Key Facts about Integrated Reasoning in the GMAT

In June 2012, the GMAC implemented the Integrated Reasoning portion of the GMAT. It was implemented based on discussions with business schools as well as employers on the skills that are required for success in both the classroom and the business environment.

The segment is 30 minutes long and consists of 12 questions with 4 different types of questions. The four different types of questions are:

• Multi-Source Reasoning
• Table Analysis
• Graphics Interpretation
• Two-Part Analysis

The questions include both quantitative and verbal reasoning, either separately or in combination, and more than one answer will be needed for some questions. Candidates are only equipped with an online calculator with basic functions for the integrated reasoning portion of the GMAT.

The aim of the integrated reasoning section is to test higher-order reasoning skills such as the ability to interpret data presented in different formats such as tables, charts, and graphs. To answer the questions, a combination of both quantitative and verbal skills is needed, hence the name integrated reasoning.

Tips to score in the integrated reasoning section

Get used to interpret the data presented in the form of maps, graphs, and other graphical representations.

Carefully read the question and don’t confuse the percentages and rates given in the question.

All the data provided along with the question may not be useful. So learn to recognize quickly what information is required to answer the question. You can do this with practice.

As mentioned above, get familiar and practice all the different types of questions. When you’re done with the practice questions, always review your mistakes to avoid making the same errors during the actual test.

Do not miss the segment on IR when taking full-length mock tests. This helps to create comfort and rhythm when answering different forms of questions.

It’s necessary to summarize all the information provided in certain types of questions before you start to solve the problem. Thus, make it a habit of summarizing the given details.

The answers to certain questions can depend on the response to an earlier question. Therefore, take a step-by-step approach to answer questions.

Pay special attention to the units used in the question and any conversions that you may need to make while solving any particular issue.

Finally, learn when to guess and move on from certain questions after you have spent more than enough time solving them. Note the IR section is timed just like the other sections on GMAT.

Score calculation

GMAT IR Score shall be published separately and shall not impact your overall score of 800.

The GMAT IR segment is not computer-adaptive, so questions of varying levels of difficulty that appear at any point in the study.

GMAT IR Scores range from 1 to 8 (In 1-point increments)

The segment consists of 12 questions of 4 different types

Concepts tested in IR are properly dealt with in Quant and Verbal sections

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