GMAT: Registration Process, Eligibility, Exam Dates, Fee Structure, Score, and Preparation Tips
Content Curator | Updated On - Jul 29, 2024
Highlights:
- GMAT is a entrace test that is requried for entry in the MBA and business programs abroad. It evaluates the analytical writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading abilities of a candidate.
- The fees required for GMAT registration is $275 for offline and $300 for online test.
- The GMAT score range is 200-800.
- The duration for GMAT exam is 3 hours and 7 minutes.
- Applicants must be atleast 18 years of age before appearing for the GMAT exam.
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a computer-based exam that evaluates applicants analytical writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading abilities. GMAT registration costs $275 (INR 22,899) at test centers and $300 (around INR 24,981) online in India. The total time allotted for GMAT test is 3 hours and 7 minutes. GMAT scores range on a scale of 200-800, and the exam covers more than 50 topics in four sections. The quantitative, verbal, integrated reasoning and analytical writing section evaluates the candidate's ability for admission. Aspirants can take 5 attempts in a year, and 8 attempts in a lifetime to improve GMAT test score. Candidates will get their official score reports available within seven business days. GMAT exam score is valid for 5 years. GMAC has recently introduced GMAT focus edition which focuses on critical reasoning and data skills. It will last for 2 hours and 15 minutes.
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New Changes in GMAT Exam
GMAC, the conducting body for GMAT exam has introduced the facility for GMAT examination online with no changes in GMAT syllabus. Candidates now can take GMAT test from the convenience of their home. GMAC has recently issued an update regarding GMAT Online Test:
- Candidates are no longer limited to only 2 attempts for GMAT online exam. The number of attempts is 5 within a 12-month period and 8 throughout one's lifetime.
- The graduate management aptitude test online exam consists of 5 free score reports. Candidates have the option to purchase additional score reports for US$35 per report.
- Test-takers originating from India can now apply for Graduate Management Admission Test GMAT with Aadhar as their valid ID proof. GMAT online requires applicants to visit GMAT Test Centers to appear for the exam.
GMAT Focus Edition
GMAC has launched Focus edition. According to GMAT official website, the new GMAT Focus Edition focuses more on "higher-order critical reasoning and data literacy skills.” GMAT Focus Edition 2023 study guide was released on June 6, 2023. Candidates will therefore be able to sign up for both exam formats from GMAT official site. A brief summary of GMAT Focus Edition can be found in the following sentences:
- In contrast to the present GMAT edition, which lasts for 3 hours and 7 minutes, GMAT Focus Edition will last for 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- Data Insights, a new section, has been added to the new exam pattern of GMAT. The final score will include performance on the Data Insights, Quantitative Reasoning, and GMAT Verbal Reasoning sections.
GMAT vs GRE
GMAT and GRE scores are required for applicants to consider the application abroad to colleges. The table mentioned below highlights potential differences and justifies points with respect to GMAT vs GRE. The number of sources are available for understanding and considering GRE to GMAT conversion.
| Parameters | GMAT | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Test format | Four sections: Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal | Six sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Unscored, Research, and Experimental |
| Scoring | 205-805 scale | 130-170 scale for Verbal and Quantitative, 0-6 for Analytical Writing |
| Calculator | Allowed on Quantitative section only | Allowed on all sections |
| Time limit | 3 hours and 7 minutes | 3 hours |
| Number of attempts | 5 per year, 8 lifetime | 5 per year, 4 lifetime |
| Accepted by schools | Most business schools | Most graduate schools, including business, law, and psychology |
| Difficulty | Varies depending on individual strengths and weaknesses | GRE is generally considered to be slightly easier than GMAT |
| Cost | $275 (INR 22,563.75) | $228 (INR 18,707.40) |
GMAT Exam Pattern
The syllabus of GMAT and relevant sections have been summarised in the table given below. GMAT focus edition has removed analytical writing and integrated reasoning from the test. Data Insignts has been made as a separate section and data sufficiency is no longer a part of quant section. GMAT exam is computer adaptive, which means that it automatically adapts the question you see in the sections nased on a reak time assessment of your performance as you are taking the test. This table includes the sections, the designated time to solve questions in each section, and the total number of questions. GMAT exam pattern comprises topics from the below-mentioned areas:
- Analytical Writing
- Integrated Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning.
Score range for each section has been mentioned in the table. Question types that aspirants come across in GMAT syllabus include; sentence correction GMAT, and critical reasoning GMAT. GMAT examination syllabus prepares applicants based on the above-mentioned sections which are mandatorily considered for MBA in canada without work experience. You must know that the GMAT score now ranges from 205-805, ending in the digit 5.
| Exam Section | Time Limit | Number of Questions | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | 45 minutes | 21 questions | 60- 90 |
| Data Insights | 45 | 20 | |
| Verbal Reasoning | 46 minutes | 23 questions | 60 - 90 |
| Total | 2 hours 15 minutes | 64 questions | 205 - 805 |
GMAT Registration
To complete GMAT Registration process, candidates are required to visit the official website. Candidates are first required to create a mba.com account, by providing some basic information. Then complete GMAT profile, and select the date and time accordingly. Payment of GMAT exam fees is the last process to complete GMAT registration. GMAT registration can be accomplished via three different methods; online, offline, and postal mail. Candidates can visit the official GMAT official website to cancel or reschedule the exam dates. All the necessary steps for GMAT registration have been explained on the Official website of GMAT examination. Before proceeding to the registration process, make sure tohave an organised GMAT study plan.
GMAT Exam Dates and Test Centers
GMAT test centres are located across India in 34 cities, and a total of 39 GMAT exam centres. GMAC has introduced GMAT online examination for candidates. Candidates wanted to study management programs abroad, can complete the registration any time of the year. GMAT test dates for the year provided in the table below.
| GMAT Exam Centre | GMAT Test Date 2024 |
|---|---|
| Amritsar | March 2024: 1, 2, 3,4,6, 8,15,16, 17,18,19,21, 22,25,26,28 April 2024: 1,2,4,6,9,11,12,14,15,17,19,20,22,25,26,28,29, 30 |
| Ahmedabad | March 2024: 1, 2, 6, 8, 16, 21, 23, 28 April 2024: 1,2,3,4,5,9,15, 23, 28 |
| Bengaluru | March 2024: 1,2,3,5,7,8,12,16,20,22,25,29 April 2025: 2,5,8,9,11,15,16, 23, 25, 30, 31 |
| Bhopal | March 2024: 2,5,8,9,11,15,16,18,19, 23, 25, 30, 31 April 2024: 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27 |
| Chennai | March 2024: 2,4,6,9,10,12,15,16, 21,22,23, 25 April 2024: 1,2,5,6,11,15,26,28,29 |
| Cochin | March 2024: 1,2,3,5,6,8,12,13,15,17,18,20,24,25,27,29,30 April 2024: 1,2,4,5,7, 16,17,19,22, 27 |
| Gurugram | March 2024: 2,4,7,9,10,11,25,27,28,29 April 2024: 2,5,7,19,20,22,27 |
| Hyderabad | March 2024: 1,2,3,4,7,12,16,19,22,23,26,28,29,30 April 2024:1,2,3,4,6,7,9,11,14,15,17,29,22,25,27,29,30 |
| Indore | March 2024: 2,7,9,12,15 April 2024: 2,4,7,9,12,18,20,25,28 |
| Jaipur | March 2024: 1,2,3,5,7,9,11,14,16,19,20,22,25,28 April 2024: 9,11,14,16,19,20,22,25,28, 29 |
| Kolkata | March 2024: 2,7,9,12,15 April 2024: 2,4,7,9,12,18,20,25,28 |
| Mumbai | March 2024: 2,3,5,8,9,10,11,15,16,17,20,22,25,27,29,30 April 2024: 1,2,3,4,5,9,10,14,16,18,19,20,22,26,29 |
| Manipal | March 2024: 1,2,4,5,9,10,14,16,20,22,26 April 2024: 1,2,5,8,9,10,14,16,17,19,20,24,26,29 |
| Mysore | March 2024: 2,3,6,8,9,10,15,16,19,20 April 2024: 1,2,6,9,10,15,18,25 |
| Nagpur | March 2024: 2,3,5,7,9,10,11,15,17,18,20,25,28,29,30 April 2024: 2,4, 5, 11, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27 |
| New Delhi | March 2024: 1,2,6,9,10,14,15,18,20,22 April 2024:1,2,3,6,8,11,12,16,19,20,29 |
| Noida | March 2024: 1,2,3,5,8,9, 12,22,30 April 2024: 1,2,5,7,11,14,17,20,22,25,28,29 |
| Pilani | March 2024: 14 April 2024: 16 |
| Pune | March 2024: 1,2,5,7,9,11,15,17,19,20,24,25,28,29,30 April 2024: 2,3,6,9,11,14,17,19,22,26,29 |
| Ranchi | March 2024: 1,2,3,5,7,9,11,14,16,22,23,24,25,26,27,29 April 2024: 2,3,5,7,8,9,11,15,19,20,25,26,29,30 |
| Surat | March 2024: 1, 2,3,4,5,9,11,15,19,20,22,26,28 April 2024: 2, 3, 9,16, 21,22, 23, 25, 30 |
| Vijayawada | March 2024: 1,2,3,5,7,9,11,14,16,22,29 April 2024: 1,2,3,6,14,16,18,29,20,24,26,29,30 |
GMAT Eligibility Criteria
Candidates willing to appear for the exam must know the minimum criteria for meeting GMAT examination eligibility. Students must meet the below-mentioned criteria for GMAT eligibility:
- Candidates must have a fundamental educational qualification from an accredited college or university is mandatory for applicants.
- Candidates must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible. In case a candidate is younger than 18, a no-objection certificate from the guardian is required.
- A valid passport is a prerequisite for candidates to apply for GMAT application.
- Applicants are permitted to appear for GMAT up to five times per year and a maximum of eight times in their lifetime.
- Candidates must wait for at least 16 days after the initial exam before appearing for GMAT again.
- While no specific requirement for work experience is mandatory, it is favored by the top business schools USA.
GMAT Exam Fees
You can simply pay your registration fee through debit or credit cards. GMAT exam fee is 275 USD which would approximately be INR 22,899. An additional GMAT fee is charged for candidates willing to change test centers or reschedule exams. Candidates who fail to report for GMAT exam on the scheduled date will be charged full fees for GMAT exam.
| Aspects | Test Centre GMAT | Online GMAT |
|---|---|---|
| GMAT Exam Fees | $275 | $300 |
| Enhanced Score Report | $30 | NA |
| Additional Score Report | $35 per report | $35 per report |
| GMAT Score Cancellation | $25 | NA |
| Reinstate GMAT Score | $50 | NA |
| AWA Rescoring | $45 | $45 |
GMAT Cancellation and Rescheduling Fees
Candidates can cancel GMAT exam dates and get a refund. Test-takers canceling the exam 1-14 days before the test date will be charged $220 and $55 will be refunded. Candidates canceling the exam 60 days prior to the exam dates are refunded $110 and charged $165. To reschedule GMAT examination dates candidates are required to pay a certain amount. You can also check the eligibilty criteria for GMAT scholarships. Candidates cannot cancel or reschedule GMAT exam date within 24 hours of the scheduled test and time. The table below describes the cancelation and rescheduling fees for online and offline modes of GMAT exams:
| Timeline | GMAT Cancellation Fees | GMAT Rescheduling Fees |
|---|---|---|
| More than 60 days prior to the appointment | GMAT Offline Fees $165 ($110 refund) GMAT Online Fees $155 ($120 refund) | GMAT Offline Fees $55 GMAT Online Fees $60 |
| 15 to 60 days prior to the appointment | GMAT Offline Fees $195 ($80 refund) GMAT Online Fees $185 ($90 refund) | GMAT Offline Fees $110 GMAT Online Fees $120 |
| 1 to 14 days prior to the appointment | GMAT Offline Fees $220 ($55 refund) GMAT Online Fees $215 ($60 refund) | GMAT Offline Fees $165 GMAT Online Fees $180 |
GMAT Scores
GMAT is preferred over any other examination by students from India as it comprises critical data sufficiency and problem-solving questions. GMAT scores are reported in a format that includes scores from the four sections and a GMAT total score that is reported on a fixed scale. These are the official scores that are highlighted on GMAT Score Report of candidates based on evaluations presented in GMAT score chart. A good GMAT average score changes varies from different business schools.
GMAT Score Calculation
GMAT average score report highlights five different numbers. A number of GMAT score calculators are available over the internet which can also be considered by applicants in order to calculate their GMAT scores. However, out of the total GMAT score only three elements of GMAT score report are crucial for admission to business schools:
- Total Score
- Quantitative Score
- Verbal Score
The table below portrays the calculation of the total GMAT score and how it is calculated. GMAT scores are a must for applicants considering MBA in Canada without work experience.
| Score | Range | How It's Calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Total Score | 205–805 Reported in 10-point increments | Based on Math and Verbal section and data insights results |
| Quantitative Score | 60-90 Reported in 1-point increments | Based on: the number of questions you get right levels of difficulty for questions you get right the number of questions you answer |
| Verbal Score | 60-90 Reported in 1-point increments | Based on: the number of questions you get right levels of difficulty for questions you get right the number of questions you answer |
| Integrated Reasoning | 1–8 Reported in 1-point increments | Based on number of questions answered correctly |
| Analytical Writing Assessment | 0–6 Reported in half-point increments | Average of scores assigned by two readers |
GMAT Score Validity
Given below are the key-points that candidates must keep in mind with respect to GMAT score validity:
- GMAT scores are valid for a period of 5 years.
- GMAT score reports can be used by candidates to secure a good college or a job.
- Test-takers who are not satisfied with current GMAT score might consider reappearing for the next GMAT exam.
GMAT Cutoff For Top Business Schools
Business schools globally have different sets of GMAT score requirements. The cut-off varies from school to school and region to region. GMAT scores are also accepted for MIM programs in European Universities. Table below provides GMAT cut-off for top business schools:
| Top Business Schools | GMAT Score |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Massachusetts | 720 |
| Stanford University | 733 |
| The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 725 |
| Harvard University, Massachusetts | 729 |
| The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 719 |
| The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | 770 |
| The University of British Columbia, Vancouver | 550 |
| The University of Western Ontario, Ontario | 661 |
| University of Toronto | 665 |
| National University of Singapore, Singapore | 670 |
| Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) | 662 |
| London Business School, London | 708 |
| University of Oxford, England | 690 |
| The University of Melbourne, Melbourne | 680 |
| The University of Sydney, Sydney | 600+ |
| The University of New South Wales,(UNSW) | 650-670 |
| Wharton, University of Pennsylvania | 722 |
| McGill University | 694 |
GMAT Preparation
Candidates must undertake strict plans in order to prepare for GMAT exam. GMAT preparation tips and plans provide candidates with a plan on how to prepare for the exam and practice from GMAT sample questions. In addition to that, GMAT practice papers are available for candidates willing to consider GMAT examination prep. These practice papers can be specifically found for integrated reasoning GMAT, and provide assistance with GMAT sample questions for other sections as well. GMAT Classes are an effective way to undertake GMAT preparation online to secure good GMAT scores in sections like GMAT sentence correction, and GMAT Critical Reasoning. GMAT online coaching is available that can serve as a potential source for candidates to commence their prep for GMAT journey. These sources provided test-takers with a GMAT test prep course and GMAT mock test. Moreover, test takers can also avail services with respect to GMAT mock test free. Few of GMAT preparation sources have been provided below:
- Kaplan GMAT
- Jamboree
- eGmat
- Magoosh
- The Princeton Review
GMAT Books
GMAT books can also be used as a potential source of GMAT preparation along with GMAT practice questions,. Few of the books for GMAT preparation like – official GMAT guide, and more have been provided below:
- GMAT Official Guide 2022 Bundle-Check PDF
- GMAT Foundations of Math by Manhattan- Check PDF
- GMAT Advanced Quant by Manhattan Prep- Check PDF
- GMAT Official Guide Quantitative Review- Check PDF
GMAT Practice Test
There are hundreds of practice GMAT tests available online for candidates. GMAT sample paper pdf help the candidates to practice effectively. The sample papers include GMAT questions from previous year question papers.
GMAT Verbal Sample Paper
To improve your verbal skills, you must solve GMAT verbal practice paper tests from below-
GMAT QR Sample Paper
You must solve GMAT quant practice paper to help you improve your quantitative scores -
GMAT IR Sample Papers
Below are mentioned some of the GMAT IR sample papers –
GMAT AWA Sample Papers
You can improve your analytical writing skills through solving GMAT AWA sample papers –
| GMAT AWA Practice Test 1 | GMAT AWA Practice Test 2 |
| GMAT AWA Practice Test 3 | GMAT AWA Practice Test 4 |
| GMAT AWA Practice Test 5 | GMAT AWA Practice Test 6 |
| GMAT AWA Practice Test 7 | GMAT AWA Practice Test 8 |
GMAT exam is designed for aspirants who want to do MBA or any business program abroad. With effective preparation and expert guidance, candidates can prepare effectively to ace the exam. Candidates can take GMAT preparation from the above-mentioned sources. Candidates can take GMAT examination both online and offline as per their convenience.
FAQs
Ques. Is GMAT tough than CAT?
Ques. What is the syllabus for GMAT?
Ques. Is GMAT only for MBA?
Ques. How to prepare for GMAT?
Ques. Is GMAT easy for Indian students?
Ques. GRE or GMAT which is easier?
Ques. Does Harvard accept GMAT?
Ques. Why is the GMAT important for study abroad?
Ques. What is the average GMAT score for study abroad?
Ques. What are the benefits of taking the GMAT?
Ques. Can I give both CAT and GMAT?
Ans. Yes, you can prepare for both the exams simultaneously. However, utmost dedication is required for scoring well in both these examinations. You must also have a proper study plan.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.