New GMAT Section Due June 2012: Integrated Reasoning

By RSS FEED on June 29th, 2010

In face of the increased competition from GRE, administered by the ETS, and the changes in admissions processes preferred by business school worldwide, Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) has decided to add a new section, Integrated Reasoning, to its challenging Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). This new section of the exam is designed to test advanced reasoning skills and is to launch in the 10^th edition of the GMAT on June 4, 2012, less than two years away from now.

In spring 2010, GMAC piloted the new section with current MBA students and plans to pilot it again with thousands of students this fall.

GMAC states: “The new section will replace one of the two writing sections currently on the exam. It will be scored separately and have a new audio component for some questions. The test’s current verbal and math sections will remain unchanged.” The new changes in the exam are the following:

Test takers will need to interpret charts, graphs, and spreadsheets, and answer interactive questions that will test their analytical skills.
Test takers will be asked to analyze information, draw out conclusions and determine relationships between data points.
Test takers will wear headphones while taking this portion of the test. The use of headphones is a new feature that will help schools assess students’ auditory learning style.

GMAC has released a sample question similar to questions that will appear on the new test. Students are asked to look at a table that sorts like a spreadsheet and detail the number of passengers and airline movements at 21 airports around the world. They are then presented with a list of statements about the information in the table and asked to determine which of the statements are true based on the data in the spreadsheet. Other exercises include using the same table to evaluate the reason for or likelihood of certain outcomes, or to use the table to determine where other airports rank.

Why the new changes? These changes are due to the evolving trends seen in business school classrooms. This is a way to distinguish between those students who will adapt well in the classroom rather than just score a high score on the GMAT, making it easier for business schools to select who to be admitted. This new change is welcomed with great enthusiasm by business schools.

The addition of 30-minute Integrated Reasoning in replacement of one of the Analytical Writing Assessment sections is the biggest change to GMAT since it became a computer-adaptive test in the late 1990s. Other recent year changes occurred in 2006 after the switch over of the test administration from the ETS to Pearson. However those changes are more in rules and format, less in content.

Some students may fear that with this new section added to the GMAT, their score may not be as high than with the old exam. Fear not. GMAC is planning outreach and educational programs for business school faculty and students. These programs will include information sessions and details on the new tests.

We at Manhattan Review wholeheartedly support such a constructive change on the GMAT and are prepared to incorporate the teaching of the new section into our curriculum. We strongly feel that without changing the existing verbal and math questions and one of the writing sections, the new Integrated Reasoning section will make the test much improved and effective while minimizing implementation costs. A win-win solution for all parties involved!