GMAT Expiration Question

Question

Hi everyone,

I understand that the GMAT lasts for 5 years, so I am wondering what is the final year that I could apply for business school given that I took the GMAT on October 15, 2010.

I assume that if a school has a R1 deadline of October 1, 2015, my GMAT would still be valid. But what if a school has a R1 deadline of November 1, 2015, and I submit my application on October 10? And how about if I submit that application on October 31, 2015? Will my GMAT be valid in either of those cases? And finally, what if I submit my application for a R2 deadline of January 1, 2016? Please let me know how this works, as it will determine whether I apply in 2014 or 2015.

Thanks,
Nick

domotron · Answer

I believe this depends on the school. Each one has specific criteria for the cut off point generally stated in their FAQs.

VeritasPrepRon · Answer

Hi Nick, it may vary a little, but in general the fact that your scores are good for 5 years means you can apply to programs using that score in the 5 years after you take it. So if you did your exam October 15, 2010, as long as you submit before October 15, 2015 you should be fine. The start date can be a little later.

Two things worth noting: First of all your scores are valid for 5 years but exist for 10 years, after which they are destroyed. So even if you miss the deadline by a week, technically your score is still viewable. Secondly, missing the deadline by a week is worrisome. Generally, the five year window exists so you have flexibility in taking your time to choose the right program for you. Taking the exam and then applying four and a half years later screams "I don't want to have to take this test again". I'm not an admissions expert, but that's the impression I'd get. You can also apply in 2014 for the 2015 semester, nothing wrong with getting a head start on things (as you've shown).

Hope this helps!
-Ron

nkistner · Answer

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the insight. I hear what you're saying about the impression it might give if I apply to a school 1 week before my GMAT expires. With that said, looking at my current career path I believe my application as a whole will be strongest 2015, so it would be just coincidence that the GMAT is also expiring around that time. I want to give myself the best chance of getting into the best school so I don't think applying earlier would make sense. To me, the trade off of waiting until 2015 is worth it, despite the the fact that my GMAT is about to expire. If I'm a strong enough candidate, they'll accept me anyway.

Nick

abilash10 · Answer

hello,
my colleague wrote his exam in late 2009. got a 720 
but when he tried to apply for indian school of business in 2013, they pointed out that after spending 3 years working in a meaningless job post the exam, the score loses its value.
They mentioned if he could get a higher score by writing the exam NOW (ergo proving he hasnt lost sharpness of thought), they would consider him
Its probably a case of just THIS university feeling this way, but I wanted to know if a lot of north american institutions feel the same way. In the sense of a sleeper GMAT score.

-Abilash

aerien · Answer

Check with the schools you're applying to. Some list specific test date ranges they will accept. Others want the score good through the start of classes and still others only care if the score is valid on the date you apply.

geometric · Answer

If you take the GMAT today and then again two years from now, and then you send your scores to schools four years after the second GMAT, will there be any sign of your first attempt on the report received by schools?

Vercules · Answer

Hi vandygrad,

The schools will see only one score the most recent one i.e. the schools will not see the score from your first attempt. GMAC sends the scores from the tests you appeared in the last five years.

Hope this helps,
Vercules

DIII · Answer

Hey check out the school requirements, i'm also in a similar situation and i have read on Sloans website that they see five years prior to matriculation. So be careful.

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