GMAT Exam Online - All You Need to Know

The GMAT 11th Edition is an online proctored exam and an alternative to the test centre-based Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exam. Those wishing to appear for the same can do so both online or at the test centre. The GMAT exam online (Focus Edition) is open to all test-takers and the format is designed to support the students' need to meet B-school deadlines. Over 7,700 programs at 2,400 universities and organizations, in 110 countries, use the GMAT scores.

GMAT Online as the name suggests is a mode of testing that can be chosen by applicants if they wish to appear for the exam online from the comfort of their home. The GMAT online test can be taken two times. The online attempts will count toward the overall GMAT attempt limits of 5 in a rolling 12-month period, and 8 in a lifetime. The GMAT online exam includes 5 free score reports. The 5 free score reports must be used within 48 hours once the official online exam score is available. B-Schools abroad can see the official GMAT scores of the candidates within 24 hours of the request made by the candidate. Additional score reports can be purchased for USD 35 each. Check out some more details about GMAT Online in this article.  

GMAT Exam Online Highlights

All About GMAT (Focus) Online Testing

Though GMAT exam online and at test centres do not vary much, the way of taking GMAT from home online requires attention to new details since GMAT has evolved from the 10th Edition to the 11th Edition. Check out the section below to understand what features of GMAT online are essential for applicants planning to take this exam soon:

1. ID Verification for GMAT Online

While registering for GMAT exam the online mode will have to validate Aadhar Card details or keep their passports handy in case Aadhar Card validation fails. This is mandatory only for the GMAT online version of the exam, thus, those planning to sit for this version should be able to authenticate their IDs so that they can appear for the exam.

2. Technical System Requirements for Online GMAT

There are certain guidelines which must be followed when taking the GMAT exam online, these guidelines are as follows:

• Desktop or laptops are allowed, no tablets or mobile phones are permissible.
• A 2 Mbps down/up internet connection is important.
• Operating System details - Windows 10 and 11 Editions; Mac OS 10.15 - 14.6
• A webcam is important while taking the GMAT exam - either internal or external.
• A working microphone to connect to Zoom meetings while taking the exam.

3. Section Order for GMAT Online Exam

The candidates have the choice to select the section order. These will be:

• Data Insights, Quantitative, Verbal
• Verbal, Quantitative, Data Insights, Quantitative Reasoning
• Quantitative, Verbal, Data Insights

4. One Optional Break

The online exam allows test-takers one 10-minute break. However, this is optional, so, candidates have the choice if they wish to avail of this or not. Applicants can take this break either after the first section or after the second section. The break instructions will reflect on the screen only and applicants can easily follow them while taking the GMAT from home, online.

5. See your Official GMAT Score Right After the Exam

Now, the way candidates can see their GMAT scores in test centres will be able to see their unofficial GMAT scores immediately after the exam. These include sectional and composite multiple-choice scores, comprising Verbal, Quant, and IR scores).

GMAT Exam Registration Fee in India for Online GMAT

The table given below provides the GMAT fee details for the GMAT online exam:

GMAT Online Exam Structure

The GMAT Online exam pattern includes the Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights sections and there is no Analytical Writing Assessment Section. Each section will contain the same number of questions and time per section as the current in-person GMAT exam. The sections include:

• Quantitative: 21 questions / 45 minutes
• Verbal: 23 questions / 45 minutes
• Data Insights: 20 questions / 45 minutes

Schedule GMAT Online Exam up to 6 months in advance

Now candidates have the choice to book GMAT Online Exam appointments on a rolling 6-month basis and up to 24 hours before the available GMAT slot.

Exam Pattern for GMAT Online Exam 2025

The GMATFocus syllabus and pattern are the same for home testing or centre testing. Check out the latest GMAT Focus exam patter in the table below:

Sections for the GMAT online exam have been fixed as Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment. The total exam time is approximately 3 hours 7 minutes including two optional 8-minute breaks.

Test Dates for Online GMAT Exam

To increase flexibility, GMAT exam dates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and you can schedule an exam appointment up to 24 hours before an available testing window. We will continue to monitor conditions and look to add future appointment dates as needed. The GMAT Online exam can be taken on both Windows and Mac personal computers and laptops.

GMAT Online Exam Scoring

The GMAT Online exam includes the same type and number of section times and items as in the exam administered in the test centres. Also, it will use the same scoring algorithm and score scale for the Section Scores and Total Scores as the test-center-based exam.

Score Report for GMAT Online

In the score report, candidates will see the individual section scores as well as the total score of the exam. Candidates will also be able to view the percentiles of their scores in the score report.

Sending GMAT Online Scores to Schools

Once you receive your official GMAT online score, you can review it before sending it to schools. You can send your GMAT online score to 5 programmes (for no additional cost) within 48 hours of getting the official GMAT score report. Beyond these 5 scores, you need to pay USD 35 for every additional GMAT score report. You can send the scores through the following method:

Step 1: Log in to your official mba.com account

Step 2: Click on the 'Send GMAT online score' button

Step 3: Select the programs you wish to send score reports to

Step 4: Verify and click the 'Send GMAT online score'

GMAT Online Exam Score Validity

GMAT Online exam scores are valid for 5 years and will count towards their 12-month and lifetime GMAT limits. Applicants cannot retake GMAT beyond a certain limit in a year or in a lifetime. 

Sending GMAT Online Exam Scores

5 free score reports have been included in the GMAT Online exam fee. So, candidates can send score reports to up to 5 programs of their choice. These score reports must be used within 48 hours of receipt of your official score. If a candidate wants to send his/her score reports beyond these 5, he/she may do so by paying $35 for each additional GMAT score report.

Which is Better - GMAT Exam Online or GMAT at Centre?

This is a very broad question and will vary from person to person. While the GMAT exam online (or at home) is a convenient option, taking GMAT at a test centre is the traditional way of taking the exam. Both modes of exams follow the same duration, same testing pattern, same syllabus, same preparation staretgy and scoring including same process of score report sending plus the same cancellation/rescheduling fee. The only difference lies in the fees, the rest of everything remains the same. Thus, it is up to the applicants to choose convenience (GMAT online exam) or traditional testing (GMAT at test centre). 

The GMAT Online exam is a convenient and secure option to take the traditional test. Applicants can take the GMAT from the comfort and familiarity of their home, in a convenient schedule that suits their needs.

Delivering a reliable assessment of an applicant's readiness for business school, with the same question format and scoring system accepted by over 7,700 programs, the GMAT Online gets you one step closer to realizing your MBA goals. Among its features are results provided within 3-5 business days, with the ability to see your unofficial score after you complete your test.

Taking your first step toward an MBA? Make today the day you schedule your GMAT Online exam!