How to Apply for GMAT Exam 2025: Register for the GMAT and Study Plan for Indian Students

Did you know? Approximately 200,000 test-takers sit for the GMAT exam each year, and many have encountered problems registering for the exam – they have missed registration deadlines, they have selected the wrong test center, they have paid to reschedule because they registered for the wrong date.

If you’re going to take the GMAT at some point in 2025, while taking the exam may be simple enough, it only can take one small mistake to cost you both time and money. Choosing the GMAT Focus Edition vs. the regular GMAT, the right test date, and managing the registration fee can become overwhelming very fast.

But fret not! we will help clarify everything you need to note to have a seamless beginning to your journey, be it for an in-person test or online GMAT!

How to Apply for the GMAT Exam: GMAT Registration Process

Signing up for the official GMAT test is the very first step for anyone about to take the GMAT for an MBA program. It sounds easy but trust me, a single error can ruin the entire timeline and can also mean that you pay some extra bucks; a wrong exam date or an incorrect test center will cause havoc.

Now let’s take it one step at a time so that you can start your GMAT journey smoothly.

Step 1: Make an Account in the Official GMAT Site

The first thing to do is create an account on mba.com, the official GMAT website; this will be your one-stop destination for everything you need—registration, payment, test rescheduling, and score reporting. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, and contact information, and it has to match your ID down to the last character or it can present you with a problem on test day.

Step 2: Set GMAT Test Dates and Locations

Now it’s time to set up an examination slot after your account is set. See now what’s your study plan; when you’ll be applying—remember to register two to three months ahead of the examination. You’ve got an option of sitting for a physical test in a GMAT center or to do GMAT exam Online through your PC. Choose a GMAT Exam time slot that suits you best.

Step 3: Make Payment for GMAT Test Registration

Now to pay. The test fee in India is USD 275 for GMAT Focus Edition and this would vary by location. Payment options can be a credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Note that you will have to make a rescheduling fee should you wish to change your GMAT date. 

Step 4: Book Your GMAT Exam Date Online or at a Test Center

After paying, you’ll be directed to confirm your GMAT exam slot. If you’re taking the online exam, ensure you have a quiet space and a stable internet connection. If you’re opting for an in-person test, double-check your chosen test center location and confirm you can reach there on time.

Step 5: Confirm Your GMAT Registration and Next Steps

You’ve successfully reserved your GMAT test slot, and it’s now straightforward: you’ll get an email confirming the details of your test date. Now you can engage, prepare, and effectively plan for your test day; create a GMAT study plan, practice tests GMAT Questions, and focus on your quantitative reasoning and your verbal reasoning.

You would never forget this plan! And, if the unexpected occurs and you need to rearrange, you can always reschedule your GMAT, although this will incur a fee.

How to Reschedule or Cancel the GMAT Exam 2025

So you’ve just registered for the GMAT exam and, well, life intervened–you’re not prepared, you’re unwell, or your application deadline changed. Regardless of the circumstance, you can be rest assured, and you can either reschedule, or cancel your GMAT test.

The only stipulation to this is: it won’t be without a fee, and very strict policies and rules. Let’s take it step-by-step so you don’t have to lose any money and did not make a decision last minute. This applies to other exams like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, SAT and ACT as well.

Can You Change Your GMAT Test Date?

Yes! You can reschedule your GMAT exam if your original date doesn’t work. But don’t wait until the last minute. GMAC charges a rescheduling fee, and prices increase as your exam date gets closer. Rescheduling is allowed for both the GMAT online test and the in-person test at a test center.

Remember, if you don’t want to take the GMAT at all, you can just cancel it. But do know that refund policies are very strict. Here’s how the rescheduling fee works:

• If you cancel in the 60+ days before your test day → partial refund
• If you cancel in the 15-60 days before your test day → even smaller refund
• If you cancel in the 14 days or less before your test day → you will lose almost all of your money

You will never get a full refund, but if you cancel towards the beginning, you will not have to lose your money. If you are not sure about your timeline for your MBA program, it is almost always better to re-schedule your GMAT instead of cancelling it.

GMAT Test Retake Policy: How Many Times Can You Apply?

If you need to retake the GMAT, here’s what you should know:

• You can take the GMAT up to 5 times in a year
• You must wait 16 days before scheduling a new test
• The GMAT Focus Exam has different retake rules check the official website

Don’t rush to retake the GMAT, use your study time wisely and improve your quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning before booking another GMAT slot.

Important Tips for Avoiding GMAT Registration Mistakes

• Don’t waste money on last-minute rescheduling. Book a GMAT exam slot that fits your study plan.
• Pick a test date that aligns with your MBA application process and deadlines.
• Check your test center location (if taking the in-person test) to avoid confusion.
• Register for the GMAT online early to get the best slots before they fill up.

GMAT Score Reporting and Application to Business Schools

Your GMAT score is not just some random number. It is one of the most important components of your MBA application and it affects your likelihood of admission to your top business schools. After taking the GMAT exam, the next step is ensuring your scores are sent to the universities you have chosen in a timely manner.

You can request that your official GMAT scores be sent directly to 5 schools for free when you sign up for the GMAT exam, so be careful when selecting your schools. You may also send these scores after the window closes, but you will be responsible for a fee for each additional report.

Your GMAT score history is valid for five years, which means that you don’t have to jump into applications immediately; however, if you are considering re-taking the exam to rectify your GMAT prep results, remember that you can cancel your GMAT minimum score if you’re not happy with it.

The good news is that you also have the chance to reinstate a canceled score (at a cost), within 60 days after your test date. Many MBA programs will accept both the traditional GMAT and the newly updated version of the GMAT, so check with your target schools first (before applying) to make sure it is acceptable.

Lastly, be sure that your GMAT exam registration schedule aligns with your application deadlines; if you decide you do want to take the exam again, ensure that you plan to do so or months before the exam deadline.

A good GMAT score can make all the difference, so be strategic with your score reporting and business school applications.

How to Improve Your GMAT Score for Better Admissions

A maximum GMAT score can lead to acceptance into top MBA programs, scholarships, and helpful job opportunities.

If you are looking to get a competitive advantage, then keep reading for ways to maximize your GMAT score and your business school programs.

1. Take a GMAT Practice Exam to Identify Weaknesses

Before beginning to study for the GMAT it is a good idea to take a full-length practice exam, and see how you score. Then look for data insights based on your mock exam, and determine your weaknesses (quant reasoning or verbal reasoning).

2. Create a Study Plan Based on GMAT Exam Sections

It is important to craft a plan when studying for the GMAT exam to get a good score. Schedule time for test questions, reviewing concepts, and practicing how to correctly answer questions or correctly solve problems. It does not matter if you are taking the GMAT in a testing center or taking the GMAT online at home in 2025, just remain consistent.

3. Use Free GMAT Resources and Paid Prep Courses

There are lots of free resources for the GMAT, but there is also a lot of good quality and best GMAT online coaching, preparation materials to pay for or tutoring. You only want to pay for these things once you know that you want to study for the GMAT exam.

If you have looked into the GMAT exam fee for India and are worried about the price, make sure to take advantage of several free GMAT tests series before you choose to pay for additional GMAT resources.

4. Manage Your Time with Smart Test Strategies

The GMAT is as much about managing your time as it is about managing your knowledge. Learn when you can skip a weak or tough question, help yourself avoid going to fast, and help yourself from spending toooooo long on a single problem. You CAN skip around to maximize your score as you simply do not have to get every question answer correct.

5. Register for the GMAT Early and Plan Retakes If Needed

Once you have booked your GMAT test time, and received a confirmation email with details about your test, you are ready to prepare for the GMAT test! Create a GMAT study plan, practice tests, more practice tests, targeted study on you quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning.

Don’t forget that if you need to change anything you can reschedule your GMAT for a fee.

Conclusion

Taking the time to plan ahead means that completing the GMAT exam registration process is easy. The registration knowledge is just another component of selecting the right test date; with any luck, you will experience minimal stress planning for the day your GMAT test.

Just make sure that you have knowledge of the registration process, GMAT registration fee and anything else you have to prepare for so that nothing is a panic. The entire registration process takes less than fifteen minutes, but can certainly have an immense impact on your MBA applications.

If you’re ready to take the test and need expert guidance, Ambitio Elite can help you every step of the way from GMAT prep to building a strong MBA application. Get started today and take your GMAT journey to the next level! Sign up on Ambitio now!

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