The Complete Guide to Taking the GMAT in India

Hello to our students in India! In this post we’ll be discussing everything you need to know to take the GMAT in India—including information on GMAT test locations and dates, registration and fees, and why you might choose to take the GMAT!

Table of Contents

• Choosing to Take the GMAT in India
• India GMAT Test Locations and Dates
• Registration and Fees in India
• Payment
• Scores

Choosing to take the GMAT in India

For students who are interested in studying abroad, of course it makes sense to take the GMAT; however, taking the GMAT to apply to programs in India is gaining momentum. Let’s look at why.

Top Indian Business Schools that Accept the GMAT

The GMAT is growing in popularity as an entrance exam for top Indian business schools. Currently, it’s accepted by more than 200 programs at 100 business schools across India. Here are some of the highest ranked institutions on that list:

• IIM, Ahmedabad
• IIM, Calcutta
• XLRI, Jamshedpur
• IIM, Indore
• IIM, Kozhikode
• Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad
• Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
• S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai

Hankering for a more in depth look at some of the more prestigious schools accepting the GMAT? Check out The Top 20 GMAT Accepting Indian Business Schools compiled by the folks at GMAC.

GMAT vs. CAT

Many students grapple with whether they should prepare for the GMAT or the Common Admissions Test (CAT). Both exams are used for admission to business schools, and they aren’t terribly different in terms of timing and structure. So, why do some students choose to take the GMAT over the CAT?

Well, the answer really does depend on an individual’s academic and career aspirations. In very simplified terms, those who aim to live and work in India tend to opt for the CAT, and those who desire to study and/or work abroad will most likely need to take the GMAT. But! That’s not the whole story. Over the years the CAT’s popularity has begun to fade, with many institutions and top Executive programs now preferring the GMAT over the CAT.

GMAT Advantages

Check out this comparison to see just a few of the factors that make the GMAT arguably more user-friendly:

India GMAT Test Locations and Dates

The process of scheduling your GMAT exam has become much more streamlined in recent years. In fact, unlike some of the other graduate exams, the GMAT offers incredibly flexible at-home or in-person testing options. The exam can be taken up to five times within a calendar year, but you must wait 16 days between retakes. Of course, there is a cutoff: Within a lifetime, you are only allowed eight total attempts at the exam.

Online Testing

This is the most flexible and popular option for test-takers because test slots are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, it’s important to be sure you meet all the Graduate Admission Council (GMAC) requirements to be able to take the at-home exam. If this option is not available to you, you will need to schedule your exam at a testing center.

In-Person Testing

At most testing centers, test dates are available on all days, except Sundays and a few public holidays. To find the most conveniently located test center, check out GMAC’s Find a Test Center Tool. Now, before you register, here’s an important consideration: Testing slots, especially at the most popular centers, can fill up quickly. It’s a good idea to book as early as possible to secure your preferred date and time.

Test Centers in India

Pearson Professional Centers tend to be highly sought after locations for in-person GMAT test-takers because of their modern facilities and amenities. Pearson Centers can be found across the country, including in the following cities:

• New Delhi
• Mumbai
• Pune
• Noida
• Jalandhar
• Amritsar
• Ahmedabad
• Hyderabad
• Chennai
• Bangalore

Taking the exam at a Pearson Professional Center is not the only option. There are other locations that have been authorized by GMAC to administer the GMAT exam. Here are some of the more popular, non-Pearson locations (2024):

Again, whether you choose a Pearson Center or other location to take the exam, you’ll need to register and choose a location through GMAC.

Registration & Fees in India

In this section, you’ll find information about registering for the test and various associated fees.

Registration:

You can register for the GMAT as early as six months in advance of your desired test date. Here are the two most popular ways to do so:

1. Online: Create your account on mba.com to register for either the online or in-person exam.
2. Phone: Make a call to the GMAT Customer Service. NOTE: If you register via the phone, you will be charged an additional US $10 service fee.

Customer Service numbers in India:

• Test Center Exam: +91 120-439-7830, 9am to 6pm Indian Standard Time
• Online Exam: Phone: +91 000-80091-91077 (Toll Free) or Email: [email protected]

It is still possible to register for the GMAT using postal mail or fax. However, these methods are rarely used today.

Other Things to Consider:

• The name you enter during the exam registration process must exactly match the name in your proof of identity. If there is a discrepancy, you will not be allowed to enter the exam center.
• Make sure your passport is valid. Entry to the exam center will not be permitted if your passport has expired.
• Before you complete registration, double check that you have entered the correct test date and testing location.
• Before you choose a test center, check for any online reviews that might give you insight into how other test-takers felt about the location.
• What if your ideal date, time, and location are taken? You might still get lucky! Keep checking the registration page on mba.com. If another test-taker reschedules or cancels, you could snap up the slot they’ve abandoned. However, DO NOT rely on luck. It’s best to avoid this situation by registering early or having a few backup options that will work for your location and application timeline.
• Finally, although there will be time slots available throughout the day, take a moment to think about the best time for you to take the GMAT. Are you a morning person or do you feel more alert in the afternoon? Be sure to choose a time that works best for your circadian rhythm.

Fees

Here’s a breakdown of the various fees associated with taking the GMAT exam in India. The following is the latest information from the Exam Payment page of mba.com:

One thing to remember is that different locations have specific pricing and local taxes, so don’t be too surprised if the above table isn’t a 100% match of what you end up paying.

Rescheduling and Canceling the GMAT

You may reschedule or cancel the exam and even change the test center within 24 hours of your scheduled exam time. Of course, that is going to cost you an additional service fee, which, as indicated by the Fee Table, depends on the number of days left before your test date.

Payment

For the most part, paying for the exam is pretty straightforward. However, there is one potential issue that test-takers in India might have to navigate, and that’s regarding debit cards.

In India, certain banks may not allow debit cards for online transactions unless the merchant participates in Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code, which requires entering a PIN number. Unfortunately, at this time, GMAC is not a participating merchant and isn’t able to process debit payments that require a pin. If a debit card is your only means of payment, you can try to contact your bank to see if it will grant you a one-time use card, or if it will waive the pin restriction for the GMAC website.

Ideally, you can avoid the issue altogether by using a credit card. GMAC accepts the following: VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Discover Network Cards.

Here is more information about payments from mba.com:

• Charges on your credit card statement will most likely appear as “VUE*GRAD MGMT TEST” for exams delivered at a test center, or “DRI*EXAMITY LLC” for exams delivered online.
• If your credit or debit card is declined, your appointment will be automatically canceled. You are responsible for scheduling another test appointment with a valid form of payment.
• If you use a stolen or fraudulent credit or debit card, your registration will be canceled, any of your previous GMAT scores may be canceled, and Graduate Management Admission Council may notify both schools and law enforcement authorities.
• If you wrongfully challenge or dispute the fee with your credit card company, you may be blocked from taking further exams or from requesting additional score reports.

Scores

The Unofficial Score

This is the score that you will receive immediately after completing the exam. Don’t become too attached. You are not allowed to record or save unofficial scores. It’s really just there to give you a sense of how well you did before you get your official scores in your mba.com account typically within 1-3 days of taking the exam.

Official Scores

Check out the full breakdown of official scores and a sample score report through GMAC’s Official Score Reports page.

Sending Your Scores to Programs

Included in your GMAT registration is the option to send your Official Score Report to up to five programs for free within a 48-hour period. Once that 48-hour window closes, or if you decide to send your score to more programs, you will need to pay an additional fee. Read more about the process through GMAC’s Sending your Scores or How Do I Send my Free Reports.

Conclusion

Taking the GMAT in India presents test-takers with a number of considerations. Hopefully, this post has given you some insights into the process that will help you navigate the various steps with ease.

If you’re ready to reach your GMAT score goals, Magoosh GMAT is here to help! We offer over 800 practice questions, 200 video lessons, and full-length practice tests, all updated for the current GMAT format. Try us for free with a 1-week trial!

Best of luck with your studies!