GMAT Preparation for the MBA You're Actually Applying To
We coach the current GMAT Focus Edition — not the exam that stopped existing in 2024 — and we'll tell you honestly whether your target score is realistic before you spend a single rupee on prep.
Reviewed by Unify Abroad's Test Prep & Admissions Team · Last updated August 2026
What the GMAT Actually Tests, Now
Since November 2023 the GMAT is the GMAT Focus Edition — the old four-section, 200–800-scale exam stopped being offered on 1 February 2024. If a source is still describing a three-hour exam or a "700 club," it's describing a retired test, not the one you'll actually take.
The GMAT is mainly relevant for MBA and management-graduate programs that list it as accepted or preferred. A growing share of schools also accept the GRE, and some — especially in Europe — waive both for strong profiles. GMAT vs GRE, honestly: the GMAT still carries a slight edge with some consulting and banking recruiters and is more MBA-specific, while the GRE offers more flexibility and may suit candidates who are less strong in Quant and Data Insights. Neither is universally harder — we help you decide before you commit weeks to the wrong one.
Not every program requires a test score at all — GMAT-waiver policies have expanded at many schools. We'll check the actual policy for your shortlist rather than assume you need to sit for it.
GMAT Focus Edition Format, Section by Section
| Section | Tests | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | Algebra & arithmetic (no geometry) | 21 | 45 min |
| Verbal Reasoning | Critical Reasoning + Reading Comprehension (no Sentence Correction) | 23 | 45 min |
| Data Insights | Data Sufficiency, Table & Graphics Analysis, Multi-Source Reasoning, Two-Part Analysis | 20 | 45 min |
| Total | 64 | 2h15m + optional 10-min break |
You choose your own section order, and you can change up to 3 answers per section — both new relative to the old GMAT. There is no separate Analytical Writing Assessment in the Focus Edition.
Understanding GMAT Focus Edition Scores
The total score runs 205–805 in 10-point steps; each of the three sections is scored 60–90 in 1-point steps and weighted equally toward the total. A word of caution: "700 club" language you'll still see everywhere refers to the retired 200–800 scale. GMAC's own concordance data suggests roughly 645 on the new scale ≈ 700 on the old one (around the 88th percentile).
| Focus Edition score | Roughly equivalent to (old scale) | Reads as |
|---|---|---|
| 705+ | ~730+ | Elite |
| 655–695 | ~700–720 | Strong |
| ~645 | ~700 | Solid (~88th percentile) |
| Below 605 | Below ~650 | Below typical top-30 MBA medians |
Treat this conversion as directional, not official — percentiles and individual school benchmarks shift yearly, and we haven't pulled these figures directly from a published mba.com concordance table. We check the real, current median for your shortlisted schools with you.
Our GMAT Coaching Process
Diagnose
Your real starting point across all three sections, plus confirmation that the GMAT — not the GRE or a waiver route — is the right call.
Plan
A section-by-section study plan built around your actual gaps, not equal time on everything.
Train
Feedback on your reasoning, not just right or wrong — especially on the newer Data Insights question types.
Decide
Full mocks plus an honest read on whether to pivot to the GRE or a different program mix.
GMAT FAQs
What happened to the old GMAT?
What's different in the Focus Edition?
What's a good GMAT score now?
GMAT or GRE — which should I take?
Is there still a separate essay section?
What is Data Insights, and why does it matter more now?
How long should I prepare for the GMAT?
What's the retake policy?
Not Sure If GMAT Is Even the Right Test for You?
Book a free strategy call with a counsellor who'll check your target MBA programs, your GMAT-vs-GRE fit, and whether your goal score is realistic — before you spend on prep.
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