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GMAT Syllabus Demysti>ed: Everything You Need to Speak to our GMAT™ Expert
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The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer-adaptive test that is utilised as a
resource to analyse a candidate’s analytical and quantitative credibility, along with language proGciency.
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The GMAT score is used as a key prerequisite for seeking admission in graduate management and
business programs like the MBA. The acceptability of GMAT scores is way more prevalent than any other
aptitude test, in over 2300 colleges and for over 7000 programs. The GMAT syllabus, which can be found
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below as per the latest updated exam pattern, is split into 4 sections, namely:

Analytical Writing Assessment

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Integrated Reasoning Section

Quantitative Section
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Verbal Section reCAPTCHA
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On this page, we are covering:

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GMAT Exam Pattern

GMAT Syllabus

Verbal Ability (VA)

GMAT Reading Comprehension

GMAT Reading Comprehension: Categorizing RC Questions

GMAT Reading Comprehension: Crucial Components of RC Passage

Preparation Strategy for Reading Comprehension for GMAT

GMAT Critical Reasoning

How to Prepare for GMAT Critical Reasoning

GMAT Sentence Correction

How to Prepare for GMAT Sentence Correction

GMAT Verbal / Grammar Syllabus

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

Integrated Reasoning (IR)

Tips to Prepare for the IR Section of GMAT

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Useful Links for GMAT Preparation

Conclusion

FAQ’s: 5 Commonly Asked Questions in the GMAT Syllabus

Before we look at the GMAT syllabus, let's check out the GMAT exam pattern to get a better
understanding of the test structure and format.

GMAT Exam Pattern

The GMAT Exam is a 3-hour, 7-minute online test. It consists of four broad sections, namely:

Sections Number of Questions Time Limit (mins.)

Analytical Writing 1 question (01 essay) 30

Integrated Reasoning 12 questions 30

Quantitative 31 questions 62

Verbal 36 questions 65

Total 80 questions 187

The maximum score that can be attained on the GMAT exam is 800 – the ultimate dream for any aspiring
business school candidate. Although there are only four sections, the marks are calculated separately for
each of the four sections. Additionally, the quantitative aptitude and verbal ability sections are combined
to create an overall score. This means that in total, there are Gve components that make up the Gnal
score.

For a quick overview of the GMAT Exam Pattern, check out the following video:

GMAT Exam Pattern: Overview, …

To dive deeper into the GMAT Exam Pattern, please click on this page

GMAT Syllabus
The GMAT Exam consists of four sections, as mentioned above. As with any important examination, a
candidate must be thoroughly familiar with the exam syllabus before beginning preparation for the exam.
So, without further ado, let’s closely examine the GMAT Syllabus.

The odcial GMAC website offers the GMAT Syllabus in broad categories for your reference. In this
article, we will talk about the overall GMAT Syllabus and try to dissect it according to the different
sections for your better understanding.

To understand the approaches you need to adopt for tackling each section successfully, click here.

GMAT Syllabus: Verbal Ability (VA)

During the GMAT verbal ability section, candidates are allotted 65 minutes to answer all the questions
presented. The section consists of three different types of questions:

Reading comprehension

Critical reasoning

Sentence correction

GMAT Reading Comprehension

In this section, you have to read unseen passages that are approximately 350 words and answer
multiple-choice questions based on the passages. while taking an unbiased decision. You do not need to
know any extraneous, intricate information regarding the topic. Rather, you should only be able to set
your concepts right and understand the relation between various entities involved.

GMAT Reading Comprehension: Categorizing RC questions

Categorizing RC questions will help you interpret the GMAT Verbal Ability section as a whole. This means
that you will be able to enhance your ability to comprehend the types of questions being asked on the
GMAT verbal section and how you can best answer them. Further, you will learn what it takes for a test-
taker to perform on-the-spot mental exercises. You will also be able to analyse the questions and identify
key elements in the passages while uncovering hidden repercussions in the excerpt.

Main idea question: Main idea questions are one of the most common types of questions in the
GMAT reading comprehension section. You’ll Gnd at least one main idea question in all the
passages. In these questions, you need to identify the answer choice that matches the scope of the
entire passage. The key here is to think of the big picture and not get distracted by the individual
elements. Put all the pieces together and try to Ggure out what is the essential purpose of the
passage.

Supporting detail/ substantial idea question: These questions are trickier than the main idea
questions. Supporting detail or substantial idea questions require a thorough reading on your part.
These questions may ask about facts or speciGc arguments that are explicitly cited in the passage.
Although these facts mostly support the main idea that the passage talks about.

Assumption/inference: Assumption/inference type of questions are more advanced than the two
mentioned above and would require more of your critical thinking abilities. Unlike the supporting idea
questions which ask about plain facts, the inference-based problems talk about arguments and
ideas that are implied by the author but not mentioned explicitly in the passage. To answer these
questions, you need to think logically and make some calculated assumptions about the author’s
intentions.

Out of framework: Out of framework or out of context questions are, as their name suggests, not
related to the passage directly. These questions ask you to absorb the information present in the
passage and apply it in an out of context situation. These questions may ask you about the author’s
views regarding a matter that is completely unrelated to the passage.

In this instance, you need to take the similar approach as with the inference type question. However,
please note that you may have to take a much farther logical leap than before. These questions
primarily test your understanding of the main idea of the passage and your ability to apply it
elsewhere.

Coherent logical structure: These kinds of questions talk about the overall structure of the passage.
You’ll be asked what the author is accomplishing by writing this passage this particular way. For
example, the question might have the following wording, “Does the passage refute an idea?”, or “Is
the author contrasting two ideas?”.

Sometimes, there can also be a question that asks for a suitable title for the passage. Coherent
logical structure problems test your ability to understand the structural jow of the passage.

Author's style and tenor: Finally, there are style and tone questions which test your ability to identify
the tone of the passage. You may be asked to identify the ideas in the passage and the tone used by
the passage to express those ideas. Generally, the most common type of question will ask you to
describe the style and tone of the passage using a single word or a phrase. For example, critical,
enthusiastic, optimistic, objective etc. are the frequent choices in those problems.

GMAT Reading Comprehension: Crucial Components of RC Passage

It may be easy to get carried away by the passage given. However, don’t lose focus of the topic or bring in
your own ideas. Do not bring any worldly knowledge into the passage. Doing so would mean that your
content is different from the actual content of the passage.

Topic- what is the passage about?

Scope-what aspect of the topic does the passage focus on?

Purpose-why did the author write the passage?

What notes would you jot down on your note board?

Preparation Strategy for Reading Comprehension for GMAT

Your GMAT Verbal Ability score largely depends on Reading Comprehension. Here are some foolproof
ways to structure and time your preparation for GMAT Reading Comprehension:

Skim the passage [1 minute]: Skimming the passage refers to a quick reading of the passage being
given. It is slightly different from scanning, where you are looking for a fact or a piece of information
that is explicitly mentioned.

Whereas skimming requires a quick reading of the entire passage to get the general idea being
portrayed. Here, the goal is not to look for details but to get the overall tone and idea of the passage.

Read the questions [1 minute]: After skimming, you should give a quick glance to the problems that
are related to the passage. Read the questions carefully and identify what type of questions they are.
The various types of questions are mentioned above for your reference. Mark each of the questions
according to their type and take a speciGc approach to each of them as required.

Read the Passage in detail [2 minutes]: After going through the questions, revert back to the
passage and read it thoroughly. Unlike skimming, where you skip over minute details, here you need
to be focused and look for tiny intricacies and speciGc facts that are mentioned.

However, given that the GMAT is a timed exam, you shouldn’t spend too much time on this step. It is
advisable to be conscious of the time you’re taking with the section. Look for the information that is
speciGcally asked for in the questions and ignore other irrelevant information.

Answer questions [1 minute]: After the thorough reading, it is Gnally time to answer the questions.
You should begin with the main idea questions at Grst, as they require relatively less mental effort.
Then, you should build on that by answering the supporting idea questions after looking up the
explicit facts mentioned. Ideally, you should proceed in the order mentioned above to be most
effective. However, after answering these two types of questions in the beginning, you can move in
any order of your preference.

Identify the outliers [0.25 minutes]: Outliers are those answer choices that are not explicitly
mentioned in the passage but resonate with the question. You need to have a sharp eye for these
answer choices, and your understanding of the main idea of the passage should be strong. With your
solid reasoning, you’ll be able to identify these outliers and use them to your advantage.

GMAT Critical Reasoning

In this section, a candidate has to perform an analysis, based on the given argument and mark the right
answer. You will be required to extract the relevant data that would either back or oppose the given
argument and select the best possible option.

How to Prepare for GMAT Critical Reasoning

Here is how you can effectively prepare for Critical Reasoning on the GMAT:

Follow the "map that leads to you": You need to get familiar with the topic of critical reasoning. The
GMAT critical reasoning questions have been deliberately built analytically and confusingly, where
the usage of jargon is encouraged and sentences appear to be in harmony with themselves rather
than being helpful to the student. A candidate should deviate from spending time on incessant
reading, and instead work out how best to decode controversial theories to Gnd evidentiary clues
that help in solving the question.

Believe that slow and steady wins the race: Being ambitious means being slow and steady towards
your ambition. Speed reading can only help you get so far. For every noteworthy entrance
examination in the world, speed reading will only exhibit your reading ability. You need to interpret
what's going on in the question. This will help you understand the information provided from the
data that needs to be assumed.

Breaking the question down sentence wise will help you mindfully assess the situation presented in
the question. As much as this question is subjective to an individual candidate’s own prepping
strategy, this is also a quandary that states that you need to be smart, rather than being hard on
yourself.

Get a "reason" to start over new: It is not advisable for you to be wishy-washy with a critical
reasoning question. You should align the question around your own analytical reasoning capabilities
and then draw necessary conclusions. Identify the dominant and the weak parts of the sentence and
practice the technique of gathering information with respect to the contextual meaning of the
question.

Learning reasoning helps you to examine the dense usage of what’s written in the paragraph, while
also helping you connect to what the historical, geographical and social themes of the question are.
This in turn can help you assume or predict the solution for a given question.

Steer ahead of the conventional reading practices: Don’t just read, understand, summarize and
formulate a derived context with related comments. It is all about throwing yourself open to
challenges and successfully testing your power to extract the correct meaning from complex written
information. This is also the "main idea" behind the birth of the critical reasoning (CR) questions.

Critical reasoning is one of the most confusing topics on the GMAT verbal and makes you lose
considerable marks. To avoid such a situation at hand, register for this free webinar on GMAT critical
reasoning where CL experts teach you how to break the argument and pick the right answer in half a
minute!

GMAT Sentence Correction

In this set of questions, you will basically be provided with a sentence where a partially highlighted part
needs to be assessed. As there will be multiple options provided for the right answer, which you can
mark as the right answer, you need to make sure that the construction of the sentence is appropriate and
that the original meaning has not been rubbed off or lost while correcting it. Also, you need to consider
your writing skills and acknowledge the rules of English grammar.

How to Prepare for GMAT Sentence Correction

Here is how you can tackle the sentence correction questions:

Read the entire statement carefully.

Review grammatical build, punctuation build and spelling build of the sentence.

Be attentive to the non-highlighted part of the sentence, as it may contain clues to the right answer.

Eliminate distortions and long answer options. Remember, distortions exist to break the juidity of
your performance.

Scrutinize the modiGers and their location in the question. Many times, the modiGers in the question
are jumbled to confuse the candidate. Choose the answer option that relates all the events occurring
in the sentence in the most sensible way and eliminates redundancy from the question.

Look out for wrong synonyms used in the sentence that are not congruous with the overall meaning
of the sentence. Also establish the correct relation between various juxtapositions or comparisons
occurring in the sentence.

Establish the correct subject-verb agreement and eliminate options that do not adhere to the same.

Identify the correct subject for the correct predicate. Make sure the sentence does not lose its
meaning midway.

Do not worry about the disposition of certain words. As long as the number agreement, tenses,
modiGers and auxiliary verbs are in line with the subject, you are good to go!

GMAT Verbal / Grammar Syllabus

Following are some of the topics you can expect in the GMAT verbal section. They generally revolve
around basic grammar rules.

Basic Sentence structure: Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives

Verb Tense

Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions

Pronoun Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement

ModiGers

Parallelism

Phrases and Clauses

Articles

Parts of speech

Direct and Indirect

Active to Passive

You can also refer the following articles in order to widen your horizon for GMAT Verbal:

Grammar mistakes you shouldn't make

Sentence correction for GMAT

10 ways to develop reading habit

Expand your vocabulary toolbox

GMAT Syllabus: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA):

The analytical writing section consists of topics based on which a candidate will have to write, along with
passages that might be given for a candidate to read and answer questions. The GMAT AWA section
analyses your critical reasoning skills, communication skills and your grammatical skills. Candidates
should be attentive towards proper usage of vocabulary and try their best to avoid any grammatical
errors.

The duration of this section is 30 minutes, and the score ranges from o-6, in half-point increments. The
essay will have a topic, which could be from any domain. The test is mainly designed to assess your
writing skills, let alone your opinions and judgements. So, it is safe to stick to a neutral opinion while
framing your answer. There can be two types of essay questions in the AWA section.

Argument essay: In this section, the reasoning in the given argument must be analysed by the
candidate and all the underlying assumptions are to be considered. Following this, the conclusion of
whether the argument is logically sound or not has to be made. Another thing that must be kept in
mind is that no baseless assumptions are to be made by the candidate. The candidate must look at
the statement and argument in isolation and dispassionately dissect them without prior biases. In
addition, it is necessary for a candidate to respond in alignment with the evidence, based on the
argument. Importance has to be given to introduce proper diction, syntax and academy grammar to
support or stand against the critique presented in the question.

Issue essay - In this section, you would have to present a dissertation on the issue given to you. The
word limit is around 600. The opinions you put forward can be supportive of the given issue or you
can structure the article based on your own stance. But you need to formulate a biased approach
and either stand by or against the presented issue. You can also brainstorm examples clued up from
various prompts or entities presented in the main issue itself. Present unique content and style of
writing while dealing with this type of question in the AWA section.

Learn all about AWA through the following video:

Analytical Writing Assessment (…

Your GMAT score largely depends on what sort of GMAT coaching you choose. Learn the correct way of
selecting GMAT coaching by clicking here

GMAT Syllabus: Integrated Reasoning (IR)

Integrated Reasoning is a 30-minute, no-breather section that has been recently introduced in the GMAT.
It is a single section consisting of data interpretation questions. The Integrated Reasoning Questions in
the GMAT Syllabus consist of the data present in the form of graphs, passages, tables or a combination
of the three. Based on the data provided, four types of questions are asked:

Table Analysis: These questions are relatively straightforward and basically require analysis of data
given in the form of a table. Ratios, Statistics, Probabilities, etc. are generally used in these types of
questions.

Two-Part Analysis: These are the most jexible types of questions as they can be numerical, verbal
or a combination of the two. It expects the candidates to analyse complex relationships between
objects and can be used to evaluate questions on trade-offs, simultaneous equations, and other
types of questions.

Multi-source Reasoning: These types of questions contain data in the form of tables, graphics or
charts and the candidate is expected to collate the data and interpret it. Based on this data,
questions will be asked of the candidate regarding the given data in an MCQ format.

Graphics Interpretation:It measures a candidate's ability to interpret the information through

pictorial representation or graphs (scatter plot, line plot, Area under curve, box plot, Probability
Frequency Distribution Cumulative Frequency Distribution, conGdence level graph, x/y graph, bar
chart, pie chart, or statistical curve distribution) and Gll in the statements to draw inferences and
describe correlations.

Tips to Prepare for the IR Section of GMAT

To master the IR section of GMAT, you need to be cautious in the following ways:

Establish familiarity with set-based reasoning questions, mostly related to maxima and minima
values.

Practice questions related to networking and logical connectives

Bolster the concepts of Vedic Maths at an optimum level. Most of Integrated Reasoning is sheer
calculations.

Do not kill your time by frantically moving from one set to another. Choose an easy set Grst and solve
it by taking a concept test. As you regain familiarity, build up on your knowledge by stepping to
didcult questions.

Read all the answer choices thoroughly and adapt the “process of elimination strategy” to accurate
your solution from all ends.

Develop your analytical ability to Gnd out variance to the sub questions present.

This is one of the most unique parts of the GMAT Syllabus and covers a vast range of topics. It is
somewhat like DILR in the CAT exam but also includes the Critical Reasoning type of questions. One
additional didculty in these types of questions is that there may be more than one answer. Therefore,
unless the candidate can identify all the correct options, it will be counted as an incorrect response.

Also Explore: GMAT vs CAT - Which is better?

GMAT Syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Data Subciency: These types of questions consist of a problem statement followed by two factual
statements. The candidate must decide whether the statements given would be sudcient to answer
the question in the problem statement.

Statement 1 individually is sudcient, but Statement 2 individually is not sudcient.

Statement 2 individually is sudcient, but Statement 1 individually is not sudcient.

Both Statements combined are sudcient but not individually.

Each Statement individually is sudcient.

Both Statements combined are not sudcient

Problem solving: Problem solving comprises of roughly 50% of the total questions in the GMAT
Quantitative section. Reviewing conceptual math problems and solving them on an everyday note
can help you perfect your GMAT canvas, especially when it comes to problem solving. GMAT
problem solving basically consists of statement-based math problems that delve into fundamental
mathematical concepts.

The two major topics are further split into the following question types:

Arithmetic

Algebra

Geometry

Mensuration

Word problems

Statistics

X Expected Topics in GMAT Quantitative Aptitude section

Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Mensuration Word problems Statistics

Real numbers Linear Coordinate Area Simple & Descriptive

equations geometry compound
interest

Decimals Absolute value Angles Volume Data Inferential

interpretation

Fractions Exponents & Circles Chords Measurement Inductive

Functions problem

Square root Special Polygons Cylinders ProGt & loss Applied

equations

Percentages Linear Triangles Discounts

programming

Factors & Multiples Quadratic Cuboid Clocks &

equation calendars

Avg. discrete Binomial Sphere Pipes & cisterns

probability theorem

Progression Surds & Pentagons

Indices

Harmonic Cross
progression sections
decimals

Also Read: Can you score 750+ on GMAT?

Check out this informative video to understand how to scale up your GMAT Quant preparation:

GMAT Quant Section || 6 Tips to …

Useful Links for GMAT Preparation

You can Gnd useful links regarding the GMAT in this section. To know more about any particular topic,
click on the available links to be directed to information on the same. It is not by any means exhaustive or
selective. We have tried our best to limit it to the most related searches for GMAT preparation, that are
most relevant to you.

GMAT Classroom Program Research Paper Guidance Program

Admission Guidance & Mentoring Program GMAT coaching centers

Statement of Purpose for MBA

Conclusion
While the GMAT Syllabus can be extensive, the time required is very limited. The AWA Section and the IR
section is not concept intensive but rather requires practice. Thus, the GMAT Concept Preparation is
concentrated on the Verbal Section and the Quantitative Section.

The GMAT Syllabus is a good place to start when you are initially planning your GMAT Preparation
Strategy. You can gear up for the GMAT in just a span of one month, although it requires extreme
devotion and consistency on your part.

It is also important to prepare for the GMAT Video Interview along with preparing for the examination.
This will help build your conGdence, while strengthening your verbal skills manifold.

FAQ's: 5 Commonly Asked Questions in the GMAT Syllabus

Question 1: Does the GMAT syllabus change every year?

There are usually no major changes in the exam syllabus each year. However, minor changes can be seen
for which it is important for any test aspirant to be updated with recent odcial announcements and
GMAT news.

Question 2: What is the section order of the GMAT and the total duration of the test?

The candidate taking up the GMAT exam has the option to choose from the following
orders with an 8-minute optional break,

Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Break, Quantitative, Break, Verbal

Verbal, Break, Quantitative, Break, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

Quantitative, Break, Verbal, Break, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

Question 3: Can I take the GMAT exam online?

Yes, the GMAT exam can be taken online. An announcement by the Graduate Management Admissions
Council (GMAC) states that GMAT online exam will exist along with GMAT exam taken in the exam
centres.

Question 4: Can I skip any section in the GMAT exam?

No, you cannot skip any section, or question. GMAT scoring is adaptive based on your performance,
meaning the next question you get depends on how you answered the previous one. This makes it
impossible to skip any question or section.

Question 5: Is GMAT negative marking?

No, the GMAT does not operate with negative marking within any of the sections.

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