The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a test that has been produced by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), and is used to help business schools in making admissions decisions. It is taken by students who are applying for admission to either MBA or other graduate management programs. The test is given in English only, and it tests analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative, and verbal skills. The GMAT is always taken on a computer, and, with the exception of the essay, is in multiple-choice format.

There are several ways a person can register for the exam. Registration can be completed online on the GMAC website or by phone by calling 1-800-717-GMAT. Registration can also be completed by mail. If registering by mail, the official scheduling form needs to be downloaded from GMAC’s website, filled in, and mailed to Pearson VUE. The address to which to mail this form is indicated on the website. When registering, all necessary fees must be paid as well.

The GMAT test consists of four sections. The first section of the test is the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). The test-taker is given 30 minutes to write an essay analyzing an argument. Until recently, test-takers had to write to essays. In 2012, however, one essay was scrapped and replaced with the Integrated Reasoning section.