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Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

The GMAT Exam is the premier business school admission test used to help thousands of graduate business programs make critical admissions decisions. The GMAT helps you prove your commitment to and eligibility for the MBA or business master’s degree you're applying to by demonstrating your problem-solving abilities, critical reasoning, and data analysis skills. To learn more, please visit GMAT™ Exam.

The GMAT Exam (10th Edition) is the previous edition of the GMAT exam. It launched in 2012 and was replaced by the GMAT Exam (Focus Edition) on February 1, 2024. To learn more, please visit GMAT History.

Scores from the GMAT Exam (10th Edition) will continue to be valid for 5 years from your appointment date.

GMAT scores are valid for five years from the date you took the test.

All GMAT exam attempts, taken online or at a test center, will count towards your five (5) GMAT exam attempts during a rolling 12-month period. There are no lifetime limits. However, you must wait at least 16 days between attempts.

Please visit Sending Your Score for details on how to send your Official Score Report(s) to schools/programs.

The GMAT exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes long (plus one optional 10-minute break). 

The GMAT exam is comprised of three, 45-minute sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. They feature content relevant to today’s business challenges and opportunities, ensuring you are prepared for graduate business school and beyond. Learn more about what the exam covers at Exam Content.

Your GMAT score is a measure of your problem-solving, critical thinking, and data literacy skills. The GMAT total score scale ranges from 205 to 805. Each of the three section scores contribute equally to your total score. Learn more about the GMAT Score scale at Understanding Your Score.

Your GMAT score helps business schools evaluate your academic readiness for an MBA or business master’s program because it is an indicator of preparedness for the rigors of graduate business school. Taking the GMAT is also a clear sign to admissions committees that you take your education and future business career seriously.


Business schools evaluate your GMAT score as part of a holistic review process. While a GMAT score will help you stand out in the admissions process, there are other important aspects admissions officers evaluate on your application, such as your job skills, leadership experience, and motivation for applying.

Specifically, however, GMAT scores help schools evaluate applicants as an objective measure of skills, readiness, and preparedness.

Ultimately, schools want to make sure you are a fit both academically and personally, and that you will both contribute and benefit from the business school experience

While there is no one right way to study for the GMAT, these are our steps to starting your GMAT prep journey with your best foot forward:

  • Study the structure: Become familiar with the exam format and structure. This will boost your confidence on test day when you know what to expect.

  • Understand the question types: Beyond knowing how to answer questions correctly, learn what each type of question is truly testing and how to approach them. 

  • Establish your baseline: Take GMAT Official Practice Exams that use the same format and scoring algorithm as the real test, so you can use the score report to accurately assess your strengths and growth areas.

  • Study answer explanations: Use each wrong answer as a learning opportunity by reviewing the correct solutions thoroughly, understanding not just what but why an answer is correct.

  • Simulate the test-taking experience: Take practice exams under test-day conditions (quiet space, timed sections, allowed tools only) for the most realistic preparation.

  • Practice with Consistency: Establish a regular study schedule and stick to it. Short, focused daily sessions (30-60 minutes) are more effective than cramming occasionally. Consistent practice builds the mental stamina needed for the exam and helps concepts become second nature.

For a more detailed breakdown, read our article ‘GMAT Exam Registration: When to Test, Study Plans, and Timelines’.

You should study for at least six weeks at a consistent pace. The majority of GMAT test takers prep for 60 hours or more.

The answer to this question will vary depending on where you are in your business school journey. Generally, the best time to schedule your GMAT exam is as early as possible in the application process. However, here are the most common considerations:

  • Deadlines: Work backward from your application deadlines, allowing for enough time to retake the exam if necessary.

  • Prep time: While the exam can be effectively prepped for in six weeks, many top-scoring test takers study for 2-4 months before taking the exam.

  • Personal schedule: Choose a time when you are not overwhelmed with other commitments, like during high-stress periods at work or during major life events.

  • School schedule: If you are still in undergrad, it may be best to take the exam before you graduate while you are already used to studying for and taking exams.

  • Appointment availability: Some time slots provided by test centers fill up quickly, especially during peak application season (August – November). If you want to take the test then, book your appointment in advance.

The GMAT is typically considered “easier” for non-native English speakers because it does not test vocabulary or grammar. It also does not include an essay writing section, like the GRE.

 

Generally, if you are applying to a business school where the program is taught in English, and you are a non-native speaker, you will need to pass the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) to apply. Once you have that under your belt, if your data and quant skills are already strong, you can go ahead and take the GMAT. 

The TOEFL requires knowledge of 7,000 word families, while the GMAT Verbal Reasoning section requires knowledge of around 6,000-7,000 word families, on average, to cover 98% of the test. (The GRE requires knowledge of around 9,000 word families on average.) So, once you have the TOEFL, there is no reason to delay the GMAT if your other skills are ready. 

Due to the difference in the word knowledge requirements, the findings of a recent study by GMAC suggests that the GMAT exam may be easier to prepare than the GRE exam for candidates who do not have a large vocabulary (such as English learners).

Yes! In fact, studies show that the GMAT exam is a superior predictor of academic success in business school compared to undergraduate GPA alone.

No, you do not need to take both the GMAT and GRE. Most business schools accept either test for their MBA or other graduate management programs. Taking just one of these exams is sufficient. However, when deciding which test to take, consider these major factors:

  • Career goals: If you’re specifically targeting business school, the GMAT is traditionally associated with business education. If you’re considering non-business programs, the GRE offers more flexibility.

  • Program preferences: While most schools accept both tests, some programs might prefer one over the other. Check with your target schools.

  • Your strengths: The GMAT emphasizes business skills, such as problem solving and data analysis, while the GRE has more emphasis on general skills, such as vocabulary and essay writing.

The difficulty of the GMAT versus the GRE is largely subjective and depends on your individual strengths and background. The GMAT tends to be more challenging for those without quantitative backgrounds. The GRE tends to be more challenging for those with weaker vocabulary or writing skills.

Ultimately, both are high-stakes exams that will require ample preparation to succeed.

To evaluate if your GMAT score is competitive for your target school, research the median or middle 80% score range for recently admitted students at that program, which is typically published on their website or admissions materials. For a more personalized assessment, speak with admissions representatives at MBA fairs or schedule consultations with the admissions office – they will be happy to hear from you! Remember that while a competitive GMAT score can be important, business schools take a holistic approach, weighing your work experience, essays, recommendations, and interviews alongside your test performance.

There are several common reasons why your performance on the real GMAT might not match your practice exam scores:

  • Test anxiety: This is the most likely reason. The pressure of the official exam environment can affect concentration and performance in ways that practice settings don't.

  • Practice test accuracy: Unless you’re taking GMAT Official Practice Exams, not all practice tests perfectly replicate the official GMAT algorithm and question difficulty.

  • Variation in performance: Everyone has natural fluctuations in performance from day to day based on sleep, stress, and other factors.

  • Timing pressure: Many test-takers manage time differently under the pressure of the official exam, often rushing toward the end.

 

There is a full suite of GMAT Official Prep materials available to you as you embark on your business school journey:

  • Official Guide: The flagship prep resource with all the tools you need to succeed on each section. Plus, you can customize your practice with an included online question bank.

  • Section Review Books: Master each section of the exam by deeply familiarizing yourself with the essential concepts tested.

  • Official Practice Exams: Full-length GMAT practice exams that use the same algorithm, scoring, and timing as the real exam.  

  • Official Practice Questions: Hundreds of additional questions to target your studying. Includes checkpoints along the way to help you track your progress.

 

It’s absolutely possible. In fact, repeat test taker data shows that retesting can boost your score by 20-30 points on average.

Your GMAT score is only seen by the business schools you choose to send it to. No one else has access to your score unless you decide to share it yourself, such as listing it on your resume for recruiters or hiring managers. Your score remains private unless you choose to disclose it.

This is a big question that will have very specific answers for each individual circumstance. However, the best thing you can do to prep for the GMAT in your busy life is to create a sustainable study schedule that identifies small pockets of time in your daily routine and protecting those times for focused study.

Remember, quality of prep matters more than quantity, so aim for consistent 30–60-minute sessions rather than occasional marathon study sessions.

Also, set clear boundaries between work, study, and personal time to prevent burnout. Schedule regular breaks and maintain activities that reduce stress and support your wellbeing (like exercising, or spending time with friends and family).

Effective GMAT preparation is about consistency over time rather than intensity in a short period. A balanced approach not only leads to better scores but also builds sustainable habits that will serve you throughout your graduate management education.

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