GMAT LATEST UPDATES........

** GMAC, the agency conducting the GMAT exam, is to open its first India office in Delhi after Hong Kong and London. Lawrence M Rudner, vice president, R&D, speaks about the fee, trends and more Why did GMAC decide to add the integrated reasoning part from June 2012?
We have carried out three big surveys in the last five years and have realised that the world is changing fast and we must bring problem-solving methods to suit the needs of the (management) schools. In our last survey, we interviewed 750 faculty members from schools around the world and on the basis of the feedback, we decided on the changes.

** Trend among GMAT takers from around the world?
From July 2009 to June 2010, we found that 30,633 Indian students gave the test from different locations around the world while the number of Chinese students stood at around 50,000. Non-US test takers increased to 52% in 2010 from 40% in 2005.

** How many Indian B-schools have started accepting the score?
Currently 31 accept the GMAT score for admission to one of their programmes.

** How will the Delhi office help Indian test-takers – will the GMAT test fee come down then?
The fee ($250 at present) might go up. But one can get more information from the office. (Business) Schools can coordinate with them and the quality, security and consistency of the test can be maintained afterwards.

** What's the average score of GMAT takers in India and how does it compare with the rest of the world?
The average score of Indian test-takers is 560-565 while the global average is 530. Indians do well in quant (quantitative section) but their average in the verbal section is slightly lower when compared to the Americans.

** Indian B-schools normally accept CAT, for which people with engineering and mathematics background have an edge over others. Who will have the advantage in the GMAT exam?
(Business) schools say they dont want poets and artists. It is a test and if you are prepared for it then there is no reason why you cannot succeed. It clearly lets you know about the programme you are suited for. It tests people across the board (and not only engineers).