Which Version of the GMAT Should You Take?
Any GMAT score will greatly increase your chances of being accepted into business school. It shows admissions officers that you are serious about their program and your education. There are two crucial factors to consider as you make your decision between the previous GMAT Exam and the latest GMAT Focus Edition. Review them below or download our guide.
Application Deadlines
- Take the previous version of the GMAT Exam if you are applying for Round 1 admissions (September or October 2023). Exam appointments are available until early 2024.
- Take the GMAT Focus Edition if you are applying for Round 2 or 3 admissions (December 2023 or early 2024). Exam appointments are available starting November 7, 2023.
Note: Application deadlines will differ by program so please review the detailed application deadlines on the school website for the program(s) you are interested in attending.
Test Taking Experience
Take the GMAT Exam if you:
- Prefer more opportunities to take breaks between sections.
- Need to highlight your analytical writing skills.
- Have already prepped considerably for this version of the GMAT and feel confident in your ability to achieve your goal score.
- Prefer your Total Score reflect quantitative and verbal skills only.
- Would like to attempt this version before you try the GMAT Focus Edition.
Take the GMAT Focus Edition if you:
- Prefer a much shorter exam and only need one optional 10-minute break.
- Want to highlight your data analysis skills, one of the most in-demand skillsets in business today.
- Do not need to provide an analytical writing assessment.
- Want the flexibility to bookmark and review questions as you move through the test, with the ability to change up to 3 responses per section.
- Would like your official score delivered within 3-5 business days.
GMAT Focus Edition or the New GRE General Test?
As the only admissions exam designed specifically for business school, it is no surprise that across GMAT and GRE test takers around the world, over 7 in 10 rely on GMAT to get into a graduate business program. And now the GMAT Focus Edition has a testing experience built specifically for you:
- Assesses relevant business skills instead of general skills
- Only 3 sections
- Over 2 minutes per question (25% more time than GRE)
- Select schools after seeing your results, not before
- Get official scores in 3-5 days—faster than ever!
Compare the Exams