GMAT · Guides · October 22, 2026 · 6 min read
GMAT registration and exam dates 2026: how to book on mba.com and pick the right test date
There are no fixed GMAT exam dates. The GMAT is offered on demand: you register on mba.com and pick any available slot, at a Pearson VUE test centre or online from home. Online appointments are available around the clock in many regions, and you can book up to about six months ahead. The usual advice is to choose a date that leaves room for one retake before your application deadline: test at least 6–8 weeks before the round you are aiming for.
This guide explains how to register step by step and how to choose a date. Rules and fees are as of October 2026; confirm details on mba.com when you book.
GMAT test dates: how scheduling works
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are there official GMAT exam dates? | No. You choose your own date and time from open slots. |
| How far ahead can I book? | Up to about 6 months. |
| How late can I book? | Up to the last open slot; popular test-centre dates fill early. |
| Online exam availability | around the clock, 7 days a week, in many regions |
| Test centre availability | depends on the centre, often several days a week |
| Where the online exam is not offered | mainland China, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Sudan |
Because slots are released continuously, a “GMAT exam date 2026” or “GMAT test dates 2027” list does not exist the way it does for exams with fixed sittings. What changes between months is availability: test centres in large cities get busy before the main application deadlines in September–October and December–January.
How to register for the GMAT on mba.com
- Create an account on mba.com. Use your name exactly as it appears on the ID you will bring. This is the most common registration mistake.
- Apply for accommodations first, if you need them. Approved accommodations are added during scheduling and cannot be attached to an appointment that already exists (see below).
- Choose “Register for the GMAT” and pick the delivery method: test centre or online.
- Review and accept the exam policies. They are a binding agreement, so read the sections on ID, rescheduling and conduct.
- Pick a location (for a test centre), a date and a time.
- Check the summary. If you have a fee waiver or voucher from a school, enter the code here.
- Pay. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover cards are accepted. If the card is declined, the appointment is cancelled automatically.
- Save the confirmation email and, for the online exam, run the system check on the computer you will use.
The fee is $275 at a test centre and $300 online in the US; India and other countries have their own prices. Details, including rescheduling costs, are in GMAT exam fees 2026.
Eligibility and ID
- Age: at least 18. Candidates aged 13–17 may test at a test centre with written consent from a parent or guardian.
- Education: there is no degree requirement to sit the GMAT; the programmes you apply to set their own.
- ID: current, valid, government-issued and original (no photocopies), with a recent photo and your signature. It must exactly match the name, date of birth and country of citizenship you used when booking. Acceptable documents vary by country, and in many locations a passport is the safest choice; check the ID Requirements page on mba.com for your test location.
If your ID does not meet the rules on exam day, you will not be admitted and the fee is not refunded. Changes to your account details must be made at least 72 hours before the exam.
Testing accommodations
Candidates with a documented disability or health condition can request accommodations such as additional time, extra breaks or other resources. The process:
- Apply through mba.com with the required documentation before booking.
- Wait for the decision letter; it explains how to schedule.
- Book the appointment with the approved accommodations applied.
Allow several weeks for the review, and do not book a regular appointment in the meantime, since accommodations cannot be added to it later.
How far ahead should you book?
| Your situation | Book |
|---|---|
| You are still in early preparation | a target date 8–12 weeks out, to create a deadline |
| You want a specific test centre at a busy time | 6–8 weeks ahead or more |
| Online exam, flexible schedule | 2–4 weeks ahead is usually enough |
| You are mock-testing near your target | 2–3 weeks ahead, once results are steady |
Booking early is cheap insurance if you treat the date as movable: rescheduling more than 60 days before the test costs $55 at a test centre ($60 online), while moving it within 14 days costs $165 ($180 online). You cannot change an appointment in the final 24 hours.
Choosing a date around application rounds
Most MBA programmes admit in rounds. Exact deadlines differ by school and year, so check each programme, but the typical pattern for programmes starting the next autumn is:
| Round | Typical deadline | Good last test date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | September–October | July–August |
| Round 2 | January | October–November |
| Round 3 | March–April | January–February |
Work backwards from the deadline:
- Results: the Official Score Report usually arrives 3–5 days after the exam, occasionally up to 20 days. Schools need the official score, so leave at least three weeks.
- A retake: you must wait 16 days between attempts. With preparation time for a second try, a retake realistically needs 4–6 weeks.
- The application itself: essays, recommendations and interviews take weeks. Many applicants want the test finished before they start writing.
A sensible rule: take the first attempt 2–3 months before the deadline, so a retake still fits. Since August 2026 schools see your GMAT Superscore, the best section scores across your attempts of the current exam, so a second attempt can only add to your strongest sections.
Planning a retake
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum gap between attempts | 16 days |
| Maximum attempts | 5 in any rolling 12-month period |
| Lifetime cap | none since October 2024 |
| Missed appointment | rebook after 24 hours, full fee |
Use the Official Score Report to see which section held you back, fix that, and book the retake once your timed practice scores are clearly above your first result. More detail on retakes, score validity and test-day rules is in GMAT exam rules.
Online or test centre?
Choose the test centre if your home is noisy, your internet is unreliable or you prefer physical scratch boards. Choose online if the nearest centre is far away, or you want an early-morning or late-night slot. Before you choose, confirm that each of your target programmes accepts both formats.
Common questions
When is the next GMAT exam date? Whenever there is an open slot. Log in to mba.com and look at the calendar for your location or for the online exam.
Can I take the GMAT any day of the year? Online, in most regions, practically yes. Test centres follow their own opening days.
How many days before the deadline should I take the GMAT? At least three weeks for score reporting, and ideally 2–3 months to leave room for a retake.
Can I change my test date? Yes, for a fee, up to 24 hours before the appointment.
For an overview of the exam, read what the GMAT is; for what to study, see the GMAT syllabus and exam pattern.
GMAT™ is a trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). This guide is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by GMAC. Check registration rules on mba.com before booking.
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