GMAT Focus Edition - Everything You Need to KnowOn March 8, 2023 GMAC has announced changes to the GMAT Exam and a new version of the exam called "
GMAT Focus Edition"
(official announcement link) Changes were vaguely described but here is what we know- Timeline as of May 2, 2023:
- GMAT Focus Version available to take: Q4 2023 (as early as Oct but likely Dec, 2023)
- Registration for Focus opens – Aug 29, 2023
- GMAT Prep for GMAT Focus Available – June 6
- Old/Traditional GMAT will be available through Q1, 2024
- AWA will be removed (official)
- SC will be removed (official)
- Quant will only contain PS Questions and DS will be a part of the Data Insights section.
- More IR will be added into the test 18 questions instead of 12 most likely (not official but Amazon screenshots from the OG prove this)
- The test will have 3 sections 45 mins each and will be a total of 2 hours and 15 mins long instead of 3 hours and 7 minutes today. No information on breaks or sections or questions at this point
- The sections confirmed via Amazon screenshot are Verbal, Quant, and IR
- New OG's announced: Problem Solving, Verbal, and Data Sufficiency
- Geometry is missing from quant review, so we can assume it will be removed (it is not present in EA either). Link with OG math review contents
- New deductive and inductive reasoning section added in table of contents (screenshot below)
- GMAT will remain to be adaptive but you are now able to go back and change answers on up to 3 questions per section.
- Lifetime and annual test limits of 8 and 5 remain in effect
YouTube Panel about GMAT FocusGMAT & Admissions Expert PanelWe will be featuring a panel with experts
GMATNinja,
ApplicantLab,
ManhattanPrep, and hosted by one of the GMAT Club's moderators and PM Interns and Darden 2024 Class MBA Student,
MaliFri about what these changes mean, what you should do if you are preparing, and what does it mean for the GMAT.
Amazon.com Screenshots courtesy of doublecool 
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Comparison of Official Guide Editions: 2022 vs. 2023-2024Attachment:
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What does it mean for Test Takers?Immediately, it is likely noise and distraction and yet one more change to keep track of. This should not impact anyone applying for R1 or R2 next season.
1. The current test format will be available through early 2024, so if you were planning to take the GMAT, I would keep on working on your score. I am expecting that the rollout will be longer than expected and there will be delays so I can expect the original GMAT likely be administered for another year.
2. I don't expect the test to change too significantly. The only change that was announced was that the AWA section was removed. While there is a hint at making the test more data-focused and "tomorrow", that sounds a bit like the IR overview we heard back in 2012
3. Should you buy a course/book/GMAT Prep Practice tests? I think there are some opportunities and threats here. First of all, I would only buy now what you need. If you are planning to study for the GMAT, then get the books you need, get the OG, or courses. However, if you are not ready to take the GMAT yet, I would wait to purchase the GMAT Prep practice tests until you need them. Last time there was a system upgrade from old to new GMAT Prep platform, none of the progress was transferred.
4. Will the new test be easier? Maybe... Some feel EA is easier than the GMAT as it is shorter and you get through it faster. It is still competitive though and whatever skills you have learned on the GMAT, you can apply on the EA (it is Quant, Verbal, and IR).
My Take on This Change: There have been rumblings about changing GMAT for a while. Pandemic has forced many changes upon schools and test prep. GMAT suffered during the pandemic and saw its test-taking volume go down 50% since 2018. GRE has been growing in popularity so changes were almost inevitable as the test has been under pressure to evolve. The big question about this transition will be on - what is being prioritized here? Will execution actually pull it off?
1. I am going to go out on a limb and say that the next 6 months will be confusing. Some people have been preparing for years to the GMAT, purchased books, etc, etc - vague announcements like these are going to confuse people and likely only shift people away from GMAT towards tests like EA or GRE
2. GMAT is becoming easier? Hard to tell yet but the messaging seems to imply it or at least market it as such. Anyone else got this feel?
3. We all have seen the execution of GMAT online and shift from GMAT Prep to a new platform. These were painful events. Execution has suffered in the past and I am hoping this will be a better transition that will be easier for test-takers. I am just thinking about comparing your scores from the 800-point test to the new test. Is the test scale going to be the same? This also means that if you are taking the test in the fall, you can take Full Test online, Full Test at a test center, Focused/short test online, or Focused/Short version at a test center. Lots of Choices...
4. No essay seems an interesting change in the world of ChatGPT but the AWA has been dead for a while...
5. 3 sections likely means Quant, Verbal, and IR of some sorts? It would be helpful if they were less mysterious
6. Not surprising GMAT is making changes since the test volume has gone down 50% in the past 3 years. But are these the right changes?
7. I think it would be better for the test to address online testing issues because no matter the length of the test and other changes, if the online test experience is subpar, it is subpar in both formats.
8. This means more confusion among applicants about the GMAT vs. GMAT Focused version vs. EA vs. GRE vs Whatever?
9. I feel that it is insufficient to provide just Official test materials since OG and Tests are such a small portion of the preparation experience and looking at the announcement from GMAC, it seems they are not recognizing the value and the contribution that test prep companies are providing to the success of the test takers and the test itself. I am looking at all the companies that have built courses, products, tests, etc that would have benefited from input and advance warning/notification so that they can launch/build products. Apple does that for their developers even so that they new version of iOS does not show up with out apps.... I feel this was a missed opportunity that would have been so easy to capitalize on.
Speculations & Rumors (Officially Unconfirmed) - One report (logical enough) indicates that the Sentence Correction portion of the test will be scrapped. This has not been officially confirmed by reported by doublecool
Original Announcement sent to a Test Prep CompanyQuote:
Dear Key Stakeholder,
I am reaching out to you with an update on our work to ensure that the GMAT™ exam (GMAT™) remains the best test for business education globally.
Since its launch in 1954, the GMAT has been the gold standard in assessments and has continued evolving to ensure it remains a key indicator of candidate preparedness for graduate business degree programs. To that end, over the past two years, we have been working collaboratively with business school professionals representing a wide mix of program types and sizes from around the world and conducted in-depth concept testing with candidates globally representing a mix of demographic characteristics. Through this process of research, GMAC was able to identify several driving themes to inform our direction.
With this context in mind, I am thrilled to announce that we will be launching the next generation of the GMAT exam later this year.
Redesigned with business schools and candidates in mind, The GMAT™ Exam – Focus Edition is shorter, more flexible, and more insightful by homing in on the higher-order critical reasoning skills and data literacy especially relevant and applicable in the business environment of tomorrow. In short, it will be an improved element of your holistic admissions process. We believe that the more focused exam allows candidates to optimize their preparation and helps schools attract a global pool of qualified and diverse applicants.
Your role in supporting candidates on their journey to business school is important, and it is my hope that you will continue to provide candidates with valuable and timely insight and counsel so that they stay focused on their path toward business education with the current GMAT, which will remain available until early next year, or the GMAT Focus Edition when made available later this year. Please visit mba.com to learn more about the new features and stay informed by signing up as we roll out planned announcements and a robust program to engage with candidates, schools and key industry stakeholders such as your organization on the changes to the GMAT exam over the coming months.
Again, the current version of the GMAT exam will continue to be available to candidates until early next year to facilitate their in-progress preparation and applications for business school. Rest assured, GMAT™ Official Prep material will also be available to support candidates in achieving success on either version of the exam.
Please reach out to our team for any inquiries you might have. I look forward to your continued support in providing candidates with the best guidance as they realize the life-changing benefits of graduate business education.
Sincerely,
Joy Jones
CEO
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Updated on: 26 Jun 2023, 23:50
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