Introduction:
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test used by business schools to evaluate the readiness of candidates for advanced study in business and management. It is designed to assess a candidate's abilities in various areas, including analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning. While the GMAT does test some business-related knowledge, its primary focus is on critical thinking and reasoning skills.

GMAT and Business Knowledge:
- Basic business knowledge: The GMAT does expect candidates to have a basic understanding of business concepts and terminology. This includes topics such as economics, finance, accounting, marketing, and management. However, the test does not go into great depth in these areas.
- Case study analysis: Some questions on the GMAT may present case studies or scenarios that require candidates to apply their business knowledge to analyze and solve problems. However, the emphasis is more on the ability to think critically and reason logically, rather than on specific business knowledge.
- Data interpretation: The quantitative reasoning and integrated reasoning sections of the GMAT often involve data interpretation. Candidates are presented with charts, tables, and graphs and are required to analyze the information and draw conclusions. While some business-related data may be included, the focus is on the ability to analyze and interpret data rather than on specific business knowledge.

Critical Thinking and Reasoning Skills:
- Analytical skills: The GMAT assesses a candidate's ability to break down complex problems into their component parts, identify patterns and relationships, and analyze information in a logical and systematic manner.
- Logical reasoning: The test measures a candidate's ability to evaluate arguments, identify logical flaws, and make valid inferences. This is crucial in the integrated reasoning and verbal reasoning sections.
- Problem-solving skills: The GMAT assesses a candidate's ability to identify problems, evaluate alternative solutions, and choose the most effective approach. This is particularly important in the quantitative reasoning section but is also relevant in other sections.

Conclusion:
While some basic business knowledge is required to perform well on the GMAT, the test primarily focuses on critical thinking and reasoning skills. It assesses a candidate's ability to think analytically, reason logically, and solve problems effectively. Therefore, it is important for candidates to develop and practice these skills in order to perform well on the GMAT and succeed in business school.