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

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:

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:

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.

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:

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.