Everything about GMAT 2026
— updated for this cycle.
Dates, pattern, syllabus, eligibility, and the colleges that accept it. All updated for this admission cycle.
READ ON7 MIN READ
- CONDUCTED BYGMACGraduate Management Admission Council
- MODEComputer-adaptiveTest centre or online · at-home
- DURATION2h 15m45 min per section · one 10-min break
- FREQUENCYYear-round5 attempts / 12 months · 8 lifetime
- APPLICATION FEE₹23,000Test centre · ~₹27,000 online
- 0123456789days to goOn-demand
READ ON7 MIN READ
SECTIONS3Quant · Verbal · Data Insights
QUESTIONS64All multiple-choice
TOTAL MARKS205-805Equal section weight
ASPIRANTS2L+Global · ~30k from India
IIM SEATSISB + IIM execPrimary Indian route
JUMP STRAIGHT TO
01 OVERVIEW
What GMAT actually is.
Background context, in two paragraphs. Skip ahead if you've already taken it before.
GMAT is the global benchmark for MBA admissions, conducted year-round by GMAC and accepted by 2,400+ business schools across 110+ countries. In India, it's the primary route to ISB, IIM Ahmedabad's PGPX, IIM Bangalore's EPGP, IIM Calcutta's PGPEX, and most one-year executive MBAs.
The current format — the GMAT Focus Edition — replaced the older version in early 2024. It's shorter, has no essay, and lets you pick the section order. Scores are valid for five years and the exam can be taken up to five times in any 12-month period — which makes it less of a single-day pressure cooker than CAT.
THE APPLYO FRAMEOne profile, multiple GMAT-accepting colleges.
That's what Applyo is built for.
That's what Applyo is built for.
02 TIMELINE
Important dates
— 2026 cycle.
Indicative dates, anchored against the 2025 calendar. Notification confirms the actual schedule.
Decide your target score & schoolsISB · 710-740 · IIM PGPX · 700+ · global top-20 · 730+
Book your slot on mba.comPick a date 2-3 months out · centres in 30+ Indian cities
Prepare with official materialOfficial Guide + GMAT Focus mocks from mba.com
Take the examTest centre or online · unofficial score immediately
Official score reportReleased within 3-5 business days · 5 free score reports
Apply with the scoreScore is valid for 5 years · retake if needed (16-day gap)
03 ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility &
exam pattern.
The two questions every aspirant lands on first: am I eligible? and what does the paper look like?
Eligibility · Who can apply
Three conditions. That's it.
- No formal degree requirement to take the examSchools impose their own — typically a bachelor's degree at the time of admission
- Minimum age 18 · no upper limit13-17 year-olds need written parental consent
- Up to 5 attempts in 12 months · 8 lifetimeMandatory 16-day gap between attempts
Exam Pattern · Structure
Three sections. Any order. 45 minutes each.
| SECTION | QUES | MARKS | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuantQuantitative Reasoning | 21 | 60 | 45 min |
| VerbalVerbal Reasoning | 23 | 60 | 45 min |
| DIData Insights | 20 | 60 | 45 min |
| Total | 64 | 205-805 | 135 min |
CorrectAdaptive score
IncorrectNo negative
UnattemptedHeavy penalty
Section orderYou choose
04 SYLLABUS
What's actually tested.
Broken down by section, with the topic weights we observed in the last three CAT papers.
Quant
Problem Solving
Arithmetic and algebra only. Geometry was removed in the Focus Edition. Calculator not allowed.
Arithmetic
~10Q
Algebra
~7Q
Word problems
~3Q
Number properties
~1Q
Verbal
Reading & Reasoning
Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. Sentence Correction was removed in the Focus Edition.
Reading Comprehension
~13Q
Critical Reasoning
~10Q
DI
Data Insights
The newest section. Mixes data sufficiency with multi-source and graphic interpretation. On-screen calculator available.
Data Sufficiency
~5Q
Multi-Source Reasoning
~4Q
Table Analysis
~4Q
Graphics Interpretation
~4Q
Two-Part Analysis
~3Q
05 APPLICATION
How to apply for GMAT 2026.
GMAT booking on mba.com takes about 15 minutes. The exam is on-demand — pick a date that fits your prep timeline.
01
Create an mba.com accountSign up with your email and verify. Use the exact name on your government photo ID — it must match on test day.
02
Choose test centre or onlineTest centre: ~₹23,000 ($275). Online at-home: ~₹27,000 ($300). Most candidates pick centre for fewer distractions.
03
Pick a date and locationSlots open ~6 months in advance. Test centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and 20+ more cities.
04
Pay the application fee~₹23,000 at a test centre, ~₹27,000 online, by credit or debit card. The fee is billed in USD, so a low-forex-markup card saves 1-3%.
05
Verify photo ID requirementsIndian candidates need a valid passport. PAN, Aadhaar, and driving licence are not accepted for the GMAT.
06
Take a free GMAT Official Starter Kit mockAvailable on mba.com after registration. Use it to calibrate your prep timeline before you spend more on materials.
06 FAQ
Things aspirants
ask us about GMAT.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Five years from the date of the exam. After that, schools won't consider it. The score is reported to GMAC for ten years, but most programmes only accept scores under five years old.
Still have questions?
Can't find what you're looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.