The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is a standardized exam used for admission to MBA programs and other graduate business programs. It measures the skills that business schools value in applicants, including quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, data interpretation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
If you are planning to apply to an MBA or business master’s program, preparing for the GMAT can strengthen your application. Many business schools use GMAT scores to evaluate whether applicants are academically ready for graduate-level management education. A strong GMAT score can be especially helpful if it is at or above the median score for your target programs.
In this guide, we will explain how to register for the GMAT, what score you should aim for, how much the exam costs, what the current GMAT structure looks like, and how to prepare effectively for test day.
How to Register for the GMAT
To register for the GMAT, start by creating an account on the official mba.com website. After setting up your account, you can complete your candidate profile, choose whether to take the exam at a test center or online where available, select your preferred appointment date and time, and pay the registration fee.
During registration, you will need to provide accurate personal information, including your name, contact details, and identification information. Make sure that the name you use during registration matches the name on the identification document you will bring on exam day.
After payment, you will receive confirmation of your GMAT appointment, including the test date, time, and delivery format. Since popular test dates may fill up quickly, it is best to register in advance, especially if you are preparing for business school application deadlines.
What GMAT Score Should You Aim For?
The current GMAT total score scale ranges from 205 to 805. Section scores for Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights range from 60 to 90, and all three sections contribute to the total score.
The right target score depends on the business schools and programs you are applying to. Highly competitive MBA programs usually have higher median GMAT scores among admitted students, while other programs may place more weight on work experience, academic history, essays, interviews, or professional goals.
To set a realistic target, review the latest class profile or admissions statistics for each school on your list. Look for the median or average GMAT score of admitted students. As a general rule, scoring at or above the median for your target program can make your application more competitive.
However, a high GMAT score alone does not guarantee admission. Business schools usually review applications holistically, considering your academic record, work experience, essays, recommendations, interview performance, leadership potential, and overall fit with the program.
How Much Does the GMAT Cost?
The GMAT exam fee varies by country, local taxes, and whether you take the exam at a test center or online. Because fees can change, candidates should check the official GMAT payment page and select their country to see the current exam fee for their location.
Rescheduling and cancellation fees may also vary depending on how close the request is to the appointment date. If you need to change your test appointment, review the current GMAT policy before making any changes.
The GMAT score-sending process is flexible. You do not need to select score recipients before taking the exam. After your Official Score Report becomes available, you can review your score and then choose whether to send it to schools.
GMAT registration includes the option to send your Official Score Report to up to five programs for free within 48 hours after your official score becomes available. After that period, or if you want to send scores to more programs, you can purchase additional score reports through your mba.com account.
When Are GMAT Scores Available?
After completing the exam, you will see your unofficial score on-screen. Your Official Score Report is usually available in your mba.com account within three to five days, although it may occasionally take up to 20 days.
The Official Score Report includes your total score, section scores, percentile rankings, and detailed performance insights. These insights can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses by section, question type, content area, skills, and time management.
There is usually no need to cancel your GMAT score simply to prevent schools from seeing it. Schools only receive the scores you choose to send. However, once you send an Official Score Report to a program, that action cannot be undone.
GMAT Exam Structure: Sections, Timing, and Question Types
The current GMAT is 2 hours and 15 minutes long, with one optional 10-minute break. It includes 64 questions across three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights.
| Section | Questions | Time | Main Skills Tested |
|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | 21 | 45 minutes | Arithmetic, algebra, logic, and problem-solving |
| Verbal Reasoning | 23 | 45 minutes | Reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and argument evaluation |
| Data Insights | 20 | 45 minutes | Data analysis, business judgment, and interpretation of multiple information sources |
Test takers can choose the order in which they complete the three sections. Within each section, you can bookmark questions, review your answers, and edit up to three responses before moving on to the next section.
Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning section measures your ability to apply arithmetic and elementary algebra to solve problems. It includes 21 Problem Solving questions, and you have 45 minutes to complete the section.
Although this section requires basic math knowledge, strong performance depends heavily on logic, reasoning, and problem-solving strategy. A calculator is not allowed in the Quantitative Reasoning section.
To prepare, review core math topics such as percentages, ratios, number properties, equations, inequalities, and basic algebra. You should also practice solving problems efficiently under timed conditions.
Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to read, understand, analyze, and evaluate written material. It includes 23 Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning questions, and you have 45 minutes to complete the section.
Reading Comprehension questions test your ability to understand main ideas, supporting details, logical structure, inferences, and the author’s purpose. These questions require careful reading rather than memorized subject knowledge.
Critical Reasoning questions ask you to analyze short arguments, evaluate assumptions, strengthen or weaken conclusions, identify flaws, and assess plans of action. The current GMAT Verbal Reasoning section does not include Sentence Correction questions.
Data Insights
The Data Insights section measures your ability to analyze and interpret information from multiple sources and apply it to real-world business situations. It includes 20 questions, and you have 45 minutes to complete the section.
This section may require quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, data analysis, or a combination of all three. An on-screen calculator is available for the Data Insights section.
The question types in Data Insights include Data Sufficiency, Multi-Source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, and Two-Part Analysis. You may be asked to interpret charts, tables, graphs, text passages, and other forms of information to make informed decisions.
How to Prepare for the GMAT
Preparing for the GMAT requires a clear plan, consistent practice, and regular review. Below are practical steps to help you prepare more effectively.
1. Take a Diagnostic Practice Test
Before creating a study plan, take an official practice test to understand your starting point. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses across Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights.
Use your diagnostic results to set a target score and determine how much time you need to study. If your target schools have high median GMAT scores, you may need a longer and more structured preparation period.
2. Create a Realistic Study Plan
A strong GMAT study plan should include concept review, practice questions, timed drills, full-length practice exams, and detailed review of mistakes. Allocate more time to the sections and question types where you struggle the most.
Instead of studying randomly, divide your preparation into weekly goals. For example, you might focus on algebra and arithmetic one week, critical reasoning the next week, and Data Insights question types after that. As the exam date gets closer, increase timed practice and full-length test simulations.
3. Use Official GMAT Study Materials
Official GMAT study materials are useful because they are created by the makers of the exam. Start with the GMAT Official Starter Kit, official practice exams, and the GMAT Official Guide. These resources help you become familiar with the current format, question types, timing, and scoring style.
After each practice test, review not only the questions you missed but also the questions you answered correctly but solved too slowly. Time management is an important part of GMAT performance.
4. Practice Under Timed Conditions
Because each GMAT section lasts 45 minutes, pacing is essential. Practice answering questions under timed conditions so that you become comfortable making decisions quickly and accurately.
During practice, track how long you spend on each question type. If you often spend too much time on difficult questions, work on recognizing when to move on. Leaving questions unanswered can hurt your score, so it is important to manage your time carefully.
5. Review Mistakes Carefully
Simply completing many practice questions is not enough. The most important part of GMAT preparation is understanding why you made each mistake. Keep a mistake log and record the question type, the concept tested, why your answer was wrong, and how you should approach similar questions next time.
Over time, your mistake log will reveal patterns. For example, you may discover that you struggle with assumption questions in Critical Reasoning, data sufficiency questions in Data Insights, or number properties in Quantitative Reasoning. Use these patterns to adjust your study plan.
We hope this guide helps you better understand the GMAT and how to prepare for it. Make sure also to check out our Scholarships Page and the available courses for international students!
