Exam overview · GMAT
The GMAT, explained for 2026
The GMAT Focus Edition is the standard admissions test for MBA and business master's programs. It is shorter and more quantitative than the old GMAT, with three 45-minute sections and a 205 to 805 score scale. This guide covers the format, the scoring, and how to register, so you can plan your prep with real numbers instead of rumors.
Everything on GMAT GRE Prep builds on this page, so if you are new to the exam, read this first, then pick a section guide and a study plan.
The three sections
| Section | Questions | Time | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | 21 | 45 min | Arithmetic, algebra, and word problems. No calculator. |
| Verbal Reasoning | 23 | 45 min | Critical reasoning and reading comprehension. No sentence correction. |
| Data Insights | 20 | 45 min | Charts, tables, two-part analysis, multi-source reasoning, and data sufficiency. On-screen calculator allowed. |
You choose the section order yourself, and there is one optional 10-minute break between sections. All three sections are question-level adaptive: answer correctly and the next question gets harder, miss and it eases off. Your score reflects the difficulty you sustained, not just your raw count.
Question-level adaptivity punishes early errors more than late ones, because the algorithm is still calibrating. Front-load your accuracy: the first third of each section deserves your slowest, most careful work.
Scoring: 205 to 805
Each section scores from 60 to 90, and the three combine into a total from 205 to 805 in 10-point increments. The scale changed with the Focus Edition, so do not compare a Focus score to an old 200 to 800 score directly: a 655 Focus is roughly the old 700. GMAC publishes concordance tables, and admissions offices use percentile ranks, which transfer cleanly across the two scales.
- 655 and above is approximately the 90th percentile.
- 605 to 645 is competitive at many well-ranked programs.
- 535 to 595 is around the middle of the test-taking population.
Business schools also read your section scores. A lopsided profile, for example a strong Quant with a weak Data Insights, can raise questions for analytically heavy programs, so aim for balance.
Who takes the GMAT
Primarily MBA applicants, but also candidates for business master's programs such as Master in Management, Finance, and Business Analytics degrees. Most business schools accept the GRE as well, so the GMAT is a choice rather than a requirement in many cases. The GMAT vs GRE comparison walks through when each test is the better play.
Registration and logistics
- Where: register at mba.com. You can sit the exam at a test center or online with a remote proctor.
- Fee: approximately $275 at a test center or $300 online in the US; fees vary by country, so confirm on mba.com.
- Score reports: you can send five free reports within 48 hours of your official score; additional reports cost extra.
- Retakes: up to five attempts in 12 months, eight total, at least 16 days apart.
- Validity: scores are valid for five years.
Your first two weeks
- Take one official GMAC practice test cold to get a baseline. Do not study first.
- Identify your weakest section and skim its guide: Quant, Verbal, or Data Insights.
- Start the 8-week study plan at week two, or from week one if your baseline is far from target.
- Work ten questions a day from the practice bank, reading every solution even when you answer correctly.
FAQ
How long is the GMAT Focus Edition?
Two hours and fifteen minutes of testing across three 45-minute sections, plus one optional 10-minute break. Plan for about three hours at the test center including check-in.
What is a good GMAT score in 2026?
The scale runs 205 to 805. A 655 sits around the 90th percentile, and scores of 685 and above are competitive at the most selective MBA programs. Check each school’s published median rather than a universal cutoff.
Does the GMAT still have an essay?
No. The Focus Edition removed the Analytical Writing Assessment. The exam is now three multiple-choice sections: Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights.
How many times can I take the GMAT?
Up to five times in a rolling 12-month period, and eight times total, with at least 16 days between attempts. Scores from the last five years appear on your report.