GMAT and GRE test scores are an important part of an MBA candidate’s application. Many applicants ask Stratus how many times they can take the GMAT or the GRE exam, and they worry about their scores. How can you tell if your score is high enough? When can you be confident that taking a test one more time will not add value to your profile and might actually be detrimental?
We advise that you compare your practice or actual test results with your target schools’ averages. If your scores are at the top end of or above your schools’ ranges, you are all set. If not, you should consider taking the test again. But remember: a test score is just one element that schools consider when evaluating candidates.
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Which Test Should You Take?
First, you will need to decide which test is best for you. The key is to take the exam that best aligns with your strengths and test-taking style. We suggest that you take a diagnostic of each test—without studying—to see if you score better on one or if one just feels more comfortable for you. Doing so can help you decide which one to take. For more information on how to choose the right test for you, see “GMAT vs. GRE vs. EA for MBA Applicants: How to Choose the Right Test.”
Once you have identified the best exam for you, you need to determine the limit on the total number of times you can take the exam as well as the required waiting time between attempts.
How Many Times Can You Take the GMAT?
If you opt for the GMAT, you can take the test once every 16 calendar days and up to five times in a 12-month period. Online and in-person attempts are both counted in that total. If you take the exam and are unhappy with your score, you can choose not to send it to schools. All GMAT scores are valid for five years.
How Many Times Can You Take the GRE?
GRE test takers can sit for the exam once every 21 calendar days, for a total of five times in 12 months. At the end of your exam, you can either view or cancel your scores; you cannot view your score once it has been cancelled, but you can have the score reinstated for a $50 fee. Reinstatement requests must be received within 60 days of your test date. Cancelled and online tests count toward the 12-month limit, and scores are valid for five years.
Should You Retake the GMAT or GRE?
Now that you know how frequently you CAN take the GMAT or GRE, let’s talk about how many times you SHOULD take a test. We advise candidates to take a test at least twice, even if you earned a solid score on your first attempt. Why? Often, test takers experience natural jitters during the first exam, and those nerves usually diminish in the second sitting. In addition, schools like to see that you have put in the effort to get your best score. If in one of your first two tests you scored within your target schools’ ranges or far above all the practice tests you have taken, or you felt that you did your best in those attempts, you can say you are done.
But what if your scores were well below your targets or your practice test scores? Or what if you felt you didn’t do your best, you ran out of time, or you hit another type of snag during the test? Take the test again! If you are still falling short after a few attempts, you may want to try taking a different test to see if your score improves. If you are not achieving your target scores after three or four attempts, you may have hit your number and plateaued.
The bottom line is that while taking three to four GMAT or GRE tests can show improvement and effort, there comes a point of diminishing returns. A 20+ point improvement could be additive, while gaining a few points on any one section is unlikely to move the needle in your candidacy.
When Should You Stop Testing and Focus on the Rest of Your Application?
Tests are important, but as an MBA candidate, you are much more than just a set of numbers. At Stratus, we suggest that candidates look at their overall profile and their timeline and set a strategy. If you don’t think additional studying will add much value, or if deadlines are looming and you want to apply in a specific admission round, it makes sense to stop test prep and move on to developing the rest of your application.
Your GMAT or GRE test score is just one piece of your overall candidacy; admissions committees use a holistic process to evaluate applicants. A high undergraduate GPA and successful work in a quant-heavy role can help offset lower test scores. Therefore, spend time crafting thoughtful essays, prepping your recommenders, and getting your resume into top shape. These are critical elements of your application. A solid work history, leadership roles (both formal and informal), and community work—along with essays and recommendation letters—play a big role in the admissions process.
Key Takeaways
Remember that schools will not penalize you for taking multiple exams if you show improvement over your previous attempts. They will consider the highest score you submit, but they will not “super score” your tests (i.e., take the highest score in each section). However, if you submit more than four scores or you submit multiple scores that are quite similar, they will not be additive, and doing so may raise a red flag with admissions committees about your self-awareness.
Learn how Stratus’s team approach can help you craft a solid MBA application and gain admission to one of your top-choice schools. Start with a FREE consultation with an admissions specialist!
