Does the GMAT discriminate non-english speakers?

i like to just add just one line....
i dont have to say anything ....
if anybody or native speakers dont think non native speakers are not discriminated(i dont say gmat does it),i challenge them to take the verbal section of the test in may be chinese,hindi,spanish any other language they know and score the same they have scored earlier.....
(ok there may be other logics such as "ok you want to come here so you need english" but main issue here is does things tested in gmat in gmat-english language discriminate non native english speakers?"
the answer is yes it does

Great talk for talk then, I'm a non native speaker as well and thought I needed to worry more about math than verbal since I scored 110 at the TOEFL, the post made me open my eyes... and now I'm equally worried! :S

Though both the TOEFL and GMAT are part of my application profile so maybe the TOEFL score will make an amend if I mess up my verbal, and of course, there's always retaking.

I think the "fault" might also be international -non english speaking countries adapting to GMAT and numerous international students trying to get into US schools. Then the snowball effect took place and GMAT is pretty much the standard for many international schools.

Folks, let's blame it on globalization, international students are exposed to other cultures and then an interest on "crossing roads" is awaken. In my case, I live in a country where jobs door are open for those who have studied abroad, so I'm sort of obliged to.

U're right in saying that GMAT does not discriminate intentionally. As per my experience, there are english language tests that do discriminate. I recently took an IELTS test with the following result: Listening Section - 9/9, Reading Comprehension - 9/9, Speaking Section - 7/9, Writing Section - 7/9. The earlier two sections have objective questions while the latter two are judged subjectively. Needless to say, when they have points for accent (correct pronunciation, among other things), then the tests start to discriminate.

well.. IELTS it is an English exam, if your speaking is not perfect (for example, your pronunciation) it is perfectly normal that you don't score 9.

Do you mind me asking where from E. Europe you are? I am coming from those areas as well...

GMAT discriminates non-native speakers who don't put enough hours to beat the average native speaker.

Is the GMAT offered in different languages? Because if you are planning to become a business manager in the US you should be able to deal the English on the GMAT without any problem. But if you want to pursue business in a country that has a different native language than that is a different story. But if you can't understand the details within a GMAT passage, then how would you understand the details within the complex structure of a business?

I don't think anyone is claiming that the GMAT isn't harder for non-native speakers than it is for native speakers.

However, this is irrelevant. If you're applying to a school in which the classes, discussions, and study groups are conducted in English, then you need to demonstrate that you're able to perform under these circumstances while communicating in English.

If I was going to China to study, I would EXPECT to be tested on my ability to communicate with the professors and my peers.

To be honest, and I don't mean to offend, but I find it very troubling that people are applying to an English program in which they'll be required to perform an incredible amount of analysis of English cases and textbooks, and complaining that one of the criteria for admission is a test which depends on the ability to perform in-depth analysis of English passages and arguments.

I agree 100%. The GMAT is not supposed to help you or teach you how to deal with subject matter, it is supposed to test you to see if you can deal with complex matter. And I agree with the GMAT's system of doing so. The content of the passages such as biology and chemistry are irrelevant because the passage is only testing your ability to comprehend complex subject matter.

I can see why someone who does not speak English as their first language would think the GMAT is bias. When I go through SC material I think to myself how the hell could someone who speaks English as a second language get any of this? I have been speaking English my whole life, and I barely get it. But can you imagine getting an email from your boss with misplaced modifiers and improper pronouns? It would look horrible. So once again the GMAT test is justified in its reasoning, but I can see why you would think it is bias.

I agree with gurpreetsingh. GMAT tests on global business standard English language. Period. Discrimination has a negative connotation to it, that should not be applied in this scenario.

To excel in business in the US and globally, not understanding English could be a huge hurdle.

with all of that said MBA programs are filled with international students and they are interested in increasing diversity. so I think schools probably factor in this inherent discrimination.

I recently came across this article: GMAT Test: The 1 GMAT Strategy You Need To Know on https://www.gmatpill.com/the-gmat-pill-m ... -strategy/

Zeke`s main idea is the following.


So, does the GMAT discriminate non-english speakers?
I think yes it does.

I feel there's no point arguing on this topic because we are on GMAT's turf and we have to play with GMAT's rules. PERIOD

Secondly, Q45 is 99%tile not because GMAT makers have made it so but it has automatically become disproportionate, since there are many international test takers who score well in Quant, which has pushed 99%tile to Q51, and relatively score less on Verbal Section. This has messed up the scoring system, according to me.

GMAT makers are subject to integrity and I firmly think there is no bias towards any native or non-native speakers. Even if there is, we can't do much about it.

Interesting post.............I believe there are some factors for this bias towards Verbals
1) Demand and supply as truly mentioned by gmatpill
2) What if less people scored high on quants...then the results would be different...it would be highly biased towards those from Engg./Quant. background than against the rest
3) In the current global climate, English is the only language whose knowledge is considered essential to CONNECT with the WORLD...so logically you need to have a good grasp of English
4) English grammar is not tested --> What is tested is the LOGIC (even in SC section, yes even here)..How you can effectively communicate your ideas unambiguously in the most concise manner without violating the basic tenets of grammar...In my opinion, you do not need to be a grammar freak for getting all SC right...Because I have seen that GMAC gives higher weightage on LOGIC evn if some outer rules of Grammar are violated(The basic and most important ones, of course cannot be violated)

Feel free to add your thoughts!!!

You are the man! I got this idea after ~15 days of the preparation. I was feeling sick to start with. While reading RC/CRs, I used to be like WTF?... I just don't know what this means. What if I misinterpret it? Will I get all the questions wrong? Will all the time spent reading this passage be in-vain as I will get all questions wrong anyways? Even worse when in the 1st line of the RC you hit some unknown (for you but common among the native speakers) word(s) that you have no freaking clue what-so-ever. That's a very depressing scenario. And EVERY non-native speaker goes through that. Just keep chugging! It only gets easier and you start making right assumptions of these GMAT's tricky words, whose meanings are sometimes not that difficult to guess.

Anyhow, point I am trying to make is - GMAT IS A NECESSITY FOR MBA (period!). In the past couple of months, I can't even imagine how much I have improved. I feel good about myself. I have written few recommendation for promotions of my colleagues in last 15 days, and I can see a drastic difference in my presentation of ideas and my choice of words. I did an interview of a candidate 10 days ago and wrote a full review of the candidate (that's a normal protocol at our work) - In my 5 years, I have never written such a review; My CTO sent me email the next day appraising it whole-heartedly, thanking me and saying one of the best reviews he has read. What I used to consider flamboyant while reading/writing, is now soothing to me! I am enjoying the whole experience more than ever. No matter what happens, I know GMAT is teaching me many things and even if few consider GMAT biased, I praise it WHOLE-HEARTEDLY. In modern era, ENGLISH IS THE MUST!

My one and only advice - ENJOY the experience! Feel as-if GMAT is doing you a favor by making you learn the MOST IMP aspect of your being a professional (period!).