How Many Times GMAT Exam is Conducted in a Year? GMAT Exam Dates 2025

The GMAT exam is a turning point for students who wish to pursue an MBA from India’s top business schools as well as internationally. Unlike one-day exams all year around, GMAT is held multiple times, enabling test-takers to select an exam date on the basis of their study abroad strategy. The test flexibility allows test-takers to schedule their test dates in accordance with their preparation and application strategy so that they have enough time to get their preferred GMAT score before applying.

There is no specific GMAT exam date, so test-takers can appear for the test at any convenient time as per your planning. But there are some important limitations to keep in mind. Test-takers can take the test five times in a year, which provides them with more chances to score well. However, there is an obligatory 16-day waiting period between successive attempts of the exam. This regulation does not enable test-takers to attempt the test back-to-back without sufficient practice time. Thus, planning carefully is required to give the test-taker enough time to practice and retake the test if necessary.

Knowing how frequently the exam is taken in a year, how to register for the GMAT exam, and how to prepare adequately is important to achieve a competitive score. Test-takers should also know the schedule process, retake rules, and the necessity of choosing a good test date well in advance. Whether it is a first-time attempt or a retake of the GMAT exam, this article will be a complete guide to assist test-takers to have a smooth process and achieve a better chance of success.

How Many Times Can You Take the GMAT Exam in a Year?

The GMAT test is administered throughout the year, and there are no specific dates of when the test is precisely administered. Aspirants can find a convenient test date and time and select a day that is most suitable for them. Unlike other standardized tests, the GMAT test provides flexibility in choosing the test day, and thus the test-taker can plan their test-taking strategy well.

For MBA aspirants, it is important to know everything about GMAT, such as score submission, test format, and preparation tips. Many business schools also require letters of recommendation, which candidates need to provide along with their application materials. Since admissions cycles vary across institutions, candidates must be mindful of the available days of the year to schedule their GMAT attempt while ensuring they meet their target school’s application deadlines.

GMAT Exam Policy	Details
Maximum attempts per year	5 times in any rolling 12-month period.
Retake waiting period	16 days between consecutive attempts.
Lifetime attempt limit	No limit on times in your lifetime.
Test options	GMAT in person at a test center or GMAT online.

Fun Fact: GMAT Focus Edition, introduced in 2024, makes the exam more adaptive and efficient. Test-takers are now better equipped with increased flexibility.

How to Register for GMAT Exam?

Since the 16-day waiting period between GMAT retakes is mandatory, the candidates must schedule their attempts at the right moment. The waiting period allows test-takers enough time to study their strategies and improve their performance before reattempting the test. Being prepared in advance prevents last-minute inconvenience and allows focused GMAT preparation to obtain the highest available score.

Since the examination dates for GMAT 2025 are flexible, the right date must be selected to ensure a seamless experience. Candidates should schedule GMAT at least six months before their earliest application deadline.

Here’s how to book your test:

1. Visit the official GMAC site – The official GMAT website lists available exam dates and centers.
2. Choose a test date – Ensure the date for your GMAT aligns with your application deadlines.
3. Register for GMAT – Use a debit card or credit card to complete the payment.
4. Select a date carefully – Avoid last-minute registrations and check available test center locations.
5. Take the GMAT – Arrive at the center or take the GMAT online version.

Interesting Fact: The GMAT Focus Edition 2025 is gaining popularity among candidates, especially those considering Indian Institute of Management admissions alongside other global MBA programs.

GMAT Test Centers and How to Select the Right Centres?

The GMAT is conducted at various exam centers worldwide. If you plan to take the exam in February 2025, it’s crucial to finalize your GMAT preparation early. Ensure you review the syllabus thoroughly before you take the test. To avoid last-minute hassle, schedule your GMAT exam in advance, as seats at centers can fill up quickly.

Some of the popular GMAT exam center locations in India include:

• 116 Lalbagh Road, Bengaluru
• Nelson Manickam Road, Chennai
• Manjeera Trinity Corporate, Hyderabad
• Near IIM Indore, Madhya Pradesh
• Sai Garments Road, Kolkata
• Infosys 1.5 Kms, Pune
• West High Court, Nagpur

The candidates should pre-register for the GMAT test, as dates fill up quickly.

Pro Tip: It is always a good idea to check the official website to get the most suitable center to you.

What If You Need to Retake, Reschedule or Cancel the GMAT Exam Dates?

Candidates often require retaking the test in order to secure a better score. But prior to reattempting, it is important to have a well-thought-out strategy. Step 1 is to review past performance and determine areas of improvement. Because GMAT is taken throughout the year, the test-taker will have to make a choice whether to book the next attempt within a time frame or a particular date, and provide themselves with enough time to optimize their strategy.

The flexibility of the GMAT test permits the test-takers to take the exam at home or test center, at their convenience. Those who wish to take it at home can take it from their home, but others would choose a test center for a formal environment. In both instances, it’s essential to approach your preparation strategically, focusing on weak areas and adjusting learning strategies for better performance for the next attempt.

Scenario	Required Action
Retaking within the same year	Ensure a 16 day waiting period before reattempting.
Exceeding 5 attempts in a year	Wait until the next rolling year.
Reschedule or cancel	Changes can be made on the official GMAC website, but additional fees apply.

Interesting Fact: An estimate of 565 as a GMAT score is the standard for mid-tier business schools, and a score of 715 and above is the standard for top schools.

GMAT vs CAT: Key Differences

Some candidates have both the GMAT and CAT on their minds while making a decision for business school applications. Both the tests test quantitative, verbal, and analytical abilities but for different reasons and are accepted by different business schools. The pattern of the GMAT test is computer-adaptive, where the level of difficulty of each question is determined by the performance of the test-taker. The CAT test has a fixed pattern with a percentile score system.

One of the big differences in the GMAT is that it is available throughout the year, and the candidates can choose an examination date as per your schedule, while the CAT is held annually. Also, GMAT test centers are easily accessible throughout India, some of the well-known places being Nagar Link Rd, Hitec City Road, and Iswar Ganguli Street, so that students can easily choose a center nearby.

While retaking a decision, the GMAT provides the candidates an opportunity to take the exam five times a year every 16 calendar days apart. The CAT provides one chance per year, so the candidates have to wait for a year if they wish to try again to get better scores. The Focus Edition that has been introduced in 2024 has further improved the pattern of the test, making it more adaptive and personalized for business school candidates.

Here’s how they compare:

Feature	GMAT	CAT
Accepted Globally	Yes	No, primarily for IIM admissions
Test Dates	Available year-round	Conducted once annually
Retake Policy	5 times a year	Only once per year
Exam Format	Computer-adaptive	Fixed format
Scoring System	200-800 scale	Percentile-based

For students targeting business schools in India, the choice between the GMAT vs CAT largely depends on the institutions they wish to apply to. The GMAT is widely accepted by international programs and some Indian Institute of Management executive MBA programs, while the CAT remains the primary requirement for full-time MBA admissions in Indian Institutes of Management.

If you’re aiming for an MBA at B-schools in India, the in person or online exam offers a broader range of opportunities.

Top 20 Universities for GMAT Admissions

GMAT is among the major admission requirements of the majority of the world’s leading universities, particularly their business and MBA programs. Achieving a good GMAT grade can significantly enhance the applicant’s application, with a greater chance of being admitted and receiving a scholarship. The following are the top 20 universities that accept GMAT scores, along with their programs offered, fees, GMAT requirements, and post-graduation salaries.

Top 20 GMAT Accepting Universities around popular destinations around the globe:

Rank	University Name	Courses Offered	GMAT Score (Avg.)	Tuition Fees (Approx.)	Average Salary Post-Graduation
1	Harvard University	MBA, Executive MBA	730	$73,440 per year	$150,000
2	Stanford University	MBA, Joint Degrees	738	$76,950 per year	$160,000
3	University of Pennsylvania	MBA, Wharton Executive MBA	733	$84,874 per year	$155,000
4	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	MBA, Business Analytics	730	$82,000 per year	$150,000
5	University of Chicago	MBA, Executive MBA	727	$77,200 per year	$145,000
6	Columbia University	MBA, MS in Financial Economics	726	$80,472 per year	$148,000
7	Northwestern University	MBA, Accelerated MBA	727	$78,276 per year	$140,000
8	London Business School	MBA, Masters in Management	708	£109,700 total	£100,000
9	INSEAD	MBA, Executive MBA	710	€97,000 total	€105,000
10	University of California, Berkeley	MBA, Business Analytics	725	$74,500 per year	$140,000
11	Yale University	MBA, Executive MBA	720	$79,000 per year	$145,000
12	New York University	MBA, Tech MBA	721	$82,326 per year	$140,000
13	University of Cambridge	MBA, MPhil in Finance	690	£64,000 total	£95,000
14	University of Oxford	MBA, MSc in Financial Economics	690	£71,440 total	£100,000
15	Duke University	MBA, Global Executive MBA	710	$71,750 per year	$135,000
16	University of Michigan	MBA, Executive MBA	720	$72,114 per year	$138,000
17	IE Business School	MBA, International MBA	670	€82,300 total	€85,000
18	Indian School of Business	MBA, Advanced Management	710	₹3,960,000 total	₹3,400,000
19	China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)	MBA, Finance MBA	680	¥468,000 total	¥600,000
20	National University of Singapore (NUS)	MBA, MSc in Finance	670	S$87,000 total	S$110,000

These universities offer some of the most prestigious business programs worldwide.While submission of GMAT scores is essential, work experience, essays, and recommendations also contribute significantly to the admission process. The candidates must plan in such a manner that their preparation for GMAT is compatible with the requirements of their target school.

Conclusion

The GMAT exam dates 2025 provide the test takers with the luxury of being able to schedule their GMAT exam at a convenient time for them. The GMAT exam is administered continuously in a year, with test takers having 5 attempts a year and a sixteen-day waiting period between tests. Sitting for the in person or as an exam online, planning is important.

Students must plan their preparation, with your application deadline in mind for your target schools. Given the dates available throughout the year, candidates must plan well and select the right GMAT test date.

By carefully choosing the date of birth (registration details), selecting an appropriate test date and time, and preparing effectively, you can maximize your submitting GMAT score for a successful application cycle.

With careful planning and preparation and a well-thought-out schedule, you will be able to ensure that your GMAT score submissions fit your way to a top business school.

For additional information regarding test schedules and availability, visit the official GMAC website’s frequently asked questions on GMAT. Join Ambitio Elite and schedule a call with our experts to take your study abroad dreams to new heights!

FAQs