How long are GMAT scores valid?
GMAT scores are valid for five years from your test date (accessed 2026-09-10). The clock starts on the day you take the exam, not when you begin an application or send the score.
GMAT score validity at a glance
The GMAT window comes from GMAC's FAQ and the GRE comparison from ETS score guidance (both accessed 2026-09-10).
| Exam | Validity window | Clock starts on |
|---|---|---|
| GMAT Exam | 5 years | Your test date |
| GRE General Test | 5 years (reportable period) | Your test date |
Sending a report or taking another test does not restart an earlier score's five-year clock. A program can still ask for a more recent score than the exam owner requires. The limited older-score reporting option below does not extend the standard validity period.
When does the five-year GMAT window start?
Count from the test date shown on the score record. When planning across several application rounds, compare that date with the latest round in which you may apply. A score that is valid for an early round may be outside the five-year window by a later one.
For example, a test taken on September 10, 2026 reaches its five-year anniversary on September 10, 2031. Sending that score in 2028 does not move the anniversary to 2033. Confirm the exact usable date in your mba.com account and your program's rules; avoid planning a submission for the final day of the window.
Can you send GMAT scores more than five years old?
There is a limited reporting option. GMAC's score-sending page says you may request scores older than five but younger than ten years if you have not taken a GMAT exam within the past five years (accessed 2026-09-10). This is not a ten-year validity promise. Ask the receiving program whether it accepts the older result before relying on that option.
Can you take the GMAT years before applying?
Yes, as long as the score is still inside the five-year validity window when you need to use it. Testing early can create room for a retake and keep exam preparation away from application deadlines. The tradeoff is that an older score has less remaining life if your plans move to a later admissions cycle.
How do you send a valid GMAT score?
During the validity window, you send an Official Score Report through your mba.com account (accessed 2026-09-10). Follow the receiving program's instructions and allow for its stated score deadline rather than assuming the application deadline is the only date that matters.
What should you check before using an older GMAT score?
First confirm that the score remains within GMAC's five-year window. Then check the program's current admissions page for its score deadline, accepted exam versions, and any instructions for older results. The official validity rule does not replace a school's application requirements.
Plan around the validity window
Sources
Every source below was accessed on the listed date. Pages — especially department admissions pages — change without notice; the links go to the live versions.
- GMAT Exam Policies — GMAC. Accessed 2026-09-10.
- GMAT Exam FAQs — GMAC. Accessed 2026-09-10.
- GMAT Sending Your Score — GMAC. Accessed 2026-09-10.
- Getting Your GRE General Test Scores — ETS. Accessed 2026-09-10.
Related guides
Sources and corrections
Sources last checked 2026-09-10Every source cited on this page was checked on the date shown, and we update the page when a source changes. If something looks wrong, tell us and we'll recheck it.