GMAT exam registration: when to take the test, study plans, and timelines

TL;DR

• Register for the GMAT exam as soon as you decide to apply for business school
• Allow at least six weeks of serious revision time using a week-by-week study plan
• GMAC recommends taking the test at least four weeks before your application deadline, so you have time to retake if necessary

While business schools won’t reject your application based on your GMAT score alone, a good score will strengthen your application and signal to your target school that you’re serious about studying there. Plus, the skills and knowledge you’ll gain during GMAT revision are perfect preparation for business school.

In this article, we’ll explain all you need to know about registering for the GMAT exam and getting ready for it, including:

• How to register for the GMAT exam
• When to take the exam
• How to put together a study plan
• Study tips to help you get the best score possible
• A full timeline for applying to business school

Let’s take a closer look

When should you register for the GMAT exam?

Our advice here is simple: register for the GMAT exam as soon as you decide to apply to business school.

Why? Well, first, it sends an important message: that you will follow through with this. Once you’ve registered for the GMAT exam, you have a concrete date to work towards, which means no more procrastination or indecision. Basically, your business school journey begins when you register for the GMAT exam. It's a big step, but it means you are now on your way.

Registering early also gives you time to retake your test if your score isn’t as strong as expected. We recommend taking your GMAT exam about four weeks before the application deadline. This gives you enough time to retake the test before the deadline if necessary. It also provides a window to apply to other schools where you have a better chance of being accepted.

Having said that, don’t forget that your GMAT score is only one small part of an extensive application process. Your score alone won’t determine your acceptance, but a strong one will certainly boost your chances.

Your GMAT score is valid for five years. If you choose to delay your application, you probably won’t need to retake it.

How to register for the GMAT exam

You can register for the GMAT™ Exam on the mba.com website. Here are the steps you’ll need to take:

1. Enter your personal information. Provide your name ( exactly as it appears on your ID), contact details, preferred language, home address, date of birth, and country of citizenship
2. Enter your profile details. List your previous qualifications, GPA, work experience, and where and when you want to study. This section is optional.
3. Choose your exam and delivery channel. Select which test you want to take and how you’d like to take it (online or at one of our test centers).
4. Choose your test center. If you will take your exam in-person, pick a convenient test center. There are test centers in more than 100 countries, so you’re likely to find one near you.
5. Confirm your exam date and pay the fees. The GMAT fees will depend on your location, but in the United States they are currently US$275 for an in-person test and US$300 online.

To reschedule your exam, the fee starts from US$55 if you do so more than 60 days before the test.

How to prepare for the GMAT exam

Now the hard work starts. The time you need to prepare for the GMAT exam varies for everyone, but we suggest setting aside at least six weeks for studying. You may need more time if you’re busy with other work or personal commitments, for example.

The work of getting ready for the exam might seem scary, but dividing your GMAT exam prep into stages will make it easier to handle. Here’s how to do that.

1. Create a study plan

The first thing to do is create a GMAT study plan. The official MBA.com 6-week planner makes that task much easier. It breaks your study down into weekly chunks, setting out what you need to do and when you need to do it. You will slowly increase your study time, setting aside periods for practice exams before the official test.

IMPORTANT STUDY TIP: We recommend studying the Quantitative Reasoning section before moving on to the Data Insights section. That’s because the skills you’ll gain in the first will give you a solid grounding for the second. The quantitative section tests your basic algebra and arithmetic skills. The Data Insights section assesses how well you analyze and interpret data, and how you apply that information to real-world business situations.

2. Keep an error log

As you study, keep an error log that notes the areas where you’re falling short.

It’s easy to do. When you get a question wrong while studying, write down the question type. Record both your answer and the correct one as well.

Finally, include a brief analysis of your mistake. Reviewing your log will help you identify patterns and target areas for improvement.

Over time, you should be able to smooth out any common errors you’re making and incrementally improve your score.

3. Take practice exams consistently and strategically

Practice exams should form the bedrock of any good GMAT study plan. They can get you accustomed to the question formats, help you pinpoint weaknesses, and improve your time management (more on that in the next section).

Many students say the official GMAT Practice Exams are a good way to predict how you will do on the real test. They can help you avoid guesswork and give you a clear idea of your score, which will boost your confidence to do well on your test.

4. Work on your time management

Another thing students consistently mention is the importance of time management during the GMAT exam. Knowing your material is one thing, but if you can’t manage your time well your exam score will suffer.

This is crucial because each section of the exam is time-bound. You have 45 minutes for the Quantitative Reasoning section, 45 minutes for Verbal Reasoning, and 45 minutes for Data Insights.

You need to pace yourself to make sure you allocate enough time to each section. If you exceed the time limit for a section in your practice tests, try it again. Keep going over it until you can finish without rushing.

5. Prioritize official GMAT exam prep materials

Various unofficial exam prep materials are available, and many students find them helpful. However, only the official GMAT exam prep materials precisely reflect the difficulty and question style of the real exam.

They were made by the people who created the exam, so they accurately represent the real test. This is especially advantageous in the practice exams, which students often say indicate their likely GMAT score.

Example business -school application timeline

Here’s what a full application timeline might look like. It starts from the day you decide to apply and ends on the day you (hopefully) enter the classroom.

This timeline reflects a typical MBA program and assumes that you have already decided which school(s) to apply to.

• June - Register for the GMAT exam. Once you’ve decided which program(s) to apply for, the first step of the application process is to register online for the GMAT exam.
• June - Start GMAT revision. You should leave yourself at least six weeks between the start of your study preparations and your test day - though some people may need more time to prepare
• August - GMAT test day. We recommend booking your GMAT about four weeks before the application deadline(s) you’re aiming for.
• August/September - GMAT retake (optional). Hopefully, you get your desired score on your first try. If not, the three- to four-weeks period you planned leaves enough time to retake the test and improve your score.
• September - First application round deadline. MBA programs normally have three or four application rounds throughout the year. The first-round deadline tends to be in the fall.
• December - First application round notification.
• January - Second application round deadline. If you weren’t quite ready to apply in Round 1, you normally have another chance to apply a few months later. Most students apply for an MBA program in the first two rounds.
• March - Second application round notification.
• April - Third application round deadline. We usually don’t recommend applying for an MBA in Round 3 unless you have a unique application. Many schools will have nearly filled their classes by this time.
• May - Third application round notification.
• September - The start of your business school journey!

Start on your GMAT journey today. Register early to give yourself ample time for preparation and any necessary retakes – setting yourself up for a smooth path to business school.