If you’re planning to pursue an MBA abroad, the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is likely on your radar. Over the years, GMAT has undergone multiple changes to adapt to the evolving demands of business schools. The most recent update is the GMAT Focus Edition, launched in late 2023. This has left many students wondering: How does it compare to older versions like the GMAT 10th Edition? And more importantly, which one should you prepare for?
Let’s break down the key differences and help you decide the best path for your MBA journey.
What is GMAT Focus Edition?
The GMAT Focus Edition, also known as GMAT-FE, is the latest addition to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s (GMAC) line of GMAT exams. In response to the changing demands of the business world, GMAC has introduced this new version to provide a more efficient, effective and affordable alternative to the traditional GMAT exam.
The purpose of the GMAT Focus Edition is to help students prepare for the GMAT exam in a more targeted and focused way. By providing a shorter and more affordable version of the GMAT, the GMAT-FE allows students to focus on specific areas where they need to improve their skills, rather than having to take the full-length GMAT exam, which covers all areas of the exam.
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Benefits of GMAT Focus Edition
- Targeted Practice: The GMAT Focus Edition is designed to provide targeted practice to test-takers in specific areas of weakness, leading to more efficient and effective preparation.
- Personalized Learning: With this, test-takers can tailor their learning experience to their specific needs, based on their performance on the diagnostic test.
- Better Score Improvement: It’s targeted practice and personalized learning can lead to more significant score improvement compared to the current GMAT exam.
Exam Format: GMAT Focus Edition vs Regular GMAT
| Exam Component | Current GMAT Exam Format | GMAT Focus Edition Format |
| Total Exam Time | 3 hours 30 minutes | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Number of Sections | 4 | 1 |
| Analytical Writing | 1 section, 30 minutes | N/A |
| Integrated Reasoning | 1 section, 30 minutes | N/A |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 1 section, 62 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 1 section, 65 minutes | 30 minutes |
Content Comparison: GMAT Focus Edition vs Regular GMAT
| Content | GMAT Focus Edition | Current GMAT Exam |
| Sections | Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning | Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning |
| Purpose | Assessing critical skills essential for success in business school programs | Assessing a broader range of skills and knowledge |
| Number of sections | 2 | 4 |
| Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) | Not included | Included |
| Integrated Reasoning (IR) | Not included | Included |
Skills Focused: GMAT Focus Edition vs regular Edition
Each version of the GMAT targets a slightly different skill set. Read ahead to find more about it:
GMAT Focus Edition
- Emphasizes real-world problem solving
- Data interpretation, logic, and decision-making
- Less memorization, more critical thinking
Regular GMAT
- Heavy on grammar, sentence correction
- Rote learning-based quant and verbal focus
- Less flexibility in approach
Which One Should You Prepare For?
As of January 2024, the classic GMAT exam has been officially retired and is no longer available for test takers. The GMAT Focus Edition has completely replaced the previous version, making it the only option for students planning to take the test now. So, if you’re starting your GMAT prep, there’s no choice to make — you’ll be preparing for the GMAT Focus Edition by default. All coaching centers, prep platforms, and official resources are now aligned with the new format. Embrace the updated structure and tailor your study plan accordingly to stay ahead.
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Preparation for GMAT Focus Edition
- Diagnostic Test: The GMAT Focus Edition begins with a diagnostic test that helps test-takers identify their areas of weakness and prioritize their study plan accordingly.
- Targeted Practice: Based on the results of the diagnostic test, test-takers can focus their preparation on specific areas of weakness with the Edition.
- Practice Tests: It provides multiple practice tests to help test-takers gauge their progress and identify areas for improvement.
- Official Guide: The Official Guide for GMAT Review will continue to be a valuable resource for preparing for the GMAT Focus Edition.
- Prep Courses: Prep courses specifically tailored for this test are likely to become available in the future as the exam gains popularity.
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Conclusion
The GMAT Focus Edition is a streamlined version of the current GMAT exam that focuses on the areas that are most relevant to each test taker’s abilities and goals. By eliminating the Analytical Writing and Integrated Reasoning sections, the exam is shorter in duration and more focused on the core skills required for success in business school. Additionally, the GMAT Focus Edition is adaptive in nature, meaning that the questions presented to a test taker will change based on the accuracy of their previous responses. This allows the exam to more accurately assess a test taker’s abilities and provide a more personalized testing experience. The GMAT Focus Edition isn’t just a new name—it’s a complete rethinking of what the test should measure. If you’re planning to apply this year or next, now is the best time to switch to GMAT Focus Edition resources and recalibrate your strategy.
FAQS
Not necessarily. It’s different — the Focus Edition is shorter and more skills-based, focusing on data interpretation and critical thinking rather than memorization or grammar-heavy questions.
No, GMAC officially discontinued the older GMAT format in January 2024. The GMAT Focus Edition is now the only version available.
Yes, but with caution. Older books like the GMAT 10th Edition can help with basic Quant and Verbal practice, but they don’t cover the Data Insights section or match the new format and scoring system.