If you are someone who is keen to pursue a course or degree in finance or management, then you must take the GMAT exam. The exam scores are required during the admission process to screen a candidate’s aptitude in related fields (finance and management).
GMAT is used globally by top business schools and the scores are accepted by over 7000 graduate business programs worldwide. These would include ivy league colleges in the US, Australia, Asia, Europe, Canada, and other regions. Harvard Business School, Stanford School of Business, and the London Business School are some such premier institutions that accept GMAT scores, and this speaks volumes about the weight and prestige the exam carries about it. Apart from the business schools, the scores are widely accepted by some international organizations like the World Bank.
GMAT is a standardized test for a candidate’s aptitude in business-related studies. It stands for the Graduate Management Admission Test and is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). It is designed to assess skills like analytical writing, problem-solving ability, verbal proficiency, and mathematical skills.
What is the GMAT Exam Format and Eligibility
You can take the GMAT exam if you are interested in a degree in finance or management like an MBA or Master of Finance. You need to meet the basic eligibility requirements set by GMAC. You need to be at least 18 years of age to appear for the exam, must be a passport-holder or possess a government-issued photo identification. There are no specific educational or professional qualifications required to take the test, but typically you will be required to have a bachelor’s degree with some work experience.
The GMAT exam consists of 4 sections with set time limit. Under Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), you will be given to analyze an argument through a written essay in 30 minutes. Then you have the Integrated Reasoning. Time allotment is again 30 minutes for this section that comprise questions like multi-source reasoning, graphic/data interpretation, two-part analysis, and table analysis. There is Quantitative Section. Here you will have 62 minutes to solve 31 multiple choice math questions from geometry, algebra, and arithmetic. And then the Verbal Section to test your English skills in reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction. You will have 65 minutes to solve 36 multiple choice questions.
Please note that the difficulty level of the questions adjusts based on your performance. Scores range from 200 to 800, and are valid for 5 years.
How and Who to Contact for GMAT Registration
There are approximately 600 GMAT test centers in more than 114 countries. The United States, the United Kingdom, India, China, Canada, and Australia are some such countries with a high concentration of testing centers.
The GMAT exam can be taken year-round. You will need to select a convenient date, time, and test center to register for the exam. Each testing center may have specific requirements like dress code, ID requirements, and prohibited requirements. It is a good idea to check with your chosen test center for any such regulations before the exam date.
To register for GMAT, you must contact GMAC, or the organization that administers the test. You can register by any one of the following modes mentioned below.
1) Register Online – Visit the GMAT website and create an account in your name to register for the test. Choose your preferred test center (location), date, and time, and pay the exam fee online by debit or credit card payment option.
2) Call the Helpline – Alternatively, you can call the GMAT support center on +1 800-717-GMAT (4628) or write to GMATCandidateServicesAmericas@pearson.com. Here are numbers for other regions: +852-3077-4926 (Asia Pacific), +91 120-439-7830 (India), +86-10-82345675 (China) and +44 (0) 161 855 7219 (Europe). For queries on GMAT exam online, you can write to support@examity.com. Provide your personal and payment information to them over the phone. Please remember to book the test in advance to avoid all last-minute hurries and late registration fees.
3) Send an Email – You can also request a paper registration form from GMAC via email. You can access the address on their website. You can pay by check or money order.
Once you have finished creating a GMAT account, selected a test date/time/location, scheduled exam appointment, and transferred the payment, you will receive a confirmation of your exam appointment that will contain the address of the test center, date, and time.
Though you need not wait for registration to start your GMAT preparation, you must not waste any time once the registration is done and accepted successfully. Use practice tools and study resources to stay on mark.
For any further queries regarding registration for the exam, you may contact GMAT’s customer service center for assistance.
What is the Cost of GMAT Exam
The cost of taking the GMAT exam is $250. The fee may vary by region so it is best for you to get up-to-date information from their official website before the registration process. If you change your mind regarding exam date, a rescheduling fee would be applicable.
If you wish to retake the exam, you must wait 16 calendar days and pay the exam fee again in full each time you take the exam. Please check once with the business school you are applying at because each school will have different policies on accepting multiple GMAT scores. Business schools will, however, evaluate your best scores, irrespective of how many times you took the exam.
How to Check Scores
You can check your GMAT scores approximately three weeks from the test date. You can check your scores in the following ways.
Visit the official website and log in to your GMAT account to view your scores. You can also get a report by mail. For most cases, the report card or score sheet is sent by mail within 20 calendar days after the exam date. The report will include your overall score, as well as scores for individual sections.
For the uninitiated, at the time of registration, you can also opt for up to five business schools where your GMAT scores will be sent for free. This is part of the exam fee. Business schools will receive your scores directly from GMAC. GMAT scores are valid for five years.
