GMAT Sample Papers

Introduction to GMAT Sample Papers

What Is The GMAT?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is recognized in 2300 colleges presenting 7000 MBA programs.

The standardized test determines a student’s skills and worthiness to enroll on the topmost B-schools and colleges worldwide.

The GMAT scoring ranges from 200-800. Plus, the test is conducted in English- both offline and online!

Importance of Practicing with GMAT Sample Papers

• It helps you know the GMAT exam format.
• It allows you to grasp the types of featured questions.
• It helps you improve your time management in solving questions.
• It lets you monitor your mock scores consistently.
• It helps boost your self-morale and test-taking confidence.

How Sample Papers Can Help Improve Your GMAT Scores?

GMAT sample papers are crafted in the same format as the real exam. So, working with them gives you real-time practice on what to expect on the big day and the time limit to solving them.

The more you solve, the more you learn about your flaws, thus allowing you to improve. Eventually, your score tally will improve with 2-3 months of dedicated practice. 

We at AbroAdvice are here to help and guide you however you want. Talk to us whenever convenient. 

Understanding the GMAT Exam Format

Overview of The GMAT Exam Structure

The GMAT 2023 exam structure will appear as follows –

• Verbal Reasoning (36 questions in 65 minutes)
• Quantitative Reasoning (31 questions in 62 minutes)
• Integrated Reasoning (12 questions in 30 minutes)
• Analytical Writing Assessment (single essay in half an hour)

Sections of The GMAT Exam and Their Weightage

• Verbal Reasoning (weightage/scoring range 6-51 in 0.5-point increments)
• Quantitative Reasoning (weightage/scoring range 6-51 in 1-point increments)
• Integrated Reasoning (weightage/scoring range 1-8 in 1-point increments)
• Analytical Writing Assessment (weightage/scoring range 0-6 in 0.5-point increments)

Types of Questions in Each Section

• Verbal Reasoning (questions will be 60% passage reading, 20% critical reasoning, and 20% sentence corrections)
• Quantitative Reasoning (questions will be 50% determining data sufficiency and 50% question solving)
• Integrated Reasoning (question will be data interpretation, analyzing table and graphs, multi-source Reasoning, and 2-part analysis)
• Analytical Writing Assessment (question will be 50% argument analysis and 50% essay on the deduced issue)

How to Use GMAT Sample Papers Effectively?

Incorporating Sample Papers into Your GMAT Study Routine

You must include GMAT practice papers in your study routine. It is the best way to grasp the test format, the appearing questions, and your baseline score. 

Fortunately, you will find many GMAT sample test papers to practice with. Download a handful and work with them for 1-2 hours regularly. Also, procure other useful study resources from the official GMAT portal to enhance your skill development and time management.

Strategies for Analysing and Learning from Sample Paper Performance

• Monitor your practice scores with each attempt.
• Follow where you lost marks and look to improve on those sections.
• Set a target for each attempt and look to achieve it.
• Fix a higher score next time and aim to get it by avoiding previous mistakes.
• You can also refer to the ‘performance over time to reveal time management concerns and score-killing errors.

Tips for Time Management and Pacing During Practice

• Solve difficult questions quickly and accurately.
• Set your own time limits for solving each question and the whole section.
• Don’t spend more than half a minute on questions you don’t know. 
• Decide which prompts you can skip during practice. 
• Familiarise yourself with the test format and identify your easy scoring options.
• Maintain or slightly increase your solving pace at every attempt. But don’t go at break-neck speed, as it can cause carelessness.

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) Sample Papers

Overview of The AWA Section in GMAT Sample Papers

The GMAT AWA section determines the student’s ability to analyze arguments, communicate ideas and thoughts and determine correct reasoning with supporting evidence.

It comprises questions from business and other fields of study. Moreover, the questions will require you to find vague language, differentiate causation from correlation and identify sampling issues. 

Sample AWA Prompts and Essay-Writing Strategies

• Refer to the GMAT AWA sample prompts to familiarise yourself with the question format.
• Read the prompts carefully to develop your understanding.
• Use language and phrases you’re comfortable with when writing essays.
• Write complete sentences with correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Maintain proper structure.
• Be concise, coherent, avoid quantifiers and use active verbs.
• Use 3rd person pronouns (one, he, she).
• Focus on the thesis statement at the end of the stanza. Draw your conclusion and express it through your essay.
• Properly examine the stanza’s arguments and complementing evidence.
• Write objectively. 

Techniques for Developing A Coherent and Well-Structured Response

• Use the standard 5-stanza format (Introduction, body of 3 stanzas and conclusion/verdict)
• Add as much supporting evidence as feasible to validate your arguments.
• Express your views objectively without any biases.
• Write short and easy-to-grasp sentences.
• Avoid jargon or passive voice in writing.
• Add transition words (however, while, additionally, although, etc.)wherever applicable.
• Avoid writing glitches, grammar flaws, wrong punctuation and spelling errors.
• Construct the essay carefully and meticulously while writing.
• Establish your 3 supporting points for the body and write them convincingly with substantiating evidence.
• In the conclusion, establish your stance or verdict. Also, share how the argument can be strengthened or accessed more accurately.

Additional tips

• Keep some time for editing and proofing the essay. Revising the essay and determining the rationality behind your arguments is imperative.
• Check the flow, tone and clarity of the essay. 
• Also, don’t stretch unnecessarily. Ideally, the word limit for the essay is 500. So, stick to it. 

Integrated Reasoning (IR) Sample Papers

Overview of The IR Section in GMAT Sample Papers

The IR section in the GMAT sample paper will feature the following parts.

• Multi-source Reasoning
• Two-part Analysis
• Table Analysis 
• Graphics Interpretations

The IR section aims to determine the student’s critical thinking and data analytical skills under timed conditions. 

The section will comprise 12 questions with 30 minutes the time duration.

Sample IR Questions and Formats

• Multi-source Reasoning –You will find questions in graphs, diagrams, charts, etc. You must determine discrepancies and find the most suitable answer per the presented information. 
• Two-part Analysis –You will pick 2 answers to specific scenarios using the presented data. Since both answers are connected, you must understand the question properly and choose both answers (as a 2-part analysis of one component) from their respective columns. 
• Table Analysis –You will get the question in table format. After examining the data, you must pick the answer as True/False or Yes/No.
• Graphics Interpretations –You will get the question in a graphical form. You must use the data to determine the correct value from the drop-down section. 

Approaches for Analysing Data and Solving Complex Problems

Extensive practice with GMAT sample papers is the key to improving your data analyzing skills and solving complex questions.

1. Read questions and data presented in tables, charts and graphs. Don’t confuse with rates and percentages.
2. Focus on the measurement units in question and statements. 
3. These sample papers will give you insights into the different types of questions. You can use them to identify relevant data and determine the connection between the two questions. 
4. Moreover, the more you tackle complex questions during practice, your critical thinking and data interpretation competence will improve.

Get GMAT sample papers immediately and start practising the IR section. With time, you will get used to the questions and how to solve them accurately and quickly. So, be patient and practice diligently every day.

Quantitative Reasoning Sample Papers

Overview of The Quantitative Reasoning Section in GMAT Sample Papers

The GMAT quant section (and sample papers) will feature questions from the following topics.

• Arithmetic –Distance, Speed, Time and Work, Number systems, concepts, Profit and Loss and Discounts, Averages, Ratio and Proportions, Allegations and Mixtures, Percentages.
• Algebra –Functions, Quadratic equations, Logarithms, Algebra elements, Linear equations, Inequalities.
• Geometry –Solids (3D geometry), Triangles, Polygons, Circles, Coordinate Geometry, Lines and Angles.
• Modern Mathematics –Set Theory, Probability, Series and Sequences, Permutation, and Combination.

Sample Quantitative Questions and Problem-Solving Techniques

All featured questions will appear in the MCQ pattern. There will be various graphic representations like charts, graphs, tables, etc., with relevant data to help you answer the question. Refer to the GMAT Quant syllabus and work with sample papers and mock tests to improve your Quant score. 

You can also hire a math tutor to help you improve your solving skills. Solving precision with speed won’t happen overnight. It will take time. So, keep practising routinely and work on areas needing improvement. In 2-3 months, your problem-solving techniques and confidence will improve. 

Tips for Improving Mathematical Skills and Time Efficiency

1. Solve several GMAT sample papers- especially quant sections with vivid number forms.
2. Use a timer to determine your solving time (for each question and the entire section).
3. Refer to the answer options for assistance.
4. Solve questions without using a calculator under timed conditions each time.
5. Also, work with other mathematics practice materials to boost your understanding, skills, and precision. 

Need more tips and insights on improving mathematical skills and solving time?

AbroAdvice is here to help.

Verbal Reasoning Sample Papers

Overview of The Verbal Reasoning Section in GMAT Sample Papers

The following segments will feature in the GMAT verbal section (and practice sample papers).

1. Critical Reasoning – 9-10 questions. 
2. Correcting Sentences – 12-13 questions
3. Critical Reading – 13-14 questions.

The total number of questions is 36. The total time duration is 65 minutes. 

Sample Verbal Questions and Reading Comprehension Strategies

1. Carefully read the stanza and surmise the focal idea.
2. Differentiate ideas pointed out in the comprehension.
3. Make interpretations based on the data exhibited in the reading stanza.
4. Examine the logical structure of the passage.
5. Determine the attitude and tone of the central message. 

Approaches for Strengthening Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction Skills

1. Identify the stanza’s structure and its outcome.
2. Use exhibited evidence to validate the conclusion.
3. Determine the main idea when shifting from evidence to conclusion.

Furthermore, to correct sentences, you must read the statements carefully and derive the best version from the presented options. The sentences can be long and winding. So, follow them closely and identify existing flaws. 

You must read several books and other materials to improve sentence correction skills. Also, practice with grammar texts to improve your sentence construction skills. These exercises will help you score well in the verbal section. 

Time Management Strategies for GMAT Sample Papers

Importance of Time Management During the GMAT Exam

GMAT (like all competitive exams) are time-sensitive. Each section comes with a time limit within which you must complete it. So, time management is important and key to your GMAT success. Ideally, you must aim to delay your first mistake as feasible. Getting a question wrong early on makes it difficult to see the harder questions. You must solve most of the hard questions correctly within the time given to improve your success chances. 

So, while practising with GMAT sample papers, focus on this aspect. 

Techniques for Managing Time Effectively in Each Section

1. Work with GMAT sample papers routinely and aim to solve 2-3 within the allotted time.
2. Aim to spend no more than 2 minutes on average for each question. The max time to spend on a difficult question is 4 minutes.
3. Practice with GMAT sample papers using a timer. It will help you ease into the test setting and question format.
4. Built up speed with every attempt.
5. If you solve a question within a minute, take a few seconds to review it before going to the next one.
6. Don’t rush unnecessarily; 2 minutes is still enough to answer a question correctly if you practice with GMAT sample papers enough.
7. If you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t take more than 30 seconds. Employ guesswork to choose the best option. There is no negative marking. So, don’t worry!

Practising with Sample Papers Under Timed Conditions for Better Performance

The best suggestion to improve time management is working with GMAT sample papers. You must solve as many as possible. Do it for 2-3 months. 

Aim to score more in less time on each attempt. Eventually, your accuracy and solving time will see noticeable improvements. As that happens, your confidence will also increase. 

What Are Common Challenges in GMAT and How to Overcome Them?

Identifying Common Pitfalls in The GMAT Exam

1. Not formulating a GMAT study plan beforehand.
2. Not taking advantage of or neglecting GMAT practice papers.
3. Not focusing on improving solving time for each section.
4. Overlooking sufficient sleep and diet during GMAT preparation.
5. Not familiarising yourself with the GMAT test format.
6. Over stressing. 

Strategies for Tackling Difficult Questions and Managing Test Anxiety

1. Extensively practising with GMAT sample papers and taking online mock tests.
2. Getting accustomed to the question type and solving process.
3. Reading questions and their requirements attentively.
4. Using the presented information tactfully to answer correctly.
5. Refrain from assuming extra information not given in the question statements. 
6. Monitoring your GMAT scores each time.
7. Practising under timed- conditions to boost morale and solve efficiency.
8. Not over studying and giving importance to rest and leisure time.
9. Setting a target score and inching closer with each attempt.

Tips for Improving Accuracy and Efficiency in Problem-Solving

1. Procure as many GMAT sample papers as possible and work diligently with them each day.
2. Solve 2 papers (at least)regularly and monitor your score and solving time.
3. Identify difficult scoring sections and look to improve upon them.
4. Take online mock tests to develop the exam-taking habit.
5. Refer to official GMAT study materials and other resources from the official exam website.

Besides these tips, you can also consult our GMAT experts for customized tips and guidance to succeed in your GMAT. 

AbroAdvice is here to tend to all your GMAT doubts and queries.