Discover what changes with the new GMAT Focus Edition 2025, the differences with the classic test and how to prepare best to pass it without stress.
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In recent months, anyone considering an MBA or international master's program has faced an important development: the GMAT Focus Edition. This new test format, introduced to streamline and make the skills assessment more efficient, has generated questions, doubts and - let's be honest - quite a bit of confusion. What really changes compared to the classic GMAT? How do you tackle it the right way? In this article I will guide you step by step to understand the differences, assess the impact on preparation and identify the best strategy to tackle the test with confidence.
What is GMAT Focus Edition
GMAT Focus Edition is the new version of the Graduate Management Admission Test, officially released by GMAC in 2023. Compared to the classic version, it presents itself as a leaner test, focused on what business schools today consider truly relevant: analytical skills, quantitative reasoning and data interpretation. With just three blocks - Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights - and an overall duration reduced to about two hours and fifteen minutes, the Focus Edition aims to offer a more modern, targeted and less stressful experience for the test-taker. It's important to know that this format is not a "simplified" version, but rather an update calibrated to the skills required in the real world post-graduation.
Main differences between classic GMAT and Focus
With the introduction of GMAT Focus Edition, GMAC has revolutionized the structure, duration and evaluation of the test. This is not just a restyling, but a redesign intended to offer a more efficient experience, less scattered and more oriented to the real skills required by business schools.
Structure and sections
The classic GMAT included four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment - AWA -, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative and Verbal. The Focus Edition has only three: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and the new Data Insights, which integrates parts of the old sections with more modern logic. The writing section has been removed as well as some types of questions no longer considered essential - for example, geometry.
Duration and number of questions
The test duration changes from 3 hours and 7 minutes to 2 hours and 15 minutes, including an optional 10-minute break. The number of questions has also been reduced: each section now has 20 questions, for a total of 60. This allows for more balanced and less stressful time management.
Score and report
The overall score changes scale: moving from 200-800 to 205-805, with increments of 10 points. A free detailed score report is also provided, useful for assessing your strengths and areas for improvement if you decide to retake the test.
Impacts on preparation
The transition to GMAT Focus Edition has a direct - and far from trivial - impact on preparation methods. Many candidates, especially those who had already approached classic GMAT, found themselves having to completely rethink their study plan.
The first major change concerns what content to study: out go the writing and geometry sections, in comes greater emphasis on critical reasoning and data interpretation. This means that those with a humanities or economics background might feel advantaged, but nobody can afford to improvise.
The total time to dedicate to study also changes: on average, preparation requires between 8 and 12 weeks, but it's essential to focus on quality over quantity. Practice tests must be calibrated to the new format and taken under realistic conditions.
Finally, the Focus Edition allows you to review and modify up to three answers per section before completing it. A subtle but significant change, which requires mental strategy: knowing how to manage uncertainty, without getting stuck.
Effective preparation strategies
Preparing for GMAT Focus Edition doesn't simply mean studying, but training methodically. The three sections of the new test measure different skills, and each requires a specific approach. The first step? Build a weekly study plan that is flexible, but structured.
Start with a diagnostic test: it will help you understand where you're starting from and where to concentrate your efforts. If, for example, you discover you're weak in the Data Insights section, you can dedicate more time to specific practice on charts, tables and mixed data interpretation.
Alternate phases of theoretical study with full timed simulations, ideally one every 7-10 days. Pace and fatigue management are often underestimated aspects, but are decisive for your final score.
Finally, don't neglect the emotional component. The ability to review some answers can reduce error anxiety, but can also lead to unnecessary doubts. Train yourself to make decisions and let them go, simulating the behavior to maintain during the actual exam.
The right time to start
If you're considering an MBA or international master's program, the right time to start preparing for GMAT Focus Edition is... now. Not because you need to rush, but because the new version of the test requires a strategic approach from the earliest stages. The more time you have to organize yourself, test your skills and adapt your method, the better your chances of getting a competitive score. My advice? Don't wait to "feel ready", because true preparation is born precisely when you face uncertainty, one exercise at a time.
Common questions about GMAT Focus Edition
How long exactly is GMAT Focus Edition?
The test lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, with three sections of 45 minutes each and an optional 10-minute break between the second and third sections.
Which sections are included and which have been removed?
GMAT Focus includes Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights. The writing section - AWA - and geometry have been eliminated.
Do universities accept Focus the same as classic GMAT?
Yes, almost all international business schools have officially accepted the Focus Edition as equivalent to the classic GMAT.
Can I use classic GMAT materials to prepare?
Partly yes: exercises on logic, math and English are still useful, but you need to integrate with resources specific to Data Insights.
Is there a minimum score threshold to be competitive?
It depends on the program, but generally a score above 645 is considered competitive for many international business schools.