Ready, Set, Register! A Step-by-Step Guide to Registering for GMAT 2024 PDF Download

If you are an undergraduate student planning to apply for a master's program at a business school of your choice, you may be aware that you need to present test scores for admissions. With the various standardised test options available today, it can be difficult to decide which one to take. To make a wise choice for a business or MBA course, the best option is the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

The GMAT is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), and it is a computer-adaptive, multiple-choice exam that tests your analytical writing, critical thinking and logical reasoning skills. It is the most widely accepted exam for MBA admissions, with over 2500 business schools accepting it as part of their admissions criteria.

This article will guide you through the registration process for the GMAT 2023 in a detailed, step-by-step manner. With the help of this article, you will gain a better understanding of how to successfully register for the GMAT.

What is the GMAT Exam?

The GMAT is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and is a multiple-choice (with one essay-based question), computer-adaptive test created to assess your Analytical Writing, Quantitative aptitude, Verbal Reasoning and Integrated Reasoning skills. It is the most widely accepted exam for MBA admissions, with over 2500 business schools in more than 110 countries accepting it as a requirement for admission. Some of the highly reputed Universities that accept GMAT scores are Harvard, Wharton, INSEAD, Chicago booth, and Stanford GSB.
One unique feature of the GMAT exam is that the scores are valid for a period of five years, during which, you can re-evaluate your options, or apply for admission at the universities of your choice.
You can refer to the GMAT Handbook by EduRev for more detailed information about the GMAT exam: GMAT Handbook: Registration, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation and More 

What is the eligibility criteria for GMAT 2023?

Those who possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution are eligible to take the GMAT. There are no minimum or maximum academic criteria for applicants to be accepted, but, it must be noted that for candidates between the ages of 13 and 18, a letter of consent from their parents/guardians is required.
The majority of those who take the exam are either nearing the end of or have completed their undergraduate studies or are Working professionals. The GMAT exam is preferred by working professionals, because it is accepted by many top-tier universities and MBA programs, and the syllabus offers a bit more breathing room between work and preparation.

When should you register for GMAT 2023?

When it comes to taking the GMAT, one of the benefits is the ability to choose the time of your exam. If you don't work well in the mornings, book a spot in the afternoon - and if you're not a fan of afternoon sessions, you can book a morning time. Just remember, popular time slots get filled up quickly so make sure to register in good time.
You can register for the GMAT anytime between 6 months and 24 hours before your planned date, however, the possibilities of getting a suitable slot at the last moment are very low. Thus, it is advised that you book the slot at least 2-3 months before your tentative exam date.

How to register for GMAT 2023

The GMAT exam registration can be done in four methods

• Online
• By Phone
• By fax
• By Postal mail

But, online registration remains the fastest and easiest of all of these methods.

Information/Documents required during the registration process

Firstly, you’ll need a computer and a stable internet connection to register for the exam online. It is recommended you keep the following information handy while registering for the GMAT exam.

• Full name as mentioned in your passport
• E-mail address
• Address for correspondence
• Phone number
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Payment information (Debit/ Credit card)
• Educational history (optional)
• Work history (optional)
• Native language (optional)

Steps for GMAT Registration

Carefully follow these steps to register yourself for the GMAT Exam. These Steps generally take 10 to 20 minutes.

Create a GMAT account and log in

Begin your registration online by creating a GMAT applicant’s account on the official website - www.mba.com

• Fill in all the required information according to your passport.
• Make an account and create a strong password.
• Save your account credentials for future use. (All GMAT Exam-related notifications, updates, and communications will be sent to this account.)
• Go to the "Exams" section on the top bar of www.mba.com
• Scroll down to GMAT and click on the yellow "Register Now" button.

GMAT exam homepage

Complete your GMAT Profile

Complete the formalities of creating your GMAT profile. 

• Add all the additional information needed to complete your GMAT profile
• Review your Name, Date of Birth, Residential Address, Email address, Contact details, and any other details as requested
• Ensure that all your details are the same as that in your valid ID (Passport)
• Click on the "Next" button to proceed to the next step

GMAT registration profile completion page

The Personal Information to be submitted on the next page is

• Country/ Region of residence
• Address
• Primary telephone number
• Mobile telephone number
• Correspondence language

After pressing the "Next" button, the following page will require you to provide additional personal information. Certain information is mandatory while other details are optional, so you do not have to supply the optional information if you don't want to. Initially, you will be asked to input demographic information.

• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Country of citizenship
• First or native language (optional)
• Second language (optional)
• Third language (optional)

Additional information page

The next page will ask for your communication preferences. It will ask if you want to:

• connect with graduate business schools, scholarship organizations, and strategic partners of GMAC who participate in the GMASS® service
• receive the information via Phone or SMS/ Text
• receive additional information

Communication preferences page

Again, All the above information is optional and you can choose not to provide it.

Submit your Education History

Provide the information about your educational background as per your home country. In order to complete this page, you can provide optional details about your academic and professional background. If you prefer to skip this section, you may do so. 

To determine the class to which the score you secured corresponds, refer to the table below.
GPA conversion for a few countriesVerify your Profile

• Once you have filled out the required information on your GMAT profile, you must wait for GMAC to officially verify your details. 
• The GMAC account processing team will verify your profile.
• This process takes approximately 48 hours to complete. Once it is done, you can proceed with the GMAT registration process.

A Prompt about the verification period shows up
The prompt displayed after completing the account creation process

Select your preferred GMAT Test center, date and time

For scheduling your GMAT exam, you will need to select up to 3 examination centers close to where you want to take the GMAT. After that, you can choose the day and time you wish, depending on availability. Selecting your test center/ location, date and time:

• To find your nearest GMAT test centers, select your current location.
• After this, you will see a pop-up showing centers to choose from. Pick the center that you find suitable.
• After selecting the center, a calendar with available dates (in green) will be displayed.
• Select your preferred GMAT exam date to view all the available test timings.
• Choose a GMAT test time that you find comfortable.
• Review your GMAT test location, time and date and confirm

This is what the Center/Date selection interface looks like

Pay your GMAT Fee
After you have filled out the GMAT registration form, the final step is to pay the exam fee of US $250 using a debit or credit card, but this amount can change depending on your country. It is recommended that you check the official website for the charges for your country. This will complete the registration process for the GMAT. Once the payment has been accepted, you will get an email confirmation with all the required details for the GMAT exam.
Once you have completed the steps mentioned, you will be able to sign up for your GMAT exam. In the event that an in-person test center is unavailable, GMAC has another option for you to consider.

You can take the GMAT exam online from the convenience of your home.
To Register for the Online format of the GMAT exam, all you need to do is click on the “Register Now “ button under the “GMAT Exam Delivered Online” option. The Rest of the process remains the same.

Registration Process for Differently-abled

GMAC aims to provide test-taking access to all applicants, including those with physical disabilities. If you require accommodations during the exam for your disability, you can request them when applying for the GMAT exam. To do this, follow these steps:

• Create a candidate profile on www.mba.com, which will provide you with an ID number.
• Once you get the ID number, collect the necessary documents, as described on the GMAC website, based on your specific type of disability.
• Click on the "apply for accommodations" button and attach the supporting documents.
• You will receive a confirmation message within 24 hours. GMAC will then send their decision to you and inform you of the next steps.

Alternative ways to register for the GMAT exam

Register for the GMAT via Phone
To register by phone, you must call the GMAT customer service number and provide your personal information, including your name, address, phone number, and email address. You will also be asked to provide your credit card information for payment.

• The Americas: Call toll-free (within the United States and Canada only) 800-717-GMAT (4628) or call the customer service line (952) 681-3680. The lines are operational from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time.
• Asia Pacific: +852-3077-4926, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. AEST
• China: 86-10-82345675, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. China Standard Time
• Europe/Middle East/Africa: +44 (0) 161 855 7219, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. GMT
• Do note that this process charges an extra fee of 10$

Register for the GMAT via Postal Mail

To register by postal mail, you must send a completed registration form and payment to the GMAT office. The registration form can be found on the official GMAT website.

Pearson VUE

Attention: GMAT Program

PO Box 581907

Minneapolis, MN 55458-1907, USA
The fee to take the GMAT varies by country. It is payable by credit card online or by mailing in a check. If you have questions about GMAT registration, visit mba.com or call 800-717-GMAT (4628) It takes about 8 weeks for the GMAC team to receive your form. Hence, ensure to mail your form well in advance.

Register for the GMAT via FAX
Obtain the Test Center List, Country Code List, and GMAT Appointment Scheduling form from mba.com. Fill out the GMAT Appointment Scheduling form. If you wish to fax your form, use one of the following fax numbers, based on your location.

• The Americas: (952) 681-3681
• Asia Pacific and India: +91-120-4001660
• China: 86-10-61957800
• Europe/Middle East/Africa: +44 (0) 161 855 7301

Rescheduling your GMAT Exam

To reschedule a GMAT exam, you will need to log in to your GMAT account on mba.com, then select the "Reschedule" option. You will be prompted to select a new test date and test center. The availability of test dates and times varies depending on the test center. Some test centers may not have any available dates for several weeks or even months, so it is best to plan ahead.
The Fee for Rescheduling for Online and Offline exams is as follows:

Cancelling your GMAT Exam appointment

To cancel a GMAT exam, you will need to log in to your GMAT account on mba.com and select the "Cancel" option. Do note that you won’t receive a complete refund of the amount you paid. The refund received for Offline and Online mode of exam is as follows:

GMAT Exam Centers

The GMAT exam can only be taken at recognised Pearson VUE test centers across the world. In India, almost every state has GMAT testing centers. The following table shows the list of state-wise GMAT test centers in India along with their respective address:

How to choose GMAT Exam Centers?

Apart from remembering what not to bring to the test center, one should also keep the following considerations in mind while reserving a GMAT slot:

• Near your House: Determine the location of the GMAT test centers and if it is conveniently accessible from your home. Whether it is easily cacheable from your house or place of stay or not. The most crucial factor is whether you will be able to arrive on time on exam day.
• Easily Accessible: After determining the location of the exam centre, determine if it is easily accessible. If it is connected to various types of public transportation. 
• The Test Center's Infrastructure: Several types of amenities are necessary to make the exam more convenient for test takers. Computers, mouse, and functional keyboards are provided at GMAT test centers.

Since this exam could be taken at any time of year, they have plenty of time to plan their study schedule and choose the best day and test centre for them. However, while you are doing GMAT slot booking, you must check that the date and time you select are also accessible in the GMAT test centers they are choosing. Following are the steps to choosing the right test centre:

• Step 1: Visit the GMAT's official website.
• Step 2: Select the 'Find Test Location' option.
• Step 3: Select the country from which you want to appear.
• Step 4: A list of all available test centres in the specified country will be displayed on the screen. You can select up to three exam centres based on your flexibility.
• Step 5: A calendar will pop up, displaying the available dates for that centre.
• Step 6: Choose your preferred date and location for the GMAT exam.
• Step 7: Pay the registration fee and fill out the additional data required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about GMAT registration

In how many ways can I register for the GMAT?

You can register for the GMAT in four ways, by phone, mail, fax, or online. The online method is generally the easiest, but others work just fine too.

What information do I need for GMAT registration?

To complete the GMAT registration, you’ll need a full name as mentioned in your passport, E-mail address, Address, Gender, Date of birth, Nationality, Phone number and Payment information (Debit/ Credit card)

How much time does GMAT registration take?

If you have all the information handy with you, you’ll take 15 minutes to complete the GMAT registration. Note that the process might take longer, especially if you’re filling in the optional details as well.

What are the fees for the GMAT exam?

The fees for the GMAT exam vary depending on the country where you take the test. Generally, applying for the GMAT exam costs $250 It's recommended to check the official website for the most up-to-date fees.

How do I reschedule my GMAT exam?

To reschedule your GMAT exam, you will need to log in to your GMAT account on mba.com and select the "Reschedule" option. You will be prompted to select a new test date and test center. You will be required to pay a rescheduling fee.

How do I cancel my GMAT exam?

To cancel your GMAT exam, you will need to log in to your GMAT account on mba.com and select the "Cancel" option. The refund policy varies depending on the number of days between your test date and the Cancellation date.

What are the documents required to apply for accommodations?

You are required to provide current documentation from a qualified evaluator who is familiar with your disability and its functional impact on tasks or skill areas of clear relevance to the demands of the GMAT exam