GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Age Limit, Education, Work Experience

GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 states that candidates have no specific upper age limit. However, applicants must be at least 18 years old, and those between 13 and 17 years old need permission from parents or legal guardians. In terms of educational qualifications, GMAC does not set mandatory academic eligibility to appear for GMAT 2025 Exam. However, candidates are generally expected to have completed a bachelor's degree in any discipline. No prior work experience is not compulsory for the GMAT. However, top-ranking business schools such as Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and MIT Sloan School of Management prefer applicants with working experience. Additionally, GMAC offers special accommodation facilities for candidates with disabilities. However, candidates with disabilities have to provide valid documentation to receive benefits like extended exam time, assistive technologies and flexible breaks. 

GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Highlights 

The GMAT Focus Edition is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) with no nationality restrictions. As per the GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025, candidates must be at least 18 to appear for the exam. No specific educational qualifications are required, as most test-takers are graduates or final-year undergraduate students. Candidates can take up to five attempts within 12 months, but they must ensure a mandatory 16-day gap between each attempt. GMAC offers special accommodation facilities for candidates with disabilities such as ADHD, cognitive disorders, or candidates with physical/sensory disabilities. However, they must produce valid documents. Candidates can refer to the table below to look at the key highlights of GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025. 

GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025

GMAC has set a very straightforward rule for GMAT Eligibility Criteria, with no strict academic eligibility and no working experience. Candidates can check the following section to know GMAT Eligibility Criteria in detail. 

Nationality 

The GMAT is open to candidates from all countries, and the rules set by GMAC apply equally to worldwide candidates. There are no restrictions for international applicants as well. However, candidates must follow the ID verification requirements of their selected GMAT Exam Centres 2025. These requirements may vary depending on the country. For example, some test centres may require a passport for ID verification. In India, the majority of test centres accept Aadhaar cards as an ID proof. Candidates must note that they should check their chosen test centre's specific ID verification rules and regulations before exam day to avoid last-minute stress.

Age Limit 

As GMAC prescribes, GMAT aspirants should be 18 years or above. Most applicants of the GMAT exam are either pursuing or have already completed their bachelor’s degree. However, candidates who are below 18 years of age are still allowed to appear for the GMAT 2025. However, they must provide a parental or legal guardian’s consent letter during registration. Accordingly, GMAC does not specify any upper age limit for candidates appearing for the GMAT. 

Work Experience 

Businessschools worldwide widely accept the GMAT Score for admission to MBA and other business-related studies. Some institutions, such as Harvard Business School, may also consider a candidate’s work experience during selection. These business schools assess applicants’ abilities and skills based on their professional or industry experience. But, the relieving fact is GMAC does not require any prior work experience to appear for the exam. Business schools like Stanford Graduate School of Business and MIT Sloan School of Management consider the duration of experience and evaluate the relevance of the roles held by the candidates. They assess how the applicants’ experience can be aligned with future career goals with MBA programs. 

Educational Qualification 

No specific educational qualification is required to appear for the GMAT 2025 Exam. However, it is generally recommended that test-takers have completed a bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Candidates appearing for GMAT as working professionals must have a university degree. GMAC has not specified any specific percentile requirements to appear for GMAT exam. However, candidates are advised to check the percentile requirements by their desired business schools before applying for MBA programs. 

Language 

GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 does not include specific language-related requirements. It allows candidates from all linguistic backgrounds to appear for the exam. Even if a candidate’s first language or medium of instruction is not English, they are still fully eligible to appear for the GMAT. However, proficiency is vital to understand the questions and respond effectively since the exam is in English. 

Minimum GMAT Score

GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 do not specify any minimum qualifying score to appear for the exam. However, a strong GMAT score is often a key parameter of the admission process at top business schools, especially in countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and Europe. Some schools may accept scores in the 500–600 range, but candidates are advised to secure a score of at least 600 to enrol in mid-level business-related courses. Based on past years’ trends, a score range between 680 and 700 is usually considered good. To take admission into leading business schools like Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, or London Business School, candidates should aim to score above 700. A higher GMAT score not only increases chances of admission but may also offer scholarship opportunities. 

GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Re-attempt 

GMAT Retake Policy allows candidates to improve their scores with a re-attempt policy. As GMAC prescribes, a candidate can reattempt the GMAT exam only after a gap of 16 days from their previous attempt. Within 12months, an individual can take the exam up to five times. However, candidates must note that GMAC has instructed a lifetime limit of eight attempts. The important points about GMAT retake policy are as follows:

• A candidate can retake the GMAT only 16 days after their last exam appointment date. 
• A candidate can take the GMAT up to 5 times within one year.
• The GMAT has a lifetime limit of 8 attempts. 
• If a candidate achieves the highest possible GMAT score, they must wait 5 years before attempting the exam again.

GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Online Test-takers

GMAT Exam format is divided into two types: online and test-centre-based. To attempt the GMAT online, candidates must maintain the technical requirements mentioned by GMAC. Besides this, a steady internet connection, webcam and microphone are also required for candidates who want to appear for the exam from home. Test-takers should log in at least 15 minutes early on the exam day to complete the check-in process. The testing environment must be quiet, and candidates are not allowed to use phones, headphones, watches, notes, scratch paper, etc. Candidates can refer to the following to check the GMAT candidates' eligibility to take the test from home.

• A computer that meets GMAC's minimum system requirements.
• Reliable internet access.
• Continuous access to a webcam and microphone.
• The test environment should be free from electronic gadgets and noise.

Candidates should note that they are eligible to take the GMAT Online only if they meet the abovementioned requirements.

GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Disabled Candidates 

GMAC provides special support to candidates with disabilities. Those who need accommodations must submit valid documents. They also need to prove that the disability significantly limits a major life activity compared to others. These accommodations are available for candidates with psychological disabilities, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), learning and cognitive disorders, physical and systemic disabilities, and sensory impairments. GMAC reviews each request carefully to ensure all eligible candidates receive the necessary support on the exam day. 

GMAT Accommodations

GMAC provides several benefits for candidates with disabilities, such as flexible breaks, extended time, alternative formats and a controlled testing environment. Each benefit is detailed below for the candidates’ better understanding:

• Flexible Breaks: Candidates can request more frequent breaks during the exam. Apart from a 10-minute optional break, candidates with disabilities can ask for more breaks according to their needs. 
• Extended Time:  Candidates can receive an additional 50% or 100% of the time to complete their test. In addition to 150 minutes, they can ask for another 2 hours to complete their exam. 
• Alternative Formats: Candidates can opt for enlarged font, Adjustable contrast or a reader, and specialised software to read the question papers easily. 
• Assistive Technology: Candidates with disabilities can use some approved devices, such as calculators and spell checkers. 
• Controlled Testing Environment: Candidates can request a quiet, distraction-free environment or customised lighting according to their needs. 

Steps to Apply For Accommodations

Candidates who want to apply for the accommodation benefits can follow some simple steps highlighted below:

• Firstly, candidates must create a GMAT account and log in using their email ID and password.
• Then they have to click on the “testing accommodation” link.
• Candidates need to go through all the details mentioned in the GMAT supplement for test-takers with disabilities. 
• Applicants must gather documents based on their disability type as instructed by GMAC.
• Candidates must produce aletter from a qualified professional, such as a doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist, explaining their disability.
• Next, they must click the accommodation button to complete their request. 

Note: Candidates with disabilities are advised to place a request for accommodation at least 30 days before the scheduled exam day. It can allow GMAC to review the request and make necessary arrangements. Test-takers who meet the eligibility criteria for accommodation are provided with the following facilities:

• Allowance of medical devices
• A reader/recorder who can read the question for candidates and record their responses.
• Enlarged font
• Adjustable contrast
• A sign language interpreter

Note: In case of any discrepancies or issues found by candidates, they must email testingaccommodations@gmac.com. 

GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Documents Required

On exam day, candidates must carry the essential documents based on the instructions mentioned in GMAT Admit Card 2025. The most important document required is a GMAT-approved photo ID proof. Candidates are advised to bring a freshly printed copy of the hall ticket, preferably printed on exam day. It is crucial that all these details exactly match the information provided during the GMAT Registration 2025. Any mismatch can lead to disqualification or denial of entry into the test centre. An online test-taker accepts an Aadhaar card as proof of valid ID. The documents are listed below:

• A photo ID proof, as mentioned in the GMAT hall ticket.
• Candidates must carry their original PAN card, Aadhar card, passport, and driver's license documents.
• Candidates with disabilities must have valid documents to get accommodation benefits. 
• Candidates must carry an appointment confirmation email to the test centres to avoid inconvenience. 

GMAT Eligibility for MBA Admission in 2025

Students should understand that GMAT Eligibility Criteria are different from the MBA admission requirements set by business schools. No specific academic qualifications, work experience, or minimum age limit are required to appear for the GMAT. In contrast, most MBA programs abroad have specific educational and professional expectations. For example, many B-schools require candidates to have completed a bachelor’s degree, sometimes with a minimum GPA. In addition, some business schools ask for mandatory work experience for Executive MBA courses.

Candidates should have essential skills like quantitative ability, critical thinking, and verbal reasoning to get admission to colleges in the UK, the US, Canada, and Europe. These skills are relevant to the MBA and other business-related programs such as data analysis, finance and marketing. Furthermore, several top-ranking business schools offer scholarships based on high GMAT scores to help candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, some B-schools focus more on academic history, relevant work experience, a well-designed resume, letters of recommendation, and personal essays in addition to the GMAT score. Therefore, while the GMAT is recommended and often preferred, especially by competitive programs, studying abroad is not always mandatory. Candidates can check the cutoff range set by some institutions abroad below. 

• United States: Top-ranking MBA programs often require scores between 650 and 750. 
• United Kingdom: Leading business schools typically demand scores ranging from 600 to 700.
• Canada: GMAT candidates must score between 600 and 650.
• Australia: MBA and other business-related programs require a minimum score of 550. 

GMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 FAQs