Drishti Jain Study Abroad Content Specialist
Study Abroad Content Specialist | Updated On - Oct 1, 2025
Graduate Management Admission Test, also known as the GMAT, is a standardised entrance test required by most top business schools globally for admission to MBA and other management programs. More than 2300 B-schools and 7700 programs accept the GMAT Score worldwide. GMAT exam 2026 will happen throughout the year. Students can take a maximum of 5 attempts in a rolling period of 12 months. Each attempt should have a gap period of at least 16 days.
The GMAT exam happens in 2 ways: in a test centre and online. Students can choose how they want to appear for the test. They can also choose the date they prefer to appear for the exam. The fee for appearing for the GMAT exam 2026 is USD 275 (INR 24,009) for test centres and USD 300 (INR 26,191) for appearing online. If you are targeting to take admissions in the Fall 2026, then the best time to appear for GMAT exam is between September 2025 to December 2025.
Click here to register for GMAT
Also Check: Reasons to Take GMAT
GMAT 2026 Structure
The key features of GMAT 2026 are as follows:
- GMAT is a multiple-choice exam
- The GMAT exam is for 2 hours and 15 minutes (with 10-minute optional breaks).
- It has a total of 64 questions and consists of 3 sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights.
- You can answer the 3 sections in any order, giving you a more personalized testing experience. You can also take your optional 10-minute break whenever you choose: after the first section, or after the second.
- You will receive a detailed score report within 1-3 days of taking the test
- There is no essay section
- You can choose which section scores to send to B schools
How To Take the GMAT?
The GMAT registration process is simple and can be done online through the official website. You are advised to apply for the GMAT exam as soon as you decide you want to take admission in a B-school. You can register for the GMAT by following the steps below:
- Sign up: Create an account on the mba.com website
- Enter your personal information. Write your name exactly as it appears on your ID, contact details, preferred language, home address, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
- Enter your profile details. Detail your previous qualifications, GPA, work experience, where you plan to study, and when you plan to study. This section is optional.
- Choose your exam location. Select how you would like to take the exam (online or at one of the test centers).
- Choose your test center. If you’ve chosen to take your exam in person, pick a convenient test center. Test centers exist in more than 100 countries. Choose the most convenient one.
- Confirm your exam date and pay the fees. The GMAT fees for Indian students are USD 275 (INR 24,009) for test centres and USD 300 (INR 26,191) for appearing online
Timeline for GMAT 2026
Most of the Top Universities, like Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT), INSEAD Singapore, Yale University, etc, have 2 intakes: Fall and Spring. Selecting the perfect GMAT date involves a strategic approach. Here’s how to ensure you pick the ideal day:
June 2025 – Begin Your GMAT Prep
Start your GMAT preparation immediately after registering. Aim for at least 6–8 weeks of study time. Get thorough with the exam format and solve GMAT Sample Papers.
August 2025 – Take the GMAT
Schedule your test for early to mid-August, especially if you're targeting Round 1 application deadlines. This gives you time to receive your scores and make any necessary adjustments before submission.
August–September 2025
If your initial score doesn’t meet your target, you’ll still have time to retake the test. These 3–4 weeks can be crucial for making score improvements without delaying your application timeline.
September 2025 – Round 1 Application Deadlines
Most top MBA programs open Round 1 applications in early fall. Applying in this round can increase your chances of admission and scholarships.
December 2025 – Round 1 Decision Notifications
By late December, you’ll start hearing back from schools about your Round 1 applications. If accepted, you can begin planning your next steps—visas, finances, and relocation.
January 2026 – Round 2 Application Deadlines
If you didn’t apply in Round 1, Round 2 is your next major opportunity.
March 2026 – Round 2 Decisions
Expect to receive admissions decisions from your Round 2 schools during March.
April 2026 – Round 3 Deadlines
Round 3 is usually the last opportunity to apply for the Fall 2026 intake. However, many programs will already have limited seats available.
How to Cancel or Reschedule the GMAT?
If by any chance you want to reschedule or cancel your test date appointment, you can do so by logging in to your account on the official website. You have to pay USD 55-60 for rescheduling 60 days before the appointment. You will get a refund of USD 110 (INR 9,604) upon cancellation 60 days before the test date.
| Time Before Appointment | Fee Type | Test Center (USD) | Test Center (INR) | Online (USD) | Online (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| More than 60 days | Reschedule | $55 | ₹4,802.05 | $60 | ₹5,238.60 |
| Cancellation Refund | $110 Refund | ₹9,604.10 | $120 Refund | ₹10,477.20 | |
| 15 to 60 days | Reschedule | $110 | ₹9,604.10 | $120 | ₹10,477.20 |
| Cancellation Refund | $80 Refund | ₹6,984.80 | $90 Refund | ₹7,857.90 | |
| 14 days or less | Reschedule | $165 | ₹14,406.15 | $180 | ₹15,715.80 |
| Cancellation Refund | $55 Refund | ₹4,802.05 | $60 Refund | ₹5,238.60 |
Top Universities Accepting GMAT
Many Top Universities that accept GMAT have a cut-off score range of 550-650. Universities like MIT, Harvard University, and Stanford University have a higher cut-off range of 700+.
| University | Total Fees (₹/Year) | GMAT Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford, UK | ₹105.13 lakhs | 650 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA | ₹77.97 lakhs | 720 |
| Harvard University, USA | ₹68.95 lakhs | 740 |
| Stanford University, USA | ₹75.13 lakhs | 738 |
| Yale University, USA | ₹61.24 lakhs | 690 |
| University of Chicago, USA | ₹76.53 lakhs | 600 |
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | ₹68.42 lakhs | 670 |
| UC–Los Angeles (UCLA), USA | ₹69.61 lakhs | 670 |
| Columbia University, USA | ₹79.88 lakhs | 732 |
Also check: List of Top Colleges in India Accepting GMAT
Tips for preparing for GMAT
Appearing for GMAT exams requires a proper strategic approach and lots of practice. According to 2024 data, 1.97 million students took the GMAT exam, which makes this exam quite competitive. Preparing for GMAT varies from student to student, but the ideal time to prepare is 6 weeks before the exam date. Below are some tips to prepare for the GMAT exam.
1. Create a Study Plan
Start by building a structured study schedule. The official 6-week GMAT planner from MBA.com is a useful tool that breaks down tasks week by week and gradually increases study intensity.
2. Track Your Mistakes
Each time you get a question wrong, note the question type, your answer, the correct answer, and why you missed it. Over time, this helps you spot patterns and improve weak areas.
3. Take Practice Exams
Practice tests are essential for simulating the real exam and improving time management. Solving GMAT practice papers is a must as they best reflect the actual test format and difficulty. They also give you a realistic estimate of your score.
4. Focus on Time Management
Each GMAT section is 45 minutes long. If you can’t finish on time, adjust your pacing and practice under timed conditions until you can complete each section comfortably.
Also check: GMAT Practice Papers
GMAT is the first and crucial step for international students towards the journey to any B-school. Appearing for GMAT requires a strategic approach, along with keeping in mind the application deadlines of the B schools. The exam assesses the quantitative, verbal, and analytical skills of the students, so make sure to focus on all the 3 skills while you prepare for the exam. You must start preparing for the GMAT at least 6 weeks before the test date to increase the chances of getting good scores.
FAQs
Ques 1: Does the GMAT exam have any negative marking?
Ans: No, the GMAT does not have a negative marking. Therefore, you are advised to attempt the question even if you are unsure of the answer
Ques 2: When is the best month to take the GMAT for the 2026 intake?
Ans: Ideally, you should aim to take the GMAT between June and September 2025, especially if you're applying in Round 1 applications of the B schools.
Ques 3: How many schools can I send my GMAT scores to?
Ans: You can send your GMAT scores to 5 schools for free. This selection must be made either before or immediately after completing the test. If you want to send additional score reports, you can do so by paying an additional fee of USD 35 (INR 3055) per school.
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