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What is the GMAT Focus Edition?
By
Cece Gilmore
Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is an admissions exam used primarily for business school; it has recently changed to a new version called the GMAT Focus edition. Read more about what has changed for the GMAT Focus Edition and how to best prepare for it.
What is the GMAT Focus edition?
The GMAT Focus Edition is the brand new and permanent version of the classic GMAT. The GMAT is a test used by students to get into business school to obtain a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or another type of post-graduate business degree. The GMAT is very valuable in the business school admissions process as it can help your application stand out and help you get into your dream program.
Also see: Top business scholarships
GMAT Focus Edition Format
The GMAT Focus Edition has a minimum score of 205 and a maximum score of 805. It has three sections with an allotted 45 minutes designated to complete each section. The minimum score of 60 and maximum score of 90 is granted for each section. Here is a break down of each section found on the GMAT Focus Edition:
Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning section tests student’s ability to reason, solve problems and interpret data. The skills needed for this section align closely with subjects found in college such as finance, accounting and managerial statistics.
Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning section tests student’s ability to evaluate reading comprehension and critical reasoning. Reading comprehension passages are followed by a set of questions that test a student’s ability to interpret the text, draw inferences and identify logical relationships between the elements found in the passages.
Data Insights
The Data Insights section tests student’s ability to interpret data in tables and graphs. This section is designed to mimic today’s business world in order to identify patterns, make decisions and solve business-related problems.
Here is a helpful chart breakdown of the GMAT Focus Edition format:
| Section | Time | Number of Problems |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 45 minutes | 21 |
| Verbal Reasoning | 45 minutes | 23 |
| Data Insights | 45 minutes | 20 |
GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition
| Characteristic | GMAT Focus Edition | GMAT |
| Structure | Three sections | Four sections |
| Questions | 64 | 80 |
| Time allotted | 2 hours and 15 minutes | 3 hours and 7 minutes |
| Score | 205-805 | 200-800 |
| Exam Cost | $275 | $275 |
| Question Review & Edit | You can review as many questions as you would like and can edit up to three answers | Not available |
| Score Reports | A detailed score report is available | A basic score report is available, an enhanced score report is available for a fee |
What’s new about the GMAT Focus edition?
The GMAT Focus has introduced many new features and improvements that have made the student experience easier. Here are some of the changes:
Shorter
The GMAT Focus Edition is shorter than the GMAT as it is composed of three 45-minute sections. This allows students to be able to be prepared for the exam in a shorter amount of time than previously.
Review and Edit
Students can now bookmark and review as many questions as they feel they need. Students can even change up to three answers per section with their time remaining which can minimize any test-day stress.
Choose your own adventure!
Students can now decide which order they want to take the test sections in. This allows for a lot more flexibility in freedom during the test as you can get certain sections out of the way or begin with a section you feel strongly about.
Performance Insights
The Official Score Report provides more detailed information and insights than previously. This includes information about your performance in each section, each question type and even your time management skills.
Free Score reports
Students can now send up to five free score reports within 48 hours of receiving your Official Score. After the five free score reports are sent, students can send additional score reports for a fee.
Why did the GMAT change?
The GMAT changed in order to create targeted questions that are most relevant to graduate management programs in today’s day and age. The changes allow for an easier test-taking process as there is more flexibility in how to best approach the questions based on a student’s specific needs and strengths. Ultimately, the changes were implemented to best represent the current times as well as aid the students in creating a more catered test-taking experience.
How to prepare for the GMAT Focus Edition
In order to best prepare for the GMAT Focus Edition you should first become familiar with the new changes and format of the exam. Here are some additional tips to help you best prepare for the GMAT Focus Edition:
Understand the structure
Becoming familiar with the structure of the GMAT Focus Edition is very important. It helps you focus on the questions rather than the format of the exam. Understanding what choices you have during the exam is extremely helpful when it comes to the exam date. Read over resources such as this article to help you become familiar with the GMAT Focus Edition.
For example, you are able to choose which order of the sections you want to take on the exam day. So, if you discover that one section is easier for you than the others, it may be beneficial to begin with the more difficult sections and finish with the easier section.
Take practice exams
Taking a practice GMAT Focus Edition exam can help you establish a baseline throughout your studying (there are free tests included as well, so no excuses if you are on a budget!). Then, you can continue to take practice exams to see how you improve and to become familiar with the format and what strategies work best for you in a testing environment. This is also the perfect time to experiment with starting and ending with certain sections as well as familiarizing yourself with the bookmark questions feature.
Use the detailed performance insights
Just as you are able to receive detailed feedback after taking the official GMAT, you can receive detailed performance feedback on the official GMAT practice exam. So, if you use this practice exam it would be extremely beneficial for you to go through all of the feedback you receive to best help you for your official exam.
Study over time!
Be sure you are not leaving all of your studying to the night before your exam! It is important to space out your studying in order to not become overwhelmed or stressed out by the content you are learning. It may be helpful to create a study calendar in which you block out time each day to study for a little. Creating a study calendar can also help you stay on track to ensure you study all of the content found on the exam as well as keep you accountable for completing your studying each day.
