what is the graduate management admission test gmat 
the graduate management admission test gmat is a standardized test used to measure a test taker s aptitude in mathematics verbal skills and analytical writing the gmat is most commonly used as the primary exam reviewed by business schools to gain entrance into an mba program the exam is generally offered by computer only in areas of the world where computer networks are limited the exam may be given as a paper based test understanding the graduate management admission test gmat the gmat exam consists of four sections analytical writing assessment verbal reasoning integrated reasoning and quantitative reasoning 1 the maximum score achievable for the gmat is 800 and exam scores are generally valid for five years following the exam s completion 2 on average the exam takes three and one half hours to complete 1every year over 255 000 individuals take the gmat 3 as of august 2023 it costs 275 to take the test at a test center and 300 to take it online in the u s 4 due to the widespread nature of the admissions test gmats are offered almost every day of the year and can be taken every 16 calendar days however the test can be taken no more than eight times total and no more than five times in a 12 month period 5 most applicants take the exam once or twice before applying 