Chapter 5
GMAT Practice Assessment
IN THIS CHAPTER
Selecting an MBA program
Applying to business school
Making your essay stand out
Embarking on a GMAT practice schedule may seem daunting. To help you get started, take this GMAT pretest to get an idea of the types of questions that appear and what concepts you should study first. Take this mini-GMAT. Then go to Chapter 6 for an answer key an answer explanations for each of the questions and directions on which chapters and sections of GMAT For Dummies 2021 contain the tools to beef up your skills.
Because this pretest is designed to alert you to particular concepts for study and to direct you to particular portions of this book to find those concepts, you don’t need to set a timer. Work through the questions at your own pace. Additionally, this mini-GMAT contains fewer questions that the real thing and is missing the Analytical Writing Assessment. If you know you need to work on your writing skills for the essay section, be sure to spend some time in Part 4. For information on the format of the actual GMAT, see Chapter 1.
Section 1: Quantitative
1. Section A and section B comprise 
and 
, respectively, in the figure below. What fraction of the circle is comprised by section C?
(A) 
(B) 
(C) 
(D) 
(E) 
2. Michelle and Beth each received a salary increase. Which one received the greater dollar increase?
- Michelle’s salary increased 4 percent.
- Beth’s salary increased 6 percent.
(A) Statement (1) alone is sufficient, but Statement (2) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(B) Statement (2) alone is sufficient, but Statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(C) Both statements together are sufficient, but neither statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(D) Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(E) Statements (1) and (2) together are not sufficient to answer the question asked.
3. If X = {3, 4, 1, 0, 12, 10}, how much greater than the median of the numbers in X is the mean of the numbers in X?
(A) 0.5
(B) 1
(C) 1.5
(D) 2
(E) 2.5
4. Kim has a number of coins in her pocket composed of p pennies, d dimes, n nickels, and q quarters. If Kim adds an additional 3 pennies, 2 dimes, and 1 nickel to her pocket, what is the probability that she will pick a penny when she randomly removes a single coin from her pocket?
(A) 
(B) 
(C) 
(D) 
(E) 
5. What is the slope of a line in the x-y coordinate plane?
- The line passes through the point (2, 3).
- An equation of the line is
.
(A) Statement (1) alone is sufficient, but Statement (2) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(B) Statement (2) alone is sufficient, but Statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(C) Both statements together are sufficient, but neither statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(D) Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(E) Statements (1) and (2) together are not sufficient to answer the question asked.
6. If x is an integer, is 
an integer?
(A) Statement (1) alone is sufficient, but Statement (2) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(B) Statement (2) alone is sufficient, but Statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(C) Both statements together are sufficient, but neither statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(D) Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(E) Statements (1) and (2) together are not sufficient to answer the question asked.
7. In the triangle, does 
?
(A) Statement (1) alone is sufficient, but Statement (2) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(B) Statement (2) alone is sufficient, but Statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(C) Both Statements (1) and (2) together are sufficient to answer the question asked, but neither statement alone is sufficient.
(D) Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(E) Statements (1) and (2) together are not sufficient to answer the question asked, and additional data are needed.
8. The positive integer x is divisible by 15. If 
, which of the following could be the value of 
?
(A) 14
(B) 15
(C) 16
(D) 17
(E) 18
9. If n is an integer and 
, which of the following is the greatest possible value of n?
(A) –4
(B) –3
(C) –2
(D) –1
(E) 0
10. At a summer camp, all 200 campers play soccer or tennis or both. If 50 of the campers do not play tennis, how many campers play both soccer and tennis?
- A total of 170 of the campers play soccer.
- 30 of the campers do not play soccer.
(A) Statement (1) alone is sufficient, but Statement (2) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(B) Statement (2) alone is sufficient, but Statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(C) Both statements together are sufficient, but neither statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(D) Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(E) Statements (1) and (2) together are not sufficient to answer the question asked.
11. In the figure below, the line segments AC and BD have the same length. The length of segment EB is how much greater than the length of segment EA?
- The length of segment DE is 2 units.
- The length of segment AC is 4 units.
(A) Statement (1) alone is sufficient, but Statement (2) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(B) Statement (2) alone is sufficient, but Statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(C) Both statements together are sufficient, but neither statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(D) Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(E) Statements (1) and (2) together are not sufficient to answer the question asked.
12. Adam and Matt stuff envelopes at their respective constant rates. Working alone, Adam can stuff 400 envelopes in 2 hours. If Adam and Matt work together, how much less time would it take for them to stuff a total of 400 envelopes?
- Adam and Matt stuff envelopes at the same rate.
- It takes Adam twice as long to stuff 400 envelopes as it does for Adam and Matt working together to stuff 400 envelopes.
(A) Statement (1) alone is sufficient, but Statement (2) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(B) Statement (2) alone is sufficient, but Statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(C) Both statements together are sufficient, but neither statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(D) Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(E) Statements (1) and (2) together are not sufficient to answer the question asked.
13. In the x-y coordinate plane, if 
, is the area of 
larger than 28 square units?
- The coordinates of point D are (–7, 4).
- The coordinates of point C are (–15, 0).
(A) Statement (1) alone is sufficient, but Statement (2) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(B) Statement (2) alone is sufficient, but Statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
(C) Both statements together are sufficient, but neither statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(D) Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question asked.
(E) Statements (1) and (2) together are not sufficient to answer the question asked.
14. What is the value of 
?
(A) 33
(B) 34
(C) 64
(D) 1,024
(E) 1,056
15. In the rectangular coordinate system in the figure below, the shaded region is bound by straight lines. Which of the following is NOT an equation of one of the boundary lines?
(A) 
(B) 
(C) 
(D) 
(E) 
Section 2: Verbal
1. The Earth’s magnetic field has reversed a number of times in its history. Before the poles actually flip, the magnetic field weakens and the magnetic poles drift away from “true” north and south. On average, the magnetic North and South Poles flip about once every 200,000 years. The last time the poles flipped was 780,000 years ago. Therefore, the poles are in the process of reversing.
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument above?
(A) Magnetic north has recently been moving toward closer alignment with “true” north.
(B) Sometimes the magnetic fields go for over one million years without reversing.
(C) The Earth’s atmosphere has warmed by about one degree Celsius over the past century.
(D) The strength of the magnetic field has declined by over ten percent since 1845, the first year it was measured.
(E) The location of the magnetic poles has remained unchanged for as long as magnetic compasses have been in use.
2. Advising against keeping prescription medications that are no longer in use in the home, parents have been warned by teachers and administrators of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
(A) Advising against keeping prescription medications that are no longer in use in the home, parents have been warned by teachers and administrators of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
(B) Teachers and administrators of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program are advising parents against keeping prescription medications that are no longer in use in the home.
(C) Warning against keeping prescription medications that are no longer in use in the home, parents are being advised by teachers and administrators of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
(D) Teachers and administrators of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program advise and warn parents against keeping prescription medications that are no longer in use in the home.
(E) To advise against keeping prescription medications that are no longer in use in the home, parents are being warned by teachers and administrators of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
3. Many names that people think of as Irish were actually brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. Names like Seamus, Patrick, and Sean are so widespread because of the Catholic Church’s requirements that Irish sons and daughters be named after saints. Seamus is the Gaelic version of James, and Sean is the Gaelic version of John. Criminal laws in Ireland from the 1500s to the 1900s forbade parents from giving their children traditional Irish names like Cathal, Aodh, and Brian. Now parents are free to give their children these long-forgotten, truly Irish names.
Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the statements above?
(A) Only Irish names used in Ireland before the 12th century are“traditional.”
(B) Irish parents prefer to give their children names that are as traditionally Irish as possible.
(C) Parents in Ireland should now give their children names like Cathal, Aodh, and Brian.
(D) Even after hundreds of years of use, names like Patrick, Seamus, and Sean are still not “truly Irish.”
(E) Criminal laws in Ireland are unnecessarily punitive.
4. Berry & Westfall, LLC, and Atredies, Inc., merged in 2010 to create Berry, Westfall, and Atredies, Inc., and they’re now the most successful zoning law firm in the region.
(A) and they’re now the most successful zoning law firm in the region
(B) and it is now the region’s more successful zoning law firm
(C) and they’re now the most successful zoning law firms in the region
(D) which is now the region’s most successful zoning law firm
(E) and its now one of the most successful zoning law firms in the region
5. A period of sixty days is as much as even the most patient homebuyers are willing to wait for the current owners to turn over a piece of property.
(A) as much as even
(B) even so much that
(C) even as much as
(D) even so much as
(E) so much as even
6. The Springfield Junior Philharmonic (SJP) has cemented its reputation as the premier children’s musical organization due in large part to major donations from former members who enjoy attending the annual holiday concert. Although the SJP is widely regarded as being the best organization of its kind, the holiday concert was canceled this year; so SJP will experience a resulting reduction in donations.
The argument above relies on which of the following assumptions about SJP?
(A) SJP’s reputation as the premier children’s musical organization is enhanced by the amount of money it receives from donors.
(B) SJP alums will have at least as much money to donate next year as they did this year.
(C) The SJP holiday concert will likely be canceled next year as well.
(D) Some SJP alums contribute to the organization because they enjoy attending the annual holiday concert.
(E) Contributions from alums are necessary for SJP to be able to play its annual holiday concert.
7. Following a route already taken by other industrialized countries, the Food and Drug Administration recently unveiled nine new graphic warning labels that will soon adorn all cigarette packs sold in the United States. Although the addition of the new labels marks the first time in a quarter-century that the warnings have included imagery of the dangerous effects of smoking, heated debate arose over just how graphic the images should be, with the FDA ultimately withdrawing a number of images deemed too graphic. Some, however, argue that _______.
Which of the following most logically completes the passage?
(A) including warning labels will be ineffective, because the primary issue is not one of awareness but physical addiction
(B) no substantial evidence indicates that pictorial warning labels are effective
(C) the addition of the new pictorial warning labels are just another way the government is encroaching on the rights of Americans
(D) the images ultimately selected are too tame, and if the FDA is to go as far as including images at all, it should not hold back from showing the full effects of smoking, however ugly they may be
(E) if such imagery will be added to cigarette packs, then images of drunk driving accidents and liver disease should be added to all alcoholic products
Questions 8–10 refer to the following passage, which is from Applied Turfgrass Science and Physiology, by Jack Fry and Bingru Huang (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.).
Plant injury resulting from high light intensity is due not to the light per se but to an excess of light energy over that utilized by photosynthesis. When light reaching the leaves is not used for photosynthesis, the excess energy triggers production of free radicals that can damage cells (oxidative damage). This often occurs when light intensity is high but photosynthesis is inhibited due to stress from temperature extremes, drought, or excessive soil water. When light intensity is at a low level where photosynthesis and respiration reach equilibrium and the net carbon gain is zero, no plant growth will occur. This light level is the light compensation point (LCP). Leaves exposed to light levels below the LCP for an extended period of time will eventually senesce. Both LSP and LCP vary among turfgrass species and with temperature and CO2 concentration.
Under high irradiance, warm-season grasses maintain a higher rate of photosynthesis than cool-season grasses. However, cool-season grasses have a lower LCP and exhibit higher photosynthetic rates under low light levels compared to warm-season grasses. Photosynthetic rates of both warm-season and cool-season grasses exhibit a diurnal pattern on clear, sunny days, increasing from sunrise, reaching a maximum around noon, and then decreasing to the lowest levels by sunset.
Photosynthesis is affected by light duration because it occurs only during daylight. Increasing light duration may not increase the rate of carbon fixation, but the total amount of carbon fixed by photosynthesis will increase due to increased light exposure. Sunlight has all the colors of visible light and is composed of different wavelengths. Not all wavelengths are equally effective in driving photosynthesis, however. Most photosynthetic activity is stimulated by blue and red wavelengths — chlorophylls absorb blue and red light and carotenoids absorb blue light. Green light is reflected, thus giving plants their green color. Green-yellow and far red are transmitted through the leaf.
8. The authors of the passage are primarily concerned with
(A) discussing the impacts of light energy and photosynthesis on warm-season and cool-season grasses
(B) arguing in favor of warm-season grasses, which are less prone to oxidative damage than cool-season grasses
(C) exploring the important role of photosynthesis in sustaining turfgrass production
(D) comparing different kinds of turfgrasses according to their responses to various levels of light energy
(E) clarifying the scientific details of recent research into the photosynthesis of turfgrass
9. According to the passage, which of the following is an important difference between warm-season and cool-season grasses?
(A) Cool-season grasses can better withstand higher light intensities such as those found nearer the equator, while warm-season grasses are better suited to northern climates.
(B) Warm-season grasses can handle the higher light levels of summer, while cool-season grasses can grow during the lower light conditions of winter.
(C) Most of the photosynthesis in warm-season grasses takes place during the day, while cool-season grasses usually photosynthesize at night.
(D) Warm-season grasses use only the blue and red spectrums of light for photosynthesis, while reflecting harmful green light.
(E) Excess light reaching cool-season grasses can be responsible for damage to the plant’s cells, while warm-season grasses are unharmed.
10. Which of the following can be inferred from the discussion on oxidative damage in the first paragraph?
(A) Oxidative damage most frequently occurs about one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset.
(B) Homeowners should water their lawns as often as possible because damage to grass is caused by drought and not simply by light intensity.
(C) Oxidative damage to grass occurs when light reaching the leaves is not used for photosynthesis and, therefore, forms carbon fixation.
(D) Damage to grass occurs because of the high intensity of light and homeowners can do nothing to preserve their lawns.
(E) Both overwatering and underwatering a lawn can inhibit photosynthesis and damage grass.
Section 3: Integrated Reasoning
Question Set 1
|
Inferable |
Not Inferable |
|
|---|---|---|
|
1A. Louis and Caroline’s divorce is likely due to acts of infidelity. | ||
|
1B. West Virginia has, on average, higher-paying jobs than Virginia does. | ||
|
1C. Caroline’s attorney does not consider her place of employment to be as crucial an issue in deciding the custody matter as Caroline does. |
Question Set 2
Automobile gasoline consumption is directly related to pollutant emissions. The following graph represents how gasoline mileage is affected by freeway driving speeds of 50, 60, and 70 miles per hour (mph) for three different types of cars: compact, mid-size, and full-size.
2A. The _______will emit the most pollutants on a 100-mile trip.
(A) compact car driving at 50 mph
(B) mid-sized car driving at 60 mph
(C) full-sized car driving at 50 mph
(D) full-sized car driving at 60 mph
2B. The best estimate of average miles per gallon for a full-size car driven at 55 mph is ______.
(A) 20
(B) 23
(C) 25
(D) 32
(E) 37
Question Set 3
Two different animal populations can be approximated with different equations. If x represents a year; 
when the year is 1950; and y is the animal population in thousands, the relationship between year and population numbers for the first animal population can be described by the quadratic equation 
. The relationship between year and population for the second animal population can be described by a linear equation 
where the population was 75,000 in the year 1962 and 117,000 in the year 1969.
|
Questions 3A: First Year |
Question 3B: Next Year |
|
|---|---|---|
|
1944 | ||
|
1951 | ||
|
1957 | ||
|
1963 | ||
|
1968 |
Question Set 4
The Davidson Soccer League keeps statistics for all players in the league. The table displays data for the top active players as rated by points per game (PPG). PPG is defined as the sum of the goals per game (GPG) and assists per game (APG). Additionally, the table displays each player’s name, current team, and position.
|
Name |
Team |
Position |
# of Games |
GPG |
APG |
PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Aaron McLennan |
Squids |
Center Forward |
766 |
0.43 |
0.66 |
1.09 |
|
Aaron Opper |
Bears |
Right Midfielder |
721 |
0.32 |
0.96 |
1.28 |
|
Alexander Appelwhite |
Squids |
Left Forward |
646 |
0.51 |
0.60 |
1.11 |
|
Brian Seasted |
Wolves |
Right Forward |
713 |
0.72 |
0.54 |
1.26 |
|
Calvin Bateman |
Bluebirds |
Right Forward |
307 |
0.75 |
0.47 |
1.22 |
|
Colton Dittmeyer |
Bluebirds |
Center Forward |
604 |
0.45 |
0.66 |
1.11 |
|
Ernie Seely |
Lions |
Center Midfielder |
431 |
0.61 |
0.78 |
1.39 |
|
Julian Donlop |
Lions |
Left Forward |
722 |
0.49 |
0.78 |
1.27 |
|
Kyle Andersen |
Squids |
Center Forward |
743 |
0.49 |
0.75 |
1.24 |
|
Michael Neely |
Bluebirds |
Center Forward |
730 |
0.47 |
0.60 |
1.07 |
|
Pat Slattery |
Bears |
Left Forward |
484 |
0.57 |
0.75 |
1.32 |
|
Patrice McNulty |
Crush |
Left Midfielder |
302 |
0.56 |
0.70 |
1.26 |
|
Paul Barrio |
Stags |
Right Forward |
439 |
0.61 |
0.52 |
1.13 |
|
Sylvio Lorange |
Squids |
Center Midfielder |
604 |
0.45 |
0.66 |
1.11 |
|
Tye Chase |
Crush |
Right Midfielder |
485 |
0.65 |
0.68 |
1.33 |
|
Yes |
No |
|
|---|---|---|
|
4A. The players listed that play the position of right forward have the fewest assists per game. | ||
|
4B. The range of the number of points scored per game is greater than the range of the number of goals scored per game. | ||
|
4C. All the players listed from the Crush team are midfielders and have scored more points per game than at least half of the other players listed. |