GMAT FORMAT IS CHANGING APRIL 16, 2018 - it will be 30 minutes shorter

GMAT Test is changing on April 16, 2018 - it will be shortened by 30 minutes

• Number of questions on the test will be reduced:
  
  • The number of Quant questions will be reduced by 6: from 37 to 31
  • The number of Verbal questions will be reduced by 5: from 41 to 36
  
  Update: distribution of questions in GMAT Prep will be:
  (thanks AjiteshArun for sharing this)
  
  (a) RC: 13-14 (4 passages)
  (b) SC: 12-13
  (c) CR: 9-10
  (d) PS: 17-18
  (e) DS: 13-14
  
  GMAC is being careful not to say that this is the distribution for the GMAT itself as exam requirements could change over time (that is, the distribution of experimental questions can change).
  
  
  

  !	April 30th Update: GMAT Prep Downloadable Software is NOT being updated to the latest format. Instead, it is being discontinued EP1, EP2, and QP1 are not being updated to the latest format. Instead, GMAC is exchange them for online licenses through May 11th

  
  
  

  List of Tests that have been updated for the new format:

  
  1. Veritas Prep CAT's - as of April 12th - You get 1 free CAT; 7 total
  2. GMAT Club CAT's - as of April 13th - You get 1 free CAT; 20+ total
  3. MGMAT CAT's - as of April 16th - You get 1 free CAT; 6 total
  
  
  

  Reports from Tests Taken after April 16:

  
  1. April 16: https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-is-chan ... l#p2047053
  2. April 17: https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-is-chan ... l#p2047190
  3. April 18: https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-is-chan ... l#p2048083
  
  
  
• This includes a 23-minute reduction in the exam sections, as well as 7 minute reduction across several non-exam screens at the test center (e.g. Tutorial, Section Instructions).
  
• The time per question will be approximately the same. While GMAC says it will remain unchanged, we have calculated it to be 1.62 seconds shorter for quant and 1.42 seconds shorter for verbal:
  
  Quant
  earlier 75x60/37 = 121.62
  now 62x60/31 = 120 seconds
  
  Verbal
  earlier 75/41 = 109.75 seconds
  now 65x60/36 = 108.33 seconds
  
  so 1.42 seconds less per question in verbal
  
• The reduction in questions comes from reduction of experimental questions.
• No Changes to IR or AWA section
• There are some changes to the on-screen instructions that further reduce time used for the test
• Reschedule exception for 1 week: If you already have scheduled your tests, you can reschedule an appointment but only if it is before May 6th. You have to do it by April 11th. Not sure why limitations but I guess better than nothing
• GMAT Prep software should be released by April 30th (along with updated Exam Packs)
• More FAQ's are here: https://www.mba.com/global/frequently-asked-questions/shorter-gmat-exam.aspx

The Big Unknowns:

• Date of GMAT Prep release - sounds like it is only by April 30th, but hopefully sooner so we can practice
• Question structure of the RC's. We don't know if we will be losing one passage, or if passages will have fewer questions.