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GMAT: next generation

The leading graduate test company announced the launch of the latest format of the GMAT, the widely used graduate admissions test.

“We’re now involved in developing a new section in cooperation with Pearson VUE and ACT,” Sam Silverstein, spokesperson for the Graduate Management Admission Council, said. “They (test takers) have to answer questions that show that they can take information from multiple sources and draw conclusions.”

The section will not interfere with the grading of any of the other sections.

“It’s a new direction for the GMAT,” Silverstein said. “It’s not replacing what we currently do. The next generation section will yield a separate score so it’s not going to change the typical score.”

The integrated reasoning section will be released in June of 2012.

“I’ve taken the GMAT three times and it has lowered my self-esteem, and even made me reconsider grad school plans.” UH alumni Robert Murphy said. “Hopefully, the new generation exam will be more practical for grad student admissions.”

The project is the result of a partnership between GMAC, ACT and Pearson VUE initiated in 2006, which was renewed earlier this month for an additional 11 years.

“The GMAT is owned by GMAC, and we’re non-profit,” Silverstein said. “They are the two vendors that administer and provide the questions to the test.”

Since the partnership began, GMAC has improved the test’s security and technology.

“We work hard to make sure that the person who takes the exam is actually the person they claim to be,” Silverstein said. “We also ensure that any person who takes the exam can know that no one else has an unfair advantage by having seen the questions before the exam.”

The companies collaborated on new technology for security in GMAT test taking, a palm vein biometric tool that assures graduate schools of the identity of the test taker.

“The extension of the agreement reflects the fact that they were able to provide us with the security and technology that was in line with what we wanted for the GMAT,” Silverstein said.

The GMAT used to be only offered once or twice a year at limited local testing centers. It is now offered year round during business hours in over 550 locations and 100 countries.

“These are companies that have demonstrated their ability to work with us and keep up with what we need,” Silverstein said. “We have a lot of faith in these partners.”

Additional reporting by Charne Graham

1 Comment

  • i wish to ask the procedure for registering to write GMAT. I WISH TO WRITE IN MARCH 2O11.By Fuh CLIFFORD CHE ,UNIVERSITY OF BUEA ,CAMEROON.

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