The GMAT Verbal test portion contains the subsections Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction and Reading Comprehension. Critical Reasoning tests fallacy recognition, evaluating argument structure and inferring hypotheses through passages. Sentence Correction tests grammar, structure and spelling. Other questions in this category require test takers to identify the most effective sentence. The Reading Comprehension section tests one's grasp of English through vocabulary recognition and significant themes throughout the question. This section may also require basic math to answer questions conclusively.
The Quantitative section tests math reasoning. The questions are presented as multiple-choice and include two subsections: Problem-Solving and Data-Sufficiency. The Quantitative section includes 37 questions total, split between the two subsections. Data-Sufficiency problems often feature written data and a few questions regarding the data presented. The problems are designed for the test-taker to recognize pertinent information, apply qualitative math and determine if any missing variables exist. The Problem-Solving section is essentially high school math: algebra, geometry and basic number logic.
Essay writing includes two sections: Analysis of an Argument and Analysis of an Issue. The Analysis of an Issue section focuses on the structure of the test-taker's argument in response to a statement. Answers should have a beginning, middle and end, and have no logical fallacies. Analysis of an Argument is a short paragraph with a study or statement. Readers are instructed to provide additional examples as to why the data is correct, or to provide counterarguments to buttress an opposing thesis. This section is graded from 0 to 6 in half-point increments, with the subsections being averaged.
In order to provide better data for GMAC, the test requires certain identified practice questions to complete the exam. The practice section is included in the 3.5-hour test time.
Like many computer-based tests, the multiple-choice questions adapt based on the subject's answers. If a question with average difficulty is answered correctly, then a more difficult question is screened next. Conversely, if the question is answered incorrectly, then an easier question is presented. This process applies to both the Verbal and Quantitative portions of the exam.