Are you preparing for the GMAT Focus Edition? This new version of the GMAT exam will launch in the second half of 2023. The updated test design includes content that is relevant to the current business challenges and opportunities, providing candidates with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in graduate business school and beyond. The exam has three sections, including Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights.
GMAT Focus Edition Sections:
Quantitative Reasoning:
The Quantitative Reasoning section in the GMAT Focus Edition aims to evaluate the examinee’s understanding of fundamental arithmetic and algebraic concepts and their ability to apply that knowledge to solve complex problems.
This section includes 21 Problem-Solving questions that necessitate analytical and logical skills beyond basic math skills. Data Sufficiency questions are no longer included in this section, and using a calculator during this section is prohibited.
Verbal Reasoning:
The Verbal Reasoning section on the GMAT Focus Edition assesses your ability to comprehend written material, evaluate arguments, and reason logically. Sentence Correction questions are no longer included in this section. The section consists of 23 questions on Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning.
The Reading Comprehension questions will test a candidate’s ability to understand words and statements, infer relationships between significant points, make inferences, and follow the development of quantitative concepts. The questions will assess specific reading skills such as identifying the main idea, supporting ideas, inferences, application, logical structure, and style.
On the other hand, Critical Reasoning questions will evaluate a candidate’s ability to assess and formulate arguments, and to evaluate a plan of action. These questions are based on a short reading passage, typically under 100 words, and come with a question that requires the candidate to choose which of the five answer options either strengthens or weakens an argument, tells why the argument is flawed, or strongly supports or damages the argument. The questions do not require any specialized knowledge of the subject matter.
Data Insights:
The new GMAT Focus Edition section, Data Insights leverages Integrated Reasoning and Data Sufficiency question types to measure a newly calibrated digital and data literacy dimension which are one of the most relevant and in-demand skills in business today. Thus, the Data Insights section on the GMAT Focus Edition is an essential component that measures your ability to analyze and interpret data, which is highly relevant in today’s business environment. The Data Insights section is composed of 20 questions that assess how multiple sources and types of information relate to each other and can be leveraged to make informed decisions. You can use an on-screen calculator while working on this section.
The question types you’ll find in this section include:
Data Sufficiency: Measures your ability to analyze a quantitative problem, recognize relevant data, and determine when there is enough data to solve the problem.
Multi-Source Reasoning: Measures your ability to examine data from multiple sources, including text passages, tables, and graphics, and to analyze each source carefully to answer multiple questions.
Table Analysis: Measures your ability to sort and analyze a table of data to determine what information is relevant or meets certain conditions.
Graphics Interpretation: Measures your ability to interpret information presented in a graph or other graphical image to discern relationships and make inferences.
Two-Part Analysis: Measures your ability to solve complex problems involving both quantitative and verbal reasoning.
In conclusion, the GMAT Focus Edition sections include Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Each section evaluates specific skills and knowledge that are relevant to current business challenges and opportunities. The new Data Insights section measures digital and data literacy, which is in high demand in the current business environment. Understanding these GMAT Focus Edition Sections is crucial for candidates seeking to succeed in graduate business school and beyond.
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Contributor: Cynthia Addoumieh