Are you an undergraduate student planning to apply for a Master's program at the reputed business school of your dreams? Then, you must be well-versed in the fact that you need to present test scores for admissions. With countless standardized test options available in recent dates, it can be quite challenging to determine which one to take. To enroll in a business or MBA course, the best choice is the Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT.
Conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the GMAT is a remarkable computer-adaptive multi-choice exam that evaluates your critical thinking, analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and logical reasoning skills. It is the most widely accepted exam for MBA admissions, with more than 2500 top business schools accepting it as a part of their admission criteria.
Taking the GMAT exam and securing a good score will enable you to define your career trajectory. That’s not it! Here are some of the other benefits of scoring high on the GMAT exam –
Now, it is only possible to reap these lucrative benefits if you are well-versed in the GMAT registration process. This is as a misstep that can lead to the cancellation of the whole application or even the loss of a year. So, the only question that should arise in this scenario is – ‘How does GMAT registration work?’ instead of ‘Should I take the exam?’
Today’s post aims to walk you through everything that you need to know about the GMAT registration process. Going through each of the crucial aspects mentioned here will enable you to make your registration experience seamless.
The GMAT is conducted throughout the year. So, your GMAT exam registration can be completed anytime once you are prepared thoroughly. GMAC recommends completing the registration two to three months before your preferred date of the exam. It is also possible to do so up to six months in advance. The earlier you register for the GMAT, the better. Spots tend to fill up fast. Hence, you should sign up early, as you can choose your preferred test date, location, and time of the day.
Now, there exist four ways to register for the GMAT – online, by phone, by fax, or by mail. A huge number of students prefer signing up online, as it is a relatively fast way of going through the process. Additionally, you can sign in to your GMAT account about 20 days after you take the test to look at your official score report.
To complete your GMAT registration process online, you need to implement the steps mentioned below –
First things first, to create a GMA account, you need to keep the information given below ready –
Once you've got this information ready, you can proceed to create an account by signing up for an MBA. You need to click the sign-up button at the top right corner of the page. You will be redirected to a sign-up page where you will be required to enter your information like first name, last name, email address, etc. You will also need to set up a password.
To begin the registration, you will be required to click on the ‘Exams’ at the top left of the page. You will be redirected to a page where you will have to fill in all your essential information.
Here, you will be required to fill in all your personal information. You must provide details like – country/ region of residence, primary telephone number, address, mobile number, and correspondence language.
You will be redirected to the next page, where you will need to fill in optional details like academic and work experience. You can also opt to skip this section. Check out the table given below to comprehend what class your percentage falls under –
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Once you complete filling out the form, the request will be forwarded to the GMAC account processing team. Your profile will be verified within two business days or sooner.
After 48 hours, you can log back into the website to check if your account has been verified. Once that is done, you will schedule your appointment. You will need to choose up to 3 GMAT test centres close to where you reside. Then, you need to select a date and time that is available and feasible for you.
You must pay the GMAT exam fee of USD 275 or INR 22,000 (approximately) via a credit or debit card. GMAC also accepts MasterCard, Visa, JCB, or American Express.
Once you have entered your payment info and hit submit, you are good to go. You will receive an email confirming the GMAT registration. You will also get the receipt on your registered email ID.
As you see, the process of GMAT registration is quite easy. However, keeping a careful eye on your information at every step of the registration process is crucial to ensure every detail you enter is accurate.
If you are potentially aiming to secure admission to a reputed MBA institute, then meeting GMAT eligibility criteria and fulfilling all requirements need to be your first concern. GMAT eligibility is quite standard and is fulfilled by almost all applicants who desire to get into the reputed MBA programs of their choice.
Once their eligibility gets verified successfully, applicants undertake the GMAT exam and score as per the respective GMAT exam preparation strategies.
Let’s take a look at certain eligibility and critical requirements you need to keep in mind while planning for your GMAT –
There is no maximum or minimum academic qualification limit for undertaking the GMAT. Applicants with bachelor's degrees in any stream can take the exam. It is also not mandatory for students to complete their graduation in the commerce field to be eligible for the GMAT.
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It is essential to present acceptable and valid identification proofs on the day of your examination. Apart from the information given below, certain ID requirements also vary hugely by location.
The acceptable forms of ID for the GMAT exam –
All kinds of identity proof must include your name and date of birth similarly as you have mentioned in your GMAT application form. It should also include a current and recognizable photo and signature. If your ID documents offer insufficient or doubtful info, you can be asked to show a second document to fill out the missing information.
The below-enlisted forms of identification are unacceptable and will not be accepted –
Apart from these, the other essential GMAT requirements you need to take into consideration are –
Every student aiming to appear for the GMAT needs to pay a registration fee. This may hugely differ from one country to another.
Here is a breakdown of the fees you need to incur while registering for the GMAT exam –
The GMAT exam fees are $275, which is approximately INR 22,000 in India. However, there are other costs you need to incur apart from the registration fees. Have a look at the entire GMAT exam fee structure given in the table below –
|
Fee Category |
Fee Cost |
|
GMAT Registration Fee |
$275 (INR 22,000) |
|
Enhanced Score Report |
$30 (INR 2,483) |
|
Score Cancellation Fee (once you leave the test centre) |
$25 (INR 2070) |
|
Additional Score Reports Fee |
$35 (INR 2900) |
|
AWA Essay Rescoring |
$45 (INR 3724) |
|
Score Reinstatement Fee |
$50 (INR 4,138) |
|
Rescheduling Fee |
$50-$150 ( INR 4138 – INR 12,413) |
Applicants can pay the GMAT exam fees through debit or credit cards that allow international transactions. Such cards are American Express, Visa, MasterCard, or JCB. However, you need to keep in mind a few things listed below –
If an applicant pays GMAT exam fees through a check, money orders, or personal check, you need to keep a few of the following details in mind –
GMAT fee waivers and discounts aid those applicants who fail to complete GMAT registration due to the financial crisis. GMAC makes sure such potential candidates can take the exam simply by requesting a GMAT fee waiver option.
GMAC offers 10 GMAT fee waivers or vouchers for free in respective schools. Applicants can write a letter to the director. With the GMAC fee waiver request by the Director, GMAC will easily waive the GMAT cost. Applicants will receive the GMAT exam fee waiver or voucher codes by mail.
GMAC highly recommends signing up for the GMAT test and completing the GMAT exam slot booking as soon as possible. This is because applicants will get the freedom to choose their desired location in the country and any time of the year that works best for them.
Have a look at how you can check availabilities and select the desired test centre while registering for the GMAT –
While registering for the GMAT, you can always look for a test centre nearby, inputting your address, zip code, or state and city. When you use an address or zip code, you can pull up just those test centres that are closest to you. But, when searching for something more general, like simply your city, you will be provided with a diverse range of choices.
After inputting the location, a map of the nearest test centre locations will appear. Then, you can closely examine the test centers' general location on the map. Not only that, you will be able to see more specific details like name, address, and distance from the address you provided in the left-hand column. You can choose up to three locations that you wish to compare and hit on 'Next' .Then, you can book the slots by making the payment and filling out other essential details as required.
Once you are done choosing the test centres you desire to compare, you can see the availabilities. Days with available appointments for each test centre will be highlighted in green on the calendar. If you choose a specific day, the window will expand to show the available start times.
It is essential to check the available exam dates and start times for all the GMAT locations you have chosen since the options can vary hugely. For instance, certain test centres may only have early morning start times, while others could offer mainly evening slots. Consider what will make the most sense for your schedule and strengths, and choose accordingly.
The below-enlisted test centre rules and regulations are set by the GMAC, and you need to strictly adhere to them –
Any violation of these rules and regulations may lead to a minimum 31-day ban on writing the exam, scores being withheld or canceled, informing business schools of the same, forfeiting test fees, and may result in a ban on testing for up to three years.
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Due to certain unfortunate or unforeseen circumstances, you may need to reschedule or cancel your GMAT exam dates. Hence, it is important to be well-versed in the exam's rescheduling and cancellation policies to avoid any inconvenience.
You can reschedule your GMAT exam up to 24 hours before your appointment start time by clicking on the 'Reschedule' on the My Account Page on mba.com.
The GMAT rescheduling fees hugely depend on when you are rescheduling your GMAT exam date. You need to pay this fee when rescheduling your new test date and test centres. The variations in the rescheduling fee are as follows :
|
Rescheduling Date |
Fees |
|
60 days or more before the date of the exam |
$50 |
|
15-60 days before the date of the exam |
$100 |
|
14 days or less before the date of the exam |
$150 |
Similar to rescheduling, you can cancel your GMAT exam up to 24 hours before your appointment starts time by clicking on the ‘Cancel’ button on the My Account Page on mba.com.
The GMAT cancellation fees are determined as per the timeline of your cancellation. As per the GMAT test cancellation policy, GMAC deducts the cancellation fee and refunds the rest amount to your original payment source.
Let’s look at the variations in the GMAT cancellation fee given below –
|
Cancellation Date |
Fees and Refunds |
|
60 days or more before the date of the test |
$150 ($100 refund) |
|
15-60 days before the date of the test |
$175 ($75 refund) |
|
14 days or less before the date of the test |
$200 ($50 refund) |
To make sure that the GMAT is fair for all applicants, GMAC offers certain provisions for people with special needs or health-related needs. If you think you may require accommodations on the exam day, you may have questions about how to get them and the approval process and timelines.
Before you request accommodations, it is crucial to remember that GMAC has 5 categories of disabilities for which it offers accommodations. These are – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Learning and Cognitive Disorders, Psychological Disabilities, Physical and Systematic Disabilities, and Sensory Disabilities (Hearing and Vision).
Now to request accommodations, you need to implement the below-implemented steps –
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One of the main documents you will be required to submit with your application is the GMAT test accommodation request form. On that form, you will be required to provide basic contact info, info about the nature of your disability, and info about any previous accommodations you’ve received in school, from employers, or on standardized exams.
You will also be required to write a statement known as the 'accommodations rationale .'Here, you will need to describe in your own words the ways your disability will impact your capacity to take the GMAT and describe why you require the accommodation you are requesting.
Along with the request form, you will be required to submit all of the documentation needed for your specific type of disability, with the inclusion of any required documentation from your healthcare provider.
Each of the 5 disability categories of GMAC outlines has its documentation requirements. Go through the introductory information and general guidelines in that supplement as well as the guidelines for your type of disability. These guidelines for your type of disability may also require further written statements from you.
The approval process and timelines for GMAT request accommodations are specified in the table mentioned below :
|
Processing Time (in Business Days) |
Action |
|
Day 1 |
Applicant submits the accommodation application and submitting materials to Pearson VUE. |
|
Day 2-4 |
Pearson VUE uploads the application and supporting materials into a secure, encrypted database and sends a confirmation email to the applicant. |
|
Day 5-7 |
GMAC assigns the application for review in the order it is received. Based on the nature of the condition explained, the application may be submitted for review by an independent external expert. |
|
Days 8-25 |
The application gets viewed by the GMAC accommodations specialists and/or an independent external expert, and the decision on the eligibility is made. GMAC makes efforts to complete the review process within 25 days of the application submission. |
|
Days 26-30 |
A written response is finally sent to the test taker from GMAC. |
According to the GMAC, the approval process for requesting accommodations may take six to eight weeks. To ensure you get the approval of the accommodation request in time before your desired exam date, submit your request at least 6 weeks in advance.
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The GMAT exam fee in the United States is $275, which equals INR 22,000 in India. Again, the cost for the online exam is $300 in the United States, roughly equivalent to INR 24,829. However, your GMAT cost is much more than $275 as other services like cancellation, ESR, rescheduling, and additional score reports cost extra.
The recommended method for booking a GMAT appointment is online registration. You can pay via Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or JCB) or Debit Card (Visa or Mastercard only) that allows international transactions.
The refund of GMAT cancellation fees depends on the timeline of the cancellation. As per the GMAT cancellation policy, GMAT deducts the cancellation fee and refunds the rest to your original payment source.
The variants in the GMAT cancellation fees are enlisted below –
It is possible to take GMAT up to five times total in a rolling 12-month period, irrespective of the format. You can take it three times online and twice in person in a 12-month period. This would be your five-test limit. Similarly, you can take the GMAT up to eight times in total in your life, irrespective of the format.
The GMAT is offered throughout the year at test centres in more than 100 countries around the world. To find a test centre near your location, you must –
The GMAC provides business schools up to 10 free GMAT fee waivers for 12 months. They can use this at their discretion and assist the test takers who need it by launching waivers as a part of the program or directly offering it to test-taking candidates.
