How Many Questions Come in the GMAT Test?

The Graduate Management Admission Test, commonly known as the GMAT, is a standardized test that assesses the skills of prospective graduate business students. It is a crucial component of the application process for many business schools worldwide. One of the most common questions test-takers have is about the number of questions in the GMAT.

The GMAT Test Structure

Before delving into the specifics of the number of questions, it’s essential to understand the overall structure of the GMAT exam. The GMAT consists of four main sections:

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA): This section requires test-takers to write one essay, which is scored separately. You have 30 minutes to complete this task.

Integrated Reasoning (IR): The IR section consists of 12 questions that assess your ability to analyze and interpret data from various sources. Test-takers have 30 minutes to complete these questions.

Quantitative Reasoning: This section evaluates your math skills and consists of 31 questions. You are given 62 minutes to complete these questions.

Verbal Reasoning: The verbal section also includes 36 questions that assess your reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction skills. You have 65 minutes to complete this section.

How Many Questions in Each GMAT Section

Now that we’ve outlined the four main sections of the GMAT, let’s break down the number of questions in each section:

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA): As mentioned earlier, the AWA section requires you to write one essay. You will receive one prompt, and your task is to analyze the argument presented in the prompt and write a coherent response.

Integrated Reasoning (IR): The IR section consists of 12 questions, and these questions come in various formats, such as graphics interpretation, two-part analysis, table analysis, and multi-source reasoning. These questions assess your ability to solve complex problems by integrating information from different sources.

Quantitative Reasoning: In the quantitative section, you will encounter 31 questions. These questions cover a range of mathematical concepts, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. You must answer each question within the allotted time.

Verbal Reasoning: The verbal section includes 36 questions, which are further divided into three question types: reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction. This section evaluates your ability to understand and analyze written material and make effective decisions based on that analysis.

In addition, candidates must prepare very well for these sections by enrolling for GMAT tutoring  and take practical GMAT sample tests which reveal the full nature of the test and what a candidate is likely to score. These practices  enable you to know your strengths and weaknesses before proceeding to registering for your GMAT main test. 

Total Number of Questions and Test Duration

To calculate the total number of questions in the GMAT, you simply sum the questions from each section:

12 (IR) + 31 (Quantitative) + 36 (Verbal) = 79 questions

So, in total, the GMAT consists of 79 questions. The test duration, including optional breaks, is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. 

Understanding the number of questions in each section of the GMAT is essential for effective test preparation. Now that you know the breakdown of questions in the GMAT, you can tailor your study plan to focus on each section accordingly. Remember that the GMAT is not just about the number of questions but also about the skills and strategies you employ to answer them accurately and efficiently. Good luck with your GMAT preparation!