GMAT Exam: Dates, Registration, Eligibility, Fees, Syllabus, Pattern, Preparation, Result & Score; www.gmac.com

The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test that assesses the candidates’ analytical writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills in standard written English. The cost of giving the GMAT Exam is US $275. This test is taken to get admission into a graduate management program, such as MBA and Masters in Finance-related courses in top business schools across the world. This is the number one exam for getting an admit to your preferred business school. In this article, we will inform you about each and every aspect related to GMAT covering, GMAT Eligibility, GMAT Registration to GMAT Exam Pattern, and more.

Since, 16th April 2018, the Graduate Management Admission Council has shortened the GMAT exam  by 30 minutes. Now, the exam is of 3 hours and 30 minutes including test instructions and breaks. The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative sections were shortened by 13 and 10 minutes respectively. The Integrated Reasoning and Analytical Writing Assessment along with the Score Preview and the optional break time remained the same. These changes do not have any impact on scoring in the shortened Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative sections as only the unscored items have been removed by the GMAC. GMAT has a feature that provides candidates with the flexibility to customize their GMAT experience by choosing the section order in which they feel most comfortable taking the exam. As per GMAC, 9 out of 10 new enrolments are done using a GMAT score.

GMAT: Key Highlights

GMAT Eligibility

As such, there are no set criteria for GMAT eligibility set by GMAC, the body conducting of GMAT for appearing for the GMAT exam. However, one should always meet the eligibility criteria set by the university/college one aspires to get into after giving the GMAT.

GMAT Age Criteria

• The candidate must have completed 18 years of age
• There is no upper age limit for the candidate
• If the candidate is between 13 to 17 years old, they should have permission in writing from their parents or legal guardian

Educational qualification

• GMAC has not announced any official statement regarding the qualifications required to appear for GMAT
• Candidates who wish to enroll in an MBA programme should possess a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university

GMAT Exam Fees

The GMAT fees is $275, which would translate to INR 20,600 approximately. Also, if the applicants want to change the center or reschedule the test then they will be charged extra. Candidates who do not show up for the test will be charged full GMAT exam fees.

GMAT Cancellation Fee

If you cancel the exam 1 to 14 days before the test date then you will be charged $200 and $50 will be refunded. If you cancel the exam 15 to 60 days prior to the appointment then you will be charged $175 and $75 will be refunded. And if you cancel the test more than 60 days prior to the appointment then you will be charged $150 and will receive $100 as a refund. Moreover, the test appointment cannot be canceled or modified within 24 hours of the scheduled test and time.

GMAT Rescheduling Fee

If you reschedule the exam 1 to 14 days before the test date, you have to pay US$150. Also, if you reschedule the exam 15 to 60 days prior to the appointment then you have to pay US$100. If you reschedule the exam more than 60 days before the test date then you have to pay US$50.

GMAT Registration

According to GMAC, you can register for the GMAT entrance exam 6 months before the Graduate Management Admission Test date or latest by 24 hours before the GMAT exam date, however, the slot is not available at the last moment. Therefore, it is suggested to book your preferred slot well before the planned exam date.

Ways for GMAT registration:

• Online
• Phone
• Postal mail

There are six steps to register for the GMAT and also different steps for the GMAT schedule. You can read the complete steps for GMAT registration.

GMAT Exam Dates

There is no fixed official GMAT exam date, you can choose any date according to your convenience and availability. In case you need to retake the GMAT exam you can do so after 16 days. You can take or retake the GMAT exam after every 16 days. You can appear for the exam a maximum of five times a year. Ideally, candidates are recommended to register themselves two to three months before the exam date. If you register online or by phone, you can get yourself registered as late as 24 hours before the exam date. But it is safer to stick to early registration as you will then have a set schedule to prepare for the exam accordingly. Even the coaching institutes recommend you to register at the earliest available date so that you have a wide window of time to prepare.

GMAT Exam Pattern

The GMAT pattern comprises of four sections:

• Analytical Writing
• Integrated Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Verbal Reasoning

Also, candidates can avail of two optional eight-minute breaks during the exam. Read more about the GMAT Exam Pattern in detail here.

Syllabus of GMAT

GMAT is a three and a half hours test with a maximum score of 800 points. The GMAT test the candidate’s abilities on various parameters. Further, the GMAT Syllabus has four sections:

• Analytical Writing Assessment—measures candidates’ ability to think critically and communicate their ideas
• Integrated Reasoning—measures candidates’ ability to analyze data and evaluate information presented in multiple formats
• Quantitative Reasoning—measures aspirants’ ability to analyze data and draw conclusions using reasoning skills
• Verbal Reasoning—measures the ability of the candidates to read and understand written material, evaluate arguments, and correct written material to conform to standard written English

GMAT Score

Candidates should understand their GMAT Score and GMAT Score Report. Candidates should also understand various aspects of the GMAT Scores.

When is the GMAT result available?

The candidates receive almost the entire GMAT Score Report just after finishing the GMAT test except for the AWA Score. The candidate will have the option of accepting it or rejecting it. In the case of accepting the result, the candidate and the institutes of choice can view the result; but if the candidate declines the result none of the parties will be able to view the GMAT result. Once the exam is over, candidates can download the non-official GMAT result. Finally, the candidates receive the complete GMAT Score Report within 20 days of giving the test including the AWA Score.

GMAT Score Calculation

Each of your five GMAT Scores i.e. 4 GMAT sections and the total score is reported on a fixed scale. These are your official scores that appear on your GMAT Score Report. Your selected score recipients will receive these scores. Always remember, that the GMAT Total Score Report includes Verbal and Quantitative scores and does not include any other section into account.

The GMAT Score Report comprises of these elements:

• Your Quantitative Score (0 – 60), with percentile
• Your Verbal Score (0 – 60), with percentile
• Your Total GMAT Score (200 – 800), with percentile
• AWA Score (half-integers from 0 to 6), with percentile
• Integrated Reasoning score (integer from 1 to 8)

GMAT Score Range

Here are the minimum and maximum GMAT score range of each section, along with a mean average:

*Source – GMAC

How to access GMAT Score Report?

• Candidates receive a link on their registered Email ID from GMAC.
• Follow the instructions in the Email and with the help of that link candidates can check their official GMAT Score Report.

GMAT Score Validity

Candidates should note that GMAT scores are valid for a period of 5 years. Hence, candidates should check the application deadlines of various universities and schedule their GMAT exam accordingly.

GMAT Preparation

To be able to study on your own effectively, you need a few good GMAT books and resources, along with study material, motivation, and self-discipline. On the other hand, if time is a constraint and you feel the need for professional guidance to ensure a competitive edge in GMAT preparation, then joining a coaching center for GMAT in your location is the better option.

GMAT Prep tips for each section:

• Analytical Writing Assessment: The Analytical Writing Assessment section analyses the candidates’ ability to analyse an argument.
• Quantities Section: The Quantitative section measures the basic mathematical skills of the candidates.
• Verbal Section: The Verbal section measures the aspirants’ ability to read and comprehend written material.
• Integrated Reasoning Section: The Integrated Reasoning section measures the candidates’ ability to evaluate information presented in multiple formats from multiple sources.

Strategy for preparing for GMAT

Candidates need an appropriate strategy to score a perfect 800 in the GMAT  Exam. Before start preparing also decide what a good GMAT Score according to you is and then prepare accordingly. Candidates can also go through the GMAT Sample Paper which will help them in preparing for the GMAT exam. Also, The Princeton Review, Manhattan Prep, Kaplan books, Khan Academy and Veritas also provide useful prep material. Apart from this, you can also check out our GMAT Preparation Plan for 4 weeks.

GMAT Question Paper 

GMAT mock test is best suited for GMAT preparation. For beginners’ convenience, we have also provided GMAT questions for each section. You can check out the sample GMAT sample questions section-wise here:

Candidates can also check the GMAT Verbal Critical Reasoning Sample Paper here

GMAT Test Centres

It is advisable to choose your test centre once you are ready to attempt the exam in the coming 2-3 months as the booking needs to be done in advance. It is suggested that you choose your city located nearest you so that you do not have to travel much before the exam. Once the state/city is chosen you may check out the availability of a date in your nearest GMAT exam centre.

GMAT Colleges

The GMAT aspirants can apply to more than 7700 programs at roughly 2400 business schools globally. Further, top business schools across the world like Harvard, INSEAD, and Stanford accept the GMAT score of above 720. Further, the management schools should grant a degree to students to be eligible to accept GMAT scores. GMAT scores are one of the most important factors in the entire application process for admission to top B-schools across the globe. GMAT is accepted in more than 110 countries of the world. Apart from this, those who are targeting schools that also accept GRE Scores along with the GMAT Scores might also need to know GRE to GMAT Score Conversion to convert their scores.

GMAT Scores for Top Business Schools

Your GMAT Cut off marks allow you to apply to the top business schools across the world. We have provided the average GMAT Scores required to get into the top business schools globally:

GMAT Scholarship

Scholarships and grants are generally given by B-schools to pursue a professional program like MBA. Moreover, scholarships can be need-based or merit-based, however, there are no set rules for awarding a GMAT scholarship. It depends on each school’s admission process, so, the candidate should always check with the school itself for gaining a scholarship. Also, there are two kinds of scholarships, full and partial. The full scholarship covers the entire cost of the program, whereas a partial one covers only part of the course fee. Also, we have given detailed information on GMAT Scholarships for Indian students, which you can read here.