GMAT Exam Dates 2026–27 in India: How to Book Your Slot

Is there a fixed GMAT exam schedule in India?

No. As opposed to tests that are conducted on a single or double national testing day, the GMAT operates on an appointment-based testing process. One needs to login to their mba.com account, select the mode of taking the test and the available dates/times. So the “GMAT exam schedule in India” is really a list of live appointments that changes every day, not a printed calendar.

This is why you will see no fixed date list on this page. Any website that publishes a neat table of “official” GMAT dates for the whole year is only showing a snapshot, and that snapshot may already be out of date.

The only reliable way is to check the scheduler on the official website:

1. Create or log in to your account on mba.com.
2. Click Register and choose online or test centre.
3. Complete your profile.
4. Open the scheduling step and look at the dates and times on offer.

For a test-centre exam, availability depends on the centre you select. For an online exam, it depends on the appointment times shown to you. Because availability varies, check out the scheduler more than once before you make your decision.

For GMAT test dates 2027, the same appointment process will be followed. If you wish to apply in the coming admission session, make sure to look at the scheduler frequently. Open appointments appear as the scheduler shows them, and you can book once they are visible. Do not rely on anyone’s guess about future availability.

How online appointments work

The GMAT can be taken online from home. You book it through the same mba.com account, and you launch the exam from mba.com on the day. The format and marking are identical to the test centre one, so you are not picking an “easy” or “difficult” test but simply taking it under different conditions.

As online bookings do not have to be for a specific test centre, most candidates find it easier to fit in a slot according to their work schedule. Do ensure that you check available slots within the scheduler.

Booking is the easy part. Make sure your setup passes the rules first, because a failed room scan can mean losing your entire fee. According to GMAC’s policies:

• You need to be in an empty room. Your desk will need to be free of clutter.
• You will need a working computer, with a working webcam, speakers and microphone which will remain on during your break.
• Only one monitor is allowed. Ultrawide monitors (21:9 or wider) and touchscreen computers are not permitted.
• VPNs, remote desktop applications and virtual machines are not allowed.
• You can use a physical whiteboard (not bigger than 12x20 inches) and two dry erase markers, or a digital whiteboard that comes pre-installed.
• Phone should be kept out of reach during the test and you should show its location to the proctor.

Verify system requirements and secure browser at mba.com before the test.

Before you choose online testing, confirm with each school on your list that it accepts scores from the online exam. GMAC does not maintain that information, so the school’s own admissions page is the final word.

The basics you should know

GMAT consists of three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights.

All the sections are of 45 mins each. So the total time is 2 hours 15 minutes including 10 minutes optional break.

The final score can range between 205 and 805. All the sections will have the same weightage.

• You can take the GMAT up to five times in a rolling 12-month period, online and test-centre attempts combined.
• At least 16 days must pass between each attempt.
• However, if you achieve a maximum of 805, you will need to wait five years before attempting it again.

Your GMAT result will remain valid for a period of five years. GMAT Superscore allows you to combine your best scores from different attempts in each test section. This is important when you are planning to retake the exam since you do not need to excel in all sections.

Age and eligibility

You must be at least 18 to schedule and take the exam. Candidates aged 13 to 17 may test at a test centre only with written parental or guardian consent before scheduling.

This is the process for GMAT slot booking 2026–27 on the official site. It follows the four steps GMAC itself lists.

Step 1: Create your mba.com account

Navigate to https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam . Click register now or create an account. Ensure that you enter your name exactly as it appears on your Government Issued ID.

Step 2: Select testing method

Once on your My Account Page click register and select whether you wish to take your test. Use the official site to find out which option is best for you.

Step 3: Enter personal details

Enter your personal information. Ensure that your Government Issued ID matches the details entered. Check all the fields carefully.

Step 4: Book and pay

Select your test centre (if applicable). Then select your desired date and time. Once you have paid, do not leave the page until you receive a confirmation.

Pre-Payment Checklist

• Is the name on the booking identical to your ID?
• If online, does your computer and room meet the requirements above?
• Are you requesting accommodations for the exam? The accommodations, once approved, are then added during the scheduling process and cannot be accommodated on an existing reservation.
• Does your target school accept your chosen exam mode?

A simple example

If a working professional like Rohan wishes to apply in the upcoming round of admissions, they will begin by taking the free official practice test to understand their current level. They will then click on the scheduling page and choose an appointment date two months ahead so that they can prepare well. This will also give them enough time to re-attempt the test. He does not wait for a “special date” because there is none; he just books a slot that fits his plan.

How long should you plan for the day?

The test takes 2 hours 15 minutes (excluding the optional break). The whole session will take around two and a half hours including check-in. If you are taking the test online you will have three and a half hours from when you started to complete the test. So if you have a lengthy check in you could be out of pocket.

GMAT exam timings

Not all sessions will start at the same time. Please select from the available times shown on the scheduler for your chosen centre/online option. When confirming please check the date, time, and time zone to ensure you're not confused by different local times.

Finding test centres in India

Bring a valid original government-issued ID. Photocopies will not be accepted.

• You will be asked to have your photo taken. You may also be asked to scan your palm vein (legal if allowed).
• No mobile phones, watches, bags or notes are allowed in the testing area. Whilst many centres provide lockers others do not so keep it simple.
• The centre will have erasable note boards available. These cannot be taken out of the room.
• If you go over the 10-minute break, time will be deducted from your next section or your exam may be considered as abandoned.

Start with your preparation level

Avoid choosing dates based on luck or because your friend did so. Start with the official GMAT Starter Kit, which is free. It has over 70 sample questions, 2 full exams and will show you the realistic number of weeks required based on your practice score.

Those requiring a higher score should take the exam later whereas those close to their target score can take the exam sooner and improve their areas of weakness.

Work backwards from your MBA application deadlines

This is the most useful trick for GMAT exam date selection. Use this formula:

Application deadline minus at least 20 days = your last safe score date.

You should take the test at least 20 days prior to your application deadline so you get your official score to the schools on time. If you want a retake then reduce this by 16 days as this is the minimum period between tests. That means your first attempt should happen at least about 36 days before the deadline, and earlier is much safer.

Example: Ananya checks the deadline on her school’s website. She counts back 20 days for score delivery, then another 16 days for a possible retake, and books her first attempt well before that point. If her first score is good, she can skip the retake. If not, she still has time.

Match the date to your life

Don’t book whilst in the middle of a project or appraisal period. If you’re a student then don’t clash with your semester exams. It is better to have a relaxing week before your exams.

Leave room for a retake

Retaking is common, and GMAC says its repeat test-taker data shows an average improvement of 20 to 30 points. A date that leaves you no retake window means any bad day becomes a big problem.

GMAT registration dates: when can you register?

You can register whenever the scheduler shows open appointments. There is no separate “registration window” published for the whole year.

Exam fees in India

Fees are based on your location and method of payment. Local taxes may be applied. For information about how much it will cost you in India, visit the Exam Payment page at mba.com and select India from the Country drop down box. We have not listed a figure here because it is shown live on the official page and can change.

Payment methods

• All major credit cards are accepted including Visa, Mastercard, American Express & Discover. If your payment is declined then your appointment will be cancelled. Please re-book using a valid payment method.
• Reschedule or Cancel appointments
• Online only, except test centre appointments which can be changed by telephone (extra USD10 service charge applies).
• Cannot be changed less than 24hrs before your appointment.
• If you fail to attend you will lose the full exam fee.
• Rescheduling fees and refunds will depend on how far in advance you reschedule. See the Exam Payment page for the details.
• Vouchers can be applied to the exam fee, but not to rescheduling fees. Online vouchers do not work for test-centre exams, and the reverse is also true.
• Personal information changes must be done at least 72 hours before the exam.

ID and accommodations

ID must be valid, issued by government authorities, and an original document matching your booking details. Failure to clear the ID requirement would mean forfeiture of the exam fee. More information on ID requirements can be found on our ID requirements page. If you have any disabilities, apply in advance.

There is no official national calendar to be waited upon. The simplest way to go about the GMAT exam schedule for 2026-27 is to take the practice test, go through the live availability schedule, do a reverse count from your application deadlines, and leave time for a retest if need be. Whether it is an online or center test, planning always beats rushing.