How Long Are Your GMAT Scores Valid? (& How Many Times You Can Take It)

If you're planning to take the GMAT and apply to business schools, one of the first questions you'll face is: How long are GMAT scores valid?

While the official answer is five years, that timeframe has real implications for your testing strategy, retake planning, and overall admissions timeline. In this expert-backed guide, we’ll walk through what many applicants overlook about GMAT score validity and how to use that insight to strengthen your MBA applications.

Read: Average GMAT Scores by Business School

What Is the GMAT?

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is the gold standard for assessing academic readiness for MBA programs. Accepted by over 7,000 schools globally, it evaluates the core skills admissions committees care about most: quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, verbal analysis, and data interpretation.

As of 2026, candidates take the GMAT Focus Edition, which includes three adaptive sections:

• Quantitative Reasoning - assesses numerical literacy and problem-solving under pressure
• Verbal Reasoning - measures reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and grammar skills
• Data Insights - evaluates your ability to interpret data across formats (charts, graphs, tables) in real-world scenarios

Each section contributes to a total score ranging from 205 to 805, replacing the previous 200-800 scale. Unlike the old version, the Focus Edition is shorter, more streamlined, and designed to reflect the real demands of modern business education.

Your GMAT score plays a critical role in your application. It's one of the most important metrics admissions committees use to evaluate candidates from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. And most business schools will accept your score for several years after your test date.

Read:

• GMAT Verbal Guide: Critical Reasoning Questions
• GMAT Verbal Guide: Reading Comprehension Questions
• GMAT Verbal Guide: Critical Reasoning Questions
• Master the GMAT Focus Data Insights Section

How Long Are GMAT Scores Valid?

GMAT scores are officially valid for five years from the date you take the first exam. If you sit for the GMAT in September 2026, your score will remain valid through September 2031, regardless of whether you're applying to an MBA program, a specialized business master’s, or a dual-degree track.

After that five-year window, your score is no longer considered valid by most business schools. While GMAC, the test administrator, retains your results for up to 10 years, schools will not accept them for admissions purposes beyond the official validity period. Your official score report may still be accessible in your GMAT account after five years, but it will be marked as expired and will not count toward your application.

A well-balanced GMAT, especially one with a strong verbal score, can remain a powerful asset throughout the full five-year period. But don’t assume your score will still be accepted just because you’re within a broad admissions cycle. Always verify individual school policies and timeline cutoffs.

Read: GMAT Focus Edition: What You Need to Know for 2023 and Beyond

Will Schools Accept a Score Near the Expiration Date?

Most business schools will accept a GMAT score that’s close to expiring, as long as it’s still valid on the date you submit your application. However, several applicants and admissions forums have noted that some programs, particularly the more competitive ones, may prefer more recent scores.

If your GMAT score is four to five years old, it’s worth taking a closer look. Double-check each school’s policy, and consider retaking the exam if you want to demonstrate more recent academic performance. This is especially important if your Quant section was weak or if you’re making a career pivot and need to reinforce your academic readiness. In those cases, a newer score, even if it's only slightly higher, can show growth, initiative, and better alignment with your overall application.

How to Time Your GMAT Around Application Deadlines

Your GMAT score may be valid for five years, but timing still plays a critical role in a successful application strategy. Business schools evaluate your score based on the date you submit your application, not the date you enroll, so even a few days’ difference can impact whether your score is accepted.

Use the chart below to determine the latest date you can take the GMAT and still have your score considered valid for each upcoming round:

Note: These are hard cutoffs based on GMAT score expiration. But in practice, you should build in at least a 2-3 week buffer, especially for top-tier schools with strict processing timelines. A score that expires the same week as your deadline could introduce avoidable risk.

Key Factors to Consider:

• Score reporting lag: Official scores can take several business days to reach schools. Don’t assume instant delivery.
• Time for retakes: If your first GMAT doesn't go as planned, you’ll want time to regroup, address weak areas, and schedule a second attempt.
• Gaps between test dates and enrollment: Some schools may question older scores even if they’re technically valid, especially if your quant or verbal performance wasn’t strong.

The most competitive applicants plan their first GMAT attempt 6-12 months before their earliest application deadline. This allows enough time for additional GMAT attempts, optimized prep, and a stronger overall application strategy.

The earlier you take the exam, the more flexibility and control you’ll have, both in score improvement and in aligning with admissions committee expectations.

How Many Times Can You Take the GMAT?

Retaking the GMAT is common, especially for students who didn’t reach their target score on their first attempt. Here's what you need to know about GMAT attempts in 2026-2027:

• You can take the GMAT exam once every 16 calendar days
• You can take the GMAT multiple times, up to 5 times in a rolling 12-month period
• There's a lifetime limit of 8 total attempts

Each of those attempts counts whether you test online or at a test center. If you're trying to improve your highest score or overcome test anxiety, this window gives you time to plan multiple attempts across several months.

Many students ask: How many total attempts is too many? While schools don't penalize multiple scores, seeing steady improvement matters. Admissions committees want to see growth, not desperation.

When Retaking the GMAT Is the Right Move

Retaking the GMAT is a strategic decision and in many cases, a smart one. It’s often the right move if:

• You didn’t reach your target score or percentile
• Your section scores (quant or verbal) are unbalanced
• You performed well below your practice exams
• You’ve improved your prep and want to reflect that progress

If your test day score came in lower than expected, especially compared to your practice test performance, test anxiety or a lack of familiarity with the testing environment may be the culprit. In that case, pinpoint your weak areas, adjust your prep plan, and schedule a retake when you're confident in your readiness.

Each additional attempt can help you better manage timing, understand question pacing, and approach the exam with greater focus. Many test takers see significant improvement by their second or third attempt, especially once they’ve refined their strategy and reduced stress.

Read: How to Study for GMAT: The GMAT Tutor's Guide

Lifetime and Annual Limits: Don’t Get Caught Off Guard

This is where students sometimes make a strategic mistake. The GMAT lifetime limit is 8 attempts. If you're taking the GMAT multiple times just to “see what happens,” you could run out of chances before you're ready to submit your strongest score.

You also can’t test more than five times within any rolling 12-month period.

Planning to apply in 2026 or 2027? That means you should:

• Space out your test dates so you don’t exceed the annual limit
• Leave enough time for one or two next attempts if your first GMAT goes poorly
• Use each attempt strategically, not randomly

How to Maximize Your GMAT Score Validity

Start With a Practice Test

Before jumping into prep, take a full-length practice exam under real test conditions to establish your baseline score. This gives you clarity on your current strengths, weak areas, and how far you are from your target score. Without this baseline, it’s impossible to build a focused and efficient prep plan.

Build a Targeted, Measurable Prep Plan

Effective GMAT preparation is about the quality of your strategy. Use your diagnostic results to zero in on weak areas, build core skills, and reduce avoidable mistakes. Track your progress with practice exams, and pay attention to section scores, not just your total score.

Balanced improvement across the quant and verbal score sections is what top programs want to see.

Schedule Your First Attempt Early

Give yourself a buffer. Ideally, you should take your first GMAT attempt 4-6 months before your earliest application deadline. This ensures you have time for one or two retakes, if needed, without running into the GMAT’s rolling 12-month or lifetime limit. Too many applicants test too late and end up rushing retakes or worse, applying with a score they know doesn’t reflect their potential.

Analyze Performance Beyond the Total Score

A high total score is impressive, but elite programs also scrutinize section scores, especially if your academic background or career path lacks quant rigor. Use each official score report to evaluate how admissions committees might view your profile. If your verbal score or quant section is disproportionately low, admissions officers may question your academic readiness, even if your overall score looks strong.

Use Attempts Strategically, Not Reactively

With strict rules around the lifetime limit (8 attempts) and annual limit (5 in any rolling 12-month period), every GMAT attempt should be intentional. Avoid “testing just to see where you stand”, that’s what practice tests are for. Each official attempt should be preceded by measurable improvement, a clear plan, and confidence that you’re ready to put your best score forward.

Read: GMAT Study Tips From Pro Tutors: From 600 to 700+

Final Takeaways: Don’t Let Score Expiration Derail Your Plan

• GMAT scores are valid for five years from your test date, not your application date.
• Most business schools accept scores near expiration, but recent performance may give you an edge.
• You can take the GMAT up to 5 times per year and 8 times total.
• Plan ahead: use practice exams to improve, and leave room for your next attempt if needed.

Want to boost your GMAT performance or build a personalized prep plan? Work with a Leland GMAT coach to identify weak areas, reduce stress, and build a timeline that puts your best foot forward.

You can also join GMAT test prep bootcamps and free events for more strategic insights!

Read: The 10 Best GMAT Tutors

Read next:

• Can You Use a Calculator on the GRE/GMAT?
• GMAT Study Tips From Pro Tutors: From 600 to 700+
• Best Free 50+ GMAT Prep Resources: Practice Tests & Study Material
• 3 Things You Need to Know About the New GMAT Focus Edition
• GMAT Focus Score Chart — With Percentiles

FAQs

How long are GMAT scores valid for business school applications?

• Five years from your test date. Most schools won’t accept scores older than five years.

Can I take the GMAT multiple times?

• Yes, up to five times per year and eight total. Many students take the exam 2-3 times to improve their score.

Is there a lifetime limit on GMAT attempts?

• Yes, you’re allowed eight total attempts over your lifetime.

What happens if my score expires before I apply?

• You'll need to retake the GMAT. Expired scores are not accepted by most business schools.

Can I use old scores if I scored higher in the past?

• Only if the score is still within the 5-year validity window. Otherwise, you’ll need to earn a new score.

What if I switch to the GRE?

• The GRE has the same 5-year validity window as the GMAT. If you decide to switch exams, you’ll get the same timeline flexibility, but with a different format and prep focus. Some students find they perform better on the GRE (especially those with stronger verbal or non-quant backgrounds), but make sure your target schools accept both.