You can take the GMAT exam up to five times within a rolling 12-month period, with a mandatory 16-day waiting period between attempts. There’s also a lifetime limit of eight attempts, a policy the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) introduced in December 2016. This structure gives test-takers flexibility while preventing excessive retakes that could undermine score validity.
For candidates targeting top MBA programs where a competitive GMAT score often means 700 or above strategic retakes can be essential. However, it’s important to note that business schools see all your GMAT scores from the past five years, though most consider your highest total score. A sudden jump in score without substantial prep between attempts may raise questions, so thoughtful preparation between tries is critical.
If you’ve already taken the GMAT five times in the last year, you’ll need to wait until your oldest attempt falls outside that 12-month window before registering again. Likewise, if you’ve hit the eight-attempt lifetime cap, you’re no longer eligible to retake the exam under any circumstances making each attempt count more than ever.
Many high scorers use their first attempt as a diagnostic, then invest 6–10 weeks in targeted GMAT prep before retesting. Given the cost ($275 per attempt as of 2025) and the mental toll, it’s wise to maximize early attempts with solid study plans focused on weak areas especially in Quantitative Reasoning or Data Insights, which often trip up even strong test-takers.
Always check the official GMAT website or your mba.com account for real-time eligibility before scheduling another test date. Understanding these limits not only keeps you compliant with GMAC policy but also helps you optimize your GMAT strategy for admission success.