Important Facts
Aditi Bhardwaj May 21, 2025 1K Reads
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardized test utilized to measure certain skills and analyze essay writing for candidates' applications into graduate management programs, including MBAs. For those who can see the future, the GMAT Exam 2025 will maintain substantial details like general test dates, test registration, and the location of eventual global test centers.
The exam format will remain the same, with several sections allowing individuals to demonstrate proficiency across a variety of relevant skills. The report students will receive as part of their GMAT will be returned to students in a few weeks, which makes planning fairly straightforward when students need it for the application. It's always good to know what's happening with this type of information for tugging at the heart strings of prospective students and overwhelming them in an ocean of graduate business education choices.
Here is the list of the basic key highlights of the GMAT Exam 2025 for better understanding:
Factors |
Detailes |
Exam Name |
GMAT |
Conducted by |
GMAC |
Official Website |
https://www.mba.com |
Popularly Given for |
MBA, MIM, or other PG Business Courses |
Accepted in |
India & Abroad |
Types of Questions |
All MCQ-based |
Mode of Conduction |
Online: either at home or at a test centre |
GMAT Exam Fee |
USD 300 (online) and USD 275 (at a test centre) + taxes |
Sections of Testing |
Quantitative Reasoning | Verbal Reasoning | Data Insights |
Scoring Scale |
205 - 805 |
Overall Duration of Exam |
150 minutes |
Sectional Duration |
45 minutes per section |
How to register for the GMAT |
Online through MBA.com |
Total GMAT Takers in 2024 |
115,286 |
GMAT Contact Details |
Phone: +91 120-439-7830, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Indian Standard Time |
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test developed to assess a candidate's analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills for admission to graduate management programs (e.g., MBA) and other master’s-level business and management programs. The GMAT is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and remains widely recognized worldwide, as well as being a critical part of admission to many of the top business schools. The GMAT intends to measure candidate readiness for graduate business school, and it permits admissions to make predictive judgments about an applicant's academic performance.
As part of their GMAT process, one of the biggest decisions facing a test taker is choosing between the GMAT Online and the GMAT Test Centre. While a candidate’s score is dependent upon the same structure, scoring, and credibility, the Online and Test Centre versions of the exam differ in flexibility, context, environment, and other logistical aspects. The online approach increases flexibility with scheduling and set-up time and allows students to take the exam in their home environment. The test centre option may provide students with a more focused and controlled environment, which may help some candidates to earn their best score. By understanding the fundamental differences between these two formats, students can make a calculated decision that matches their interests, comfort level, and study habits.
GMAT stands for "Graduate Management Admission Test", a widely used standardized test taken by students who are entering graduate business or management programs, such as MBA programs and Master of Finance programs. The GMAT is intended to measure analytical writing, quantitative, verbal, and integrated reasoning skills. It provides an important indicator of an applicant's commitment to put in the effort required to further their education by challenging themselves with the inherent rigors of business school. The GMAT is accepted by thousands of business schools worldwide and is an important baseline of what an admissions committee considers an applicant's qualification for admission to graduate school. Understanding what GMAT stands for and its full range of understanding is the first step for anyone contemplating embarking on a journey of a lifetime in business or management. Here are the most important highlights of the GMAT Exams:
GMAT Pronunciation: 'G-MAT'
Importance: Predicts aptitude for admission into business courses
Content Areas: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights
Latest Version: GMAT Focus Edition or GMAT (11th Edition)
Acceptance: 2,400+ business schools worldwide
Accepted for: 7,700+ programs worldwide
Testing Types for GMAT:
Scoring: Between 205 – 805
Managed by: GMAC
The GMAC, which administers the GMAT, does not have strict criteria for the GMAT Focus Edition. There are no required qualifications or experience to register. However, candidates may be asked to input their graduation and experience when registering.
Age:
Educational Qualification:
There is no specific qualification required, however, business schools typically expect their postgraduate applicants to have a bachelor’s degree.
Work Experience:
Work experience is not a requirement for the exam, but candidates may be asked to account for their experience when registering.
In 2025, the exam fee for the GMAT in India is (USD) 275 (approx. Rs. 23,091) for the test center version and (USD) 300 (approx. Rs. 25,190) for the online version. General fees will cover the score sending to 5 business school programs. Most other services on the GMAC will incur an additional fee (e.g., reschedule, cancellation, additional score reports). Candidates should always check the official GMAC website for updated fees, services & payments to confirm the GMAT's procedures and guidelines before registration. GMAT exam fees in India for 2025 are:
Fees include registration for the exam and sending scores to five programs. Other services, such as rescheduling, cancellation, and additional score reports, generally incur extra fees. Payment options include credit/debit cards, PayPal, and bank transfer. It is wise to check with GMAC's official website for the current fees and policies.
Registering for the GMAT in 2025 is pretty simple and can be done online through the official GMAC website, mba.com. Candidates can schedule their exam either up to 6 months in advance or as late as 24 hours before the exam date, depending on availability. If students want to secure a particular date or test centre, I would recommend that they schedule as early as possible.
Steps to register for GMAT 2025:
It is a good idea to submit accommodation requests for disability well ahead of scheduling the GMAT, as the process can take several weeks for approval.
In 2025, the GMAT exam will be available year-round with various testing opportunities at the test center and online. Candidates have the benefit of selecting dates based on their preparation and application timelines. Students should register for the GMAT at least 2 to 3 months before their preferred test date and time slot, especially for test centre bookings, as they are often heavily booked in advance. In the event students want to re-take the GMAT, make sure to leave a minimum of 16 days between each attempt and take no more than five times in 12 months. To view and reserve a testing date for the GMAT online, go to the official GMAC website: mba.com.
An important GMAT consideration is that candidates can take the exam a total of 5 times in any 12 months and 8 times in their lifetime. If any candidate plans to reschedule or cancel an exam, a rescheduling or cancellation fee will be charged. The applicant should also be aware that the GMAT score is valid for 5 years, and plan for test dates accordingly.
Securing their GMAT exam slot for 2025 is a significant part of their business school applications. GMAC allows students to book an exam date between six months in advance and as late as 24 hours before the test date, if slots are available.
Steps to Book their GMAT Exam Slot:
Tips for Successful Slot Booking:
By taking these steps and being mindful of deadlines, you will successfully book your GMAT exam slot and stay on track for applying to business school.
The GMAT exam format has recently changed, and you need to understand the differences between the original GMAT format and the new GMAT Focus Edition before you begin to prepare.
The new GMAT is easier to follow. It has 3 sections, each 45 minutes long:
Section |
Questions |
Time |
Quantitative Reasoning |
21 |
45 mins |
Verbal Reasoning |
23 |
45 mins |
Data Insights |
20 |
45 mins |
Note: Looking at the comparison, you will notice that AWA, Sentence Correction, and Geometry are missing as sections! Integrated Reasoning has been eliminated and is now part of a section called Data Insights.
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized exam for graduate-level business or business-related programs (MBA). In 2025, GMAT launched a new GMAT Focus Edition, which is streamlined and easier to understand in administration than previous GMAT tests. The GMAT Focus Edition is comprised of three main parts:
The GMAT Focus Edition no longer has an Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA).
The GMAT Focus Edition will have a new scoring system in 2025. The total score will range from 205-805, in increments of 10, as opposed to the previous GMAT range (200–800). The total score reflects the performance in all three sections:
Each of these sections receives a separate score (60-90) second scores are then combined to create the total score. The score is valid for five years. Most top business schools accept GMAT scores, and they are an important part of the admissions process.
Preparing for GMAT 2025 takes some thought and strategy. Follow these simple steps:
GMAT 2025 is conducted at various authorized test centres in India, as well as in an online mode from the candidate’s own home. Some big cities with GMAT test centres in India are:
You can choose the centre and date at the time of registration through the official GMAT website. If you want flexibility, you can also choose the online GMAT option, which is simply a mirror of the test centre option with the same format and scoring.
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is administered by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) rather than universities. However, several universities and business schools in India accept GMAT scores for MBA/PGDM admissions. Here is a table of the top universities and business schools in India that select students based on GMAT scores.
University/Institution Name |
Location |
Program(s) Accepting GMAT |
GMAT Score Accepted For |
Indian School of Business (ISB) |
Hyderabad, Mohali |
PGP, PGPpro, PGPmax |
Indian & International Applicants |
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) |
Ahmedabad |
PGPX (Executive MBA) |
Indian & International Applicants |
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) |
Bangalore |
EPGP (Executive MBA) |
Indian & International Applicants |
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) |
Kolkata |
MBAEx (Executive MBA) |
Indian & International Applicants |
Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIML) |
Lucknow, Noida |
IPMX (Executive MBA) |
Indian & International Applicants |
XLRI – Xavier School of Management |
Jamshedpur |
GMP (General Management Program) |
Indian & International Applicants |
SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) |
Mumbai |
PGPM, GMP |
Indian & International Applicants |
Great Lakes Institute of Management |
Chennai, Gurgaon |
PGPM, PGDM |
Indian & International Applicants |
IMT Ghaziabad |
Ghaziabad |
PGDM, Executive PGDM |
International Applicants via GMAT |
MDI Gurgaon |
Gurgaon |
PGDM-IB, Executive PGDM |
Indian & International Applicants |
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) |
Delhi, Kolkata |
MBA (International Business) via GMAT (for NRIs/Foreign Nationals) |
NRIs & foreign nationals only |
TAPMI (Manipal) |
Manipal |
PGDM |
Indian & International Applicants |
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) |
Mumbai |
MBA/PGDM (via GMAT for international/NRI candidates) |
NRIs & Foreign Nationals only |
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) |
Pune |
MBA (via GMAT for international/NRI candidates) |
NRIs & Foreign Nationals only |
Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIMI) |
Indore |
EPGP |
Indian & International Applicants |
Note: The Majority of Indian institutes use CAT for admissions to regular 2-year MBA or PGDM programs, but universities accept GMAT scores for international and NRI candidates or executive programs.
Here is the detailed description of the contact information of GMAC officials, are mentioned below:
GMAC India Office (Gurugram):
GMAT Online Exam Support (India):
Email (Global Support):
Those who did not qualify for the exam or have a lower score can enroll completely in the Online MBA & Specialization at multiple reputable Universities. Those Universities have government recognition and make their degree valid and equivalent to a regular one. Below is the list of Universities that offer an Online MBA with specialization:
Online MBA Course:
Here is the list of the Online universities that offer an Online MBA course along with their Specialization:
Top Online MBA Universities |
Online MBA (Specialization) |
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The GMAT is organized by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council).
There is no minimum age or qualification requirement, but you should hold at least a bachelor's degree and be 18 years of age for most MBA programs.
Yes. Candidates can take the GMAT five times per year and eight times in total. But you must have a 16-day interval between test sessions.
The GMAT Focus Edition will be 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The registration fee for GMAT is around USD 275 (around ₹22,000 in India), and this can change depending on your country and services requested.
You register at the official site: www.mba.com.
In a perfect world, you would start studying 4-6 months before your scheduled test day, depending on your comfort level with the subject matter.
Yes, you can reschedule or cancel your GMAT exam by signing into your GMAT account. Fees may apply based on how far in advance you make the change.
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