GMAT Registration: How to Sign Up for the Exam

To register for the GMAT, first create an account on mba.com, the official GMAT website. Then, decide whether you’d like to take the exam in a test center or online. Finally, choose an appointment that works for you and pay the registration fee. 

If you’re still getting familiar with the exam itself, start with our overview of [LINK: What Is the GMAT?], then come back here when you’re ready to book.

Should You Take the GMAT Online or in Person?

The content, structure, and difficulty level of the online and test-center GMAT are identical. However, there are a few practical differences that may make one format a better fit than the other. 

Here is a key benefit of the test-center version of the GMAT:

• You don’t have to worry about finding a quiet room with a stable internet connection, or configuring your computer to meet GMAC’s technical requirements.
  

Here are some benefits of the online version of the GMAT:

• Taking the exam from the comfort of your own home.
• Greater appointment availability, making it easier to find a testing time that fits your schedule. 

For a deeper comparison of the two formats, see [LINK: GMAT Test Online vs. In-Person].

GMAT Test Registration at a Test Center

To register for an in-person exam at a test center, log in to your MBA.com account and click “Register for the GMAT.” You can then choose to book an exam at a testing center.

When prompted, enter your location to see the test centers available in your area. You can compare multiple test centers to find the appointment availability that best fits your schedule.

When registering, make sure that you:

• Know the ID and clothing requirements for your appointment.
• Plan out your route to the test center so you arrive on time.
• Record your appointment details so you don’t miss your exam (yes, this has happened to some of our students, and it’s not fun).
• Review the cancellation and reschedule policies in case you have to change your appointment later. You can find the applicable fees in [LINK: How Much Does the GMAT Cost?].

Wondering what test day is actually like? Our guide on [LINK: What to Expect at a GMAT Test Center] covers the check-in process, what to bring, and what to expect in the testing room.

How to Register for the GMAT Online

To register for the online GMAT exam, log in to your mba.com account and click “Register for the GMAT.” You can then choose the online testing option.

You’ll be prompted to complete several steps, including uploading identification documents and verifying that your computer meets the system requirements. Once those steps are complete, you’ll be able to register for your exam.

When registering, make sure to:

• Understand the technical and workspace requirements for the exam. Because of test security concerns, these requirements are enforced strictly, so please review them carefully.
• Know which materials are permitted, including your approved whiteboard, dry-erase markers, and eraser. 
• Document your appointment details so that you don’t miss your exam.
• Review the cancellation and reschedule policies in case you have to change your appointment later.

Whichever format you choose, you’ll pay a registration fee when you book. Fees vary by region and testing format. For a full breakdown, see [LINK: How Much Does the GMAT Cost?].

Newsletter CTA: Getting ready to write your exam? Get test-taking and admissions advice from us each week until test day. 

How Do You Know When You’re Ready to Register for the GMAT?

You’re allowed to take the GMAT up to five times within a rolling 12-month period, and you must wait at least 16 days between appointments. There’s no longer a lifetime limit on GMAT attempts. (For the full details, see [LINK: How Many Times Can You Take the GMAT?].) 

While very few students want to take the GMAT five times in a year, it’s wise to save your test attempts for when you’re genuinely ready.

The best way to show that you’re ready is to achieve your target score on a fresh, official GMAT practice exam from mba.com. 

Take that practice test under realistic testing conditions: 

• Don’t pause the exam
• Take only the allotted breaks
• Treat the practice test exactly as if it were the real thing

If you don’t achieve your target score on a practice exam, there’s a good chance you won’t achieve it on the actual GMAT either.  (If your practice scores and official scores tend to diverge, [LINK: 7 Reasons Why Your Practice Test Scores Don’t Match Your Actual GMAT Scores] explains some common reasons why.)

There are a few exceptions to this advice. If having a test date on the calendar motivates you to study, it’s perfectly reasonable to register for an exam if you believe you’ll be ready by that date. Just remain flexible as that date approaches. If you’re not on track to achieve your target score, consider rescheduling your GMAT for a later date.

Likewise, if the online exam isn’t a good option for you–perhaps because you don’t have a quiet room or a stable internet connection–make sure that you check the availability of test centers in your area far in advance of your target test date. In some regions, GMAT appointments fill up quickly, and you don’t want to reach the end of your studies only to wait several months to actually get into the test room.

Finally, if you’ve never taken the GMAT before and want firsthand experience with the testing environment, consider scheduling an early attempt during your preparation. Think of it as an “expensive practice test” that provides valuable information for future attempts. 

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