GMAT Integrated Reasoning: Graphics Interpretation

October 13, 2011

The GMAC has released more information about the Integrated Reasoning section, coming to your test in June 2012.

(Standard disclaimer: If you're preparing for the GMAT now, you're very likely to be done by June. If so, you don't need to worry about this new section and its unfamiliar question types.)

One of the question types in the GMAT Integrated Reasoning section is Graphics Interpretation. Click here to read more about it and see a sample question.

Part of the impetus for a "new" GMAT is the increasing competition between the GMAT and GRE in business school admissions. Thus, it's no surprise that part of the IR section resembles the GRE, which has long featured "Data Interpretation" questions.

Judging from the sample question, the new challenge of Graphics Interpretation questions is simply proving that you are familiar with graphical presentation. For many people, this is very simple--reading a scatter plot is second nature. For others, it will represent quite the challenge.

Beyond reading the graphs, it appears that the questions will require basic arithmetic and geometry skills. Coordinate geometry is already an important part of the Quant section, and with this new addition to the IR section, it will become even more crucial.

Stay tuned for more updates on how the GMAT will change midway through next year.

About the author: Jeff Sackmann has written many GMAT preparation books, including the popular Total GMAT Math, Total GMAT Verbal, and GMAT 111. He has also created explanations for problems in The Official Guide, as well as 1,800 practice GMAT math questions.

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