
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a globally recognized entrance examination for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programs at leading business schools worldwide. Conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the GMAT evaluates candidates’ analytical, quantitative, verbal, and data interpretation skills required for success in business education.
Trusted by over 7,700 programs and 2,400 business schools worldwide, the GMAT is one of the most widely used assessments for graduate business education and is conducted by GMAC in over 100 countries.
Many top institutions such as Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, London Business School, INSEAD, and Indian schools like ISB Hyderabad and SPJIMR Mumbai accept GMAT scores for admission. The exam is computer-adaptive, available throughout the year, and candidates can attempt it up to 8 times in their lifetime.
Duration of exam: 2 hours 15 minutes (Focus Edition) No. of sections: 3 sections Weightage:
Quantitative Reasoning – 21 questions
Verbal Reasoning – 23 questions
Data Insights – 20 questions
Total Questions: 64 questions
Scoring range: 205 – 805 Marking scheme:
No negative marking. Scores are calculated using an adaptive scoring algorithm based on question difficulty and accuracy.
Quantitative Reasoning
Arithmetic, algebra, word problems, ratios, percentages, number properties, and problem-solving based on quantitative concepts.
Verbal Reasoning
Reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and logical argument analysis.
Data Insights
Data interpretation, graphical analysis, table analysis, multi-source reasoning, and data sufficiency.
Registration
The GMAT registration process is completely online. Candidates can register through the official GMAC website:
https://www.mba.com Applicants must create an account, select their preferred test date and test center (or online exam option), fill in personal details, and complete payment. The GMAT exam can be taken multiple times in a year depending on availability.
Eligibility
Candidates applying for GMAT must fulfill the following conditions: a) Completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university b) Final-year undergraduate students can also apply c) Minimum age requirement is 18 years (Candidates aged 13–17 require parental consent) Unlike many national exams, there is no minimum percentage requirement for GMAT eligibility.
Documents Required
Valid passport
Recent Passport-size photograph
Academic details
Email ID & Phone no
Debit/Credit Card or Approved Payment method for exam registration
GMAT Registration Fee
To appear for the GMAT exam, candidates must complete the registration process and pay the applicable exam fee. The registration can be done either for the online GMAT exam or the test center GMAT exam. The fee structure is given below.
| Particular | Online GMAT | In-Person Test Centre GMAT |
| GMAT Registration Fee |
$300 |
$275 |
| Score Cancellation |
NA | $25 |
| Reinstate GMAT Score |
NA | $50 |
| Enhanced Score Report |
NA | $30 |
| Additional Score Report |
$35 per report |
$35 per report |
GMAT Cancellation Fee
Candidates can cancel their GMAT exam appointment if needed. However, cancellation is not allowed within 24 hours of the scheduled exam time. The refund amount depends on how early the exam is cancelled.
| Cancellation Time Frame |
Online GMAT |
In-Person Test Center GMAT |
| 1 to 14 days before the appointment |
$240 ($60 refund) |
$220 ($55 refund) |
| 15 to 60 days before the appointment |
$210 ($90 refund) |
$195 ($80 refund) |
| More than 60 days before the appointment |
$180 ($120 refund) |
$165 ($110 refund) |
Selection Process
The GMAT exam score is used by universities and business schools as part of their MBA admission process. The selection process varies across institutions but generally includes the following stages: 1. GMAT score evaluation
2. Application review
3. Essays or Statement of Purpose
4. Letters of Recommendation
5. Personal Interview Many global MBA programs also consider work experience, leadership qualities, academic performance, and extracurricular achievements when evaluating candidates.
Latest News & Updates
GMAT is conducted throughout the year, and candidates can choose their preferred test date based on availability.
Candidates can take the GMAT up to 5 times in a 12-month period and 8 times in a lifetime.
The minimum age is 18 years. Candidates aged 13–17 years may take the exam with parental consent.
Work experience is not required to take the GMAT, but many MBA programs prefer candidates with 2–5 years of work experience.
The GMAT exam is conducted in over 100 countries and is available at authorized test centers as well as through the online GMAT option.
A GMAT score is valid for 5 years, and candidates can use the score to apply to multiple business schools during this period.