GMAT Registration

GMAT Registration Procedure

Students may register for the GMAT online or by phone, standard mail, or fax. Online registration involves creating an account on the mba.com website and following the provided links. Phone registration is completed by calling the appropriate regional GMAT Customer Service number. Students wishing to register by standard mail or fax should download, complete, and send the registration form, which is available on the official GMAT website at www.mba.com. 

GMAT registration begins six months before each specific test date, and online or phone registration is available until 24 hours before the test. Students should ensure that the name they give for registration is exactly the same as it appears on the identification they plan to use for admission to the test center. Registration is verified with a confirmation letter sent via email that includes the student's name, the test location, and the test date. Students are advised to carefully review this letter and ensure that all information is correct. If anything is incorrect, a request for changes can be submitted through a contact form on the mba.com website or students can reach out through one of the provided phone numbers for their time zone.

Available Dates and Test Centers

For students who choose to take the GMAT in a testing center, testing is available on the majority of days during the year, typically Monday through Saturday (Sunday administrations are uncommon). Specific dates vary by test center, but registration at least three months in advance will yield the largest number of available dates at any location. Major metropolitan areas in the United States have dozens of test centers, and for most American students, it's not difficult to find a convenient location near their home, workplace or school. Overseas test centers are less numerous, but they can be found in 114 countries, usually in or near major cities. The official GMAT website allows students to search for test centers and available dates by city or zip code. 

For students who choose to take the GMAT online, testing is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the online version of the GMAT is available in most countries with the exceptions of "mainland China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Sudan due to regulatory and local data privacy rules." As of January 2025, test proctoring for the online GMAT is only available in the English language.

Registration Fees

The cost of registering for the GMAT depends on whether the test is being taken in a testing center or online. The standard registration fee to take the GMAT in a testing center is $275, and it is $300 to take it online. Both registrations include five official score reports sent to designated schools, as well as an enhanced score report, which used to be a separate fee, but is now included in registration following the 2023 GMAT update. 

Rescheduling more than 60 days before an appointment at a testing center costs $55, and it's $60 for an online testing appointment. Rescheduling 15 to 60 days before a testing center appointment costs $110, and $120 for an online testing appointment. Rescheduling 14 days or less before a testing center appointment costs $165, and $180 for an online testing appointment. 

If a student cancels an appointment at a testing center more than 60 days before the appointment, they will receive a $110 refund, or a $120 refund for an online testing appointment. If an appointment at a testing center is canceled 15 to 60 days before the appointment, the student will receive a refund of $80, or a $90 refund for an online testing appointment. If a student cancels an appointment at a testing center 14 days or less before the appointment, they will receive a refund of $55, or a $60 refund for an online testing appointment.

Students who live outside of the United States and wish to register for the GMAT should familiarize themselves with the regulations and policies for their specific country, which are subject to change. Some countries apply taxes to GMAT registration, which are not covered by the $275 or $300 base fee. (Students are responsible for any applicable taxes and should add these to their registration payment.) Online registration fee payment is done by credit or debit card, and hard-copy registration (standard mail or fax) should be accompanied by cashier's check, money order, or personal check with all funds in U.S. dollars. Test-takers who pay their fees by check or money order should allow 10 additional days for processing.

GMAC Privacy Policies for Registration Data

The GMAC provides the following statement about the data collected during the GMAT registration process: "We use the personal information collected from test takers to communicate with test takers, process the testing request and payment, to allow GMAC and its service providers to administer tests, to enable score distribution, provide access to the designated score report recipients, for research and product development improvement, and to provide test security and fraud prevention."

The GMAC also notes, "We use palm vein pattern scans (where permitted by law), your digital photograph, and your signature to compare images against those of other test takers for fraud detection purposes. We may also view and use the audio and video of test sessions (where permitted by law) for specific fraud detection purposes."

Information sharing associated with research is generally transmitted in aggregate form, with no identifiable individual student data included. Data may also be shared to comply with court orders. GMAC does not otherwise disclose information to third parties without the consent of the student.

Policies for California Test-Takers

California is one of the few states in the United States with any sort of regulation or oversight of testing entities. Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, California students taking the GMAT must be provided with a statement that informs them of their right to keep their personal data private. The statement affirms that GMAC will not share personal data with other businesses for direct marketing purposes without the explicit consent of the student. If a student does choose to allow sharing of information, he or she has a right to know how that information will be used, and he or she may rescind consent at any time.

Overseas GMAT Administration

Overseas GMAT registration policies and student rights are specific to individual countries. All students taking the GMAT outside their country of citizenship must use their passport for admission to the test center, but identification requirements for non-U.S. citizens undergoing GMAT administrations in their home countries can vary considerably. The official GMAT website lists these policies and also informs students of any additional rights or responsibilities they may have. For example, European Union countries have stronger protections for personal data than the United States, including the right to access and correct the data. It is recommended that students familiarize themselves with the registration policies for the country and state (if applicable) in which they will be taking the GMAT and check the official GMAT website regularly to be aware of any changes that have been made or are expected to be made.