The Computer-Adaptive Test (CAT) for GMAT is structured to get an accurate assessment of the student's skills by using fewer questions to test these skills than the paper-based GMAT version did. When the first question is answered correctly, the next one to follow will be of a slightly higher difficulty level. Get a question wrong and the next question will be of a slightly easier level. Because of the software algorithm, the questions are not grouped together as in the paper version, but are asked randomly. Questions cannot be skipped, nor can you go back and make changes.
Efficient time management when taking the GMAT exam is necessary. The only way to complete the exam is if the student practices constantly before taking it. There is no opportunity to backtrack and complete unanswered questions in this exam. Students need to take mock GMAT exams in a computer-adaptive form to simulate the actual GMA testing process. When taking the exam, there is no time for eating, telephone calls or breaks.
It is important to spend a sufficient amount of time on the first five questions of the GMAT exam. Because of the computer algorithm of the computer-adaptive test, the difficulty level is determined by the computer. Difficult questions have a higher weight than the easy questions. The first five questions will determine the range of questions that the program computes the student can handle. Once the first few questions have been answered, the GMAT testing software will provide questions that help the student fine-tune the score.
It is recommended that students make educated guesses on questions they don't know the answers to. Random guessing will not help; first try to identify at least one incorrect answer, which will shorten the odds of answering questions correctly. Even when running out of time to complete a particular section, random guessing should be avoided.