GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualification, Work Experience & Attempts
Candidates who wish to pursue graduate management or business programs can take the GMAT. Individuals between 13 and 17years are also allowed to take the exam in the test centre,provided the written proof of parent’s or guardian’s consent is submitted prior to scheduling the exam.
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) defines GMAT eligibility criteria guidelines, primarily related to age limits and the limits on the number of test attempts in a 12-month period. There are no academic qualification requirements to take the GMAT; however, all test-takers must comply with GMAC’s registration, identification, and testing policies.To learn more about who can take the GMAT and the key conditions, explore the complete GMAT eligibility criteria in this blog!
GMAT eligibility Criteria: Key Highlights
| Criteria | Details |
| GMAT Exam Eligibility (Age Limit) | Minimum age is 18 years; no upper age limit. |
| Global Acceptance | Accepted by Over 2,400 institutions across 110 countries, covering 7,700+ programs |
| Academic Qualification | No minimum qualification required |
| Work Experience | Not Required |
| Score Range | 2050 to 8050 — higher scores improve chances of admission to top B-schools |
| Exam Pattern | Computer Adaptive Test |
| Question Pattern | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Quant and Verbal sections. Additionally, in Data Insights sections there are “multi-select” or “yes/no” response formats. |
| Number of Sections | 34 Sections – (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights) |
| Score Validity | 5 years from the date of the test |
GMAT Age Limit
There is no upper age limit for the GMAT exam. However, candidates must be atleast 18 years old to take the test. Those between the ages of 13 and 17 can still register and take the test at the centre. Still, they must provide written consent from a parent or legal guardian prior to scheduling the exam, often referred to as a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Language Requirements for the GMAT
The GMAT exam is conducted entirely in English, regardless of whether it’s taken online or at a test center. Candidates from non-English academic backgrounds can still take the exam, but they must possess a good command of the English language to understand and respond to the test effectively.While no formal English proficiency certification is required, candidates must be comfortable reading, interpreting, and responding in English.
Academic Qualification
There is no mandatory educational qualification required to take the GMAT . GMAC does not prescribe a minimum academic Qualification for candidates to be eligible to take the GMAT. You can register for the GMAT regardless of your educational background programs. However, MBA colleges abroad typically require a bachelor’s degree as part of their admission requirements, separate from GMAT eligibility. Note that this is an institutional requirement, not a GMAT eligibility condition. Hence, Most test-takers are undergraduate or working professionals aspiring for an MBA or other management
GMAT Score Requirements
There is no minimum GMAT score required to take or pass the exam. Score expectations are determined individually by business schools and vary by program and competitiveness.
Work Experience
There is no work-experience requirement to take the GMAT. The exam is equally open to:
- Final-year undergraduates
- Fresh graduates
- Working professionals
While work experience strengthens MBA applications, it is not mandatory for GMAT eligibility.
Inclusive Eligibility Policy
GMAT is open to all individuals regardless of gender, nationality, religion, or academic background. GMAC also ensures equal access to differently abled candidates, offering special accommodations upon submission of valid medical documentation. Candidates with documented disabilities (e.g., ADHD, visual impairments, or mobility limitations) can apply for accommodations like extended time or extra breaks. You must submit these requests and receive approval before scheduling your exam
As GMAC’s privacy policy outlines, all medical records are handled with complete confidentiality.
GMAT Eligibility Criteria for Re-attempts
Candidates planning to retake the GMAT 2025 should be aware of the specific rules outlined by GMAC. While retaking the exam is permitted, particular limits and guidelines apply under GMAT exam eligibility criteria:
- You may take the GMAT exam delivered at a test center and the GMAT exam delivered online a combined total of up to five (5) times within a rolling 12-month period.
- You must wait at least sixteen (16) days after you take the exam (whether online or at a test center) before you can take it again.
- You can hold only one active GMAT appointment at a time. To change your test date, you must reschedule your existing appointment or complete the exam and then book a new attempt, subject to the mandatory 16-day waiting period between attempts.
- You must wait at least 16 days between GMAT attempts, regardless of whether the exam is taken online or at a test center.
- If you have previously achieved a perfect total score—800 on the GMAT (10th Edition, discontinued on January 31, 2024) or 805 on the current GMAT Focus Edition—you must wait five years before taking the exam again.
- If your GMAC account is deleted at your request, you will be required to wait five years before becoming eligible to take the GMAT again.
- GMAT Score is valid for 5 years from the date of the test taken.
- Lifetime Limit: There is now no fixed lifetime limit on attempts,the previous 8-attempt lifetime limit has been removed;
These rules ensure fair testing opportunities while allowing candidates to improve their performance strategically. Always plan your attempts considering both your preparation timeline and business school application deadlines.
GMAT Eligibility Score: What You Need to Know
The term “GMAT eligibility score” refers not to a qualifying cutoff, but to the score range typically expected by business schools. While GMAC does not set any admission benchmark, top institutions often publish average GMAT scores of admitted candidates.
Scoring well above the global average significantly strengthens your profile, particularly for competitive MBA, MiM, and specialized business master’s programs.
To achieve competitive GMAT score, applicants should focus on:
- Mastering the completeGMAT focus edition concepts.
- Regularly practicing with official GMAT Official Guides(retired GMAT Questions),
- Taking adaptive mock tests regularly and reviewing the mock tests
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for GMAT 2025?
Anyone aged 18 or above is eligible for GMAT 2025. Candidates aged 13–17 can register with parental consent. No specific academic qualification or work experience is required. The exam is in English, and all nationalities are eligible
Is GMAT only for MBA?
No. GMAT scores are accepted for MBA, MiM, Master’s in Finance, Business Analytics, and other graduate management programs across 7,700+ programs globally.
In India, the GMAT is accepted by several leading business schools, including the IIMs (primarily for executive and one-year MBA programs), ISB, XLRI, MDI, SPJIMR, and IIFT, among others.
Overall, GMAT scores are accepted across hundreds of management programs offered by well over 100 Indian institutions, particularly for executive MBAs, one-year MBAs, and specialized master’s programs. The exact number of participating schools and programs may vary year to year based on institutional admission policies.
Additionally, recruiters especially in finance and Consulting sectors look at GMAT scores as a signal of strong problem-solving abilities needed for demanding roles.
Can I apply for GMAT after 12th?
You can technically register for the GMAT after Class 12, but it is not recommended. Most business schools require a bachelor’s degree for admission. While there’s no minimum education eligibility for the GMAT, the exam is intended for graduate-level applicants aiming for MBA or other business master’s programs. Also note that your GMAT score is valid only for 5 years.
Is GMAT easier than CAT?
It depends on your strengths.
The GMAT and CAT are both competitive, but their difficulty varies by individual. GMAT emphasizes logic and reasoning, data analysis,with predictable patterns, making it easier for some. GMAT is more structured and predictable, with clear question patterns and a defined syllabus.CAT has tougher quantitative sections, unpredictable question types, and no official syllabus and the difficulty can vary each year.If you’re not comfortable with higher-level Quant and unpredictable formats, CAT feels tougher.
How much is the GMAT exam fee in India?
The GMAT exam fee in India for 2025 is USD 275 for test center-based tests, and USD 300 (around ₹27000) for the online version. Additional services like cancellations, rescheduling, and score reporting(5 reports are free, if sent within 48 hours of the exam) incur extra charges.
