By Aditya Wadhawan
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is working on the inclusion of Data Insights by removing the Analytical Writing Section in the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
This revised format of the test has been named ‘GMAT Focus Edition’ which would be introduced in the fourth quarter of 2023 and will be systematically phased out by the first quarter of 2024. The decision has been taken by GMAC after conducting a survey that involved 60 partner business schools, 5,400 candidates, engagements by the market development teams, and industry interactions. Over 7,700 programmes in 2,400 universities and colleges across the globe accept GMAT scores for admission to business education at various levels. In India, over 170 HEIs accept GMAT scores.
Speaking to Education Times, Daviender Narang, director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad (UP), says, “Data insights in GMAT is essential for the emerging needs of the businesses. This new format of GMAT will provide a more comprehensive assessment of candidates’ skills and knowledge to prepare them for the challenges that exist in the business world. The new ‘data insights’ section will test candidates on their ability to understand and interpret data, conclude from data sets, and make informed decisions based on data analysis.”
Experts feel the new section will include both quantitative as well as verbal reasoning questions that relate to data interpretation and analysis. Data Insights have increasingly become important for business professionals across industries. Also, many management programmes now include courses on Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, and data-driven decision-making.
“Removal of the analytical writing section would also streamline the test and allow for a more focused assessment of the quantitative, verbal, and reasoning sections. The verbal reasoning section is essential as it measures a candidate’s ability to read and comprehend the written material, evaluate arguments, and would also help to correct written text which by itself will take care of the standards of written English,” explains Narang.
Shalini Kalia, dean, JAGSOM, Vijaybhoomi University, Mumbai,“This new GMAT exam will focus on higher-order critical reasoning skills and data literacy that are critically relevant and applicable in the business environment.”
“The inclusion of ‘Data Insights’ section reflects the evolving needs of business schools and employers who are looking for candidates with a high level of critical reasoning and data literacy skills. Questions in Data Insights would require the knowledge of Maths, Data Analysis, Verbal Reasoning, and test takers would need to assess how multiple sources and types of information including graphics, numeric, and verbal are related to one another and can be integrated to make informed decisions,” adds Kalia.
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is working on the inclusion of Data Insights by removing the Analytical Writing Section in the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
This revised format of the test has been named ‘GMAT Focus Edition’ which would be introduced in the fourth quarter of 2023 and will be systematically phased out by the first quarter of 2024. The decision has been taken by GMAC after conducting a survey that involved 60 partner business schools, 5,400 candidates, engagements by the market development teams, and industry interactions. Over 7,700 programmes in 2,400 universities and colleges across the globe accept GMAT scores for admission to business education at various levels. In India, over 170 HEIs accept GMAT scores.
Speaking to Education Times, Daviender Narang, director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad (UP), says, “Data insights in GMAT is essential for the emerging needs of the businesses. This new format of GMAT will provide a more comprehensive assessment of candidates’ skills and knowledge to prepare them for the challenges that exist in the business world. The new ‘data insights’ section will test candidates on their ability to understand and interpret data, conclude from data sets, and make informed decisions based on data analysis.”
Experts feel the new section will include both quantitative as well as verbal reasoning questions that relate to data interpretation and analysis. Data Insights have increasingly become important for business professionals across industries. Also, many management programmes now include courses on Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, and data-driven decision-making.
“Removal of the analytical writing section would also streamline the test and allow for a more focused assessment of the quantitative, verbal, and reasoning sections. The verbal reasoning section is essential as it measures a candidate’s ability to read and comprehend the written material, evaluate arguments, and would also help to correct written text which by itself will take care of the standards of written English,” explains Narang.
Shalini Kalia, dean, JAGSOM, Vijaybhoomi University, Mumbai,“This new GMAT exam will focus on higher-order critical reasoning skills and data literacy that are critically relevant and applicable in the business environment.”
“The inclusion of ‘Data Insights’ section reflects the evolving needs of business schools and employers who are looking for candidates with a high level of critical reasoning and data literacy skills. Questions in Data Insights would require the knowledge of Maths, Data Analysis, Verbal Reasoning, and test takers would need to assess how multiple sources and types of information including graphics, numeric, and verbal are related to one another and can be integrated to make informed decisions,” adds Kalia.
