GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2024

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is an entrance exam for applicants targeting a Business or MBA degree. Administered by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), this exam measures your skills and knowledge to verify whether you are ready for business school. The latest version of the GMAT Exam (Focus Edition) aims to align with modern business dynamics that prioritise data analytics skills.

GMAT eligibility criteria for 2026:

1. Age Limit

• Minimum Age: 18 years.
• Under 18 (13–17 years): Candidates in this age bracket are eligible but must provide a signed Parental Consent/Authorisation Form from a legal guardian before scheduling the exam.
• Maximum Age: There is no upper age limit.

2. Attempt Limits (Significant 2025/2026 Update)

• Annual Limit: You can take the GMAT up to 5 times within any rolling 12-month period.
• Lifetime Limit: Removed. As of late 2024/2025, GMAC has removed the long-standing lifetime limit of 8 attempts. Candidates can now take the exam as many times as needed, provided they stay within the 5-attempts-per-year rule.
• Retake Gap: You must wait at least 16 calendar days between any two attempts (online or at a test center).
• Perfect Score Rule: If you achieve the maximum score of 805, you are generally restricted from retaking the exam for 5 years.

3. Educational Qualifications

• No Minimum Degree: GMAC does not require a Bachelor’s degree or any specific academic background to take the test.
• Reality Check: While you can take the GMAT as an undergraduate or even without a degree, almost all business schools will require a completed undergraduate degree for final admission.

4. Identification Requirements (India-Specific)

• At Test Centers: A valid International Travel Passport is the only accepted ID for Indian citizens at physical test centers. Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and voter IDs are strictly rejected.
• Online Exam: For the GMAT Online (taken from home), the Aadhaar Card is now technically accepted for verification in India, though a Passport remains the most reliable option.

5. Work Experience

• Not Required for Exam: You do not need professional experience to register for or take the GMAT.
• Admissions Requirement: Most top-tier MBA programs (especially Executive MBAs and Indian schools like ISB or IIM PGPX) still require 2–5+ years of work experience as part of their separate admission criteria.

6. Score Validity & Scoring

• Validity: GMAT scores are valid for 5 years.
• Score Range: The 2026 exam (Focus Edition) uses a score scale of 205 to 805. All three sections (Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights) contribute equally to the total score.

GMAT Summary Checklist for 2026