GMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Section-wise Scoring, Syllabus, Tips

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025 consists of 64 questions across three equally weighted sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Each section is scheduled for 45 minutes, and candidates get 135 minutes total to complete GMAT 2025 Exam. The Quantitative section includes 21 questions assessing arithmetic, algebra, and applied math. The Verbal section features 23 questions on reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and argument analysis. The Data Insights section has 20 questions from tables, graphs and two-chart analysis. The total GMAT score ranges from 205 to 805 with 10-point increments. The exam is based on a computer-adaptive system, meaning the difficulty level is determined based on the test-taker’s performance. 

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Key Highlights 

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025 includes a total of 64 questions. It is divided into three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Candidates have to complete the test within 2 hours and 15 minutes. There is no negative marking, and candidates may opt for a 10-minute break during the first two sections of the exam. Candidates can quickly look at the key highlights of GMAT 2025 exam. 

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Section-wise Score

GMAT Focus Edition includes three sections: Quantitative Reasoning with 21 questions, Verbal Reasoning with 23 questions, and Data Insights with 20 questions. Each section is 45 minutes long, and the maximum duration is 135 minutes. Each section is scored from 60 to 90 with a 1-point increment, and the overall score ranges between 205 and 805 with a 10-point increment. 

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Quantitative Reasoning 

The Quantitative Reasoning portion of GMAT Syllabus 2025is based on mathematical concepts. It tests candidates’ ability to interpret and analyse quantitative data. This section contains a total of 21 questions on arithmetic and algebra. Students must attempt all the questions within 45 minutes. Hence, they should spend around 2 minutes per question on average. 

Knowledge Areas

Candidates can refer to the following to check the essential Quantitative Reasoning topics on Arithmetic and Algebra.

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Verbal Reasoning

The Verbal Reasoning section of the GMAT 2025 assesses a candidate’s ability to evaluate arguments and apply logical connections between points. This section consists of 23 questions, and the total duration for this section is 45 minutes. Hence, candidates can spend 1.5 minutes per question on average. It covers two core areas: Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. Each section is divided into subtopics and scored from 60 to 90 with a 1-point increment. 

Knowledge Areas

The critical reasoning area assesses the capability of candidates to analyse arguments based on a short passage. Accordingly, in the reading comprehension, candidates must understand the logical connection between two topics. The details are as follows:

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Data Insights 

The Data Insights section is based on assessing the data-driven decision-making skills of candidates. This section is associated with interpreting complex datasets, integrating verbal and quantitative reasoning, and drawing logical conclusions. Candidates have to answer 20 questions from this section in 45 minutes. Hence, they can spend 2 minutes per question, and the remaining 5 minutes can be spent cross-checking all answers. 

Knowledge Areas

The Data Insights section is subdivided into five subsections: data sufficiency, graphics interpretation, table analysis, two-part analysis and multi-source reasoning. Candidates can refer to the table below for more details on the data insights syllabus.

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Syllabus At a Glance 

GMAT Syllabus 2025 is divided into three core sections, which are further divided into subcategories. Verbal reasoning assesses critical reasoning and reading comprehension skills. Quantitative section covers topics from number properties and algebra to applied math and statistics. Data Insights evaluates data interpretation through multi-source reasoning, graphic analysis, and two-part problem solving. Candidates can refer to the table below to find a summary of GMAT Syllabus. 

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Penalty For Unanswered 

As GMAC prescribes, completing all questions across the three sections of the GMAT exam is necessary. Candidates must note that test-takers are penalised if they fail to answer all questions in any section. If a section is left unanswered without bookmarking for later review, the unanswered questions will be treated as incorrect. Consequently, the section will result in a lower percentile. According to the score granularity system, unanswered questions reflect lower ability levels, thus significantly impacting the percentile ranking and total score.

Each section in GMAT 2025 exam is time-bound, and the test is designed to assess both accuracy and time management. For example, test-takers get 45 minutes each for Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights sections, with 64 questions. If a candidate does not manage time efficiently and leaves several questions unanswered, even high accuracy in the attempted questions may not cover the total scores and percentile. The percentile ranking depends on the section-wise performance, time management and fundamental skills of candidates. 

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Order Selection 

According to the order selection feature introduced by GMAC, test-takers can choose any order to complete the sections on time. For example, test-takers can start with Data Insights, then Quantitative and Verbal, or begin with Verbal, then Data Insights, and end with Quantitative. This personalised order helps candidates optimise performance by attempting their strongest section first, thereby managing stress. The six types of order selection are as follows: 

How Does the Computer-Adaptive System Work?

GMAC conducts GMAT exam in a computer-adaptive format for the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections. It indicates that the difficulty level of these sections is based on candidates’ performances. For example, the first question of any section is of a medium difficulty level. However, it increases if test-takers keep attempting correct answers consistently. In contrast, if candidates fail to answer correctly, the following questions will be easier. But, the surprising fact is that easier questions lead to a lower percentile, indicating a lower ability of candidates. Answering challenging questions leads to a higher total score and percentile. 

Candidates must note that once a question is answered, it can not be changed or skipped. Correct answers usually lead to more difficult questions and a better percentile score. Candidates must practice GMAT resources to become familiar with question types and increase speed and precision. 

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Preparation Tips

To achieve a good score in GMAT 2025, candidates must first understand the exam pattern and syllabus. They must strengthen their basic concepts of the prescribed topics by GMAC to answer all the questions correctly. Here are some preparation tips for them to follow:

• Candidates can use official GMAT resources like the GMAT Official Guide, GMATPrep software, and practice tests to understand the exam pattern. 
• For Quantitative Reasoning, candidates can refer to books such as “GMAT Quantitative Review” by GMAC and “Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams” by R.S. Aggarwal.
• Studying materials like “GMATVerbalReview” by GMAC and “Critical Reasoning” by PowerScore are helpful for Verbal Reasoning.
• For Data Insights, practice interpreting charts, graphs, and multi-source reasoning questions with resources like “Data Interpretation & Sufficiency” by Arihant Publications.

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs