GMAT Score Validity 2023: For How Long is GMAT Result Valid?

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Samarpita Goswami logo

Samarpita Goswami
Updated on Feb 03, 2023 10:40 AM IST

The GMAT exam is a computer-adaptive exam that assesses applicants' readiness for graduate-level academic work.

The GMAT score is valid for five years from the date of the exam. For example, if you took the exam in October 2021, your results will be valid until October 2026. GMAT scores can be used to apply to colleges, jobs, and even internships. While the GMAT score validity is limited to five years, you can continue to list them on any application if you believe they bring sufficient value. 

You can keep doing this for up to 10 years. However, after 10 years, GMAT scores can no longer be mentioned on applications and are rendered meaningless. Let us find out more about the GMAT score validity on this page. 

Highlights of GMAT Score Validity 2023 to Study Abroad

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) for candidates interested in pursuing management degrees like MBA courses, MIM courses and more abroad. The GMAT is a globally recognised exam that is available all throughout the year.

In the table mentioned below, you can find the GMAT score validity 2023 for different countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UAE:

Country

GMAT Score Validity 2023

USA

5 years

The average GMAT score to study MBA in the USA is 703.

UK

5 years

The average GMAT score to study MBA in the UK is 600+.

Canada

5 years

The average GMAT score to study MBA in Canada is 606.

Australia

5 years

The average GMAT score to study MBA in Australia is 590.

New Zealand

5 years

The minimum GMAT score to study MBA in New Zealand is 550.

UAE

5 years

The minimum GMAT score to study MBA in UAE is 500.

GMAT Scoring Scheme

Now that you briefly understand what GMAT score validity means, let us take a deeper look at the GMAT scoring scheme. The following are the GMAT exam scores for each section:

Sections

Number of Questions 

Duration

Scores

Integrated Reasoning 

12

30 minutes

1 to 8, increases by a 1-point increment 

Quantitative Reasoning 

31

62 minutes

6 to 51, increases by a 1-point increment 

Analytical Writing Assessment 

1

30 minutes 

0 to 6, increases by a ½-point increment 

Verbal Reasoning 

36

65 minutes

6 to 51, increases by a 1-point increment 

Total GMAT Score

3 hours 8 minutes (including breaks)  

200 to 800, increases by a 10-point increment 

Note: The total GMAT score is the sum of the GMAT Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores. It is important to recognise that your GMAT score is directly related to your performance in the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections. The Integrated Reasoning and Analytical Writing Assessment sections, on the other hand, are graded individually and do not contribute to your overall GMAT score.

Do B-Schools Abroad Prefer Newer GMAT Scores?

If you are concerned that your GMAT score will be seen unfavourably by business schools because it is a few years old, we have some good news for you! In general, business school admissions offices do not treat GMAT results from a few years ago any differently than scores from a few months ago. 

You would not get any "extra or brownie points" or special treatment just because you took your GMAT soon before your applications were due, and you won't be punished for submitting a GMAT score that wasn't taken in the same year you applied, for example. As long as the institution to which you're applying considers your GMAT score genuine, your score will be reviewed on a par with the scores of all other applicants.

For instance, if you took your GMAT a few years ago and are concerned that your score does not accurately reflect your current skill set, you may decide to retake the GMAT even if your previous score is still acceptable so that you can apply with a score that reflects your full potential. Retaking the GMAT to obtain an updated score is a personal choice for each student; however, you will not be punished if you choose to continue with your earlier score.

Key Fact: As long as the university to which you're applying considers your GMAT score valid, it will be reviewed on a par with the scores of all other applicants.

Know How You Can Benefit from GMAT!

Can Students Send Expired GMAT Scores to Schools?

Similar to requesting an old score report for yourself, you can request that GMAC deliver an old score report to schools. However, keep in mind that the vast majority, if not all, business schools will not enable you to meet the exam requirement of your application by submitting a GMAT score that is more than 5 years old. In fact, GMAC indicates that when a test taker requests old scores, such scores are "given to schools with the proviso that they should be evaluated with caution."

If you wish to submit a GMAT score that is more than 5 years old to a school, you should definitely check with the admissions office beforehand to see if submitting an expired score is worthwhile. In my experience, scores that are old add little value to an MBA candidate's application, and institutions are unlikely to accept old GMAT scores and will advise you not to submit them.

Note: Although it is possible to send scores that are up to 10 years old, most business schools around the world will not accept them.

What is a Good GMAT Score?

Now that you know about the GMAT score validity for different study abroad locations, you should also be knowing about what is considered a good GMAT score by universities for aspirants to study abroad

A good GMAT score can help you gain admission to the business school of your choice. Let us look at what constitutes a solid GMAT score. The following table shows the scores and accompanying ratings for each score:

GMAT Scores 

Rating 

740+

Excellent 

700-740

Good

550-700

Average 

Below 550

Poor

However, what may be considered a good score varies from business school to business school. As a result, the meaning of a good GMAT score differs from person to person. The cutoff set by your desired university or business school also defines a good GMAT score. 

GMAT Score Report

After knowing that your GMAT score validity is for 5 years, you would also want to know about the GMAT score report too. The GMAT score report is your official score report, which is accessible three weeks after your exam date. The score report provides the GMAT section scores as well as the appropriate percentile rank for each score.

The GMAT score report also includes the personal information you entered during the enrollment procedure. This comprises your phone number, residence, past academic qualifications, related grades, and a digital portrait of yourself taken at the testing facility.

GMAT Enhanced Score Report

The score report can be difficult to understand. This is where the enhanced score report comes in. The improved score report assists you in deciphering your score report by breaking it down into sections and offering an in-depth analysis of your performance in each. The purpose of the GMAT enhanced score report is to inform you about how you performed on the exam and how this will affect your business school applications. It provides you with a full breakdown of how you did in relation to numerous aspects.

Cancellation of GMAT Scores

Your unofficial GMAT scores are accessible immediately after you complete the GMAT exam. You now have the option of accepting or rejecting your unofficial scores. It is strongly advised that you have a target score in mind, as you will only have two minutes to accept the unofficial results. Your GMAT unofficial scores will be cancelled if you do not accept them within two minutes. Once the scores have been cancelled, they will not be transmitted to the universities you have specified.

You will also not receive your unofficial score report at the exam centre, and your official score report will be withheld. You would also have to wait 16 days before retaking the GMAT exam. However, if you accepted your unofficial scores at the exam centre and later decide to cancel them, you can do so within 72 hours. However, once you leave the exam centre, you will be charged an extra fee to cancel the scores.

Reinstatement of GMAT Scores

You can also re-establish or reinstate your GMAT scores after they have been cancelled. However, you will be paid a price to have your GMAT results reinstated. You have 4 years and 11 months from the date of your exam to reinstate your GMAT scores. This duration is determined with the score validity restriction of 5 years in mind. 

The reinstatement of GMAT scores ensures that your GMAT scores are sent to the universities you have listed. However, you will not be able to add universities to this list. You can purchase more score reports in this scenario. This will set you back at about USD 35 for every score report.

Ace Your GMAT Exam in First Attempt!

FAQs on GMAT Score Validity

What happens when my GMAT score expires?

When your GMAT score expires, the GMAT score associated with that test no longer appears on your Official GMAT Score Report after hitting the 5-year mark for a particular GMAT test date. In brief, that GMAT score has expired and is no longer recognized by GMAC or business schools. You can, however, call GMAC customer support and obtain an old score report to see scores up to ten years old. Scores older than 10 years are not available, even on special requests.

Is the GMAT score validity the same in the top schools as well?

Yes, the GMAT score validity is the same in the top schools as well all over the world. GMAT scores are valid for five years. The majority of the world's best business schools and institutes, including Harvard, Columbia, and Wharton, accept GMAT results within this time frame only. 

What happens to your GMAT score validity after five years?

Your GMAT scores expire after the duration of the GMAT score validity of five years. The GMAT score expires, and the score history or Official Score Report no longer contains it. That means that no B-school will take that score into account. You can, however, request access to your previous score reports. Scores older than ten years cannot be restored, even with a special request.

Why did GMAC cancel my GMAT scores?

GMAC must have cancelled your GMAT scores because, at any time, the GMAC has the ability to withhold or cancel your scores. This is done to ensure that each of their candidates receives an equal opportunity. If there is a policy violation, a testing issue, or your scores are invalid due to other circumstances, the GMAC may withhold or invalidate your scores.

How am I to find out if the GMAC cancels my GMAT score?

You will come to know if the GMAC has cancelled your GMAT scores through an assigned reason code. The reason code is a symbol, generally an alphabet, that indicates what error you committed. Here is how to interpret the reason codes on your score report if the GMAC has cancelled your results.

  • Testing Issues: “T”
  • Common Policy Violations: “P”
  • Serious Policy Violations: “S”

Do business schools have access to all your GMAT scores?

Yes, business schools can have access to all your GMAT scores. The official GMAT score report includes all of your GMAT results, including retakes. However, if you cancel your GMAT score at the test facility, the score will not appear on your official score record. As a result, you can rest confident that the colleges or business schools listed do not have access to all of your GMAT scores. 

Does the GMAT score look good on your CV?

Yes, a competitive GMAT score will look good on your CV and will make a positive impression in front of the recruiters. Since the GMAT is intended primarily for management admissions, a high GMAT score indicates that you have relevant managerial knowledge and skills. As a result, having a solid GMAT score adds tremendous value to your CV and can make it look spectacular.

What can I do if I missed the deadline for accepting my unofficial GMAT scores at the test centre?

If you have missed the deadline for accepting your unofficial GMAT scores at the test centre within the time restriction, they will most likely be cancelled. You can, however, reinstate these marks within 4 years and 11 months following the exam date. However, you may only do so if you pay USD 50.

Can I still get my enhanced GMAT score report despite cancelling my GMAT scores?

Yes, you can still get your enhanced GMAT score report despite cancelling your GMAT scores. However, if the GMAC cancels your GMAT scores due to policy violations, you will not receive the upgraded GMAT score report in that case or scenario.

Can I revoke my GMAT scores after I have accepted them at the testing centre?

Yes, you can revoke your GMAT scores after you have accepted them at the testing centre. The GMAT scores can be cancelled within 72 hours of the exam, even if you accepted them at the test centre. However, once you leave the testing centre, cancelling the scores is not free. To cancel your GMAT scores, you must pay a fee of USD 25.

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