GMAC has removed the rule that limited each person to eight GMAT attempts over a lifetime. An article on GMAC’s site dated 24 October 2024 confirms the change, which GMAC presents as easing the pressure of a so-called final attempt.
Key facts
- What Lifetime limit of 8 attempts removed
- Still applies 5 attempts per rolling 12 months
- Gap At least 16 days between attempts
- Fee (Oct 2024) $275 test centre in most locations; $300 online
The rules now
- No lifetime limit on attempts.
- No more than five attempts in any rolling 12-month period, counting online and test centre sittings together.
- At least 16 days between attempts.
GMAC also reminds candidates that they can see their score before deciding whether to send it, and that each Official Score Report a school receives shows only one exam’s scores, so earlier attempts are not shared unless the candidate chooses. Since August 2026, however, a GMAT Superscore also appears on reports for candidates with more than one valid attempt.
What it costs
GMAC’s online exam page, correct as of October 2024, gives the fee as $300 for the online exam worldwide and $275 at a test centre in most locations. Fees can vary by location, so check the price shown when you book.
What this means
You will not run out of chances over a long career, but each attempt still costs money and counts toward the five-in-12-months rule. Plan retakes with real preparation between them and leave time before application deadlines for scores to arrive. Book through mba.com only, and confirm the fee for your country at the point of booking. If you are close to five attempts in a 12-month window, count back from your planned date before you pay, because a booking that breaks the rule will not be allowed.