Contents:
- Structure of the GMAT IR
- Two-Part Analysis
- Multi-Source Reasoning
- Graphic Interpretation
- Table Analysis
- Scoring of the GMAT IR
- Importance of the GMAT IR
- Do Business Schools look at the GMAT IR Score?
The GMAT IR or Integrated Reasoning section was introduced in 2012, replacing an essay question owing to its importance in the business world. The section was designed to test your ability to integrate data to solve complex problems. While it may not contribute to your total GMAT score, it is still relevant. Read on to find out more about the structure, scoring, and importance of the GMAT IR:
Structure of the GMAT IR
The section is 30 minutes long and non-adaptive, with 8 as the total score. GMAT IR contains 12 questions, of which most require multiple responses. The questions can be divided into 4 types:
Two-Part Analysis
Two-part analysis questions, often quite wordy, ask you to choose two answers out of five or six. This section seeks to measure your skills in solving complex problems. The question could be quantitative, verbal, or a combination of both. You are required to solve simultaneous equations, evaluate trade-offs, and ascertain the relationship between two entities.
Multi-Source Reasoning
Such questions examine your ability to assess data from multiple sources such as text passages, graphics, or tables. It could also be a combination of all three. You need to analyze each data source carefully and answer the questions based on them. While some questions ask the test-taker to recognize the discrepancies between the data sources, others require them to draw conclusions. There can be a multiple-choice question or a set of statements with opposing answer choices such as yes/no, true/false, etc. Alternatively, there may be more than one set of tasks for a given information source.
Graphic Interpretation
As the name suggests, you have to analyze information, make inferences, or discern relationships from the data presented in a graph or chart (scatter plot, x/y graph, bar chart, pie chart, or statistical curve distribution). Textual information supporting the charts and graphs accompanies the question. Each statement given in the question needs to be completed by selecting an answer from a drop-down menu that best completes it. The menu may contain up to 3-5 answer choices.
Table Analysis
The data presented is similar to a spreadsheet table. Using this data, you must respond to statements that have two opposing answer choices such as true/false, supported/unsupported, or yes/no. These questions assess your ability to sort and analyze a table, to determine what information meets certain conditions and which is relevant or not.
Scoring of the GMAT IR
The Integrated Reasoning section is scored between 1 and 8 in 1-point intervals. Considering that most questions have answers in multiple parts, the score is given only when the complete answer is correct. No credit is given on questions that are partly correct.
This score is not a part of the total score and is reported separately. Most experts agree that a good GMAT IR score is above the mean 4.29 and between 6 and 8. The IR score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly barring the experimental questions. This raw score is then scaled to a score out of 8, reflecting the difficulty level of the questions.
Like other sections of the GMAT, each score corresponds to a percentile rank, comparing your performance to other GMAT takers. Given the large gap between the percentile rankings for each GMAT IR score, the limited 12 questions present a challenge for most test-takers to earn a top rank.
For earning a good score, to utilize the skills learned in quant and verbal and apply them in GMAT IR. This is because you will be required to read texts like in RC and analyze arguments just like in CR. Similarly, you would be recognizing patterns and applying basic mathematical concepts just as you do in quant.
Importance of the GMAT IR Section
Both b-schools and workplaces look at the IR section to gauge the ability to
- Critically interpret and synthesize the data showcased in infographics, texts, and numbers and develop key insights from it.
- Grasp a large amount of data to solve complex problems and make smart decisions based on it.
- Organize information to discern relationships and solve problems through the data.
Do Business Schools look at the GMAT IR Score?
The short answer is yes, they do! Business schools are increasingly considering the IR score to be an important part.
For the long answer, you must understand the reason why this section holds importance for the b-schools. Decision-making in the business world hinges upon the ability to assimilate, analyze, and grasp massive amounts of data quickly to understand patterns and anomalies. Often, you’d be required to gather data from various sources before arriving at conclusions. This skill is required both, in business school as well as in your career thereafter.
Secondly, the two main sections of the exam – quant and verbal measure how you are likely to perform at business school and workplace. But they measure these attributes separately. It is only with IR that one can understand how good are you at analyzing data in a variety of formats and combining quant and verbal skills to make sound business decisions.
Finally, the GMAT IR section is designed for problem-solvers. Essentially, the 12 questions need you to find a solution to a problem based on the information given, which is both qualitative and quantitative in nature. Therefore, in today’s technology and data-driven world, you need sound analytical skills, making your IR score extremely important for any business school.
Want best tips and tricks to prepare for GMAT Integrated Reasoning? Check them out here: How to Prepare for GMAT IR: The Complete Guide (2022)
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