GMAT Test Dates | 2022 – 2023

GMAT Test Dates | 2022 – 2023

The Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT, as it is popularly known, is the widely used standardized assessment test to determine candidates’ eligibility for applying to grad school programs. Conducted over the course of the year, GMAT is not confined to any particular date. To assess the best time to book the GMAT test date, the student must start with planning their MBA application timeline. While the comparative consistency in format, in terms of the type of questions, scoring, and number of questions, makes it easier for the aspirants to prepare well for GMAT, the competition in the domain makes it difficult for the candidates to acquire the coveted 90th and 99th percentiles. Over the decade, a staggering number of students have been consistently taking the GMAT.

Average GMAT Score and Number of Test Takers: 2009 – 2018

Source: GMAC Profile of GMAT Testing: Citizenship

It may be safe to say that with the large-scale advent of many small to medium scale enterprises the need for competent industry leaders is at an all-time high. According to the GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey Report, 2018, almost 81% of companies plan to hire MBA graduates and US companies plan to offer a minimum starting remuneration of USD 105,000 to MBA graduates. Undoubtedly, MBA graduates dominate the global business dynamics. Competition to acquire the necessary learning has been ever on the increase, as is substantiated by the gradual increase in the average GMAT score requirement over the preceding decade. Thus, while the number of tests taken has mostly remained consistent, the average GMAT score has increased.

If you are an MBA aspirant, start with the basics – get the above average GMAT score to stand possible chances of securing an admit into one of the top-ranked B-schools and belong to a team of enriched professionals and inspiring industry leaders. Start with your GMAT prep in advance to be able to comfortably complete your MBA application formalities. Opt for our online GMAT prep program to capitalize upon time and the vast range of prep resources.

Top 25 B-Schools: Average GMAT Score Requirement

The average GMAT requirement, as stipulated by the top-25 schools in 2018, further, confirms the intense planning and preparation that a candidate must undertake in order to ensure that he/she acquires his/her desired scores.

GMAT Exam Dates 2020-21

The ideal strategy for any GMAT aspirant is to begin with planning the time they have until the first GMAT exam date. Interestingly, unlike the most other entrance exams, GMAT is conducted throughout the year. However, one must bear in mind the following crucial points prior to booking their GMAT test slot:

• A candidate is allowed a maximum of 5 retakes in 1 year for GMAT,
• A candidate is allowed a maximum of 8 retakes in a lifetime for GMAT,
• A minimum duration of 16 days must be maintained between two GMAT exam retakes.

Which GMAT Test Date is Best Suited for You?

To be able to chalk out the perfect plan for preparing for GMAT and approach to GMAT preparation, the student should be properly apprised about GMAT. To determine the best GMAT test date for oneself, the student must closely observe the following steps:

1. Understand the Skills being Tested: GMAT is divided into four different sections that assess particular skill sets. Thus,

• In the Analytical Writing Assessment, the candidate’s ability to critically evaluate and comprehensively represent ideas is tested.
• In the Integrated Reasoning section, the candidate’s ability to analyze data is determined.
• In the Quantitative Reasoning section, the candidate’s ability to solve problems is assessed.
• In the Verbal Reasoning section, the candidate’s ability to understand written information and conform to the standard norms of English language is analyzed.

2. Understand the Pattern of the Test:

• Analytical Writing Assessment– Students are required to analyze only 1 given argument. The time allotted for this section is 30 minutes. The student is scored on a range of 0-6, in 0.5 increments. Importantly, the score earned on this section does not contribute to the final GMAT score.
• Integrated Reasoning – Students answer 12 questions on graphic interpretation, table analysis, multi-source reasoning, and two-part analysis. The time allotted for the section is 30 minutes. The student is scored on a range of 1-8, in 1 point increment. Importantly, the score earned on this section does not contribute to the final GMAT score.
• Quantitative Reasoning – Students answer 31 questions on data sufficiency and problem-solving. The time allotted for the section is 62 minutes. The student is scored on a range of 6-51, in 1 point increment. The score obtained in this section contributes to the final GMAT score.
• Verbal Reasoning – Students answer 36 questions on reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction. The time allotted for the section is 65 minutes. The student is scored on a range of 6-51, in 1 point increment.The score obtained in this section contributes to the final GMAT score.

3. Assess your Competency: The GMAT prep process should actually begin with a diagnostic test. The student needs to understand his/her weak areas to be able to better chlk out the perfect GMAT study plans for themselves. Opt for our free GMAT mock test to understand your preparation needs for GMAT.

4. Plan your Applications: It is always advisable to apply in the first round of MBA applications. Thus,if a student is targeting the Round 1 deadline that usually falls in the months of September and October, he/she must book his GMAT slot in April.

PLAN A: GMAT Exam Date for R1 Application Cycle

If you are targeting the Round 1 application cycle, September – October, you will have to complete your application prerogatives by the month of August. As the application process is extensive and requires an investment of your creativemental faculties in preparing the essays, you should allow proper time to accomplish this step. At the same time, you must keep buffer time for yourself to accommodate any unfortunate events such as getting below average GMAT scores. In that scenario, you will have to prepare and retake the test. Thus, for a candidate targeting Round 1 application cycle, the best time to take the GMAT is in April.

PLAN B: GMAT Exam Date for R2 Application Cycle

If you are targeting the Round 2 application cycle, December – January, you will have to complete your application prerogatives by the month of November. As the application process is extensive and requires an investment of your creativemental faculties in preparing the essays, you should allow proper time to accomplish this step. At the same time, you must keep buffer time for yourself to accommodate any unfortunate events such as getting below average GMAT scores. In that scenario, you will have to prepare and retake the test. Thus, for a candidate targeting Round 2 application cycle, the best time to take the GMAT is in August.

PLAN C: GMAT Exam Date for R3 Application Cycle

If you are targeting the Round 3 application cycle, March, you will have to complete your application prerogatives by the month of February. As the application process is extensive and requires an investment of your creativemental faculties, in preparing the essays you should allow proper time to accomplish this step. At the same time, you must keep buffer time for yourself to accommodate any unfortunate events such as getting below average GMAT scores. In that scenario, you will have to prepare and retake the test. Thus, for a candidate targeting Round 3 application cycle, the best time to take the GMAT is in November.

Ideal Gap between GMAT Test Date and Application Deadline

Ideally, a gap of 3 months must be maintained between the GMAT test date and the MBA application deadline.

Normally, the application process of every school requires the following:

• Essays – a statement of purpose, an optional essay, 1 or 2 situational essays
• Scholarship essays
• Resume
• Recommendation Letters
• Academic Certificates

As the essays form an important part of the application process, it is advisable that the student invest adequate time and resource in ensuring that he/she delivers the most compelling MBA applications essays. Thus, the student must allow a month to duly complete the application requirements. Next, considering that the student is unable to score his/her desired score in the first attempt, he/she may want to retake the test; no one can retake GMAT before 16 days from the first test. In retaking the test too, the student will have to undertake rigorous planning and preparation to ascertain competent scores in the next re-take. Thus, ideally, GMAT test dates must be so planned that it allows atleast 3 months time between preparing and retaking the exam, if necessary, and properly completing the entire application process.

Besides, to be able to properly understand your preparation needs and thereby plan your GMAT exam date, refer our GMAT Practice Tests. This exhaustive set of 15 full-length GMAT practice tests will assure that you are sufficiently prepared before you decide to take the final GMAT.

Booking a GMAT Test Slot and Centre

Do not wait for the last minute to book your GMAT exam slot; book it as early as possible. Ideally, if you are already 2 months into your GMAT prep process and plan to take the test in another 2 months, you should book your GMAT exam slot by the end of the third month; i.e. book your GMAT exam slot and centre at least 2 months in advance from the GMAT test date. Although GMAT is conducted through over 500 test centres, worldwide, and through 50+ test centres spread across 30+ cities in India, it is advisable that you conduct thorough research on your nearest and convenient test centre and book your test slot, accordingly.

GMAT Test Centres in India

The following table provides the address and the contact details of some of the GMAT test centres in India:

GMAT Test Centre in North India:

GMAT Test Centre in West India:

GMAT Test Centre in South India:

GMAT Test Centre in India – East:

GMAT Test Centre in Central India:

GMAT Test Centre in Northeast India:

To register for a GMAT centre and date, consider the following steps:

1. . Create an account on mba.com.
2. . Search for your nearest test centre.
3. . You will be allowed to select a maximum of three test centres to comparethe availability of GMAT exam slots on your desired dates.
4. . Fill in your details – remember to avoid any discrepancy between the information you mention and that present in your credentials while filling in your profile details.

Further, it is not enough to select your GMAT test centre by virtue of proximity and availability alone. To book a GMAT test centre, you must consider:

• Proximity – Check the proximity of the test centre from your location. You must reach the test centre at least 35 minutes in advance to complete all formalities.
• Commutation Facility – Consider the type of commute you are going to use on the exam date and check the commutation facilities to your test centre. Take into account availability of transport (if you plan to commute by public transport), road conditions, and neighbourhood (some stretches of road are more prone to political disturbances and/or traffic hold ups than others).
• Review – On GMAT Club, check the reviews awarded to your selected test centres. These reviews will help you better understand the facilities offered by the particular test centre and the administration of the test centre.

Conduct thorough research and make an informed decision. You definitely want to avoid any uncalled for stress on your exam day, and this is an important step in assuring the same.

Validity of GMAT Score

GMAT scores remain valid for only 5 years. If you have taken GMAT more than once in 5 years, only the score you accept is sent to the school. You may, however, request for your GMAT score card from more than 10 years ago, for a fee; although the score will not be valid for acceptance by school. Moreover, a student may decide to cancel the score immediately after the exam or even within 72 hours of the next exam, free of cost. Should anyone wish to recall a canceled score, a fee of USD 50 will have to be submitted.

Retaking the GMAT

Planning to retake your GMAT exam can be tricky. That you are retaking your exam implies that you are not satisfied with the scores earned. In that scenario, it is imperative to plan. You need to understand your weak areas and factor in adequate time to be able to improve on the same before you decide to proceed with your applications. On the other hand, you are allowed only 5 retakes in a year and 8 retakes in a lifetime. Thus, it is always advisable to start with a diagnostic test and proceed with a study plan. For the same, you may either go for a competent online GMAT prep program or even a GMAT classroom prep program.

Few concerns regarding retaking GMAT:

• Retaking GMAT will not present you as incompetent; rather it will project your honest intentions to improve.
• If you were unable to complete a section on the test, retake GMAT.
• Retake the GMAT not because you did not score “high” but because you did not meet the average GMAT score requirement of your target school. While GMAT is an important component determining the admission decisions, it is not the only important component. Your achievements and abilities also equip you with a strong profile to impact admission decisions.
• If you score around 500 in your first attempt, retake the test.
• If you score between 500 and 640 in your first attempt, retake the test and aim for atleast 700.
• If you score between 650 and 700 in your first attempt, you may or may not decide to retake the test. At this stage, concentrate on providing a strong narrative to the Admissions Committee for determining your basic competencies.

Rescheduling the GMAT Test

If you plan to reschedule or cancel your GMAT date, log in to your account on mba.com. The charges and norms for rescheduling GMAT are as follows:

• If a test is rescheduled with over 7 days left to GMAT, a fee of USD 60is levied.
• If a test is rescheduled within 7 days left to GMAT, a fee of USD 250 is levied.
• GMAT cannot be rescheduled within 24 hours of the appointed date and time. If a student is unable to appear for the exam on the scheduled date and time, the account history will be marked as a no-show. However, this status will not be reflected on your final GMAT score card.
• If a student desires to reschedule the test to another location (country), he/she will have to contact mba.comvia telephone.

Plan, Prepare, and Perform!

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All the Best!