Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

How long will the current version of the GMAT™ Exam continue to be available?

The current version of the GMAT™ Exam will continue to be available to candidates until early next year to facilitate their in-progress preparation and applications for business school. After that, GMAT™ Focus Edition will be the only GMAT exam available. 

How long are GMAT™ Exam scores valid ?

GMAT™ Exam scores continue to be valid for 5 years.

Will the GMAT™ Focus Edition be delivered at both test centers and online?

Yes.

Will business schools use the GMAT™ Focus Edition any differently?

No, like other assessments, admissions teams at business schools will use GMAT™ Focus Edition results as one factor to help them assess candidate readiness for their programs and, in some cases, in consideration of a candidate's overall strength compared to other candidates applying to their programs. 

Why was the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) removed from the GMAT™ Focus Edition?

We redesigned the GMAT™ exam to focus on problem solving, critical thinking, and data literacy skillsets especially relevant and applicable in the business environment of tomorrow. Additionally, schools often have essays incorporated into their application processes. To that end, we decided to remove the AWA from the exam.

Why did GMAC remove Sentence Correction from the GMAT™ Focus Edition?

The Verbal Reasoning section of the exam largely tests a test taker’s critical reasoning and reading comprehension skills. Critical Reasoning questions test the ability to analyze and evaluate complex scenarios and draw logical inferences, arguments, or solutions. Reading Comprehension questions test the ability to recognize and understand ideas and draw inferences from information presented in passages. The redesigned GMAT™ Focus Edition focuses on problem solving, critical thinking, and data literacy skillsets especially relevant and applicable in the business environment of tomorrow. To that end, we decided to remove sentence correction from the Verbal Reasoning section.

Is the GMAT™ Focus Edition Computer Adaptive?

Yes. The exam remains Computer Adaptive.

Is the GMAT™ Focus Edition predictive of academic success?

GMAT™ Focus Edition maintains the high-quality standards for which the GMAT™ Exam is known. GMAT™ Focus Edition is both a relevant and predictive measure of academic success in business school.

Which version of the GMAT should I take?

We encourage candidates to check with the schools to which they’re interested in applying before they proceed with registering and taking the GMAT exam to best enable their journey to business school. The current version of the GMAT will continue to be available until early next year to facilitate in-progress preparation and applications for business school. GMAT™ Official Prep material will also be available to support test takers in achieving success on either version of the exam. Notably, GMAT exam scores – either the current version or the Focus Edition – will continue to be valid for 5 years.

Registration Questions

When will registration for the GMAT™ Focus Edition open?

The GMAT™ Focus Edition Official Prep will be available on June 6, and registration for GMAT™ Focus Edition will open on August 29 for testing starting in Q4 2023. For either exam, free prep is and will continue to be available to candidates through mba.com. We encourage candidates to sign up on mba.com/gmatfocus to get the latest updates.

When will testing appointments for the GMAT™ Focus Edition begin?

We expect appointments to take the exam to begin in Q4 2023. Over the next three months, we will continue rolling out planned announcements and share further details on the exam. We encourage candidates to sign up on mba.com/gmatfocus to get the latest updates.

How much does the GMAT™ Focus Edition exam cost?

The GMAT™ Focus Edition fees will remain the same as the current GMAT exam. Exam fees, including local taxes, differ by region/country and delivery channel (online or test center).

If I have an existing GMAT Voucher or Fee Waiver, can I use it to register for a GMAT™ Focus Edition?

Yes, you can use an existing voucher for your GMAT™ Focus Edition registration fee. 

What accommodations are available for the GMAT™ Focus Edition?

Learn more at Testing Accommodations.

How many times can I take the GMAT™ Focus Edition?

All GMAT exam attempts – whether the current GMAT™ Exam or the GMAT™ Focus Edition, taken online or at a test center - will count towards your five (5) GMAT exam attempts during a rolling 12-month period and eight (8) total lifetime limits. 

Prep and Score Report Questions

Will Official Prep be available for GMAT™ Focus Edition like there is for the GMAT™ Exam?

Yes. GMAT™ Focus Official Prep is available now. For either exam, free prep is and will continue to be available to candidates through mba.com. If a candidate has already started preparing for the current GMAT™ Exam and is interested in taking the GMAT™ Focus Edition, the candidate is in great shape.

If candidates have started preparing for the current GMAT™ Exam, how will the preparation differ for the GMAT™ Focus Edition?

Registration for GMAT™ Focus Edition will open on August 29 for testing starting in Q4 2023. We encourage candidates to proceed with registering and taking the GMAT™ in ways that best enable their journey to business schools. The current version of the GMAT™ Exam will continue to be available to candidates until early next year to facilitate their in-progress preparation and applications for business school.

GMAT™ Focus Official Practice Exams: Can I take Practice Exams 1 and 2 more than once?

It is possible to retake exams but keep in mind that with each retake, there is a higher chance that the questions will be repeated. Additionally, seeing a question multiple times increases the likelihood of getting it right, so resetting the exam multiple times is not recommended. 

GMAT™ Focus Official Practice Exams: Can I take Practice Exams 3-6 more than once?

You can reset Practice Exams 3-6 once. Please note: Practice Exams 3-6 are not currently available for purchase. Sign up here for updates.

GMAT™ Focus Official Practice Exams: How can I review my questions on the Score Report?

Click on each section tab to see more details regarding your performance in that section, including performance and timing on each question and performance by question type and skills. To get an overview of your performance, click on the chart view.   

GMAT™ Focus Official Practice Exams: Can I take a practice exam on my phone?

No. We require that you launch all Practice Exams from a desktop or laptop browser to replicate your test day experience.

GMAT™ Focus Official Practice Exams: I repurchased the same practice exam product. Why is it not showing in my test portal?

To access a repurchased practice exam, you must use up all your attempts for the paid exam. For instance, if you buy a practice exam 5 twice, you must complete both attempts before the repurchased practice exam appears. Once you have completed all attempts for a practice exam, any newly purchased practice exam(s) will become available. However, if you repurchase the same exam, you may encounter some repeat questions.

GMAT™ Focus Official Practice: Can I open the exam on multiple browser windows?

 We do not recommend this as it could result in errors and does not simulate the actual test-taking experience. 

Are there any changes to the Official Score Report for the GMAT™ Focus Edition?

Yes, the new Official Score Report now includes detailed performance insights. Learn more at Official Score Report. 

Will the Enhanced Score Report (ESR) be available for the GMAT™ Focus Edition? 

The Official Score Report for the GMAT™ Focus Edition has been expanded and improved. It will include (at no additional cost) detailed charts and graphs that provide additional insight into a candidate’s performance. Since these reports will be included as part of a candidate’s Official Score Report, there will not be an option (or need) to purchase an Enhanced Score Report for the GMAT™ Focus Edition.

Scores

What will the new score look like?

The GMAT™ Focus Edition Total Score scale is 205-805. Section scores are on a scale of 60-90. Learn more at Scores. 

How will business schools/programs compare performance across the two different versions of the exam?

Schools will be provided with the necessary tool to compare performance across two different versions of the exam. Learn more at Understanding Your Score.

Will GMAT™ Focus Edition scores be valid for five years, as well?

Yes, GMAT™ Focus Edition Scores will be valid for five years.

If you still cannot find an answer to your question(s), please contact GMAC Customer Care.