How many times can you take the GMAT?
You can take the GMAT up to 5 times in a rolling 12-month period, with at least 16 calendar days between appointments. Online and test center attempts count together, and so do exams whose scores you canceled. GMAC's current retake page lists no lifetime limit. Older guides mention 8 lifetime attempts, but that cap no longer appears there.
In more detail
GMAC sets two limits. The first is the wait: you must leave at least 16 calendar days between GMAT appointments, whether you tested online or at a test center, finished the exam or canceled your score. If you test on June 1, June 17 is your earliest next date. The second is the cap: 5 attempts in any rolling 12-month period, counted from the day of each exam, not from the calendar year.
What counts matters. Online and test center exams are added together, so 2 online and 3 test center attempts make 5. An exam whose score you canceled still counts. An appointment you cancel before the exam, or miss, does not count toward the limit. Your account on mba.com shows your full appointment history, so check it before you plan a retake.
If you think you need an exception, GMAC says they are granted only in limited circumstances. Contact GMAC Customer Care with your full name, mba.com email address, appointment history and the reason for your request. Sending a request does not guarantee approval. Before you use another attempt, check how your target programs treat several scores, and use the gap between tests to fix the sections your score report shows as weak.
GMAT retake rules at a glance (GMAC, checked October 2026)
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Wait between appointments | At least 16 calendar days |
| Attempts in a rolling 12 months | 5 |
| Lifetime limit | None listed by GMAC (older guides say 8) |
| Online and test center | Counted together |
| Exam with a canceled score | Counts as an attempt |
| Appointment canceled or missed before the exam | Does not count |
Step by step
- 1
Sign in to mba.com and open your appointment history to count your attempts in the last 12 months.
- 2
Find your earliest next date: your last appointment plus 16 calendar days.
- 3
Read the section scores of your last attempt and pick the one or two sections that cost you the most.
- 4
Study for at least a few weeks in between, with timed practice sections, not just more sittings.
- 5
Check each target program's rules on multiple scores before you book.
- 6
If you have used 5 attempts and need an exception, contact GMAC Customer Care with your appointment history and your reason.
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See also
More questions
Is there a lifetime limit on the GMAT?
GMAC's current retake policy page lists no lifetime limit, only 5 attempts in a rolling 12 months and 16 days between appointments. Older articles mention a cap of 8, which no longer appears on that page.
Does a canceled GMAT score count as an attempt?
Yes. An exam whose score you canceled still counts toward the 5 attempts and still starts the 16-day wait. An appointment you cancel or miss before taking the exam does not count.
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