GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2020: 7 Things You Need to Know

Business schools these days have made it easier for the students aspiring to get admission in business studies by introducing GMAT, The Graduate Management Admission Test. The test is considered to be the best assessment for business studies by most of the students all over the world.

The entrance test is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Its score is accepted for more than 7,000 programs worldwide at approximately 2,300 graduate business schools around the world.

How does it maintain its popularity and functionality?

In three major ways:

• The test can be taken throughout the year more than once but with a minimum gap of 16 days between 2 attempts.
• The GMAT policy states that the test date can be chosen by the candidate at any date that suits them. And that is not all.
• To combat the post-exam stress, the result of each stress is given promptly after the test.

Having said that, the most common query concerning the students, especially in Pakistan, is “Are we even eligible to take the test?” This puzzles the minds of the students for various reasons. Through this blog, we intend to answer all these questions and chart out the criteria required to take this defining test.

1. What if I have a different nationality?

This troubles and undermines the students from the third world countries the most. They aspire to get into a top B-school in New York but question their eligibility being a citizen of say, Sudan, Indonesia, Pakistan, etc.

So is this really an impediment? No!

People hailing from any nation or state from the world can take the GMAT. All the rules and regulations prescribed by the GMAC for GMAT are equally applicable to everyone, regardless of the nationality that the candidates hold.

Having said that, there are some cases where candidates will be asked to produce an identity verification document at their allocated test centers. For example, Indian GMAT aspirants must show their passport as ID proof when they go for the test.

2. What about my qualifications?

Is being overqualified or underqualified a hurdle in applying for GMAT? That’s a clear no!

There are absolutely no qualification requirements for taking this test. Students enrolled in undergraduate programs are mostly seen taking this exam. However, even established local businessmen or professionals and individuals with master’s degrees are also seen appearing in the test. Hence, there is absolutely no restriction.

3. Am I over/underaged?

This needs a bit of clarification with regard to some official documents producing. There are two ways to take this exam considering the age group the candidate belongs to:

1. If you are aged between 13 and 17 years, you are eligible to take the test but only after you produce your parents’ or legal guardian’s signed permission letter. You may download the Parental Consent form, get it signed by your parent/ legal guardian and mail it to GMATParentalConsent@Pearson.com for this step
2. If you are not a minor, i.e., above 18 years of age, the procedure is easier. You will simply fill in the registration form and appear in the exam at your convenience.

With a slight restriction on the part of the lower age limit, the test surprisingly has no upper age limit. So, aspirants as old as 50 and 60 years old are able to take this test and achieve their dreams.

4. Is a high score all that matters?

Just as the MDCAT aspirants in Pakistan deem the test to be the defining factor in getting admission to any public sector medical college, the same goes for GMAT enthusiasts. They somehow formulate this theory in their minds that if they score considerably well in GMAT, their admission in their favorite business school is confirmed. So wrong!

The admission policy is designed separately by each university or college offering this degree. It depends upon their choice as to how much would the weightage of this test be in the admission criterion.

5. Is work experience obligatory to mention?

This is not an admission criterion for a B degree, so relax. This is just a test that will put you through the application procedure. There is no need or legal binding on you to provide the GMAT committee your work credentials. They do not ask for it. That is the job of the B-school admission committees.

For now, as has been observed through these years, freshers with absolutely no work experience whatsoever and industry veterans alike are eligible to take this test.

6. What if I didn’t study English at school?

It does not make it necessary for you to take a course in English at your institute. However, there’s one thing to be considered. It is preliminary for you to have a basic understanding of the English language because the entire paper is given in English. That’s right! The medium of instruction is primarily English. There is no alternate language.

7. What if I want to take multiple attempts?

It’s always wise on your part to not lose hope and go for another attempt at a test if you are not satisfied with the first one. But retaking an exam comes with some prerequisites as well. What are they?

• You can take the GMAT once every 16 calendar days
• You can not take more than 5 attempts in a 12-month period
• It is not permissible to take more than 8 attempts in a lifetime
• If you score 800 on the test, which is the highest possible score to be achieved, you need to wait for at least 5 years for your next attempt
• You ought to register for the GMAT each time you want to make another attempt

With these essential points in mind, while applying for your GMAT, the application process becomes easier and helpful to a great extent. For the test, we wish you the best of luck!