A few months ago the new Integrated Reasoning section was incorporated into the GMAT in order to analyze candidates’ abilities to process information from multiple sources. This section of the test is graded on a separate scale of 1-8 and does not affect the grades of the other sections- verbal, quantitative, and AWA- nor the general score. The IR score will not appear in the unofficial score the testee receives immediately upon completing the exam but rather on the official score report.

Many candidates wonder how the new section will affect their grade and admission chances. And so, a number of the programs are announcing outright that the change is still new to them and they have no way to rate candidates according to the new score.

For example, INSEAD has reported, “Until there is more benchmarking data from test-takers to consider, INSEAD will not be using the IR section to review a candidate’s performance in the GMAT; we will continue to focus on the quantitative and verbal scores as well as the total score.”

Stanford has made a similar statement: “For this application year, we will see your IR score if you have taken the new GMAT, but will focus on the verbal, quantitative, AWA, and total scores. Once we have had the chance to review IR scores in this first year, we will determine how to evaluate them in our process for next year.”

Kellogg has also admitted that they will continue to base themselves on the quantitative and verbal scores since these are the scores they know and can currently appraise.

It is important to note that candidates who took the older version of the test before June 2012 can still apply with his or her grade (given of course that the score is still valid), but candidates who took the test as of June 2012 are required to take the new section.

 

Put Me in Business (applying in less than a year)
Put Me in Business (applying in more than a year)