MBA Applicants Can Finally Register For The New Shorter GMAT

Nearly six months after the Graduate Management Admission Council announced it would offer a shorter GMAT exam, MBA applicants can finally register for the test starting today. But they will still have to wait until Nov. 7th, the first day the new exam can be taken.

The updated test–nearly an hour shorter than the current GMAT test–represents the single biggest change to the GMAT since the test was moved from paper to computer in June of 1997. But the delay in getting what the organization calls its GMAT Focus Edition  to market has again put GMAT at a disadvantage to the GRE test which allowed test takers to register for its shorter exam back on May 31st for actual testing beginning on Sept. 22 (see below table).

In a news release, GMAC went out of its way to explain why it has taken so long to get its new test out.”

EVERY NEW GMAT TEST QUESTION IS GOING THROUGH A SEVEN-STEP DEVELOPMENT & REVIEW PROCESS

“While GMAT test items have always been subjected to a rigorous process to ensure fairness across key populations by gender, race/ethnicity, country, language, and culture, for GMAT Focus Edition, we took a step further by implementing a groundbreaking methodology newly developed by the GMAC psychometrician team to ensure the fairness of GMAT Focus scores across underrepresented groups,” according to the announcement on the registration. “Every potential test question is subjected to a seven-step development and review process, and only ones that successfully pass all content and statistical review processes will be considered for inclusion in the operational GMAT exam.”

GRE has not only beat GMAT to market with its shorter test, it is also making it quicker to take by 17 minutes: an hour and 58 minutes for the new GRE vs. the new GMAT length of two hours and 15 minutes, without breaks. The current GRE exam is three hours and 45 minutes long (see table below), while the current GMAT test is three hours and seven minutes, without the optional eight-minute breaks.

A major difference in the two tests could well fall within the GRE’s favor among admission officials. With rising concern over the validity of essay questions in applications due to current artificial intelligence platforms such as ChatGPT and Bard, some schools may end up preferring to see the results of a required essay in a test room. GRE cut its essay requirement in half, to one essay from two, but GMAT completely eliminated its writing requirements in the new GMAT Focus Edition.

NEW GMAT WILL FEATURE A DATA INSIGHTS SECTION

On the other hand, the new GMAT boasts a Data Insights section that some schools may find especially useful given the increased attention schools and employers are putting on data analysis in decision-making. The new GMAT section will “ask candidates to assess how multiple sources and types of information – including graphic, numeric, and verbal – relate to one another and can be leveraged to make informed decisions,” according to GMAT.

Another consideration is the time test takers are given to answer a question. In the quant section, for example, GMAT allows users 2.14 minutes to answer; the new GRE allows 1.74 minutes, putting slightly more pressure on test takers. That’s because the GMAT has reduced its quant questions to 21 questions from 31 over 45 minutes, while the GRE has reduced its quant questions to 27 from 40 in 47 minutes.

The new GMAT Focus Edition will contain only three 45-minute sections that can be taken in any order by a test taker, down from the current four-section test that is three hours and seven minutes long, excluding optional eight-minute breaks. The new GMAT test will take just two hours and 25 minutes, without breaks. GMAC is tossing out the 30-minute-long analytical writing assessment and keeping the sections on quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and integrated reasoning.

GMAC CHIEF THANKS BUSINESS SCHOOLS,  CORPORATE RECRUITERS & POTENTIAL CANDIDATES

In shortening the exams, both GMAC and ETS are attempting to reduce the friction applicants confront when applying to a graduate business program. Many business schools are now test-optional or are more generously waiving standardized tests for applicants to their MBA and other master’s programs in business. That trend away from testing and consistent gains in market share by the GRE exam has led GMAT test-taking to historic lows.

“We appreciate the close collaboration we have had with business schools, corporate recruiters and potential candidates around the world when redesigning the GMAT exam,” said Joy Jones, CEO of GMAC, in a statement. “Our shared priorities are to ensure that the GMAT Focus Edition assesses the most relevant and in-demand skillsets like data analytics, problem solving and critical reasoning, and to help each candidate perform at their best by putting them in control of more flexible testing and score sending options.

“Unlike other alternatives, the GMAT Focus Edition is the only admissions test designed exclusively with the needs of today’s graduate business programs at the forefront. We trust it to bring forward the most globally diverse candidate pipeline committed to a business degree and help them realize their education and career aspirations at their current stage in life.”

DON'T MISS: REVAMPED GMAT EXAM WILL BE NEARLY ONE HOUR SHORTER or THE NEW GMAT: 10 QUANT & 13 VERBAL QUESTIONS REMOVED FROM TEST