GMAT Exam Slot Booking 2026: How to Book a Slot for GMAT Exam?

You can try up to 24 hours before. But it is risky. Seats fill up fast. You might get a bad time or center. better to book 2 to 3 months in advance to be safe.

Ideally, applicants can register for the GMAT between 6 months and 24 hours before the planned date for taking the exam, irrespective of the mode. Since it is difficult to get an exam slot at the last hour, it is better to register for GMAT exam around 2-3 monhs before the exam date if registering for GMAT at test centre. Following this rule will help students avoiding the last minute registrations for GMAT. 

While GMAT slot booking is a part of GMAT registration, the two concepts vary from one another. GMAT registrations are the initial steps to creating an account and heading towards selecting a date for registering. Booking a GMAT slot is the final step of registration where applicants choose their time slot and how they wish to appear for the exam online or at a test centre. Thus, this is how GMAT registration is different from GMAT slot booking.

Checking a GMAT slot avaialbility is simple. Applicants can follow the below given steps to check GMAT slot availability:

• Applicants will have to log on to MBA.com
• Sign in and access your application
• Upon GMAT centre and date selection, check the slots reflecting
• In case the slots or the preferred time slots are available, then applicants can select and complete the GMAT registration.
• In case the preferred slot is unavailable, applicants can choose another GMAT exam date and then follow the same process. 

This is the only way to check GMAT slot availability. 

Anybody 18 years and above can appear for the GMAT exam. While there is no specific GMAT eligibility that needs to be taken care of while applying for the exam, we need to ensure that the applicant is 18 years old (if they are 13 to 17 years old, they will require an NOC from their parents). There is no such eligibility criterion followed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). However, the respective institutes, applicants would want to join after appearing for GMAT, may have a set rule for selecting their candidates.

The table given below provides an overview of the GMAT exam slot booking:

Let us understand the difference between the GMAT test centre and onlne below:

• GMAT Online is conducted 24/7 and registrations can happen 24 hours before the preferred exam slot. On the other hand GMAT at test centre also allows 24 hours before registration but slots are limited and last minute slots can be unavailable.
• GMAT Online is more expensive than GMAT at test centre. GMAT Online costs USD 300+taxes and GMAT at test centre costs USD 275+taxes.
• When appearing for GMAT at home (online), applicants can access an online whiteboard or have a physical whiteboard. Whereas, at the test centre, applicants get laminated sheets and dry eraser.

This is how the two modes of GMAT exams differ from one another. Rest other aspects remain the same.

The best and the ideal time to book GMAT slot is six months before the actual GMAT exam date if you are either appearing for GMAT Online or at a test centre. You will be able to get your preferred GMAT exam slot on the desired date and centre if you book the slot six months before. 

Only slot can be booked per GMAT date and registration. Creating multiple login IDs and booking multiple GMAT slots can lead to disqualification of the applicant for appearing for any GMAT exam in the future. 

GMAT Exam Dates are released by the GMAC well in advance. Applicants can check and choose their dates and consequently choose their slots. Candidates can book the GMAT slot up to 6 months in advance.

Also, applicants can register for the GMAT exam once a year and in that registration, they can appear for the GMAT exam for maximum 5 times a year, on different dates only.

If a candidate has booked a slot at the test center it cannot be rescheduled to a different mode for that attempt. Candidates need to book the GMAT online exam again to attempt the test online. When it comes to GMAT slot booking, we advise that candidates show caution. Before you decide your GMAT exam date, make sure to go through the different study abroad intakes, MBA or MIM admission deadlines, your current GMAT preparation level, time required to reach your desired GMAT score, time required to prepare your admission documents (SOP, LORs, Admission Essays, etc.), etc.

Usually there is no such information available when applicants are booking GMAT slots. Applicants on the other hand are advised to finish their GMAT slot booking beforehand so that slots don't run out and applicants do not face difficulty for GMAT test centres. 

You can book a GMAT exam last by 24 hours of the exam date. But it is better to book exam slot maximum 3-6 months before the preferred exam date.

There is an option to choose up to three GMAT Focus exam centres in one go while registering for the exam. But this is for the purpose of comparing the test exam centres based on dates of exam. Once test centre and GMAT exam dates match, applicants can choose their exam centre and appear for their exam.

A special reservation criteria are provided for candidates with disabilities. The test-takers need to submit a few documents, including a Test Accommodation Request Form, before applying to claim this provision. The impact of impairment and the level of disability and how it limits their ability to take the online GMAT exam under standard conditions. GMAC provides accommodations for test-takers with disabilities. It advised that the students who required the GMAT testing accommodations must submit their request well in time before their intended GMAT exam slot. Once you have submitted your request for the GMAT testing accommodation, the same will reflect on mba.com account within 24 hours. You can expect a response to your request within 16-20 hours (it might take longer).

A complete one-month GMAT study plan can take around 200 hours to prepare. You can further make a complete study plan and study around 6 to 7 hours a day. This might change from person to person. However, make sure that your study hours are completely dedicated to GMAT study preparation. Make sure that you complete the GMAT Official Guide (GMAT OG) and other GMAT official study material during this time. It will help you in getting familiar with the actual questions that have appeared on the GMAT exam.

If you prepare a detailed study plan, then you can prepare for the GMAT within two months. First, check your strengths and weak areas from the GMAT Syllabus and work on them. After this work on each of the GMAT sections and prepare strategies to focus on each type of GMAT problem. You must attempt as many GMAT mock tests as possible during these days. GMAT mock tests will help you build your own test-taking strategies that can be implemented while taking the actual test. In addition, make sure that you complete the GMAT Official Guide and other GMAT official study material.

Scoring 700+ on the GMAT is possible. With the right approach, preparation, timely practice, consistency and the right resources one can score well on GMAT. Make sure that you refer to the right resources, stay disciplined, and attempt as many GMAT mock tests as possible. We sincerely suggest that you should complete the GMAT official guide and other GMAT official study material at least twice before your exams. Moreover, you can refer to Manhattan GMAT study guides. These books must form the base of your preparation.