If an MBA is in your future, you’ll need to plan your GMAT test date carefully. Whether you’ll be taking the GMAT online or in person, understanding when and how to register is key to staying on track with your application timeline. The current version of the exam is the GMAT Focus Edition. It’s offered year-round, not on fixed national test dates, so you have a lot of flexibility in when you sit for it. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about GMAT test dates for 2026–2027, including how to register, what to expect for availability, and how to choose a date that fits your goals.
Table of Contents
- GMAT Test Dates (2026-2027)
- How to Register for the GMAT
- When Do I Need to Register for the GMAT?
- When Should I Plan on Taking the GMAT?
GMAT Test Dates (2026-2027)
So just when are GMAT test dates available this year? It depends which format of the GMAT you wish to take.
GMAT Online Availability
If you want to take the GMAT remotely, it’s offered pretty much every day at just about any hour. However, given that this format is still staffed by a human proctor, there are limits to how many test-takers can sign up for an exam appointment at a given time.
So, though it’s easier to sign up for a last-minute appointment online than at a test center, you really don’t want to wait that long. Doing so could force you into a suboptimal time. Also, keep in mind that some times are busier in general, such as Saturday mornings and the weeks leading up to Round 1 and Round 2 application deadlines.
If your schedule is rigid and matches other applicants, it’d be wise to book an online appointment at least a month and a half in advance. But if your schedule is flexible and/or you’re not taking the exam during peak times, you should have a lot of options available.
GMAT Test Center Availability
Though there are a number of in-person options, it greatly depends on your location and when you plan to take the test.
Bigger cities and college towns tend to have more testing sites available (called Pearson VUE test centers). To find a test center near you, the best way is to search directly through the MBA website.
As far as peak times to watch out for, Saturday mornings are prime time. GMAC (the makers of the test) stresses that most test takers generally schedule their appointment within a 45-day window but that you’ll want to sign up early if you must test on a Saturday morning.
Additionally, if you’re planning to take the GMAT at a test center just a few weeks before applications are due (which we don’t recommend that you do!), you’ll want to sign up months in advance to be safe.
How to Register for the GMAT
Ready to get started? Here is the breakdown of how to register for the GMAT and what to consider when choosing your GMAT test date.
There are three basic steps test-takers need to complete in order to select and set GMAT dates.
Step 1: Set up an account and profile
First, you’ll need to create an account with the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC). Go to GMAC’s “Create Your Account” page to register. Once that’s done, you’ll then have the ability to browse and see your options for GMAT dates (and locations, if you are taking the GMAT in-person).
- If you’re requesting GMAT accommodations, follow the steps outlined in that post—you’ll need to get approval before registering. Note that it’s a good idea to start this sooner rather than later because it can be a lengthy process. (It can take 3 to 4 weeks to receive a decision.)
Step 2a: Find a test center with available GMAT dates
Once you’ve registered with GMAC and have the ability to look at GMAT exam dates, the next step is to find a GMAT test center. For in-person dates, look under “Future GMAT Test Center Exams” and click “Register Now” or “Register as a Test Taker with Disabilities.” Each of these buttons will take you to options for your location.
Remember, the farther in advance you book your GMAT, the more options you’ll have for both GMAT locations and GMAT dates.
Step 2b: Pick a date for the online GMAT
If you are taking the GMAT online, the test is pretty much available 24/7. The key to picking a GMAT test date online is finding the day and time that work best for you.
To find test dates for a remote GMAT, select “Register for the GMAT Online Exam” under “Future GMAT Online Exams” on your MBA.com “My Account” page. Click on dates to see available time options.
Step 3: Schedule Your Exam
Once you know which test format you want to take and are registered to take the GMAT, you’re ready to actually select your GMAT test date. Follow the on-screen instructions within your GMAT account.
GMAT Registration Checklist
For GMAT exam registration, you’ll need to give the following info on the appointment scheduling form:
- Full name (this needs to match the name on your ID exactly, so have your passport handy since GMAC has very strict requirements when it comes to identification)
- Mailing address
- Phone
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Credit card or debit card (VISA, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover)—learn more about GMAT payment methods here.
How much does it cost to register? In the United States, the GMAT costs $275 to take at a test center and $300 to take online. Prices vary in other regions, so check the fee for your country at mba.com. You pay this fee when you schedule your appointment. If you need to change your date later, you can reschedule for an added fee that runs from about $55 to $180, depending on the format and how close you are to your appointment.
Of course, there’s a lot more to registering for the GMAT and choosing your test date than just accessing and navigating the official GMAT website. Timing is a crucial consideration too. Below, we’ll look at when to register, and how to select the GMAT test date that’s right for you.
Pro tip: The most common registration mistakes are easy to avoid. Make sure the name and date of birth in your GMAC profile match your photo ID exactly, because a mismatch can cost you your appointment on test day. And don’t wait until the last few weeks before a deadline to book. Saturday slots and test-center dates during peak season (roughly August through December) fill up first.
When Do I Need to Register for the GMAT?
You can register for the test anywhere between six months to 24 hours in advance of your GMAT test date. See the sections above for details on available test times.
Note that if you’re retaking the test, you have to wait at least 16 days between attempts. You can also take the GMAT a maximum of 5 times in any rolling 12-month period. GMAC removed the old 8-attempt lifetime limit in 2024, so there’s no longer a cap on the total number of times you can sit the exam over your lifetime.
When Should I Plan on Taking the GMAT?
If you’re like most typical GMAT test-takers, you should start prepping 7-8 months before your application deadline, and take your test 4-5 months before you apply.
What the data shows: Among more than 12,000 Magoosh GMAT students who started their prep in 2024 or early 2025, the median time from their first day with us to their last study session was about 16 weeks, or roughly 3 to 4 months. Plenty take longer: about a third stayed active for 6 months or more. If you’re unsure how much runway to give yourself, 3 to 6 months of prep is a realistic, data-backed range.
Pro tip: Before you lock in a test date, take a free GMAT practice test to get a baseline score. Knowing your starting point tells you roughly how many weeks of prep to budget, so you can count backward from your deadline and pick a date with confidence.
By giving you this advice, I am assuming the following:
- You will take 3 months to study before the exam
- Have a different GMAT prep timeline in mind? Check out our GMAT study schedules. We have study prep schedules for 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, and 6 months.
- You will spend 10-15 hours a week studying
- You will retake the test if you are not happy with your score, and thus will budget in a month or two for potential extra studying
- You will then use 2 months to prepare other aspects of your application (writing essays, working with recommenders, doing research and visiting schools, soul-searching, etc.)
- You will do any last preparation for those other non-GMAT aspects on the “home stretch” of your B-school admissions journey, in the last several weeks before your final application deadline
Alternatively, you can do some MBA application work alongside your GMAT prep. We recommend this approach in our MBA Application Timeline Template. This way, you ensure that you’re making constant progress on your applications (while giving your brain a break from studying!).
MBA Application Dates
These timelines will help guide you as you start considering GMAT exam dates for the next year. These timelines are based on the most common deadlines for rounds of applications at top MBA programs. Most top schools set MBA application deadlines three times a year, in three rounds. Check with your specific schools for their exact deadlines for Round 1, Round 2, and Round 3.
MBA Applications Round 1
| Dec.–Feb. | March | April–May | June | July–Aug. | Sept.–Oct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study | Take GMAT | Study | Retake GMAT | Essays, etc. | Round 1 due |
MBA Applications Round 2
| March–May | June | July–Aug. | Sept. | Oct.–Nov. | Dec.–Jan. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study | Take GMAT | Study | Retake GMAT | Essays, etc. | Round 2 due |
MBA Applications Round 3
| June–Aug. | Sept. | Oct.–Nov. | Dec. | Jan.–Feb. | March–April |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study | Take GMAT | Study | Retake GMAT | Essays, etc. | Round 3 due |
Receiving and Sending GMAT scores
Does the process of receiving and sending your scores impact your timeline at all? It can.
Generally, your official score is available within 3 to 5 business days. On occasion, GMAC may take up to 20 business days to report your score. That’s almost a month! This is yet another reason to finish your GMAT early and well before your application deadlines.
You can send your scores to 5 programs for free, and those reports go out within 48 hours of your official score posting. Your GMAT score also stays valid for 5 years, so a score you earn now will still count if you end up applying a cycle or two down the road.
Also, note that this process of receiving and sending scores is the same whether you take the online GMAT or the GMAT at a test center.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you’re testing online or in-person, planning ahead gives you the best chance to secure your ideal time and date and to hit your application deadlines with confidence. Make sure to give yourself enough time to study for the GMAT, prepare your application, and account for any unexpected delays, especially when it comes to sending scores. With the right timeline and resources, you’ll be well on your way to achieving both GMAT success and your MBA goals.
A Magoosh GMAT Premium Plan offers high-quality, affordable test prep to help you reach your score goals! Plus, bundle it with our MBA Admissions package to get support throughout your admissions journey.
