GMAT
Overview
Quick answer: The GMAT (Focus Edition) is a 2-hour-15-minute, computer-adaptive test used for MBA and business master’s admissions worldwide. It has three equally-weighted sections — Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights — scored on a 205–805 scale. It’s available year-round at test centers or online, costs $275 (test center) or $300 (online), and scores stay valid for 5 years. There’s no fixed “GMAT 2026 exam date” — you pick your own slot.
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a global, computer-adaptive entrance exam conducted by GMAC for admission to MBA, PGPX/EPGP, and business master’s programs at 2,300+ institutions worldwide, including ISB and IIM executive programs in India. Unlike most Indian entrance exams, GMAT has no fixed annual notification or test date — candidates register and test on a date of their own choosing, year-round, either at a Pearson VUE test center or online from home.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | Year-round, no fixed window |
| Earliest you can book | Up to 6 months before your preferred date |
| Latest you can book | As late as 24 hours before your slot (subject to availability) |
| Test availability | Online: 24/7, 365 days a year. Test centers: 7 days a week |
| Recommended booking lead time | 2–3 months ahead during peak season (May–October) |
| Best window for Fall 2026 MBA intake | August–November 2026, to allow time for Round 1/2 deadlines |
| Unofficial score | Immediately after the test |
| Official Score Report | Within 3–5 days |
Application Fee
Online (at-home): **US $300**
Additional official score reports beyond the first five: $35 each
Payment accepted via credit/debit card during registration on mba.com. Local taxes may apply depending on your country.
Eligibility
No upper age limit
No minimum academic qualification, degree, or GPA mandated by GMAC (though individual business schools may set their own requirements)
No work-experience requirement from GMAC (most full-time MBA programs expect 2+ years; executive programs expect significantly more)
No nationality restrictions — open to candidates from any country
Retake limit: once every 16 days, up to 5 times within a rolling 12-month period
Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | 21 | 60–90 | 45 min |
| Verbal Reasoning | 23 | 60–90 | 45 min |
| Data Insights | 20 | 60–90 | 45 min |
| Total | 64 | 205–805 | 135 min (+ optional 10-min break) |
Syllabus
- Quantitative Reasoning: Arithmetic, algebra, word problems, problem-solving (no geometry in the current edition)
- Verbal Reasoning: Reading comprehension, critical reasoning
- Data Insights: Data sufficiency, multi-source reasoning, table analysis, graphics interpretation, two-part analysis
How to Apply
2. Click the "Register" button on your account dashboard.
3. Complete your profile with education, work background, and target programs.
4. Choose test center or online mode, then pick your preferred date and time slot.
5. Submit payment ($275 or $300) to confirm your booking.
Preparation Tips
- Diagnose your weak section first with an official GMAC practice test before building a study plan
- Give Data Insights equal weight in your prep — it now counts as much toward your Total Score as Quant or Verbal, and it's the section most self-taught candidates underprepare for
- Practice strict per-question pacing (~2 minutes for Quant/Verbal, ~2.25 minutes for Data Insights) since each section has a hard 45-minute cutoff with no borrowing time across sections
- Take at least 3 full-length official practice exams under real timed conditions, including the optional break
- Book your test date 3–4 weeks before your earliest application deadline so you have room for one retake if needed
Why choose GMAT
GMAT remains the most widely accepted exam for global MBA admissions, giving you access to over 2,300 programs across 100+ countries, including ISB, IIM executive programs (PGPX, EPGP, IPMX), and every top global MBA. Its year-round, on-demand format means you control your own timeline instead of waiting for a single annual exam window, and a 5-year score validity means one good result can support multiple application cycles. From August 2026, GMAC's new GMAT Superscore feature will combine your best section scores across valid attempts, rewarding candidates who improve specific sections over multiple sittings rather than requiring one flawless run.
Scholarships & financial aid
GMAC offers fee waivers for candidates from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds through partner organizations — check current eligibility on mba.com before registering. Beyond the exam fee itself, most business schools tie merit scholarships directly to GMAT score bands: for instance, several PGDM and executive MBA programs in India that accept GMAT scores of 650+ typically offer merit-based tuition waivers ranging from 25–100%. Talk to your target school's admissions office about score-linked scholarship criteria before you finalize your application list.
Bookmark this page for the latest notifications and admit-card updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the GMAT?
Anyone aged 18 or older (13–17 with parental consent), from any country, with no mandatory degree or work-experience requirement from GMAC. Individual schools may set their own admission criteria.
Is there negative marking in GMAT?
No. GMAT does not use negative marking. However, since it's computer-adaptive, leaving too many questions unanswered near the end of a section can significantly lower your score.
How many attempts are allowed?
Up to 5 attempts in any rolling 12-month period, with at least 16 days between attempts.
When is the result declared?
You get an unofficial score immediately after finishing the test, and your Official Score Report follows within 3–5 days.
