The most important management test in the world GMAT which stands for Graduate Management Admission Test has now become shorter, with changes made in the format and dropping the 'analytical writing assessment' section and introducing a new section of 'data insight.'

As reported by the TimesofIndia, Joy Jones, the Global CEO of Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) said the new test- GMAT focus edition, will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The introduction of data insights, along with the quantitative and verbal reasoning sections, GMAT will be delivered in a more concise form in which some items (questions) that give less essential information will be struck off.

The new evolution of GMAT is based on surveys or over 60 partner B-schools, 5,400 candidates, engagements by market development teams, and industry interactions.

The 70 year old test will no longer have the analytical writing section, which Jones said" particularly because the schools have shared that they have other means of analysing a candidate's analytical writing ability. Longer form essays certainly give out relevant information. But in a trade off between a shorter and more focussed exam or longer form essays, schools and candidates were supportive of us dropping that section."

Globally over 7,700 programmes in 2,400 universities and colleges accept GMAT scores for admission to business education at various levels.

In India, over 170 colleges/ universities accept GMAT scores.