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GMAT Exam 2024: Exam Dates, Registration, Fees, Prep, Pattern & Results

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Tumul Buch
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Taking the GMAT exam significantly boosts your chances of admission to top business schools and management programs worldwide. In fact, over 7,000 programs accept GMAT scores, and for over 60 years, it’s remained the gold standard for MBA admissions. The exam features four independently timed sections, and you can conveniently choose to take it at a test center or online.

GMAT aspirants, this comprehensive blog is for you! Yocket presents this one-stop guide to simplifying the GMAT, detailing everything you need to know, from the syllabus and exam format to fees, dates, and much more. And if you want to stay one step ahead of everyone, book a 15-minute free consultation call and get personalized guidance from our expert advisors. We’ll help you understand the application process, choose the right B-schools, and craft a winning strategy to ace the GMAT. Book your free call today!

Table of Contents

What Is the GMAT Focus Edition?

The GMAT Focus Edition is a new, streamlined version of the GMAT exam. It’s designed to be more focused, efficient, and relevant to the skills needed in today’s business schools.

Here are some key features of the GMAT Focus Edition:

  • Answer in any order
  • Bookmark for review
  • Change up to 3 answers per section, and wait until after to see your results
  • Get an official score in 3–5 days
  • Plus, get a free, detailed Official Score Report with your registration
  • Select schools after seeing your results, not before

Why Is the GMAT Required?

To begin our discussion with a strong foundation, let’s start with the essence of the GMAT exam and its benefits. The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and serves as a key for ambitious individuals seeking entry into top-tier business and management programs worldwide. A good GMAT score can be your key to top prestigious institutions, opening a plethora of opportunities. However, the advantages of the GMAT extend beyond mere admissions.

  • The GMAT exam serves as a gateway to top graduate business programs by assessing two crucial skills: your critical thinking and reasoning abilities. 
  • A strong score on the GMAT not only signifies your intellectual potential but also showcases your commitment, motivation, and drive to succeed in the demanding world of business.
  • Moreover, graduating from a top business school after achieving a high GMAT score elevates your value in the eyes of global employers. This prestigious combination opens a world of exciting opportunities and significantly increases your earning potential, setting you on a path to professional success.

To begin, let’s take a quick look at the GMAT exam and explore its intricacies.

GMAT Full-Form

Graduate Management Admission Test

Conducting Body

GMAC

Type of GMAT

Computer-Adaptive Test

Mode of Exam

GMAT in person or GMAT online

Age/ Eligibility

18+ years or 18 years with a letter of consent from parents

GMAT Registration fee

$250 in person and $300 for online

GMAT Duration

3 hours, 7 minutes

Skills Tested

Writing, Quantitative, Analytical, Verbal and Reading skills

Sections in GMAT

Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning & Verbal Reasoning

Section order

You are allowed to choose your section order amongst 3 choices in the first minute of the GMAT exam

Breaks between Sections

2 breaks of 8 minutes each

No. of Attempts

8

Announcement of Results

7–20 days after the test

Beyond the “why” of the GMAT, students grapple with the “when”: the optimal time frame to take the test. While individual learning paces influence this, with some needing 3–4 months and others more or less, consistent preparation remains paramount for success.

What is the Score Validity of the GMAT?

What Are the GMAT Eligibility Criteria?

While GMAC doesn’t set specific eligibility criteria for the GMAT, it serves as a crucial entrance ticket for pursuing an MBA or Business school degree. Undergraduates and working professionals often take the test, but remember that your final admission depends on individual university requirements, not just your GMAT score. Each university sets its criteria for grades, performance, and other factors.

As for age, the minimum requirement for most is 18 years old. If you’re under 18, you’ll need a written letter of consent from a parent or guardian.

For more details, check out our GMAT Exam Eligibility Criteria blog.

What Is the GMAT Exam?

While the GMAT assesses your overall academic preparedness for business and management, it delves deeper, focusing on the specific skills crucial for thriving in these fields. To successfully understand the complexities of business, you need strong language skills, strategic problem-solving abilities, and a logical mindset. These are the very cornerstones upon which the GMAT’s structure and syllabus are built. The exam comprises four core sections:

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

Did you know that the GMAT offers test-takers the unique flexibility to choose their section order? 

That’s right, you can strategize your approach by selecting from three different formats, all within the same allotted exam time. This means you can tackle your strongest sections first, build momentum, and optimize your performance.

7 Best GMAT Timing Strategies

What Is the GMAT Syllabus?

Verbal Reasoning

The GMAT Verbal Reasoning section tests your ability to understand, analyze, and master the intricacies of the language. This 65-minute challenge throws 36 questions your way, spanning three key areas: Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. Brush up on these language champions to ace the GMAT Verbal:

  • Idioms
  • Pronouns
  • Modifiers
  • Comparison
  • Verb Tenses
  • Subject-Verb Agreement

How to Prepare for the GMAT Verbal Section?

Quantitative Reasoning

Mastering the GMAT Quantitative Reasoning section requires analyzing mathematical data and drawing conclusions using strong reasoning skills. This 65-minute section, consisting of 31 multiple-choice questions, assesses your knowledge in two question types: problem-solving and data sufficiency. It covers various domains, such as the following:

  • Arithmetic
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Modern math

While many students find it challenging, our GMAT Quants Preparation Tips blog can help ease your learning process and boost your confidence. So, be sure to check it out!

Integrated Reasoning

The GMAT Integrated Reasoning section challenges you to blend your Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning skills. You’ll need to analyze data presented in various formats, like tables and graphs, to identify key information and solve problems strategically. This unique section features 12 questions in 30 minutes, covering four question types:

  • Multi-Source Reasoning
  • Table Analysis
  • Graphics Interpretation
  • Two-Part Analysis

Analytical Writing

While the GMAT is packed with important sections, the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) stands out as a crucial test of your written communication and critical thinking skills. In this 30-minute challenge, you’ll analyze a provided argument from diverse fields like business, science, or even the arts. 

Your task is to craft a compelling essay dissecting its strengths and weaknesses, ultimately forming your reasoned assessment. Needless to say, GMAT AWA preparation hinges on dedicated practice. To help you gear up, dive into our GMAT AWA topics blog!

4 sections of GMAT Exam with number of questions & Duration

GMAT Scores and Results

While a GMAT score between 650 and 690 is considered good, scores from 700 to 760 are generally regarded as excellent, and a perfect 800 is the ultimate achievement. To understand how the GMAT scores are determined, let’s first have a look at the GMAT’s scoring scales for each section.

GMAT Sections

Scoring Scale

Verbal Reasoning

6–51 score scale, with a 1 point increment

Quantitative Reasoning

1–8, with a 1 point increment

Integrated Reasoning

1–8, with a 1 point increment

Analytical Writing

0–6 score scale, with 0.5 increments

While the GMAT’s use of percentiles can be initially puzzling, some test-takers also have concerns about negative marking, which doesn’t exist in the GMAT. However, the exam’s adaptive nature means difficulty adjusts based on your performance: correct answers lead to harder questions, while incorrect ones lead to easier ones. Confused? Learn more about GMAT scores and results in our blog.

How to Register for the GMAT?

Registering for the GMAT is straightforward and convenient. Simply follow these steps on the official mba.com website:

  • Create or sign in to your mba.com account.
  • Complete your GMAT profile. Fill in your personal and academic details, ensuring everything is accurate.
  • Choose your test format. Decide whether you want to take the exam at a test center or online.
  • Schedule your exam. Select your preferred date, time, and location (if applicable).
  • Pay the registration fee. Once you've confirmed your details, make the payment to secure your spot.
  • That’s it! You’re all set to take the GMAT.

What Is the GMAT Registration Fee?

The GMAT fee varies depending on your location and currency. In India, the standard fee for the GMAT delivered at a test center is $275, inclusive of 18% GST. The standard fee for the GMAT online exam is $300. 

You can pay the fee by credit card, debit card, money order, or personal check. You can also reschedule or cancel your GMAT appointment, but you must pay additional fees depending on the notice period. The rescheduling fee is $165, and the cancellation fee is $220 if you do so at least 24 hours before your appointment time. If you reschedule or cancel your GMAT exam within 24 hours of your appointment time, you will forfeit the entire exam fee.

Service Fees

Test Center

Online

GMAT Exam

$275

$300

Enhanced Score Report (purchased at the time of registration)

$30

Not Available

Additional Score Report

$35 each

$35 each

Cancel score (via mba.com My Account page after the exam)

$25

Not Applicable

Reinstate score

$50

Not Applicable

AWA Essay Rescoring

$45

$45

Rescheduling fees for more than 60 days before the appointment

$55

$60

Rescheduling fees for 15–60 days before the appointment

$110

$120

Rescheduling fees for 14 days or less before the appointment

$165

$180

Cancellation fees for more than 60 days before the appointment

$110 refund

$120 Refund

Cancellation fees for 15–60 days before the appointment

$80 refund

$90 Refund

Cancellation fees for 14 days or less before the appointment

$55 refund

$60 Refund

GMAT Exam Dates 2024

While GMAT dates aren’t set in stone, you have the flexibility to choose your preferred test date by booking a slot through your official MBA.com account. Here’s what you need to know about GMAT exam dates in 2024:

  • Test Center GMAT: Available seven days a week during official test center hours.
  • GMAT Online: Take the exam anytime during the week at your chosen appointment time. Book online and get started!
  • Rescheduling and Cancellation: GMAC allows date changes before your exam, but fees apply and may increase closer to your original test date.

GMAT Exam Dates in India and City-Wise List

What Are the GMAT Exam Centers?

Do you know that there are 30 GMAT test centers in 23 cities in India?

If you’re considering an in-person GMAT, you’ll find test centers throughout India conveniently located in all major states, including Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, West Bengal, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. 

When choosing your test center, prioritize accessibility and, if possible, opt for the closest one to your residence to minimize travel stress on exam day.

GMAT Scholarships

For Indian students aiming for an MBA abroad, securing a GMAT scholarship can significantly ease the financial burden. Many universities offering diverse management courses provide grants or scholarships based on GMAT scores, potentially covering full or partial tuition fees. Understanding the different types of scholarships is crucial.

  • Need-based: These scholarships prioritize financial aid for students with demonstrated need.
  • Merit-based: High GMAT scores and academic excellence are typically key factors in these scholarships.
  • Diversity/Gender-based: These scholarships aim to foster inclusivity and support underrepresented groups.
  • External scholarships: Independent agencies and organizations may offer additional funding opportunities.

While a strong GMAT score is important, remember that every scholarship has specific eligibility criteria and application deadlines. Additionally, a well-rounded student profile that showcases extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and essay-writing skills can be equally crucial in securing funding.

How to Prepare for the GMAT Exam?

Having understood the nuances of the GMAT exam in India, let’s now focus on practical preparation tips:

  • Self-Assessment: Begin by taking a practice test to gauge your current strengths and weaknesses. This crucial step provides a foundation for building your study plan.
  • Targeted Planning: Once you’ve identified your knowledge gaps, craft a progressive action plan to bridge them and achieve your desired score.
  • Thorough Preparation and Revision: Diligently study each GMAT section and schedule regular revisions to solidify your understanding. Don’t leave any concepts behind!
  • Test Day Readiness: Pack your essentials, maintain composure, and approach the GMAT with confidence and thorough preparation.

How to Prepare for the GMAT?

From the Desk of Yocket

The GMAT exam remains a vital gateway to top-tier business and management programs worldwide. Its comprehensive assessment of critical thinking, reasoning, and communication skills ensures the selection of students with the potential to excel in demanding business environments. Taking the GMAT opens doors to exciting opportunities, prestigious institutions, and increased earning potential, propelling you towards a successful career path.

Start by assessing your strengths and weaknesses, creating a targeted study plan, and diligently working through each section. With dedication and strategic planning, you can achieve your desired score and open the world of possibilities that the GMAT offers.

Let Yocket be your guide on this journey! Explore our comprehensive resources, from GMAT prep tips and practice tests to scholarship guidance and application insights. We’re here to support you every step of the way, from navigating the intricacies of the GMAT to securing your dream admission.

Frequently Asked Questions About the GMAT Exam

What is the GMAT?

Can I appear for the GMAT online at home for an MBA?

Are the GMAT quantitative questions tough?

What is the GMAT registration fee?

What is the age limit for the GMAT?

Is work experience required for the GMAT?

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