Gave the GMAT - Why?

Question

I don't mean this to be rude, even though it may come out that way (with this disclaimer no one can attack me), but why do so many people write on this forum that they "Gave the GMAT"?

You "Take the GMAT" or you "Took the GMAT", but you can not give the GMAT. Is "Give the GMAT", correct English in other countries (and I am an idiot) or is it just a mix-up in translation? Like I use all of the correct Spanish tenses when I speak, yeah right!! :roll:

I'm really just curious.

terp26 · Answer

I guess you can also add "Write the GMAT" to that list

lsuguy7 · Answer

I like "sat" the Gmat as you do sit down to take the test. I do agree, write or gave the gmat sounds funny to me.

sam77sam7 · Answer

I believe it is a common saying among International applicants. I kind of like it, because if you do poorly, then you could mention instead, that the "GMAT Gave it to me". :wink:

Just a simple lost in translation error I think... ~Sam

Darden2010 · Answer

I think it is British English
'Sit' the GMAT is definitely British English
Have you guys heard of the ACCA qualification in accounting (https://www.accaglobal.com), it is kind of the UK equivalent of CPA, and in order to get the qualification you have to pass like 14 tests. And they call the tests 'papers', it is kind of funny to me when people ask me whether I 'passed the paper' ... and 'sit' the exams is used in all ACCA books.

riverripper · Answer

I know thats how a lot of Indians say it...

togafoot · Answer

It`s old British English.

After the British left India, the English language continued to change, however no longer under the direct influence of Britain, Indian English diverged and a lot of terms which sound strange to `native` English speakers are still used in India.

It is not incorrect, it is just the way English is used in India.

Another common term, is to refer to `the same` when referring back to the topic. Again, it is old colonial English, not modern English.

To `Sit` an exam is still used in the UK, and quite common amongst Commonwealth English countries.
There are 2 types of English.. American English and Commonwealth English... should be straightforward to determine who uses what... American English = USA, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Phillipines .. everyone else uses commonwealth English (not sure about LTA).

sondenso · Answer

funy topic jb32 :-D

pelihu · Answer

I think 'sit' is still commonly used in the US as well. I've heard "sit for the Bar Exam" and "sit for the CPA Exam"; though maybe not other things.

kwam · Answer

Same thing happens with Portuguese and Spanish. The Portuguese spoken in Brazil is different from that in Portugal (and also from that in Angola and Mozambique) at the same way, the Portuguese language in Portugal evolved whilst in Brazil we still use words and expression from 1800! As in Brazil we are more influenced from USA than UK, the English there usually is the American one – I say that I took the GMAT. I remember my first time in London, I had some problems with words and accent, I remember asking the guys where was the Gloucester Road Station, and I couldn’t understand a word the guys was telling me, and then he said: “Oh you mean, “Glouster” Road?” :lol:

mbagal1 · Answer

To add to what Toga has said, Indian English really has taken it's own form. For example, growing up, my English teachers always said the term "prepone an appointment" was not right English, and yet almost everyone around me used it to indicate advancing a meeting to a time earlier than originally scheduled, as an opposite of "postpone". Interestingly, the word is so prevalent that it made it's way to the Oxford dictionary now, so it isn't really considered wrong English anymore!

kidderek · Answer

I've always thought it's less a language/culture thing and more a value thing. People, on here at least, revere/fear the gmat so much that they liken it to a certification that one would typically say, he "sat" for. People still speak of whether they "failed" or "passed" the gmat. Which is silly.

But yes, I prefer "took the test."

Good post, jb.

But yes, I prefer "took the test."

Good post, jb.

Raabend · Answer

haha, that is so true. 'today I gave the gmat and failed with a 770. what did I do wrong???'

agold · Answer

On June 27th, terp06 plans to  give the  GMAT.

A. give the
B. take the
C. sit for the
D. write the
E. give it to the

jb32 · Answer

E for me, please! :lol:

rhyme · Answer

I choose F.

F. going to go done givening

tamg08 · Answer

LOL Nice thread!

OA is B.

Just Kidding. I always wondered about this though.

700willdo · Answer

How about "I appeared for the GMAT". Don't we say I appeared for the exams too in some kind of English.

helg · Answer

In Russian you "give" or rather "submit" an exam or a test as a student; and you "take" or rather "accept" an exam or a test, when you are a professor 8-)