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One of the most common questions GMAT students ask is, “How many times can you take the GMAT?” Of course, there is a (fairly) simple answer, but some students fail to account for a key point. Although you can take the GMAT multiple times, there are several reasons to avoid a scenario in which you have to retake the GMAT.
In this article, you’ll learn what the annual limits on GMAT attempts are and how business schools view multiple GMAT attempts when evaluating MBA applicants. Additionally, we’ll discuss, the main pros and cons of taking the GMAT multiple times are.
Although you can take the GMAT multiple times, there are several reasons to avoid a scenario in which you have to retake the GMAT.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- How Often Can You Take the GMAT?
- Is It Bad to Take the GMAT More Than Once?
- What Are the Consequences of Taking the GMAT Multiple Times?
- Key Takeaways
- What’s Next?
Let’s start by looking at the total number of times a test-taker is allowed to sit for the GMAT.
How Often Can You Take the GMAT?
You can sit for the GMAT no more than 5 times in a consecutive 12-month period. Additionally, you must wait at least 16 days between each GMAT attempt. However, there is no longer a lifetime limit on the number of times you can take the GMAT.
Let’s say that you made your first GMAT attempt on January 15. Conceivably, you could sit for the GMAT every 16 days and reach your annual limit of 5 attempts by mid-March. At that point, you would have to wait until January 16 of the following year to make attempt number 6. Having made so many attempts would indicate that you made little or no improvement between attempts. So, it’s apparent that this strategy is not optimal.
KEY FACT:
You can sit for the GMAT no more than 5 times in a consecutive 12-month period, and must wait at least 16 days between attempts.
Of course, this scenario is a highly unlikely one and not recommended for several reasons that we’ll soon discuss. Right now, note that having the option to retake your GMAT every 16 days does not mean you should. Whether you’re gearing up for your first GMAT attempt or your fifth, ideally, you should take the exam only when you feel fully prepared to hit your score goal.
TTP PRO TIP:
Whether you’re gearing up for your first or fifth GMAT attempt, take the exam only when you feel fully prepared.
So, you now know how many times and how often you can take the GMAT. Let’s discuss whether schools view applicants who have taken the GMAT more than once unfavorably.
Is It Bad to Take the GMAT More Than Once?
The simple answer to the question of whether it’s “bad” to take the GMAT more than once is “no.” Taking the GMAT more than once is not at all a negative thing. In fact, most GMAT test-takers sit for the exam more than once, and you should plan to do the same.
Of course, you should absolutely aim to hit your goal on your first attempt and do everything possible to prepare. However, you also should schedule your first exam to allow a sufficient buffer before your applications are due. That way, you have time to study and retake the exam at least once if you need a higher score.
When preparing for the GMAT, a wise motto is, “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”
TTP PRO TIP:
If possible, schedule your first GMAT so that you’ll have enough time before your application deadlines to retake the exam.
Next, let’s discuss the consequences of taking the GMAT multiple times.
What Are the Consequences of Taking the GMAT Multiple Times?
While many students worry about the negative consequences of multiple GMAT attempts, there are actually some potentially positive effects as well.
Positive Consequences
Because of recent changes to the score reporting process, admissions committees won’t know how many times you’ve taken the GMAT. The only way your school will know that you have retaken the GMAT is if you submit multiple scores. This might speak well for you, as you would only send that second score if you scored higher. Thus, the admissions committee would see an improvement, indicating your motivation to recommit to additional studying. This motivation to succeed is a positive character trait.
KEY FACT:
Generally, admissions are more concerned with what your GMAT scores are than with whether you needed multiple attempts.
Next, let’s address the negative consequences.
Negative Consequences
There are, however, some obvious consequences of taking the GMAT multiple times. For one, the GMAT is a costly exam. From registration and other fees to prep materials and practice exams, GMAT expenses can rack up pretty quickly. While some expenses represent a necessary investment in your future, others are avoidable with planning and a smart strategy. At $275 a pop for a test center appointment and $300 for an online one, exam registration is one of the largest single GMAT expenses you’ll incur.
Avoiding unnecessary retakes is key if you’re hoping to keep costs low. As mentioned earlier, the best way to avoid unnecessary GMAT retakes is to ensure that you’re setting test dates intelligently. So, base your test dates not on arbitrary timelines but on your readiness to reach your score goal.
Even if budget isn’t a concern, the GMAT still requires a significant investment of time and energy. Learning GMAT content and sitting for the exam are mentally and physically taxing experiences. They demand many hours of commitment, hard work, and sacrifice. Early mornings, late nights, and weekends of studying instead of relaxing with friends and family add stress to your life. Preparing for the GMAT even once can have a big impact on your daily life for several months. So, while 2 or 3 GMAT attempts may be manageable, taking the GMAT 7 or 8 times isn’t very realistic. This is especially true for many people whose schedules are already packed with work and other responsibilities.
TTP PRO TIP:
To avoid unnecessary retakes, ensure that you’re setting test dates based not on arbitrary timelines but on your readiness.
There is one more consequence of multiple GMAT attempts worth discussing: the law of diminishing returns.
The Law of Diminishing Returns
At some point, GMAT test-takers who have yet to hit their score goals must consider the law of diminishing returns. Familiarity with the GMAT exam can certainly work to your advantage. For example, you may very well feel less nervous about the test-taking experience if you’ve been through it before. But if you’ve taken the GMAT multiple times without hitting your target score, stop and ask yourself a question. Is continuing to retake the exam until you “run out of tries” is really the answer?
If all you’re doing is studying in the same way you’ve always studied, using the same materials and techniques you’ve always used, why would GMAT attempt number 5 be any different from attempt number 4 or 3? It may even be the case that, as you become more and more fatigued and frustrated by further GMAT attempts. As a result, your test performance suffers, taking you even further from your goal.
There are, of course, students who use most or all of their annual GMAT attempts to hit their score goals. But if you are seriously worried about using up your GMAT attempts before you are able to reach your goal, if you have used, say, more than half of your attempts and are still not close to your target score, you need to stop and take a hard look at how you are preparing for the GMAT, and make some adjustments before you schedule any further exams.
TTP PRO TIP:
If you have used more than half of your GMAT attempts without reaching your score goal, review and adjust your study plan before scheduling another attempt.
Key Takeaways
Let’s summarize what we’ve covered in this article:
- You must wait at least 16 days to retake the GMAT.
- You may take the GMAT no more than five times in a 12-month period.
- There is no longer a lifetime limit on the number of times you can take the GMAT.
- When you send your score to a school, you only submit your most recent score.
- Schools will not know how many times you took the GMAT unless you tell them.
- There is generally no stigma attached to taking the GMAT multiple times.
- Schools may positively view multiple score submissions as an indication of your motivation to succeed.
- Taking the GMAT multiple times can be costly in terms of money and time.
- If your score doesn’t improve despite numerous attempts, you should look at the underlying causes of your lack of improvement.
What’s Next?
To minimize your number of GMAT attempts, you’ll need effective study strategies. Check out these tips to make the most of your Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights preparation.
