GMAT Exam Dates 2026: Complete Schedule & Registration Guide

GMAT Focus Edition is available year-round throughout 2026 with no fixed test dates. Online tests are available 24/7, 365 days a year, while test center appointments are available 7 days a week at Pearson VUE centers worldwide. You can schedule your test for any date that suits your preparation timeline and application deadlines. The test can be taken once every 16 days, up to 5 times within any rolling 12-month period, giving you maximum flexibility. Book 2-3 months in advance during peak seasons (May-October) as popular test centers and time slots fill quickly.

GMAT Focus Edition costs $275 USD at test centers or $300 USD for online testing in most locations. In India, fees are ₹23,000 (test center) or ₹25,000 (online). UK pricing is £250 for test center and £275 for online. Europe pricing is €275/€300. The test fee includes sending scores to up to 5 business schools for free at time of registration. Additional services include: rescheduling fees ranging from $55-180 depending on how far in advance you reschedule, additional score reports at $35 per report beyond the initial 5 free, Enhanced Score Report at $30 for detailed performance analysis, and score reinstatement at $50 if you cancelled scores at the test center.

Register for the GMAT at mba.com by following these steps: (1) Create an account with your personal information, (2) Log in and click the 'Exams' tab to start registration, (3) Enter your personal details matching your passport exactly, (4) Optionally provide educational and work history, (5) Verify all information for accuracy, (6) Choose between online test (24/7 available) or test center (7 days/week), (7) Select up to 5 programs to receive scores free, and (8) Pay via credit/debit card and receive instant confirmation. The entire process takes 10-15 minutes. You can also register by phone by calling GMAC customer service for an additional $15 fee. Have your passport and payment method ready before starting.

Yes, GMAT Focus Edition is available online from home with remote proctoring, available 24/7 year-round. The online test costs $300 versus $275 at test centers. Both formats use identical questions, scoring algorithms, and are equally accepted by all business schools worldwide. Requirements for online testing include: a desktop or laptop computer (not tablet or mobile), working webcam and microphone, stable high-speed internet connection (at least 1 Mbps download/upload), quiet private room with closed door, desk cleared of all materials except whiteboard if using physical one, and valid ID matching your registration. However, online tests are limited to maximum 2 attempts per 12-month period, while test center allows up to 5 attempts per year.

For fall 2026 MBA admissions, take the GMAT based on your target application round. For Round 1 (deadlines typically September 2025), test by June-July 2025. For Round 2 (deadlines typically January 2026), test by October-November 2025. For Round 3 (deadlines typically April 2026), test by January-February 2026. General rule: take the GMAT 3-4 months before your earliest application deadline. This timeline provides 8-12 weeks for focused preparation, 7 days for score delivery to schools, and 2-3 months buffer for potential retakes if needed (remember the mandatory 16-day wait between attempts). Early testing gives you maximum flexibility to apply in multiple rounds and eliminates stress during application season when you're also working on essays and interviews.

GMAT scores are valid for 5 years from your test date. For example, if you take the GMAT Focus Edition on January 15, 2026, your scores remain valid and can be sent to business schools until January 14, 2031. This extended validity period means you can take the test early (even in your undergraduate years or early career) and use the scores years later for MBA applications, giving you maximum flexibility for career planning and application timing. You can take the GMAT once every 16 days, up to 5 times within any continuous rolling 12-month period. There is no lifetime limit on the number of GMAT attempts (previously limited to 8 attempts lifetime). Business schools typically use your highest score if you take the test multiple times.

GMAT Focus Edition is the current version of the GMAT launched in November 2023, replacing the traditional GMAT format which was retired in January 2024. It's a shorter, more streamlined test lasting 2 hours 15 minutes (compared to 3 hours 30 minutes for the old GMAT) with three sections: Quantitative Reasoning (45 minutes, 21 questions), Verbal Reasoning (45 minutes, 23 questions), and Data Insights (45 minutes, 20 questions). The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section was removed, and Sentence Correction questions were eliminated from the Verbal section. Total scores range from 205 to 805 in 10-point increments, with separate scores provided for each of the three sections. New features include ability to review and edit questions within each section, bookmark questions for review, and improved on-screen calculator. The test remains computer-adaptive, adjusting difficulty based on your performance.

Yes, you can reschedule your GMAT test through your mba.com account, but fees apply based on timing. Rescheduling more than 60 days before your test costs $55-60. Rescheduling 15-60 days before costs $110-120. Rescheduling 14 or fewer days before costs $165-180. No rescheduling is allowed within 24 hours of your scheduled test time. For cancellations, you'll receive a partial refund based on timing: more than 60 days before receives highest refund, while cancellations within 24 hours receive no refund. To reschedule, log into your mba.com account, navigate to your scheduled test, select the reschedule option, choose a new date and time from available appointments, pay the rescheduling fee, and receive updated confirmation. The new appointment must be available and follow the 16-day waiting period if you've taken GMAT recently.