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Graphic Interpretation Concepts and Questions in GMAT Integrated Reasoning 2023

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Rituparna Nath

Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams | Updated On - Apr 5, 2023

Among the 4 sections of GMAT, the integrated reasoning section is based completely on analytical skills. According to GMAT syllabus, the integrated reasoning section comes with 12 questions and the duration for this section is 30 minutes. But, it often does not seem sufficient to the test-takers as the questions often have more than 1 part. Graphic Interpretation is a vital part of the GMAT Integrated Reasoning. Read the next sections to know more about GMAT Graphic Interpretation.

syllabus of GMAT Graphic Interpretation

Nearly 3 out of 12 integrated reasoning questions are from GMAT Graphic Interpretation. The questions in this section will involve both verbal reasoning and quantitative ability, either separately or a combination of both. The answer choices will be available on the same screen and without marking an answer, you cannot proceed to the next question. However, you can go back and change the answer later.

GMAT Graphic Interpretation – Task Types

The questions of GMAT Graphic Interpretation come with an info graph followed by 2 questions. The candidates need to interpret the graphics like:

GMAT Graphic Interpretation – Task Types

Apart from this, the test-takers may get unusual graphs too. So, the first and foremost requirement to ace the GMAT IR section is to be familiar with different and difficult graphs available.

Task Focus of GMAT Graphic Interpretation Questions

Task focus of GMAT Graphic Interpretation questions are:

  • Data analysis
  • Data sorting
  • Fetching relevant information
  • Decision making

Though the section is called Graphic Interpretation, the real task is the analysis – the candidates need to combine multiple numbers in different units to answer the question.

Time Available to Answer GMAT Graphic Interpretation Questions

Candidates are advised to spend 2 minutes and 30 seconds for each question, which makes a total of 7 minutes and 30 seconds for GMAT Graphic Interpretation questions. The questions are like a mix of GMAT quant and GMAT verbal reasoning, which makes it more difficult and time-consuming.

GMAT Graphic Interpretation Advantages and Disadvantages

While the Graphic Interpretation questions are directly related to managerial skills and decision making that can be really helpful in the future, these questions are way too time-taking. Understanding the graph and fetching data are definitely fun tasks but there is a possibility of calculation error. Candidates may need to redo the calculation sometimes.

Scoring of Graphic Interpretation for GMAT

The Integrated Reasoning section is scored from 1 to 8 and has 1 point increment. There are multiple parts present in the questions of this section and for Graphic Interpretation, there are 2 parts in each question. You must answer each part correctly to get full credit for the asked question. There is no credit for the partially correct answer.

GMAT Graphic Interpretation – Preparation Tips

So, GMAT Graphic Interpretation is difficult but it is not impossible. The test-takers can clear these questions, as well as the whole GMAT, integrated reasoning section by following these tips.

Always Start with a Bigger Picture

It is important to categorize the presented graphic. Start with the majority of the time understanding and focusing the graph thoroughly. This is a trick to interpret the graph correctly.

Check Symbols and Unit

Once you figure out the majority, check its units. Here you may need to convert it into other units to derive the answer. To reduce the chances of calculation errors, do check the symbols as well – do not skip it. Checking these beforehand can reduce the complication and getting the answer will be easier.

Read the question thoroughly

You have to read all the small details and don’t miss the words like “equates to” or “less than” or “almost.” The answers depend on these words too and missing these words may contribute a flaw in the answer. You have to understand clearly what the question actually asks and then you have to proceed to the question.

Identify the relation

Understand and remember the relationship between the variables in the graph to find out any direct or indirect correlation. Also, check the visible difference as well. By doing this interpretation of the graph will be easier. Remember, you will have to interpret and integrate data, discern relationships, and then infer from the data. So, have a thorough look.

Calculate First

Calculate before clicking on the drop-down menu. If you can’t find your answer in the drop-down list, you may understand the information in the wrong way. Don’t get disheartened with this as Graphic Interpretation questions are a bit tricky and difficult to understand. Read the statement once again and analyze the graph again if time permits.

Don’t try to understand the entire Graph

Always remember, your task is to answer the questions followed by the graph, understanding it wholly is not important. For this, you need to fetch only the required information. Daily practice of GMAT integrated reasoning can help the candidates in this.

Redo only if it is needed

The Graphic Interpretation questions can be sometimes be solved – relax! It happens. Don’t get confused and redo the calculation over again just because it took less time. If you get the answer, just mark it and move on to the next.

So, GMAT Graphic Interpretation is not that difficult if test-takers stop getting nervous with these questions. Also, they need to have sufficient knowledge of GMAT quant and GMAT verbal to ace the graphics-related questions of GMAT Integrated reasoning.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

Ask your question

Answered Questions

BS

Bhavya Singh

18 Mar 21

Several factors affect the chance of a candidate getting a seat in ISB Hyderabad. Not only the GMAT score, but also the application profile, essays, and performance in the interview combined together decides whether a candidate should get a seat or not in such an elite institute. The points listed below are some important aspects to consider for admission to such institutes.

  • There is no fixed cut-off for ISB Hyderabad, as declared by the institute. There are examples of people with a GMAT score of 720 not getting a seat from the interviews. On the other hand, there are candidates with a score of 700-710 but are successful in getting a seat in ISB Hyderabad.
  • GMAT score is not the only criteria for getting a seat, but the door to get an interview call. The quality of essays written by the candidate, his/her application/ profile, and the performance in the interviews are also considered.
  • For candidates with an average profile, a GMAT score of 720+, along with a complete application and a good essay can be considered to have high chances to receive an interview call. After having a call, the rest depends on how the candidate will perform in his/her interview.

This is the overall scenario for admission in ISB Hyderabad, for a student with an average profile.


MN

Mahak Nigam

30 Jun 22

More than 140 Business Schools in India accept GMAT scores. Here is a list of popular B-School that accept GMAT scores.

IIM Ahmedabad (PGPX) IIM Bangalore (EPGP) IIM Calcutta (PGPEx)
IIM Indore (EPGP) IIM Kozhikode (EPGP) IIM Lucknow (IPMAX)
XLRI Jamshedpur MDI Gurgaon IMT Ghaziabad
IIFT Delhi FMS Deli ISB Hyderabad/Mohali

Many other reputed B-School across the country also accept GMAT scores.


AV

Arvind Verma

30 Jun 22

ISB Hyderabad accepts both examination scores. So, you can opt for either of GMAT or GRE. Your chances of selection or rejection will remain the same. Go through the examination pattern and syllabus and choose the one in which you feel that you will be able to score better. Ultimately having a good score is what matters during admission. As per the recent trends, ISB Hyderabad cutoff for GMAT is 600, while for GRE it is 311. 


AS

Aditi Sen

12 May 21

There are many business schools in India that require GMAT scores at the time of admission.

Some of the top business schools with requiring GMAT scores in India are:

Institute Name

GMAT Score

ISB, Hyderabad & Mohali

730 or higher

S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai

550

IIM Ahmedabad

711

School of Management, NMIMS Mumbai

600

IIM Bangalore

710

Great Lakes Institute of Management

600

IIM Calcutta

701

XLRI Jamshedpur

710

IIM Lucknow

680

IMT (All campuses)

720

IIM Indore

700

ICFAI Business School (Hyderabad & Mumbai)

700

IIM Kozhikode

700

A few other institutes include - MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, Sunstone Business School Noida, ISB Indore, and more.