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.
GMAC has announced the latest update on GMAT Online Test.
GMAC announces acceptance of the Aadhar Card for the GMAT Online Exam: Indian students are in for a pleasant surprise, as GMAC – administrator and owner of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) has announced that they would be accepting Aadhar Card as valid ID proof for the GMAT Online exam, starting April 08. However, candidates would be required to validate their identity using their Aadhar Card or Passport during the registration process. This initiative has been taken by GMAC to make the GMATmore accessible to a larger student base. However candidates should keep in mind a few pointers and they are, candidates would be required to validate their Aadhar Card during the online exam registration process, Aadhar Card is only being accepted as valid ID proof for appearing for the online format of the GMAT test, the GMAT test centres will only accept a valid passport as ID proof and the new development comes to effect starting April 08,
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GMAC has introduced the GMAT Online Exam for those who wish to take the GMAT entrance exam from the convenience of their home rather than going to the GMAT test center. Now candidates have the option to take the GMAT exam online or at a test center near them.
With the GMAT Online Exam, candidates have the advantage of scheduling the online exam appointment up to 24 hours before an available testing slot. New appointments for the GMAT Online exam are available on a rolling basis. Candidates can take the GMAT Online exam up to two times. GMAT Online exam attempts will count towards your 5 GMAT exam attempts on a rolling 12-month basis and 8-lifetime attempts.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GMAC has to suspend test-center based GMAT exam for candidates, as worldwide various countries have put restrictions on the movement of citizens. On April-15th, GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), the administrator of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) announced the release of the GMAT Online.
Top business schools not insisting on GMAT and some even waive application fees. Universities are also extending deadlines, so more students can apply for admissions.
It is the most widely accepted exam for MBA admissions worldwide. No other exam has as wide acceptability as GMAT, as per the GMAC, globally 9 out of 10 MBA enrollments are made through GMAT Score. Further, 2,300 + schools accept GMAT Scores for giving admission. Also, there are 650 testing centers in 114 countries that administer the GMAT Exam. Read: Know how GMAT exam is much more than an MBA entrance test
Exam Name | GMAT |
---|---|
GMAT full form | Graduate Management Admission Test |
Official Website | https://www.mba.com |
Most popular for | MBA courses outside India, check 500 + colleges on Shiksha |
Also accepted for | MS courses outside IndiaMBA courses in India |
Conducted by | GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) |
Mode of Exam | Computer-based adaptive test |
GMAT fee | US $275 (INR 20,600 approx) |
Score Range | Min 200, Max 800 |
GMAT Contact | +91 120-439-7830, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Indian Standard Time Fax: +91-120-4001660. Email:https://www.mba.com/service/contact-us.aspx |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
The GMAT pattern comprises of four sections:
Also, candidates can avail of two optional eight-minute breaks during the exam. Read more about the GMAT Exam Pattern in detail here.
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:
Candidates should understand their GMAT Score and GMAT Score Report. Candidates should also understand various aspects of the GMAT Scores.
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.
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:
Here are the minimum and maximum GMAT score range of each section, along with a mean average:
Section | Score Range | Mean Scores* |
---|---|---|
Analytical Writing Assessment | 0-6 | 4.5 |
Integrated Reasoning | 1-8 | 4 |
Verbal | 0-60 | 27 |
Quantitative | 0-60 | 38 |
Total | 200-800 | 548 |
*Source – GMAC
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.
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.
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 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:
Analytical Writing Section | Integrated Reasoning Section |
Quantitative Section | Verbal Skills Section |
Candidates can also check the GMAT Verbal Critical Reasoning Sample Paper here
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.
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.
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:
Business Schools | Average GMAT Score |
---|---|
University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | 732 |
Stanford University (CA) | 732 |
Yale University (CT) | 724 |
Harvard University (MA) | 730 |
Columbia University (NY) | 732 |
University of California—Berkeley (Haas) | 726 |
University of Chicago (Booth) | 731 |
Northwestern University (Kellogg) (IL) | 732 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) | 728 |
Dartmouth College (Tuck) (NH) | 722 |
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.
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