT Tips
Here are a few tips to help you get a great score. Consider
using several approaches and study resources to maximize
your readiness to take the test.
Study Strategies
• Become familiar with the GMAT to know what to
expect ahead of time.
• Get to know the rules, policies and procedures of the
exam before you take it.
• Download and take advantage of free GMATPrep
software on the mba.com website.
• Develop a study plan and allow yourself at least two
to three months to review and prepare for the exam.
A sample three-month study plan is available on the
GMATClub.com website.
• Practice writing 1-2 sample essays of each type to
prepare for the analytical writing assessment section.
• Review and study one section of the test at a time.
• Focus on core mathematical concepts, grammar rules
and answer elimination strategies.
Test Taking Strategies
• Get a good night’s sleep the evening before the test,
so that you arrive at the test center well-refreshed,
calm and prepared.
• Make sure you know where your test center is located
and arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled
exam.
• Read all test directions carefully and try to answer as
many questions as possible in the allotted time.
• Your pacing is critical; unanswered questions lower
your GMAT score so answer each question to the best
of your ability. Guessing answers at random can lower
your score as well.
• Familiarity with the test will allow you to manage
your time when you take the test, so be sure you have
reviewed test formatting closely.
TEST PREPARATION RESOURCES
Free Web and Blog Sites: Fee-based Preparation Sites: Preparation Book Suggestions:
• mba.com
• gmatclub.com
• Biz School Admissions Blog
(PacificMBAtiger67.wordpress.com)
• Princetonreview.com/gmat
• Kaptest.com/gmat
• BTPStesting.com
• Magoosh.com/gmat
• Bellcurves.com
• The Official Guide to GMAT
Review
• Kaplan GMAT Premier
• Princeton Review Cracking the
GMAT
• GMAT for Dummies