GMAT Sample Questions

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a multiple-choice, computer-adaptive test that evaluates your aptitude for graduate management programs such as an MBA. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the official body that conducts the examination, has performed validity studies to statistically verify that the exam predicts success in business school programs, from which it is clear that GMAT is the number one choice of entrance exam for MBA aspirants! If you have chosen to take the GMAT, you are already on your way to your MBA degree.

The importance of GMAT sample questions in preparation for the exam has been acknowledged far and wide. They are an integral part of any GMAT study plan and can make you aware of what you need to focus on to get your best possible GMAT score. In this article, you will be able to find some sample questions to help you on your GMAT prep journey.

GMAT Exam Pattern

The GMAT exam consists of 4 sections, and they are:

1. Integrated Reasoning
2. Analytical Writing Assessment
3. Quantitative Reasoning
4. Verbal Reasoning

The Integrated Reasoning (IR) section is scored independently on a scale of 1-8. It consists of table analysis, multi-source reasoning, two-part analysis, and graphics interpretation questions. It examines your ability to analyse the given data and evaluate information presented in multiple formats. You are given 30 minutes to finish this section. 

The Analytical Writing Assessment helps business schools examine the candidate’s writing skills in basic English. You are given 30 minutes to complete this written piece.

The Quantitative Reasoning section assesses your knowledge of high school level mathematics. It has 2 types of questions: Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving. These 2 question types are based on algebra, arithmetic and number properties, and geometry. This section measures your ability to analyse data and draw conclusions using mathematical and logical skills. You get 62 minutes for this section. 

The Verbal Reasoning section analyses your grasp over standard written English. You are given 65 minutes to complete this section. This section includes 3 types of questions: Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. 

GMAT Sample Papers

GMAT mock tests and sample papers are very useful in determining your level of preparedness for the actual exam. You can periodically include a sample paper in your study schedule, as a way to measure your progress. If you happen to be reattempting the GMAT, you can also take a mock test before you create your study schedule, so you know which skills need to be brushed up on.

The GMAT sample papers will give you an idea about the type and difficulty level of the questions generally asked in the actual exam. Using sample papers for study and practice will help you design an effective preparation strategy.

The GMAT sample paper will give you some idea about what to expect on your examination day, in real time. It will also help you to keep track of your strengths and weaknesses; and provide you with tips for the test day. Information related to the structure of the exam and preview of layouts and screen navigation is also included in this exam tutorial. 

Some sample questions

Q1. Verbal Reasoning

Robert Radcliff, an eminent humanist, called for rural apartment building including adult-care facilities and non-clustered rural homes

1. Including adult-care facilities and non clustered rural homes including communal dancing and clubhouse facilities.
2. That Included adult-care facilities, and non clustered rural homes including communal dancing and clubhouse facilities.
3. With adult-care facilities included and for non clustered rural homes to include communal dancing and clubhouse facilities.
4. That included adult-care facilities included and for non clustered rural homes to include communal dancing and clubhouse facilities.
5. To include adult-care facilities and for non-clustered rural homes with communal dancing and clubhouse facilities included

Q2. Analysis of Argument 

A recent study with a researcher pretending to have a broken down car on the side of the road showed that when the researcher was a man, 60% of the time, a man pulled over to help them, and 0% of the time a woman stopped to help. When the researcher was a woman, 70% of the time a man stopped to help, and 20% of the time a woman stopped to help. This study shows how all men are more naturally altruistic than women. It also shows that women care more about helping women than men.

Describe how well reasoned you find this argument. In the discussion be sure to analyse the reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. You may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the writer’s thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the argument’s conclusion. You may also address possible changes in the argument that would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.

Q3. Multi-Source Reasoning

Research says that employee productivity is directly proportional to employee satisfaction. One of the management gurus has gone on to say that to succeed in today’s market, a company needs to treat its employees as it treats its best customer.

There are several factors that impact employee satisfaction. One quite obvious factor is how much the employees are paid in the company  vis-a-vis industry average. For every 5% increase in the employee salary, it has been found that there is a 1 percentage point increase in employee satisfaction. And it has been found that for every 1 percentage point increase in employee satisfaction, there is 0.5% increase in revenues.

One other factor, which is mostly overlooked, is the duration of parental leave. Most often companies provide only the government-mandated parental leave of 2 months for their employees. However, it is clear that employees feel better about their companies if they offer longer parental leave. This increased employee satisfaction may then indirectly lead to higher revenues or growth for the companies. Even the data suggests that the companies offering parental leave longer than 6 months are among the most profitable in their respective industries.

Company	Revenues	Profits	No. of Employees	Employee Satisfaction	Parental Leave
A	251	25	1009	69%	6 months
B	126	15	502	70%	2 months
C	98	36	51	91%	10 months
D	1500	27	25017	48%	8 months
E	900	151	1006	82%	10 months

(i) Assume that an increase in the duration of the parental leave by a month increases the satisfaction of the employees by 2 percentage points, but costs the company $750/ employees/ year. Select Yes for the companies for which increasing parental leave would be profitable. For other companies, select NO. Assume that no cost or revenue factors change, other than the given ones.

YES	NO	COMPANY
		A
		D
		E

(ii) Which of the below statements can be inferred from the information given? Select inferred for statements that can be inferred from the given information. Otherwise, select Cannot be inferred.

Inferred	Cannot be Inferred
		For every 5% increase in salary, there is 0.5% increase in profits.
		The companies that are among the most profitable in their industries offer parental leave for greater than 6 months.
		Among the given companies A,B,C,D, and E, higher the revenue per employee higher the employee satisfaction.

Q4. Quantitative Reasoning 

John purchased large bottles of water for $2 each and small bottles of water for 1.50 each. What percent of the bottles purchased were small bottles?

(i) John spent $ 33 on the bottles of water

(ii) The average price of bottles John purchased was $ 1.65

1. Statement (1) Alone is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not.
2. Statement (2) Alone is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not.
3. BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.
4. Each statement ALONE is sufficient.
5. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Conclusion

A good GMAT score acts as proof of your analytical ability and fluency in the English language. GMAT sample papers and questions are a great way to measure your level of preparedness and can act as milestones on your GMAT journey. The best way to improve is to identify what your strengths and weaknesses are, and invest focused effort on improving your grasp on skills you are not yet fully comfortable with. GMAT sample questions allow you to do just that.