GMAT Registration Policy

The GMAT is administered by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC). In order to register for the GMAT, you must first choose a test center. The GMAC maintains one test center list for the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories, and a second list for all other international locations. Both lists can be downloaded from the GMAC website, www.mba.com.

The vast majority of test centers-including all locations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories-are permanent facilities which offer the test year-round. Many international sites, however, are either mobile units that offer the test only at limited times of the year or else supplementary locations that offer the test on only one day each year. Permanent and mobile test centers offer the standard, computer-adaptive (CAT) version of the test; supplementary centers offer a paper-and-pencil version only.

Once you have chosen the test center, the next step is to schedule an appointment to take the test. Appointments for centers in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories can be scheduled by phoning 800-GMAT-NOW (800-462-8669) or by phoning the specific test center directly. Appointments for all other international centers can be scheduled by phoning the appropriate regional registration center. All of these phone numbers are listed on the test center lists, downloadable at the GMAC website. One may choose instead to register online via the website, or by mail. Registration online or by phone requires a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) and payment of the testing fee (U.S. $250) at the time of registration.

In order to register to take the GMAT at a supplementary test center, you must complete a special form and either mail or fax it to the Educational Testing Service (ETS). This form is available at the GMAC website.

Rescheduling the Test Appointment

Rescheduling the date, time, or location of the test requires an additional fee of $40 and can be done with a credit card either online or by phone. If you choose to reschedule by phone, the appropriate number to call is the same number that you used to register for the test originally (the specific test center, the regional registration center, or 800-GMAT-NOW). The new, rescheduled test date can be no later than one year from the original test date. The deadline for rescheduling is seven days before the test date; after that time, the entire $200 testing fee is forfeit if you fail to take the GMAT on the scheduled date.

Canceling the Test Appointment

If you cancel your test appointment at least seven days before the test date, you will receive a partial refund of $80. After the seven-day deadline, however, the entire $200 testing fee is forfeit. Cancellation can be done either online or by phone. If you choose to cancel by phone, the appropriate number to call is the same number that you used to register for the test originally (the test center, the regional registration center, or 800-GMAT-NOW).

Retaking the Test

The GMAC limits the number of times a student may take the test. The first restriction is that a person may take the test only once in any calendar month. The second restriction is that a person may take the test only five times in any twelve-month period. The GMAC, however, may waive the second restriction in certain instances. Students seeking permission to take the test more than five times in a twelve-month period must submit a written request either by e-mail or regular mail. There are several mandatory pieces of information which must be included in the request; these requirements are listed, along with the appropriate addresses, on the GMAC website.

If you have any further questions or concerns regarding GMAT registration policy, we recommend that you visit www.mba.com, the official GMAT site administered by the Graduate Management Admissions Council.