Test Structure & Question Types
Test Structure
The GMAT is a Computer Adaptive Test (“CAT”). The test adapts to each individual based on his or her ability. The skill level of the problems you will see depends on how well you answer the questions. CAT selects each question (from a pool of questions) to maximize the precision of the exam based on the validity of your answers to previous exam questions. So the exam you take will be completely different from the exams of the people in the room with you.
There are four separately timed sections and two optional breaks on the GMAT, as shown in the table below:
| Sections | Types of Questions | Number of Questions | Times |
| Analytical Writing | Analysis of an argument | 1 Issue Essay | 30 min. |
| Analytical Writing | Analysis of an issue | 1 Argument Essay | 30 min. |
| Optional Break | – | – | 5 min. |
| Quantitative | Problem-solving, Data Sufficiency |
37 | 75 min. |
| Optional Break | – | – | 5 min. |
| Verbal | Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction |
41 | 75 min. |
| Total | 3 hrs. 30 min. – 3 hrs. 40 min. |
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Question Types
There are two types of questions on the Quantitative portion of the GMAT:
- Problem-solving
- Data Sufficiency
Problem-solving Questions
Problem-solving Questions measure your ability to:
- Understand and apply mathematical concepts to problems
- Reason and solve quantitative problems
- Interpret graphical data
The directions and format for Problem-solving Questions are as follows:
Solve the problem and indicate the best of the answer choices given.
Numbers: All numbers used are real numbers.
Figures: A figure accompanying a problem-solving question is intended to provide information useful in solving the problem. Figures are drawn as accurately as possible. Exceptions will be clearly noted. Lines shown as straight are straight, and lines that appear jagged are also straight. The positions of points, angles, regions, etc., exist in the order shown, and the angle measures are greater than zero. All figures lie in a plane unless otherwise indicated.
Data Sufficiency Questions
Data Sufficiency Questions measure your ability to:
- Analyze a quantitative problem
- Recognize when given information is relevant
- Determine at what point there is sufficient information to solve a problem
The directions and format for Data Sufficiency Questions are as follows:
Each Data Sufficiency problem consists of a question and two statements, labeled (1) and (2), that give data. You have to decide whether the data given in the statements are sufficient for answering the question. Using the data given in the statements plus your knowledge of mathematics and everyday facts (such as the number of days in July or the meaning of counterclockwise), you must indicate whether the data given in the statements are sufficient for answering the questions and then indicate one of the following answer choices:
- (A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked;
- (B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked;
- (C) BOTH statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are sufficient to answer the question asked, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient;
- (D) EACH statement ALONE is sufficient to answer the question asked;
- (E) Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient to answer the question asked, and additional data are needed.
NOTE: In Data Sufficiency problems that ask for the value of a quantity, the data given in the statements are sufficient only when it is possible to determine exactly one numerical value for the quantity.