Planning for the Right Time to Take the GMAT: Factors to Determine When Can You Take GMAT

GMAT demands proper preparation and planning from the applicants and GMAT is a much difficult exam. If you are confused regarding ‘what is the right time to take the GMAT exam?’, we believe you can take clues from your GMAT preparation. You can follow the steps mentioned below to find out when can you take GMAT. 

Select the Target Business School

Before even registering for GMAT, strategize your future plans. Find out the country and university where you want to study and select the program. Check the eligibility criteria for that along with the required GMAT scores. It will make the target setting easier and realistic. 

Figure Out the Application Dates

Once you determine the country, university, and course, without wasting time check the application dates. These dates vary from university to university –so take note of it. The tentative application dates for most of the business schools are:

GMAT scores of all the sections must be ready by this time. So, the candidates need to pick the GMAT date carefully, so that the GMAT scorecard is available for submission in the universities by the application date. 

Prepare for GMAT

After sorting out the business schools and their application deadlines, make a GMAT study plan. For a realistic study plan take a mock test and identify the weaker areas and decide daily study hours by calculating (Target GMAT Score – Current Estimated GMAT score or starting score from GMAT Mock Test) * (7/10) * (1+CBT)

• 7/10 = 7 hours of effort for every 10-point score improvement
• CBT= Confidence Building Time factor; its value can be 0.0 or 0.25

Note: According to GMAC, a student scoring a 700+ in GMAT devotes 90 hours of median time.

Pick a Date by Keeping Time for GMAT Retake

A huge number of GMAT applicants go for GMAT retake as they obtain an unsatisfactory score in their first take. According to GMAC, a candidate has to halt for 16 days before attempting a GMAT retake. The maximum number of GMAT attemps is 5 times a year and 8 times throughout the lifetime.

So the candidates need to pick an exam date that is not very close to the application deadline – taking an exam minimum of 30-45 days before the admission deadline is good because the candidates will be able to retake GMAT if necessary and by the application deadline their score reports will also be available. 

Register for GMAT

We advise the candidates to book a date for GMAT a minimum of 3 months before their desired exam date. Otherwise, it will be difficult to get a date. At the time of registration, pick the center wisely. 

Additional Requirements 

GMAT preparation time will increase in case the applicant is a full-time professional. Also, the candidates need to be prepared for the interview and English language tests as well.

To sum up, the best time to take GMAT is when you are prepared. You have to go strategically and consider the application deadline, retakes, and all other factors very wisely to determine the right time to take GMAT.