Format of the GMAT

The GMAT is composed of four sections: two 30 minute sections and two 75 minute sections.

• 30 Minutes: Analytical Writing Assessment
• 30 Minutes: Integrated Reasoning
• 75 Minutes: Quantitative
• 75 Minutes: Verbal 

The 30 minute writing assessment kicks off the exam. If you're taking the exam in the morning because if you aren't wide awake then this section will be extra tough. The essay is scored on a 0-6 point scale in half-point increments. Three main tips for scoring high on this section are write as many words as possible, use structure words to give the message the appearance of depth, and if possible, refer to a well-known work of literature or nonfiction. 

Personally, I find the integrated reasoning section the hardest section of the exam despite there being only 12 questions. The questions usually have several tabs of information that need to be analyzed. Most of the questions will be multi-part questions where both questions must be answered correctly to receive credit. Questions are usually graph interpretations, two-part analysis or multi-source reasoning questions. 

37 questions compose the quantitative section of the GMAT. The three basic subjects of these questions consist of arithmetic, basic algebra, and basic geometry. Questions will either be asked in a problem solving or data sufficiency form. 

Finally, the GMAT concludes with the verbal section. For me, the hardest part of this section was that I was getting antsy and tired of sitting. Not to mention that after staring at a computer screen for eyes my eyes were beginning to hurt. Verbal questions deal with sentence correction, reading comprehension, or critical reasoning. It's important to keep your calm and take your time in this section. Read carefully. It's easy to get a question wrong simply because you read the responses too fast or that  you were in a hurry to finish the exam. These questions can be tricky because even though an answer may sound incorrect to a normal person it could be correct. It's important to understand GMAT English before taking the exam. 

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. It's important to know what yours are and to use it to your advantage by spending more time practicing your weakness and less time on your strengths. I spent most of my time studying basic math skills to crack the quantitative section. After taking the exam for the first time I wish I had spent a little more time on some of the other sections. There will always be another opportunity to take the test again. You live and you learn. Take your time, do your best.