GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT 2025, What's the Difference?
GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT 2025 compares major aspects of the exams. Know crucial changes in exam pattern, syllabus, question type, and other aspects of GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT 2025.
Shivani Kumari29 Oct, 2025
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GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT: GMAC has revised the GMAT exam pattern to make it more relevant for business administration education. This new version brings significant changes to the various aspects of the exam, including test duration, question count, exam sections, score range, and scoring method. Notably, the GMAT Focus Edition is shorter, lasting only 2 hours and 15 minutes compared to the previous version's 3 hours and 7 minutes. Additionally, the GMAT Focus Edition consists of 3 exam sections, which is a reduction from the previous version, which has 4 sections.
The latest GMAT exam 2025 is designed to be more insightful, flexible, and efficient, aligning with the competitive landscape of modern B-schools worldwide. Moreover, new features such as review and edit options in each section have been introduced. This method aims to enhance the exam experience compared to the previous edition. Candidates aiming to take the GMAT Focus Edition must know all the changes introduced by GMAC and accordingly prepare for the GMAT exam 2025.
GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Highlights
The following table provides notable differences between the GMAT Focus Edition and the GMAT 2025:
GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Highlights
Particulars
GMAT Focus Edition
GMAT
Test duration
2 hours 15 minutes
3 hours 7 minutes
Sectional duration
45 Minutes
Varies for each section
Number of questions
64
80
Exam sections
3 sections
Quantitative Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
Data Insights
4 sections
Quantitative Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
Integrated Reasoning
Analytical Writing Assessment
Review & edit feature
3 reviews per section
Not allowed
GMAT total score range
205-805
200-800
GMAT exam fees
Online: USD 300 Offline: USD 275
Online: USD 300 Offline: USD 275
GMAT score validity
5 years
5 years
GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Exam Structure
The most crucial difference between GMAT Focus and GMAT 2025 is in their exam structure. The total duration of the GMAT exam has been reduced to 2 hours and 15 minutes. Test takers now have equal time allocated for all three sections, whereas in the previous GMAT exam, the time distribution was uneven between sections.
The total number of questions in GMAT Focus has been reduced from 80 to 64. Details of the GMAT Focus Edition vs. GMAT exam pattern 2025 are outlined below:
GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Exam Structure
Particulars
GMAT Focus Edition
GMAT
Sections
Quantitative Reasoning Verbal Reasoning Data Insights
The application fee for GMAT Focus is similar to that of the GMAT exam. The fee amount varies depending on the exam mode and place of taking GMAT. To attempt GMAT Focus from a test centre, candidates must submit $300. In contrast, to take the GMAT from home, candidates have to pay $275 as an application fee. Therefore, while registering for GMAT, candidates must check the fee requirements based on their preferred location and exam mode.
In the previous GMAT exam, there was a combination of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and essay or writing-based tasks. However, the latest version, GMAT Focus Edition, exclusively includes MCQ-based questions, eliminating any writing-related tasks. This way, GMAC has modified the exam format in the latest GMAT Focus Edition.
GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Syllabus 2025
The GMAT Focus Edition introduces a new section called Data Insights. This section evaluates candidates' ability to read and understand data, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This addition slightly alters the syllabus of the GMAT Focus Edition compared to the previous GMAT exam. While the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning syllabus of GMAT Focus includes the same topics as the previous GMAT exam, the DI syllabus covers a whole new set of topics. Syllabus topics for the newly added Data Insights section of GMAT Focus are presented below:
Data Sufficiency
Graphic Interpretation
Table Analysis
Multi-Source Reasoning
Two Part Analysis
GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Sending Score Reports
Upon receiving scores from GMAC for the GMAT Focus Edition, applicants have the option to send score reports to up to 5 colleges as per their choice. This process differs from the previous GMAT exam, where candidates were required to pre-select five B-schools during registration for sending a score report. Another major difference in sending GMAT score reports is that candidates now have the option to send scores of only one GMAT Focus exam. A score of previously attempted GMAT exams won't be presented to the admission authorities of B-school.
GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT Question Review
GMAT Focus offers high flexibility to candidates in the form of marking questions for review. In each section of GMAT Focus, candidates are able to mark up to 3 questions for review. If the time allows, candidates can change their answer choices for these questions. This option was not available in the previous GMAT exam.
GMAT Focus vs GMAT Scores
The GMAT Focus score ranges between 205 and 805, which is an increase from the GMAT score range of 200-800. The table below shows the comparison between GMAT Focus scores and GMAT scores:
GMAT Focus vs GMAT Scores
GMAT Focus Score
GMAT Score
Percentile
805
800
100.00%
805
790
100.00%
795
790
100.00%
785
790
100.00%
785
780
100.00%
775
780
100.00%
765
780
99.90%
755
780
99.90%
755
770
99.90%
745
770
99.80%
735
770
99.70%
735
760
99.50%
725
760
99.40%
715
760
99.20%
715
750
98.70%
705
750
98.60%
695
750
98.10%
695
740
97.90%
685
740
96.90%
685
730
96.70%
675
730
96.10%
675
720
95.20%
665
720
94.00%
665
710
93.20%
655
710
92.60%
655
700
89.60%
645
700
89.30%
645
690
86.70%
635
690
85.10%
635
680
83.50%
625
680
82.70%
615
680
80.10%
615
670
80.10%
615
660
78.30%
615
650
74.50%
605
650
74.50%
595
650
71.50%
GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT: Which is Better?
The GMAT exam 2025 included numerous objective questions and an essay-based question. Additionally, the exam was lengthy. Candidates attempting the GMAT exam complained of getting exhausted. This affected their performance in later sections of the GMAT, resulting in a low overall score. In contrast, the revised GMAT Focus exam has a reduced number of questions. Additionally, the exam duration has also shortened. Candidates are also provided with more flexibility through GMAT Focus Edition. They can now select the sequence of the section according to their preference. Moreover, they can revise their selected answer choices for up to 3 questions in each section. Join PW GMAT Online Coaching for comprehensive syllabus coverage, conceptual clarity, regular practice, performance analysis, and GMAT Adaptive Mock Test .
GMAT Focus Edition vs GMAT FAQs<span style=
Is there a difference between GMAT Focus and GMAT?
Compared to the previous version of the GMAT, the GMAT Focus Edition includes a reduced number of sections. Additionally, the section-wise and overall time limit has also been reduced. The scaled total score range has increased from 200 – 800 to 205 – 805 in GMAT Focus.
What is the GMAT Focus Edition?
The GMAT Focus Edition is effectively designed to make the exam more relevant for MBA degrees. The GMAT Focus evaluates candidates' skills, which are crucial to pursuing business and management programs. It assesses candidates' problem-solving and critical reasoning skills besides evaluating data sufficiency and analysis skills.
Does ISB accept GMAT Focus Edition scores?
Yes, ISB accepts GMAT Focus Edition scores for MBA admissions.
Which is easier, GMAT or GMAT Focus Edition?
The difficulty level of GMAT Focus Editions will remain unaltered compared to GMAT. Therefore, candidates must prepare diligently for the exam.
Will GMAT Focus replace GMAT?
Yes, GMAT Focus Edition will replace the previous version of GMAT.
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