It contains questions from many fields of mathematics; about 50% of the questions come from calculus (including pre-calculus topics, multivariate calculus, and differential equations), 25% come from algebra (including linear algebra, abstract algebra, and number theory), and 25% come from a broad variety of other topics typically encountered in undergraduate mathematics courses, such as point-set topology, probability and statistics, geometry, and real analysis.

[1] Scores on this exam are required for entrance to most math Ph.D. programs in the United States.

The mean score for all test takers from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2014, was 659, with a standard deviation of 137.

"[7] Tests generally take place three times per year, within an approximately 14-day window in each of September, October, and April.

[9] The scope of the test is the subject content of Mathematics major undergraduate level.