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The GMAT is administered year-round and even round-the-clock, so picking a GMAT exam date can seem daunting. There are so many variables in play. You need to consider your application deadlines and the amount of time you’ll need to prepare for the exam. In addition, you have to take into account your work and family commitments and other issues that may impact your ability to commit to a particular study plan.
In this article, we will help you get an answer to the question: When do you take the GMAT? We’ll look at 5 practical steps you can take to choose a GMAT test date that allows you to meet your deadlines and gives you the best chance of hitting your goal score.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- Know Your Deadlines
- Know Your Score Goal
- Get Your Baseline Score
- Set a Realistic Study Timeline
- Plan for Retakes
- Key Takeaways
- What’s Next?
So, let’s take a closer look at each of these 5 steps. When we finish step 5, you’ll know exactly how to pick the GMAT test date that is right for you!
Step 1: Know Your Deadlines
MBA programs typically accept applications in 3 rounds, although some schools have 4 or more rounds for applications. Still others — Harvard Business School, for instance — may have only 2. So, as soon as you know the programs to which you plan to apply, consult their websites for application deadlines. Then, decide which round you’re shooting for. In general, applying to business school during Round 3 is not recommended. Your chances of being accepted to the program or receiving any scholarship funds greatly decrease after Round 2.
Luckily, business schools tend to adhere to similar schedules for their application deadlines:
| Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 |
|---|---|---|
| September – mid-October | December – January | March – mid-April |
Keep in mind that these dates are rough guidelines. So, you shouldn’t assume that just because your friend’s applications were due in September, yours will be too. Remember also to factor in any time you’ll want to devote to other aspects of your applications. Ideally, you’ll be able to plan your timeline so that you’re not studying for the GMAT and, say, writing application essays at the same time.
TTP PRO TIP:
As soon as you know your target programs, find their application deadlines and decide which round you’re shooting for.
So, the first step in determining when to take GMAT exams is determining your application deadlines. Next, you decide which application round works for you. Now, it’s time to strategize how to give yourself the best possible shot at being accepted to your desired programs. That brings us to step 2.
Step 2: Know Your Score Goal
Students starting GMAT prep often ask what a “good” GMAT score is, but the truth is that “good” is relative. Every school has its own standard for what is considered a good (or great) GMAT score. So, you have to do a little research to determine what your score goal should be. Why is it important to know this information before you decide on an exam date and dive into your prep? Well, a student shooting for a 675 score may need more time to prep than a student shooting for 615.
In addition to a target GMAT Total Score, set a target for each GMAT section: Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights. Some of the top MBA programs are unapologetically quant-driven. So, if you plan to apply to a top-ranked school, you should probably plan to earn a top Quant score. Knowing whether your desired programs emphasize certain GMAT sections will help you determine how much time you’ll need to study.
Most programs note on their websites the average GMAT scores of accepted students. If you have any trouble finding the information you need online, give the folks in admissions a call. Just don’t make the mistake of arbitrarily setting a GMAT score goal based on what other test-takers are doing. Or, even worse, choosing a test date without determining your target score. Do your research and set your goals before you lock in a test date.
TTP PRO TIP:
Determine your score goal before you decide when to take GMAT exams so you can create a realistic study timeline.
Step 3: Get Your Baseline Score
There is no question that taking practice tests is an essential component of GMAT prep. However, many students don’t realize that taking an official GMAT practice exam before they start their GMAT prep is a crucial aspect of planning a smart strategy for GMAT success. After all, if you don’t know where you’re starting, how can you determine the time needed to reach your destination?
So, before you dive into your GMAT studies, take an official, full-length GMAT practice exam from mba.com. The results of your initial practice exam will give you a baseline score. This score will tell you how far you are from your score goal. As a result, you can determine how much time you’ll need to prepare before you’re ready for your GMAT.
The objective of this practice test is to help you better understand your starting level of GMAT preparedness. So, only minimal preparation is necessary. There is no sense in spending weeks studying for a diagnostic exam. Simply familiarize yourself with the structure and sections of the GMAT and the types of questions you’ll see. Next, complete a few practice questions of the various types you’ll see on the exam(you can find those on mba.com as well). Then, take the GMAT Official Practice Exam 1.
Take Your Practice Test Under Test-day Conditions
Be sure to replicate actual GMAT testing conditions as much as possible during this initial practice exam:
- Take the test in a quiet environment.
- Complete all sections with no interruptions other than the allowed break.
- Do not use a calculator during the Quant section.
If you don’t adhere closely to test-day conditions, your baseline score will not be accurate.
TTP PRO TIP:
Before you dive into your GMAT studies, take an official GMAT practice exam to get a baseline score and determine when you’ll be ready to sit for your actual exam.
Got your application deadlines, score goal, and baseline score in hand? You’re ready to map out your study timeline and determine your GMAT exam date.
Step 4: Set a Realistic Study Timeline
Some students need as many as 300+ hours to prepare for the GMAT. However, your ideal preparation time will depend on how far your baseline score is from your score goal, your learning style, and your other daily commitments. For instance, someone who is 50 points from her score goal likely will need far less time to prepare than someone striving for a 200-point increase.
Likewise, someone with a full-time job may have to spread his studies over a greater number of weeks than someone who has those hours free. Don’t assume that you can follow another person’s study plan and achieve that person’s score. The question of when to take the GMAT has a different answer for every person. So, carefully evaluate what you need to do and when you can make time to do it.
Remember, you want to take the GMAT when you are truly ready to do so. If you choose a test date without objectively assessing how long you’ll need to reach your target score, you could end up wasting precious time, racking up GMAT fees, and taking a hit to your confidence when test day doesn’t go as planned. So, if you need a 100-point increase to reach your score goal, and Round 1 deadlines are in one month, it’s probably time to face facts and consider applying at a later date.
TTP PRO TIP:
If you choose a test date without objectively assessing how long you’ll need to reach your target score, you could end up wasting time, racking up GMAT fees, and taking a hit to your confidence.
For detailed strategies on how to calculate the amount of time you’ll need to prepare for the GMAT, this article is a must-read.
Step 5: Plan for Retakes
A great Plan A is always backed by a solid Plan B. If, for some reason, you receive a disappointing score on GMAT test day, you want to be in the position to take the test again — and even take it a third time, if necessary. Of course, no one wants to have to sit for the GMAT more than once. The fact is, many people do just that and end up hitting or even exceeding their target score.
When choosing a GMAT exam date, if possible, give yourself enough of a time cushion between your exam and your application deadlines to allow for retakes. Keep in mind that the GMAT rules stipulate that you must wait at least 16 days between each exam. Also, you’ll want to give yourself sufficient time between exams to properly address remaining GMAT weaknesses.
Even though the vast majority of students (and their selected schools) receive their official GMAT scores in 1 to 3 days, it may take up to 20 days for GMAC to provide this information. So, for example, if you have a December 1 deadline to apply in Round 2, you might take the GMAT no later than October 15. This date allows time to study for and complete one retake and ensures that your scores get to schools on time. Of course, maybe you plan to finish applications after your GMAT, or you want to leave time for two retakes. In those cases, you might schedule your GMAT for July or August.
Strategically Plan Your Test Date
Grab a calendar and work backward from the date your first application is due, accounting for all of the factors mentioned above, and you’ll arrive at a logical test date. If the date you arrive at is too soon for you to adequately prepare to hit your target GMAT score, you may want to reassess your timeline for applying to business schools. Alternatively, you could increase the number of hours you can commit each day to studying, thereby compressing your study schedule.
Don’t push your luck by waiting until the last minute to take your GMAT. Why delay taking the GMAT until 2 months before your applications are due if you can realistically be ready to take your exam 6 months before your deadlines? Keep in mind that GMAT scores are valid for up to 5 years. So, unless you need more time to study, taking the GMAT sooner rather than later isn’t going to hurt. There is something to be said for not having the GMAT hanging over your head as your application deadlines approach. And you want to avoid a do-or-die situation in which you have only one shot at hitting your score goal.
TTP PRO TIP:
If possible, give yourself a time cushion between your exam and your application deadlines to allow for a GMAT retake.
Key Takeaways
In this article, we have provided you with 5 logical steps to take to determine your optimal GMAT test date. Let’s review each:
- Know Your Deadlines. Know the Round 1, 2, and 3 application deadlines, noting that schools’ deadlines may not be the same.
- Know Your Score Goal. Visit your desired schools’ websites and determine the scores of accepted students.
- Get Your Baseline Score. Take an official practice test from mba.com. Compare this to your target score.
- Set a Realistic Study Timeline. Consider your job, family, and other commitments, to determine how much time you can commit to studying and still meet your application deadlines.
- Plan for Retakes. Many students plan to retake the GMAT at least once, so build this contingency into your test date planning.
What’s Next?
Now that you know how to choose GMAT test dates, learn how and when to register for the GMAT.
