GMAT Retake policy--conflicting information

[phillyguy_007]

Hi all- I took GMAT on 20th November. I would like to take the GMAT again. The official policy says, "You may take the GMAT exam only once within any period of 31 consecutive calendar days." I called the GMAC and the unsure customer service guy said I would have to wait until Dec. 21st to retake the exam. Is this true?

However, several message boards and friends I've spoken to say that you can take it once in a calendar month. So, if I take the exam in Nov., I should be able to retake the exam any time in December. Someone please clarify for me.

Thank you.

John

[Briehan_in_SS]

Hi John-

Unfortunately, the GMAC customer service associate, however unsure he may have been about it, was right. You do need to wait a full 31 days before retaking your exam.

Best,
Brie Truesdell
Student Services Associate
800-576-4628
studentservices@manhattangmat.com
www.manhattangmat.com

[phillyguy_007]

Thanks for the clarification. I guess it is a good idea to dispel the myth that one can take the exam in a calendar month and then take the exam again in the next calendar month without waiting the full 31 days.

My final question is regarding how schools treat score reports that they receive after the submission deadline. Meaning, if I take the exam at the end of December and submit my scores before the R2 deadline, will schools still honor this score with my application in the second round? I read that it takes up to 20 days for the school to receive the official score report.

Thanks so much for the clarification.

John

[Briehan_in_SS]

Hi John-

When you apply to schools, you'll be reporting your score directly on your application. Separate from that, you'll need to get your official score report to the school. Admissions committees will go through the applications, decide who to accept, and then double check the score that you reported on your application with your official score report. With most schools, this means that you could take the exam right before the applications are due and then have the official report sent to the schools -- though we wouldn't recommend cutting things so close! Be sure to check with your individual schools, though, to make sure this is the case.

Best,
Brie Truesdell
Student Services Associate
800-576-4628
studentservices@manhattangmat.com
www.manhattangmat.com