GMAT · Guides · October 22, 2026 · 5 min read
What is the GMAT? Full form, sections, scores and cost of the business school exam
The GMAT is the Graduate Management Admission Test, a computer-based exam that business schools use to decide who gets into their MBA and business master’s programmes. It is run by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Council, and lasts 2 hours 15 minutes: 64 questions in three sections, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights. You get a total score from 205 to 805, it costs $275 at a test centre or $300 online in the US, and the score stays valid for five years.
This guide covers the essentials. Every figure is taken from mba.com, GMAC’s official site, as of October 2026.
GMAT full form and who runs it
GMAT is short for Graduate Management Admission Test. The exam belongs to GMAC, a non-profit council of graduate business schools, and GMAT™ is GMAC’s trademark. GMAC writes the questions and sets the rules; the test itself is delivered at Pearson VUE test centres and, for the online version, through a remote proctoring service (Talview since July 2025).
The current exam is what was launched as the GMAT Focus Edition. The older format (the “10th Edition”, scored 200–800) was retired on 31 January 2024, and GMAC has since dropped the “Focus” label: when people say “the GMAT” today, they mean this version.
Who takes the GMAT and why
The GMAT is taken by people applying to graduate management programmes:
- MBA programmes: full-time, part-time, executive and online MBAs.
- Business master’s degrees: Master in Management, Master of Finance, business analytics, accounting and similar programmes.
- Some doctoral programmes in business and management.
Schools use the score to compare applicants from different countries and backgrounds on the same scale. A strong score can also matter for scholarships. Most schools accept the GRE as well, and some programmes offer waivers, so check each programme’s admissions page before deciding which test to take.
You must be at least 18 to register. Candidates aged 13 to 17 can test at a test centre with written consent from a parent or guardian. There is no minimum degree or work-experience requirement to sit the exam itself; those requirements belong to the schools.
The three GMAT sections
| Section | Questions | Time | What it tests | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | 21 | 45 min | Problem Solving: arithmetic and algebra, five answer choices | No |
| Verbal Reasoning | 23 | 45 min | Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension | — |
| Data Insights | 20 | 45 min | Data Sufficiency, Multi-Source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, Two-Part Analysis | Basic on-screen calculator |
| Total | 64 | 2 h 15 min | plus one optional 10-minute break |
You choose the order of the three sections before you start, and the optional break can be taken after the first or the second section. All three sections are computer-adaptive: the next question depends on how you are doing. There is no essay and no geometry in the current exam.
The full breakdown of topics and question types is in the GMAT syllabus and exam pattern.
GMAT scoring at a glance
| Score | Range |
|---|---|
| Total score | 205–805, in steps of 10 |
| Each section score | 60–90 |
| Section weight | the three sections count equally |
You see your unofficial score on screen right after the exam; the Official Score Report usually appears in your mba.com account within 3–5 days. Since August 2026, schools receive a GMAT Superscore: your best section scores across all your attempts of the current GMAT, combined automatically and at no cost.
For context, GMAC’s 2026 percentile tables put a 655 at about the 90th percentile and a 705 at about the 97th. The average total score in that data was around 555. Median scores at the most selective US MBA programmes sit roughly between 675 and 690. Scores are valid for five years.
How much the GMAT costs
| Where | Test centre | Online |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $275 | $300 |
| Europe | €275 | €300 |
| India | $275 plus 18% GST (as reported) | — check mba.com |
Rescheduling and cancelling cost extra, and the fee depends on how many days before the appointment you make the change. Official prep starts free (the GMAT Official Starter Kit) and the Official Guide costs $49.99. Full tables, including the India price and a budget example, are in GMAT exam fees 2026.
GMAT vs GRE in two lines
The GMAT is built for business school: its Data Insights section and its business-flavoured Verbal questions reflect what MBA programmes care about. The GRE is a general graduate exam accepted by most business schools too, so the better choice is the test you can score higher on relative to your target schools; a separate guide on GMAT vs GRE compares them in detail.
Where and when you can take it
There are no fixed national test dates. You book a slot that suits you:
- Test centre: Pearson VUE centres in most countries, often several days a week.
- Online: from home, with a live proctor, available around the clock in many regions. The online exam is not offered in mainland China, Iran, North Korea, Cuba and Sudan.
You can take the GMAT up to five times in any rolling 12-month period, with at least 16 days between attempts, and there is no longer a lifetime limit. How to book, and how to pick a date that fits application rounds, is covered in GMAT registration and exam dates. The rules on test day, from the calculator to retakes, are in GMAT exam rules.
Common questions
Is the GMAT only for MBA applicants? No. Many business master’s programmes, such as finance, management and analytics, accept or require it.
Is the GMAT hard? It is a reasoning test rather than a knowledge test: the maths stays at a high-school level, but questions are timed tightly and adapt to your level. Many candidates plan for two to three months of preparation.
Can I take the GMAT online? Yes, in most countries. Schools generally accept both delivery methods equally, but confirm with each programme.
Does the GMAT have negative marking? No marks are deducted for a wrong answer, but leaving questions unanswered at the end of a section lowers your score, so it is better to guess than to skip.
What is a good GMAT score? It depends on your target schools. Compare your score with the median of the programmes you are applying to; a good GMAT score explains the percentiles.
GMAT™ is a trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). This guide is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by GMAC. Fees and policies change; check mba.com before you book.
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