Last Updated on November 23, 2023
If you are considering taking the GMAT, you may be wondering whether there is anything that would preclude you from taking it. Although there are some GMAT eligibility criteria, the good news is that they are not very restrictive, so chances are you won’t be held back from taking the GMAT.
This article will answer commonly asked questions about the GMAT eligibility criteria stipulated by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the organization that creates and administers the GMAT. Keep in mind that the requirements discussed in this article apply to both the online GMAT and the in-person GMAT. However, these requirements do not pertain to MBA programs; you should check individual program websites for program-specific requirements.
First, let’s discuss some eligibility questions that are commonly asked by people who are considering taking the GMAT exam.
GMAT Eligibility Criteria
1. Is there a minimum or maximum age for taking the GMAT?
In order to take the GMAT, you must be at least 13 years old. However, if you are between ages 13 and 17, you need written permission from a parent or guardian to take the GMAT (here is the parental consent form), and you may take only the in-person exam at a test center.
If you are 18 years of age or older, you do not need written permission, and you can take the exam either at home or at a test center. Note that there is no upper age limit for taking the GMAT.
KEY FACT:
Test-takers ages 13 to 17 are not eligible to take the GMAT Online.
2. Do I need a degree in order to take the GMAT?
There is no educational attainment requirement for taking the GMAT. For example, you do not need a business school degree, undergraduate degree, or even a high school diploma or equivalent to take the GMAT. However, keep in mind that while you do not need a certain level of education to take the GMAT, you do have to satisfy certain educational prerequisites for entry into most MBA programs.
KEY FACT:
You do not need an academic degree in order to be eligible to take the GMAT.
3. How many years of work experience do I need to qualify for the GMAT?
Your amount of work experience will not affect whether you can take the GMAT. Whether you have no work experience or have been working for 20+ years, you can take the GMAT. However, keep in mind that work experience does play a role in your candidacy for many MBA programs. If you’d like specific information on the work experience necessary for admission to a particular MBA program, you should reach out to the folks in admissions to obtain those details.
KEY FACT:
There is no minimum work experience requirement for GMAT eligibility.
4. Are there global citizenship restrictions for taking the GMAT?
People of any nationality can take the GMAT. However, the GMAT is not administered in all countries, so if you’d like to take the in-person GMAT, check here to ensure that there is a test center near your location.
If there is no test center in your country, you still have the option to take the in-person GMAT in another country in which a GMAT test center is located. Or, if you prefer, you can take the GMAT Online, unless you are located in Mainland China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria.
One final consideration is that the ID requirements necessary to take the GMAT change depending on your country of origin. You can read more about the identification requirements at mba.com, the official website of GMAC.
KEY FACT:
Residents of any country can take the GMAT.
5. How many times can I take the GMAT?
A few things that could affect your GMAT eligibility are the timing of your test attempts, the number of times you’ve taken the GMAT, and your GMAT test score. Keep in mind the following policies:
- The GMAT can be taken once every 16 calendar days, unless you are taking the in-person GMAT followed by the GMAT online exam (or vice versa). In that case, there is no waiting period between exams.
- The GMAT (online and in-person) can be taken a total of 5 times in a continuous 12-month period.
- The GMAT (online and in-person) can be taken a total of 8 times in your lifetime. Also, you are limited to 2 online GMATs.
- If your GMAT score is 800, you must wait at least 5 years before taking the exam again.
So, assuming that you are at least 13 years old and are not trying to take the GMAT more than once in 16 days (or 2 times, if switching test formats), more than 5 times in a 12-month rolling period, or more than 8 times in your lifetime, and you have not scored 800 in the past 5 years, you are eligible to take the GMAT!
TTP PRO TIP:
Knowing the required waiting periods and the frequency rules for taking the GMAT will allow you to more strategically schedule your exam.
I’m Eligible to Take the GMAT — How Do I Register?
Congrats! You are eligible to take the GMAT. So, let’s walk through some steps to follow for creating your online GMAT account and completing your GMAT registration.
1. Create an account on mba.com.
You will need to enter your first name, last name, email address, and password when creating your mba.com account.
2. Begin the registration process.
The first registration screen will prompt you to enter personal information such as your birth date, country of citizenship, full name, address, etc. Make sure that your personal information exactly matches the document(s) that you will use on test day to verify your identity.
TTP PRO TIP:
When you create your GMAT account, be very careful to provide accurate information that exactly matches your identification documents.
3. Schedule your GMAT appointment (optional).
You will be able to choose to register for either the online exam or the in-person exam. Once you have entered your choice, you will select your test appointment on additional screens. For the GMAT Online, you will be able to choose the date and time of your exam. For the in-person exam, you will be presented with a list of test center locations nearest the address that you entered in your profile. From there, you can select a test center, and then view available dates and times for taking the GMAT at that location.
Once you complete your order, including payment processing, you’ll have a test date locked in!
Now that you know whether you are eligible to take the GMAT and how to register for it, the final step is to get moving with your GMAT preparation. For some expert advice on preparing for the GMAT, check out these 5 steps for starting your GMAT study and this guide to scoring 700+ on the GMAT.
