GMAT Syllabus 2025: Section-wise GMAT Focus Exam Syllabus & Pattern

If you are going to pursue an MBA or any business degree from abroad, then the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is one of the most important exams you should take at the entrance level. The GMAT can be overwhelming, especially looking at the 2025 exam changes. In this blog, we will explore the syllabus and identify section-wise details of the GMAT Focus Exam to highlight the most important areas to note for the exam. 2025 is only 2 years away, and GMAT Focus Edition 2025 will have some changes in formatting and content. This guide will include the GMAT 2025 syllabus, section information, exam format structure, preparation methods, along FAQs.

GMAT Exam Pattern 2025

The GMAT Focus Edition 2025 has a different format than the old GMAT format and also has more focus on setting business schools with the curricular components needed for success to reflect the skills of problem solving, logical reasoning, data analysis and communication.

Here is the new GMAT 2025 exam pattern:

Section Name	Number of Questions	Duration
Quantitative Reasoning	21 questions	45 minutes
Verbal Reasoning	23 questions	45 minutes
Data Insights	20 questions	45 minutes
Total Duration	64 questions	2 hours 15 mins (without breaks)

• There is no Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) in the Focus Edition.
• There’s a 10-minute optional break between sections.

GMAT Syllabus 2025

The Graduate Management Admissions Test-GMAT-measures the skills required in admission decision-making for business school. The test comprises 3 sections:

• Quantitative Reasoning: It involves testing your abilities to analyze data and solve mathematical problems using basic arithmetic operations, algebra, and geometry. These tasks try to assess quantitative and analytical reasoning powers with an element of real-life problem solving. 
• Verbal Reasoning: This section tests your skills in reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction by making you analyze and evaluate different types of written material and then assess arguments logically. 
• Data Insights: It covers Data Sufficiency check your problem-analysis ability; Multi-source Reasoning to select, synthesize, and evaluate data from multiple formats; Table Analysis and Graphics Interpretation to analyze and draw conclusions from visual material orchestrated in terms of tables, graphs, or charts. 

Note: It is important to study for and prepare through all of the sections so as to really bring your very best on the test.

GMAT Exam Syllabus 2025 Sections

The GMAT 2025 syllabus is broken down into three standard sections:

• Quantitative Reasoning
• Verbal Reasoning
• Data Insights

Each section attempts to determine a student's skills relevant to business school and business, useful in academia, and the real world.

GMAT Quantitative Reasoning Syllabus

This section assesses your ability to think mathematically and analyze data.

Topics covered:

• Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratios, Fractions, Decimals)
• Algebra (Equations, Inequalities, Quadratic Equations)
• Geometry (Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles)
• Word Problems.
• Number properties.

Important note: For this section, a calculator is not allowed; please practice doing mental math and other strategies to help you quickly answer problems.

GMAT Verbal Reasoning Syllabus

This section assesses your command of English, reading comprehension, and logic.

Topics covered :

• Reading comprehension.
• Critical reasoning.
• Sentence correction.

Important note: Make sure you understand the passages' main idea, organization, and argument. Make sure you practice identifying grammar errors and logical flow.

GMAT Data Insights Section Syllabus

This section is new in the GMAT Focus Edition. It assesses your ability to interpret data and solve problems where multiple sources of information must be combined.

Topics covered :

• Data interpretation (Graphs, Charts, Tables)
• Multi-source reasoning
• Two-part analysis
• Table analysis
• Data sufficiency

Important note: Please make sure you practice interpreting data with various formats and switching gears to solve multi-part problems. You can bring a calculator to this section.

GMAT Syllabus 2025 Preparation Tips

Here are some smart preparation tips for the students those enrolling for the GMAT exam and starting the GMAT syllabus for 2025:

1. First, know the pattern of the exam so you can expect what is in each section.
2. Make an early study plan with at least 2 to 3 months for serious preparation.
3. Consider practicing anything, making emphasis on the weak parts.
4. Take mock tests to be exemplary with speed and accuracy.
5. Using the official booklets of the GMAT test is the key, as it serve as a big source of real questions from the question bank.
6. Consider your mistakes and correct them, so you learn from wrong answers and do not repeat them. 
7. For the Verbal section, improve your English reading of business articles so that your vocabulary increases.
8. Keep steady and avoid taking long breaks between study sessions.

Which University Accepts the GMAT Score?

Here is a table of the top universities and business schools in India that select students based on GMAT scores.

University/Institution Name	Location	Program(s) Accepting GMAT	GMAT Score Accepted For
Indian School of Business (ISB)	Hyderabad, Mohali	PGP, PGPpro, PGPmax	Indian & International Applicants
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA)	Ahmedabad	PGPX (Executive MBA)	Indian & International Applicants
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)	Bangalore	EPGP (Executive MBA)	Indian & International Applicants
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC)	Kolkata	MBAEx (Executive MBA)	Indian & International Applicants
Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIML)	Lucknow, Noida	IPMX (Executive MBA)	Indian & International Applicants
XLRI – Xavier School of Management	Jamshedpur	GMP (General Management Program)	Indian & International Applicants
SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR)	Mumbai	PGPM, GMP	Indian & International Applicants
Great Lakes Institute of Management	Chennai, Gurgaon	PGPM, PGDM	Indian & International Applicants
IMT Ghaziabad	Ghaziabad	PGDM, Executive PGDM	International Applicants via GMAT
MDI Gurgaon	Gurgaon	PGDM-IB, Executive PGDM	Indian & International Applicants
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)	Delhi, Kolkata	MBA (International Business) via GMAT (for NRIs/Foreign Nationals)	NRIs & foreign nationals only
TAPMI (Manipal)	Manipal	PGDM	Indian & International Applicants
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS)	Mumbai	MBA/PGDM (via GMAT for international/NRI candidates)	NRIs & Foreign Nationals only
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM)	Pune	MBA (via GMAT for international/NRI candidates)	NRIs & Foreign Nationals only
Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIMI)	Indore	EPGP	Indian & International Applicants

Note: The Majority of Indian institutes use CAT for admissions to regular 2-year MBA or PGDM programs, but universities accept GMAT scores for international and NRI candidates or executive programs.

How To Prepare the GMAT Syllabus For MBA?

Here is the list of tips you need to follow if you want to prepare for the GMAT syllabus for MBA admission:

• Start preparing early and expect preparation to go on for at least 12 weeks.
• Choose trusted study material like GMAT Official Guide, Manhattan Prep, or Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus.
• Concentrate on the concept, then solve exercises.
• Practice data interpretation and logic for Data Insights.
• Opt for an online GMAT class or coaching if an expert opinion is necessary.
• Keep track of your progress and keep your tactics updated.

Note:  Most of the top B-schools include GMAT scores along with your academic records, work experience, and profile. Therefore, a strong GMAT score enhances the chances of admission

Alternative Option

However, if your main aim is to get into a reputed university that offers an MBA degree, that’s why you enroll in the GMAT. Then let me tell you, there are alternative options as well. Some universities offer an online MBA program with valid government recognition. The online MBA holds the same recognition as the regular MBA, and here is the list of the universities that offer an online MBA are mentioned below:

Top Online MBA Universities	Online MBA (Specialization)
MAHE Manipal Online MBA	Finance Management Marketing Management HR Management Business Analytics Data Science Operations Management Healthcare Management Pharmaceutical Management Information Systems Fashion Management
Birchwood University Online MBA	Business & Law Ethics Business Analytics Marketing Management General Management Supply Chain Management HR Management Finance Management Data Science International Business
BIMTECH Online MBA	Finance Management Marketing Management Logistics and Supply Chain Management Operations Management Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance BFSI Information Technology Management General Management Generative AI HR Management Analytics Supply Chain Management
NMIMS Online MBA	Business Management Operations Management HR Management Finance Management Marketing Management Data Science General Management
Amity University Online MBA	Digital Entrepreneurship HR Analytics Data Science Business Analytics HR Management Operations Management IT Management International Business Insurance Management Entrepreneurship & Leadership Retail Management
Jain University Online MBA	HR Management Finance Management Marketing Management General Management System and Operations Management Marketing and Finance Management Marketing and HR Management Information Logistics and Supply Chain Management International Finance Management
DY Patil University Online MBA	Marketing Management Finance Management IT Management Operations Management HR Management International Business Digital Marketing Project Management FinTech Management Business Analytics
UPES Online MBA	HR Management Finance Management Marketing Management Operations Management Oil & Gas Management International Business Power Management Business Analytics Logistic & Supply Chain Management Infrastructure Management Digital Business Supply Chain Management
LPU Online MBA	Finance Management Human Resource Management Marketing Management Data Science Operations Management International Business Management Information Technology Digital Marketing Business Analytics Data Science and Analytics Banking & Financial Services Supply Chain Management Healthcare Management
SRM University Online MBA	HR Management Marketing Management Finance Management
DY Patil Vidyapeeth Navi Mumbai Online MBA	Sales And Marketing HRM Finance Hospital & Health Care Management Retail Management Logistics & Supply Chain International Business Entrepreneurship Event Management Digital Marketing Data Science & Business Analytics
Amrita University Online MBA	HR Management Finance Management Marketing Management Operations Management General Management Artificial Intelligence
Chandigarh University Online MBA	Marketing Management HR Management International Business Management Entrepreneurship Retail Management Business Analytics Finance Management Logistics & Supply Chain Management Information Technology Operations Management Banking & Insurance
Parul University Online MBA	Marketing Management Finance Management HR Management IT Management Business Analytics Operation Management Retail Management Project Management Banking and Financial Services Healthcare Management & Supply Chain Management Agricultural Management Digital Marketing & Sales Management Digital Marketing
Sikkim Manipal University Online MBA	Marketing Management Finance Management HR Management Systems Operations & Supply Chain Management Supply Chain Management Marketing and HR Marketing and Finance Healthcare Management