No, it's not harder but has some significant differences compared to the old GMAT. The GMAT Focus Edition and the old GMAT have differences that might make you wonder if one is harder than the other. The GMAT Focus Edition has been updated to be shorter and more flexible compared to the old GMAT.
The total duration of the test is now 2 hours and 15 minutes, compared to around 3.5 hours for the old GMAT. This change is designed to make the test more efficient and less tiring for test-takers.
One significant update in the GMAT Focus Edition is the introduction of the Data Insights section, which replaces the Integrated Reasoning section. This new section is aimed at evaluating a candidate's data literacy and ability to interpret and analyze data, reflecting skills more relevant to modern business environments.
The question formats have also been refined to be more accurate and efficient. The new test allows you to change answers within each section and choose the order in which you want to complete the sections. This flexibility is intended to reduce test-taking stress and improve the overall experience.
Scoring has changed slightly as well, moving from a scale of 200-800 to 205-805. While this might seem like a big shift, it’s primarily for distinguishing scores between the old and new versions. Percentiles remain the key metric for comparing performance.
In summary, the GMAT Focus Edition isn’t necessarily harder than the old GMAT, but it does come with changes that might require you to adjust your preparation strategy. The streamlined format and new sections aim to make the test more aligned with current business school requirements, potentially making it easier for some test-takers to focus on relevant skills.
