Summary: The new GMAT, while seemingly more manageable, still requires diligent preparation and the ability to effectively analyze data – skills that are crucial to achieving success in business school and beyond.
The most recent changes in the GMAT format have sparked a compelling debate: “Is the new GMAT easier than the old one?” I’ve carefully examined the most significant alterations to provide an in-depth analysis.
In this Article
Simplified Mathematical Challenges
The GMAT math section on the Old GMAT was notorious for its difficulty level, featuring a wide variety of challenging problems and testing a broad spectrum of mathematical knowledge. Let’s compare the old and new GMAT math sections.
Old GMAT Math Difficulty level: 10/10
New GMAT Math Difficulty level: 6.5/10
Previously, test-takers faced anxiety-inducing Data Sufficiency questions and an extensive range of geometry, including coordinate geometry. The new GMAT has simplified these elements significantly, completely removing these sections. It has further streamlined the process by reducing the total number of math questions from 31 to 21.
Despite these changes, the GMAT’s focused edition continues to present 21 math questions of similar difficulty to the old format. However, the reduction in question quantity, the decrease in tested topics, and the elimination of data sufficiency altogether make the overall challenge significantly less daunting than before.
This reformed approach now focuses on evaluating a candidate’s problem-solving ability, eliminating elements that required rote learning of 50+ geometry forumulas rather than practical skills. Thus, the updated exam places more emphasis on the skills and competencies that matter in a business environment.
Increased Emphasis on Data Analysis
Despite easing up on the mathematical part, the new GMAT has amplified its focus on data analysis.
Old GMAT Data Analysis Difficulty level: 7/10
New GMAT Data Analysis Difficulty level: 10/10
The Data Insights (DI) section, previously called Integrated Reasoning (IR), now contains more questions, increasing from 12 to 20.
However, 4-5 of these additional questions are data sufficiency questions, which are not as challenging as they were in the old GMAT. So, essentially GMAT has only added 3-4 Data analysis questions on the new GMAT, and their difficulty level is nearly the same as that on the old GMAT.
So, in terms of difficulty level things haven’t increased much, but the data analysis part is an integral part of the new GMAT since it contributed equally to the overall GMAT score whereas in the old GMAT it didn’t contribute to the total score. Therefore, many students never took data analysis too seriously on the Old GMAT and many test-takers used to entirely skip those questions.
Despite this, the data analysis part plays a more prominent role in the new GMAT as it contributes equally to the overall score. The DI section mimics real-world business challenges, requiring test-takers to sift through large amounts of information and derive meaningful insights.
A Simplified Verbal Section
The Verbal section, once characterized by complex Sentence Correction questions, has been significantly simplified in the new GMAT format.
Old GMAT Verbal Difficulty level: 10/10
New GMAT Verbal Difficulty level: 6/10
The elimination of Sentence Correction questions shifts the focus towards comprehension and reasoning skills, making the section more accessible, particularly for non-native English speakers.
Improvements in User-friendliness
Old GMAT user-friendliness: Moderately Friendly
New GMAT user-friendliness: Very Friendly
The new GMAT format introduces several user-friendly features:
- reduced content,
- shorter test duration,
- the option to edit and review up to three questions in each section, and
- the flexibility to choose the order of sections.
These changes make the test experience less stressful and more strategic.
Choosing Between the Old and New GMAT
Whether you should opt for the old or new GMAT depends on your score goals and the programs you’re targeting.
* The GMAC has announced that the old GMAT format will be discontinued in the first quarter of 2024.
Let’s delve deeper into this by examining how the new GMAT impacts two categories of test-takers: those aiming for a decent score sufficient for second-tier programs and high-achievers targeting a score in the top percentiles.
If you’re targeting a GMAT score in the 65-75 percentile range, the new GMAT is a more favorable choice. Here’s why:
- Streamlined Focus: Concentrate on solid Quantitative and Verbal performance. The Data Insights section requires less proficiency in this range.
- Simplified Content: The elimination of challenging sections like geometry, coordinate geometry, and data sufficiency, means fewer concepts to master, thus reducing study time and stress.
- Reduced Exam Duration: Shorter exam time and simplified sections, including a less complex verbal section, allow for a more focused and efficient testing experience.
- User-Friendly Features: Use tools like the option to edit and review up to three questions in each section to your advantage.
- Flexible Exam Structure: Choose the order in which to tackle sections. This enables you to prioritize the Quant and Verbal sections, leaving the Data Insights section, which is less critical at this range, for last.
- Realistic Ambition: The new GMAT is a more suitable choice if your goal is to gain acceptance into second-tier Business Schools, rather than high-ranking institutions like the Ivy Leagues, Oxford, Cambridge, or INSEAD.
- Manageable Challenges: While the Data Insights section poses a significant challenge, it’s manageable with a good degree of preparation. An average performance here, when paired with strong Quant and Verbal results, should comfortably land you in the desired percentile bracket.
However, if you’re aiming for a score in the 80+ percentile range, the new GMAT presents a bigger challenge. You need to excel in all three sections, with a specific emphasis on the Data Insights section that mimics complex business consulting problems.
- Excellence Across the Board: You need to excel in all three sections – Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights. A merely average performance in Data Insights is insufficient at this level.
- Demanding Data Insights: The Data Insights section is more challenging than the Quant and Verbal sections. It requires substantial preparation and time investment. Expect 14-15 data analysis questions that resemble complex business consulting problems.
- Critical for Top-tier Aspirants: For those with ambitions of Ivy League or other top-tier business schools, mastery of the Data Insights section is crucial. Developing a skill for rapid and accurate analysis of large volumes of data is a must.
Key Takeaways
The restructured GMAT is more approachable due to streamlined content and enhanced user-friendly features, yet it retains its challenging aspects in data insights section, particularly for high-achievers.
- Retaining Rigor: Although the new GMAT has fewer mathematical questions and a simplified verbal section, the bar remains high, especially for those eyeing top percentile scores. The amplified focus on Data Insights puts a spotlight on practical, data-driven problem-solving skills, reflecting the importance of these skills in the modern business world.
- Navigating the Changes: For those who are targeting solid but not necessarily top-tier scores, the revised format could make the GMAT less daunting and the overall test-taking experience smoother. The new user-friendly features such as the ability to review and edit responses, and the option to choose the sequence of sections, provide additional flexibility and convenience.
- Preparation Remains Key: Regardless of these changes, a strategic approach to preparation remains vital. Aspiring GMAT test-takers need to adapt to the specific challenges that the new format presents, focus on their strengths, and plan their study time effectively to ensure success.
In conclusion, the new GMAT, while seemingly more manageable, still requires diligent preparation and the ability to effectively analyze data – skills that are crucial to achieving success in business school and beyond.