

From February 1, 2024, onwards, GMAT focus edition is the only version available. GMAT score is valid for 5 years for candidates who have already taken the exam, your old GMAT version score is also accepted by universities worldwide as well. If you are planning to do GMAT Registration in January, and are still confused about the focus edition and the old format, you can check the difference between GMAT and GMAT focus edition for better preferences:

GMAT Focus Edition syllabus consists of three sections, and it is shorter than the old GMAT. Focus Edition GMAT Syllabus consists of 64 questions. There are three sections of GMAT Focus Edition format, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data insights. The old GMAT exam took 3 hours and 7 minutes to complete, and in the Focus Edition, candidates are allotted 2 hours and 15 minutes.
There is a big update on GMAT quantitative reasoning section in the Focus Edition. This section now doesn’t consist of data-sufficiency questions. GMAT quantitative section evaluates the candidate's algebraic foundational problem-solving knowledge. This section consists of 21 problem-solving questions and is allotted 45 minutes to complete the exam. It is composed of 21 problem-solving questions.
GMAT verbal reasoning syllabus is also updated and no longer consists of sentence correction questions. GMAT verbal reasoning questions are designed to examine the candidate's ability to read and comprehend writing skills, and argument reasons. This section consists of 23 reading comprehension and critical reasoning questions. This section also took 45 minutes to complete. Reading comprehension measures your ability to understand words and statements, grasp the logical relationship between important points. Critical reasoning questions are based on short reading passages to evaluate your ability to make arguments and make a plan of action.
GMAT Focus Edition syllabus fully updates the exam format and the new data insights section leverages data sufficiency and integrated reasoning question types. Candidates are allotted 45 minutes to answer the 20 questions in the data insights GMAT exam pattern. This section is designed to check the candidate's ability to analyze and interpret data to apply it in real-world business structures. GMAT data insights section contains 20 questions that consist of graphic interpretation, data sufficiency, multi-source reasoning, table analysis, and two-part analysis.
The candidate's official GMAT Focus Edition score chart will be available within 3–5 days after the exam. You will get a notification mail once your GMAT score report is available. Candidates need to log in to their mba.com account to check their detailed scores. The average GMAT Focus Edition score ranges on a scale of 205-805. The total score is calculated from the quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data insights section scores. You can check the table to understand GMAT Focus Edition score calculator to a percentile ranking.
| Score | Mean Score | Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 805 | 546.01 | 100% |
| 755 | 100% | |
| 705 | 99% | |
| 655 | 93% | |
| 605 | 75% | |
| 555 | 53% | |
| 505 | 31% | |
| 455 | 17% | |
| 405 | 8% | |
| 355 | 3% | |
| 305 | 1% | |
| 255 | 0% | |
| 205 | 0% |
GMAT Focus Edition acceptance rate is still going to be the same as the previous exam format. Candidates now require a higher score range to get admission to the top business schools, as the focus edition is shorter and the score scale has also changed. According to the officials, currently GMAT Focus Edition score is going to be accepted in rounds 2 and 3 in universities. It is advised to check the GMAT cut off from the official university website before applying. Candidates In addition to the international business schools, there are 100+ Indian GMAT Focus Edition accepting colleges.
| Business Schools | Average GMAT Score |
|---|---|
| Harvard Business School (United States) | 730-740 |
| Stanford Graduate School of Business (United States) | 730-740 |
| The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (United States) | 720-730 |
| London Business School (United Kingdom) | 700-710 |
| HEC Paris | 658-790 |
| Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University (United States) | 720-730 |
| Booth School of Business, University of Chicago (United States) | 720-730 |
| MIT Sloan | 720-770 |
| Columbia Business School | 550-780 |
| Cambridge Judge Business School | 625-635 |
GMAT Focus Edition fees in India are INR 22,830 for test center examinations. If you are applying for online delivered examinations, you need to pay INR 24,906. More than 2,400 business schools accept GMAT Focus Edition scores. This new GMAT focus edition format is designed to evaluate candidates with only a business-focused perspective. Candidates need to take regular GMAT Focus Edition mock tests to get a better understanding of the new exam pattern. Students must have a better understanding of this updated exam format, before applying.
Ques: What is the difference between GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition?
Ans: The main difference between GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition is that the new exam pattern is more efficient and focused on analyzing the skills for real-time business world scenarios. There are some major differences between these two exam formats such as time, questions, and syllabus.
Ques: Will GMAT Focus Edition be accepted?
Ans: GMAT Focus Edition is widely accepted by top business schools worldwide, more than 2,400 business schools accept Focus Edition for 7,700+ business programs.
Ques: Will ISB accept GMAT Focus Edition?
Ans: The Indian School of Business (ISB) is also a part of Global Business Schools. ISB accepts GMAT Focus Edition scores from round 2 in their admission cycle.
Ques: What is the new GMAT format for 2024?
Ans: The new GMAT format consists of three sections; quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data insights section.
Ques: Will IIM accept GMAT Focus Edition?
Ans: The new GMAT Focus Edition score is accepted in the 2024-25 batch in IIM’s. Candidates must visit the IIM’s official website to see the cut-off requirements and apply accordingly.
Ques: Is GMAT focus harder than GMAT?
Ans: It is too subjective to say whether GMAT focus edition is hard or not. The Focus edition is shorter than before, now it takes 2 hours 15 minutes and consists of 64 questions. The previous GMAT format included 80 questions and took around 3 hours and 7 minutes to complete.
Ques: What is the new updated score of GMAT focus edition?
Ans: GMAT focus edition scores now ranges from 205 to 805, with the sectional scores ranging from 60 to 90.
Ques: Will Harvard accept GMAT Focus Edition?
Ans: Harvard Business School will accept GMAT Focus Edition scores in round 2 and round 3 exam deadlines in the 2024-25 admission cycle. Candidates must check the score requirements before applying.
Ques: Can I score 750 in GMAT in 3 months?
Ans: With proper preparation and practice under expert mentorship, candidates can easily achieve 750 in GMAT in 3 months.
Ques: Does MIT MBA accept GMAT Focus?
Ans: Yes, MIT accepts scores of GMAT and GMAT focus edition scores for MBA programs. Students will also require submitting official score of GRE examination for the MBA programs here.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.