GMAT test syllabus,model paper

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a 3-1/2 hour standardized exam designed to predict how test-takers will perform academically in MBA (Masters in Business Administration) programs. GMAT scores are used by graduate business schools to make admission decisions.

You might also see the GMAT referred to as the "GMAT CAT"; the acronym CAT stands for "Computer Adaptive Test." The GMAT is administered only by computer now, except in certain locations outside North America, where the test is referred to as the "paper-based" GMAT. (Since you’re reading this on the Web, no doubt the GMAT CAT is available where you are.)

The GMAT is the brainchild of the GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), which determines what kinds of skills the GMAT should measure — and how it should measure them. But it is ETS (Educational Testing Service) in Princeton, New Jersey that actually develops the test questions, administers the test, and reports test scores to the schools — all at the behest of GMAC.

The GMAT seeks to measure three broad areas of ability by way of its different test sections:
· Analytical Writing Assessment (two 30-minute essay sections)
· Quantitative Ability (one 75-minute multiple choice section)
· Verbal Ability (one 75-minute multiple choice section)
A separate score is awarded for each of the three abilities listed above. A combined Quantitative/Verbal score is also awarded. The GMAT is not a pass/fail test.

Each graduate business school develops and implements its own policy concerning the use of GMAT scores in making admissions decisions. Many schools screen applicants by combining GMAT scores and undergraduate GPA (each school determining for itself their relative weight), then ranking all applicants in their initial pool accordingly.

In addition — especially after the initial screening of applicants — admissions officials consider subjective factors such as work and other relevant experience, recommendation letters, application essays (personal statements), and reports of personal interviewers. In making difficult decisions between two or more similarly qualified candidates, admissions officials rely less on GMAT scores and GPA and far more on these other, more subjective factors.
GMAT Reading Comprehension
Directions:
Each GMAT sample reading comprehension passage in this section is followed by questions based on the content of the reading passage. Read the passage carefully and chose the best answer to each question. The questions are to be answered on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.

But man is not destined to vanish. He can be killed, but he cannot be destroyed, because his soul is deathless and his spirit is irrepressible. Therefore, though the situation seems dark in the context of the confrontation between the superpowers, the silver lining is provided by amazing phenomenon that the very nations which have spent incalculable resources and energy for the production of deadly weapons are desperately trying to find out how they might never be used. They threaten each other, intimidate each other and go to the brink, but before the total hour arrives they withdraw from the brink.
The main point from the author's view is that
1. Man's soul and spirit can not be destroyed by superpowers.
2. Man's destiny is not fully clear or visible.
3. Man's soul and spirit are immortal.
4. Man's safety is assured by the delicate balance of power in terms of nuclear weapons.
5. Human society will survive despite the serious threat of total annihilation.
Ans : E
The phrase 'Go to the brink' in the passage means
1. Retreating from extreme danger.
2. Declare war on each other.
3. Advancing to the stage of war but not engaging in it.
4. Negotiate for peace.
5. Commit suicide.
Ans : C
In the author's opinion
1. Huge stockpiles of destructive weapons have so far saved mankind from a catastrophe.
2. Superpowers have at last realized the need for abandoning the production of lethal weapons.
3. Mankind is heading towards complete destruction.
4. Nations in possession of huge stockpiles of lethal weapons are trying hard to avoid actual conflict.
5. There is a Silver lining over the production of deadly weapons.
Ans : D
'Irrepressible' in the second line means
1. incompatible
2. strong
3. oppressive
4. unrestrainable sass
5. inspirited
Ans : D
A suitable title for the above passage is
1. Destruction of mankind is in evitable.
2. Man's desire to survive inhibits use of deadly weapons.
3. Mounting cost of modern weapons.
4. Threats and intimidation between super powers.
5. Cowardly retreat by man
Ans : B


Disequilibrium at the interface of water and air is a factor on which the transfer of heat and water vapor from the ocean to the air depends. The air within about a millimeter of the water is almost saturated with water vapor and the temperature of the air is close to that of the surface water. Irrespective of how small these differences might be, they are crucial, and the disequilibrium is maintained by air near the surface mixing with air higher up, which is typically appreciably cooler and lower in water vapor content. The turbulence, which takes its energy from the wind, mixes the air. As the speed of wind increases, so do the turbulence, and consequently the rate of heat and moisture transfer. We can arrive at a detailed understanding of this phenomenon after further study. The transfer of momentum from wind to water, which occurs when waves are formed, is an interacting-and complicated phenomenon. When waves are made by the wind, it transfers important amounts of energy-energy, which is consequently not available for the production of turbulence.
This passage principally intends to:
1. resolve a controversy
2. attempt a description of a phenomenon
3. sketch a theory
4. reinforce certain research findings
5. tabulate various observations
Ans : B
The wind over the ocean usually does which of the following according to the given passage?
I. Leads to cool, dry air coming in proximity with the ocean surface.
II. Maintains a steady rate of heat and moisture transfer between the ocean and the air.
III. Results in frequent changes in the ocean surface temperature.
1. I only
2. II only
3. I and II only
4. II and III only
5. I, II, and III
Ans : A
According to the author the present knowledge regarding heat and moisture transfer from the ocean to air as
1. revolutionary
2. inconsequential
3. outdated
4. derivative
5. incomplete
Ans : E
According to the given passage, in case the wind was to decrease until there was no wind at all, which of the following would occur?
1. The air, which is closest to the ocean surface, would get saturated with water vapor.
2. The water would be cooler than the air closest to the ocean surface.
3. There would be a decrease in the amount of moisture in the air closest to the ocean surface.
4. There would be an increase in the rate of heat and moisture transfer.
5. The temperature of the air closest to the ocean and that of the air higher up would be the same.
Ans : A


The Food and Drug Administration has formulated certain severe restrictions regarding the use of antibiotics, which are used to promote the health and growth of meat animals. Though the different types of medicines mixed with the fodder of the animals kills many microorganisms, it also encourages the appearance of bacterial strains, which are resistant to anti-infective drugs.
It has already been observed that penicillin and the tetracycline’s are not as effective therapeutically as they once used to be. This resistance to drugs is chiefly caused due to tiny circlets of genes, called plasmids, which are transferable between different species of bacteria. These plasmids are also one of the two kinds of vehicles on which molecular biologists depend on while performing gene transplant experiments. Existing guidelines also forbid the use of plasmids, which bear genes for resistance to antibiotics, in the laboratories. Though congressional debate goes on as to whether these restrictions need to be toughened with reference to scientists in their laboratories, almost no congressional attention is being paid to an ill advised agricultural practice, which produces deleterious effects.
In the present passage, the author's primary concern is with:
1. The discovery of methods, which eliminate harmful microorganisms without generating drug-resistant bacteria.
2. Attempting an explanation of the reasons for congressional inaction about the regulation of gene transplant experiments.
3. Portraying a problematic agricultural practice and its serious genetic consequences
4. The verification of the therapeutic ineffectiveness of anti-infective drugs
5. Evaluation of the recently proposed restrictions, which are intended to promote the growth of meat animals.
Ans : C
As inferred from the above passage, the mutual transfer of plasmids between different bacteria can result in which of the following?
1. Microorganisms, which have an in-built resistance to drugs
2. Therapeutically useful circlets of genes
3. Penicillin like anti-infective drugs
4. Viruses used by molecular biologists
5. Carriers for performing gene transplant experiments.
Ans : A
According to the above passage the author believes that those who favor the stiffening of restrictions on gene transplant research should logically also.
1. Approve and aid experiments with any plasmids except those, which bear genes for antibiotic resistance.
2. Inquire regarding the addition of anti-infective drugs to livestock feeds
3. Oppose the using of penicillin and tetracycline’s in order to kill microorganisms
4. Agree to the development of meatier live-stock through the use of antibiotics
5. Approve of congressional debate and discussion regarding science and health issues.
Ans : B
The attitude the author has with reference to the development of bacterial strains that render antibiotic drugs in effective can best be described as
1. indifferent
2. perplexed
3. pretentious
4. insincere
5. apprehensive
Ans : E


The existence of mammals on the earth can be traced back to at least the Triassic time. The rate of development was retarded, till evolutional change suddenly accelerated in the oldest Paleocene. This resulted in an increase in average size, larger mental capacity, and special adaptations for different modes of life, during the Eocene time. Further improvement was seen during the Oligocene Epoch, with the appearance of some new lines and extinction of others. The Miocene and Pliocene times are especially significant as they mark the culmination of various groups and a continued approach toward modern characters. It is in the Miocene time that the mammals reached their peak with reference to variety and size.
The ability of the mammals to adapt to various modes of life finds a parallel in the reptiles of the Mesozoic time, and apart form their greater intelligence, the mammals apparently have not done much better than the corresponding reptilian forms. Undoubtedly the bat is a better flying animal than the pterosaur, but at the same time the dolphin and whale are hardly more fish like than the ichthyosaur. Quite a few of the swift-running mammals inhabiting the plains, like the horse and the antelope, must excel any of the dinosaurs. Although the tyrannosaur was a more weighty and robust carnivore than perhaps any carnivorous mammal, the lion and the tiger, by virtue of their superior brain are far more efficient and dangerous beasts of prey. It is significant to note that various species of mammals gradually adapted themselves to various kinds of lifestyles, some took to grazing on the plains and were able to run swiftly (horse, deer, bison), others started living in rivers and swamps (hippopotamus, beaver), inhabiting trees (sloth, monkey), burrowing underground (rodent, mole), feeding on flesh (tiger, wolf), swimming in the water (dolphin, whale, seal), and flying in the air (bat). Human beings on account of their superior brain have been able to harness mechanical methods to conquer the physical world and adapt to any set of conditions.

Such adaptation to different conditions leads to a gradual change in form and structure. This is a biological characteristic of the youthful, plastic stage of a group. It is seen that early in its evolutional cycle animals possess the capacity for change, but as the animal progresses in its cycle becoming old and fixed, this capacity for change disappears. The generalized types of organisms retain longest the ability to make adjustments when required, and it is from them that new, fecund stocks take origin-certainly not from any specialized end products. With reference to mammals, we see their birth, plastic spread in many directions, increased specialization, and in some cases, extinction; this is a characteristic of the evolution of life, which can be seen in the geologic record of life.
From the following, choose the most appropriate title for the above passage?
1. From Dinosaur to Man
2. Adaptation and Extinction
3. The Superior Mammals
4. The Geologic Life Span
5. Man, the Vanquisher of the Physical World.
Ans : B
According to the passage the chronological order of the geologic periods is:
1. Paleocene, Miocene, Triassic, Mesozoic
2. Paleocene, Triassic, Mesozoic, Miocene
3. Miocene, Paleocene, Triassic, Mesozoic
4. Mesozoic, Oligocene, Paleocene, Miocene
5. Mesozoic, Paleocene, Eocene, Miocene
Ans : E
From the above passage, we can infer that, the pterosaur
1. resembled the bat
2. was a Mesozoic mammal
3. was a flying reptile
4. inhabited the seas
5. evolved during the Miocene period
Ans : C
As inferred from the passage, the largest numbers of mammals were found in which of the following periods?
1. Triassic period
2. Eocene period
3. Oligocene epoch
4. Pliocene period
5. Miocene period
Ans : E
Among the following statements, which statement, if true, would weaken the argument put forth in the first sentence of Paragraph 1?
1. It has been found that the tyrannosaur had a larger brain, than was previously known.
2. Within the next thousand years, mammals will become extinct.
3. Recently certain forms of flying ichthyosaurs have been discovered.
4. It has now been proved, that the tiger is more powerful than the carnivorous reptiles.
5. It is now possible to double human mental capacity, by the use of certain recently developed computers.
Ans : A
It is clear from the passage, that the evidence used to discuss the life of past time periods
1. was developed by Charles Darwin
2. was unearthed by the author
3. has been negated by more recent evidence
4. was never truly established
5. is based on fossilized remains
Ans : E

As inferred from the passage, which of the following proverbial expressions is the author most likely to agree with?
1. It's a cruel world.
2. All the world's a stage.
3. The more things change, the more they remain the same.
4. Footprints in the sands of time.
5. A short life, but a merry one.
Ans : D


For a period of more than two centuries paleontologists have been intrigued by the fossilized remains of pterosaurs, the first flying vertebrates. The issues, which puzzle them, are how these heavy creatures, having a wingspan of about 8-12 meters managed the various problems associated with powered flight and whether these creatures were reptiles or birds.
Perhaps the least controversial assertion about the pterosaurs is that they were reptiles. Their skulls, pelvises, and hind feet are reptilian. The anatomy of their wings suggests that they did not evolve into the class of birds. In pterosaurs a greatly elongated fourth finger of each forelimb supported a wing like membrane. The other fingers were short and reptilian, with sharp claws. In birds the second finger is the principal strut of the wing, which consists primarily of feathers. If the pterosaurs walked on all fours, the three short fingers may have been employed for grasping. When a pterosaurs walked or remained stationary, the fourth finger, and with it the wing, could only urn upward in an extended inverted V- shape along each side of the animal's body.

In resemblance they were extremely similar to both birds and bats, with regard to their overall body structure and proportion. This is hardly surprising as the design of any flying vertebrate is subject to aerodynamic constraints. Both the pterosaurs and the birds have hollow bones, a feature that represents a savings in weight. There is a difference, which is that the bones of the birds are more massively reinforced by internal struts.

Although scales typically cover reptiles, the pterosaurs probably had hairy coats. T.H. Huxley reasoned that flying vertebrates must have been warm-blooded because flying implies a high rate of metabolism, which in turn implies a high internal temperature. Huxley speculated that a coat of hair would insulate against loss of body heat and might streamline the body to reduce drag in flight. The recent discovery of a pterosaur specimen covered in long, dense, and relatively thick hair like fossil material was the first clear evidence that his reasoning was correct.

Some paleontologists are of the opinion that the pterosaurs jumped from s dropped from trees or perhaps rose into the light winds from the crests of waves in order to become airborne. Each theory has its associated difficulties. The first makes a wrong assumption that the pterosaurs hind feet resembled a bat's and could serve as hooks by which the animal could hang in preparation for flight. The second hypothesis seems unlikely because large pterosaurs could not have landed in trees without damaging their wings. The third calls for high aces to channel updrafts. The pterosaurs would have been unable to control their flight once airborne as the wind from which such waves arose would have been too strong.
As seen in the above passage scientists generally agree that:
1. the pterosaurs could fly over large distances because of their large wingspan.
2. a close evolutionary relationship can be seen between the pterosaurs and bats, when the structure of their skeletons is studied.
3. the study of the fossilized remains of the pterosaurs reveals how they solved the problem associated with powered flight
4. the pterosaurs were reptiles
5. Pterosaurs walked on all fours.
Ans : D
The view that, the pterosaurs rose into light winds from the crest of the waves to become airborne, is viewed by the author as
1. revolutionary
2. unlikely
3. unassailable
4. probable
5. Outdated.
Ans : B
As inferred from the passage, the skeleton of a pterosaur is distinguishable from that of a bird by the
1. length of its wingspan
2. hollow spaces in its bones
3. anatomic origin of its wing strut
4. evidence of the hook like projections on its hind feet
5. Location of the shoulder joint joining the wing to its body.
Ans : C
From the viewpoint of T.H.Huxley, as given in the passage, which of the following statements is he most likely to agree with?
1. An animal can master complex behaviors irrespective of the size of it's brain.
2. Environmental capabilities and physical capabilities often influence the appearance of an animal.
3. Usually animals in a particular family group do not change their appearance dramatically over a period of time
4. The origin of flight in vertebrates was an accidental development rather than the outcome of specialization or adaption
5. The pterosaurs should be classified as birds, not reptiles.
Ans : B
According to the passage which of the following is a characteristic of the pterosaurs?
1. The pterosaurs were not able to fold their wings when not in use
2. Like the bats, they hung upside down from branches
3. They flew in order to capture prey
4. They can be said to be an earlier stage in the evolution of the birds
5. They lived principally in a forest like habitat.
Ans : A
The organization of the last paragraph of the passage can best be described as:
1. New data is introduced in order to support a traditional point of view
2. Three explanations are put forth and each of them is disputed by means of specific information
3. An outline of three hypotheses are given and evidence supporting each of them is given
4. Description of three recent discoveries is presented, and their implications for future study are projected
5. The material in the earlier paragraphs is summarized and certain conclusions are from it.
Ans : B
According to the passage, some scientists believe that pterosaurs
1. Lived near large bodies of water
2. Had sharp teeth for tearing food
3. Were attacked and eaten by larger reptiles
4. Had longer tails than many birds
5. Consumed twice their weight daily to maintain their body temperature.
Ans : A