GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test is a standardized exam used globally to measure the preparedness of applicants for management and business programmes like MBA and PGDM. GMAT is a multiple-choice computer-based test that helps business schools make critical admission decisions and choose the right candidate. GMAT is an indicator of an applicant’s readiness for the programme and is much valued by business schools in 110 countries globally since it helps them compare candidates from different backgrounds. It is important to understand that stellar performance in the GMAT exam will improve your chances of gaining a spot in premier B-schools not just in the country but around the world.

Purpose and Highlights of GMAT Exam

The GMAT exam is a computerised exam designed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) for business schools to evaluate the candidates based upon verbal, quantitative, integrated reasoning, and critical thinking skills.

• GMAC owns and operates this test assessing candidates on their problem-solving skills that are believed to be essential for ensuring real-world business and management success.
• More than 7,000 programmes in around 2,400 institutes around the world accept GMAT scores to offer admission. 
• Top business schools globally rely on GMAT for selecting candidates for managerial programmes like MBA, PGDM, Master of Finance and Accounts. 
• Every year, over 200,000 aspirants take this 3 hours and 7 minutes long test to prove their preparedness and work ethics for the business programmes.
• Exam questions are based on concepts and skills that applicants learn in high school. 

Eligibility Criteria

Age Criteria: GMAC has set a minimum age limit of 13 years and no maximum age for the GMAT exam. However, the majority of the applicants usually range between 18 years to 30 years. Candidates above the age of 18 years can directly register and apply themselves for the exams but those below the age of 18 years need a permission letter at the time of registration signed by the legal guardian of the applicant.

Academic Qualification: GMAT exam is usually taken by undergraduates, graduates or working professionals for better management understanding. GMAC has set no criteria i.e no minimum and maximum qualification is required to appear in this test.

Work Experience: GMAC has not set any minimum or maximum work experience requirement. Hence freshers and undergraduates can also appear in the exam however having work experience is always an added advantage when applying for top B-schools. 

Number of Attempts

As per GMAC a candidate cannot attempt more than 5 times in 12 months. However, a candidate can retake the exam after 16 days of taking the first attempt. In total, a candidate can take the exam a total of 8 times in his life.

Fee

GMAT exam fee in India is USD 250 or roughly around Rs. 20,692 for a single attempt. The cost of the fee may vary as per the Rupee-Dollar exchange rate.

GMAT Exam Dates for 2023

GMAT exams can be taken throughout the year. If you live in a metropolitan city, there are chances that you can take the exam almost every day of the week. It is quite simple to book the exam dates, you can register yourself on the website and choose the day you want to take the exam.

Registration Process

You can register yourself for the GMAT exam in 6 simple steps. However, before you start the process there are a few things that you must keep in mind:

1. You can register at any point between 6 months and 24 hours prior to your planned exam date
2. You can apply for the GMAT by phone, postal mail, fax or by following the online process. The easiest way to apply, however, is online.

Steps for GMAT Registration

If you choose to go for online registration, here we have described the step-by-step process for the same:

1. 1. Login to mba.com

1. 1. Start the registration process
   2. Fill up the required details
   3. Verify your profile

1. 1. Choose and schedule the exam date
   2. Pay the registration fee

GMAT Admit Card

GMAT admit cards can be easily downloaded through the official website. Once you complete the registration process and make the final payment, you will get a confirmation letter which acts as a hallway ticket or an admit card. You can also receive alerts through emails and can download the admit card a few days before the exam. Candidates must remember that they need to carry valid id proof and a recent passport size photograph to the exam centre.

GMAT Exam Centres

GMAT exam centres are available in almost all the major states and cities. You can appear in the exam in any of the cities that host the GMAT exam. The exam centres are available in the following cities:

GMAT Exam Structure

Syllabus for the GMAT exam

GMAT exam consists of 4 main sections. These are:

• Verbal Reasoning: VR section of the exam comprises 36 questions and measures your ability to read and write. The questions are designed in a manner that they evaluate your critical reasoning, sentence correction and reading comprehension. The ideal duration is 65 minutes to complete this section.
• Integrated Reasoning: This section checks your ability to evaluate data presented to you in multiple formats from different sources. The questions are majorly based on table analysis, graphics interpretation, table analysis and two-part analysis. The duration for IR completion is 30 minutes.
• Quantitative Reasoning: This section measures your problem-solving and data-sufficiency abilities. It analyses your ability to conclude using your reasoning skills and how you analyse the data presented to you. The duration to complete this section would be 62 minutes.
• Analytical Writing: This section measures your writing skills and how well you communicate your thoughts and ideas. You will be presented with an argument on a topic and will be asked to analyse it using your critical thinking. The ideal time for the completion of this section should be 30 minutes.

Top Colleges that Accept GMAT in India

GMAT Score Cut off for Indian B-Schools

Usually the GMAT score of 700 or more is considered good. However the higher your scores are, the better are the chances of getting into a premier B-school. Average required cut off for top B-schools in the country are mentioned in the table below:

GMAT Score Cut Off for International B-Schools

GMAT Exam Policies, Guidelines and violations

As per GMAC, any kind of violation in the policy will result in the candidate getting banned from appearing for the exam for a minimum of 31 days or the test being cancelled.

As per GMAC a Serious Policy Violation may result in canceled scores, notification to schools, forfeiture of test fees, restrictions on future testing on GMAC Assessments, and/or one-year to a lifetime ban. Mentioned below are a few examples of common Serious Policy Violations and their potential consequences.

GMAT FAQs

1. How Can I Apply for the GMAT Exam 2023?

You can apply for the GMAT exam in 6 simple steps.

• Login to MBA.com and create an account
• Start the registration process
• Enter your personal details
• Verify your profile
• Select exam date and time
• Pay the registration fee

2. Who Conducts the GMAT exam?

GMAC or Graduate Management Admission Council owns and administers the GMAT exams. GMAC is a global association of leading business schools and administers the GMAT exam in 114 countries around the world.

3. What is GMAT Exam for?

GMAT is a standardised computer-based test specially designed to evaluate the candidate on different skills that eventually help business schools in determining if the applicant is a perfect fit for their management programme.

4. Can I Crack GMAT without Coaching?

Yes, you can definitely crack GMAT without taking professional coaching for the exam. You have to stick to a schedule and focus on more practice sessions. Invest in good study material and mock tests. You can either buy books or download online study material available on various coaching websites. Practice as much as you can for the mathematics section and read as many comprehension essays and case studies for the verbal section.

5.How Much Do I Need to Score in GMAT?

The Minimum score required to qualify the GMAT exam is 200 and the maximum score is 800. However, top B-schools in the country consider candidates who have scores 700 or above.