Is the online version of the GMAT more challenging than the in‑centre test center experience?

No, both exams are the same. The online and in‑centre tests use identical question banks, scoring algorithms, and time limits. The perceived challenge usually comes from your testing environment—if you’re comfortable at home, the online version may even feel less stressful.

What are the differences in exam structure between the GMAT online and in‑centre exams?

Both exams feature four sections: Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights, spanning across 64 questions and a 3 hours time period. You can choose from three section order options in either format, ensuring a consistent testing experience.

How do the costs and fees compare between the online and test center GMAT exams?

The registration fees for the offline GMAT exam are INR 23,000 while that of the online exam is INR 25,000. The rescheduling fees are also different. Please read this blog to know all the costs for online and offline exams.

What are the retake and score reporting policies for the two formats?

When you take the GMAT online, you cannot cancel your score, and retake options are limited. In contrast, the in‑centre test allows score cancellation and offers more flexible retake policies (up to five attempts in a 12‑month period, with restrictions). Additionally, while the online version lets you report scores to an unlimited number of schools for free, the in‑centre test includes five free score reports, with additional reports available for a fee.

GMAT Online vs In-Centre GMAT Test: Which One is Better?

Q: Do business schools have a preference for one GMAT format over the other?

Top B-schools across the world don’t favor one format over the other. Admissions committees evaluate your GMAT score based solely on its value, regardless of whether you took it online or at a test center.

In 2021, GMAC announced that students can now take the GMAT at home, instead of taking it at an exam center. This saved troubles for many - no commute, no issues with inter-city or inter-state travel, and no uncertainty about reaching the exam center on time.

While this is a great alternative, will taking your GMAT at home be an issue for admissions to top business schools? Do they prefer it if you take the GMAT at the centre?

Let’s find out!

Key Highlights:

You can take the GMAT at home, provided you have a quiet room, a stable internet connection, and no distractions.
The online as well as in-centre GMAT test spans across 3 hours and 7 minutes (including break)
The registration fee for online GMAT is higher, costing USD 300, or INR 25,000.

Table of Contents:

GMAT Online and In-centre GMAT: Test Format
GMAT Online and In-centre GMAT: Exam Pattern & Marking Schema
GMAT Online and In-centre GMAT: Syllabus
GMAT Online and In-centre GMAT: Exam Fees
GMAT Online and In-centre GMAT: Score Cancellation
Do Business Schools Have a Preference for One GMAT Format Over the Other?
Is Online GMAT More Difficult than Offline GMAT?

GMAT Online and In-centre GMAT: Test Format

The format for both GMAT online and the in-person test is the same. There is no difference in the pattern or format of the exam, hence, you need not be worried while choosing either mode of GMAT. Both formats of GMAT have 3 sections: quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data insights, to be covered within 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Let’s see the differences between GMAT online and in-centre exam side by side:

Parameters	GMAT Online Exam	In‑Centre GMAT Exam
Format	Four sections (Quant, Verbal, IR, AWA)	Four sections (Quant, Verbal, IR, AWA)
Test Duration	2 hours 15 mins	2 hours 15 mins
Test Environment	Conducted at home with no commute; offers digital or physical whiteboard options	Requires travel to a center; provides a scratchpad
Retake Policy	Maximum two retakes allowed	Up to five attempts in any 12‑month period (max once every 16 days)
Booking Flexibility	Available 24/7—book anytime	Depends on center availability

GMAT Online and In-centre GMAT: Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

Both the in-center and online GMAT exams are identical in pattern, with 64 questions, spanning over 2 hours 15 minutes. During this time, you’ll get 21 questions from quant, 23 from verbal, and 20 from data insights. For each section, you will be allotted 45 minutes.

The marking scheme is also the same for both formats. There is no negative marking in GMAT, so you don’t have to worry about answering a question wrong. The scoring algorithm is also the same, and your total GMAT score depends on how you perform in the 3 sections.

GMAT Online and In-Person GMAT: Syllabus

Whether you take the GMAT online or in-centre, the syllabus remains unchanged. The GMAT Focus edition, which started from 7 November 2023, is a shorter version of the erstwhile GMAT, covering Quantitative & Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights.

The new edition you will take now has 64 questions, is conducted for 2 hours and 15 minutes, and it assesses your problem-solving, critical thinking, and data literacy skills.

Let’s go through the GMAT syllabus for a better understanding:

	Quantitative Reasoning	Verbal Reasoning	Data Insights
Sections	Arithmetic & Algebra	Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Equivalence	Multi-Source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, Two-Part Analysis, Data Sufficiency
No of Qs	21	23	20
Time Allotted	45 mins	45 mins	45 mins

GMAT Online and In-centre GMAT: Exam Fees

Among the very few differences between the online and the in-centre GMAT is the cost of taking them. If you’re taking the GMAT in the exam centre, your registration cost will be INR 23,000. On the other hand, if you want to take the GMAT from the comfort of your house without the trouble of commuting, you’ll have to register for the online GMAT, at INR 25,000.

The other costs for GMAT online and the in-centre GMAT are below:

Type	Registration Fee	Rescheduling Fee	Cancellation Fee
GMAT Online	INR 25,000 (USD 300)	INR 23,000 (USD 275)	Refunds: 1–14 days: USD 60 15–60 days: USD 90 >60 days: USD 120
GMAT In-Centre	INR 23,091 (USD 275)	1–14 days: INR 12,045 (USD 165) 15–60 days: INR 8,030 (USD 110) >60 days: INR 4,015 (USD 55)	Refunds: 1–14 days: USD 55 15–60 days: USD 80 >60 days: USD 110

Type

Registration Fee

Rescheduling Fee

Cancellation Fee

GMAT Online

INR 25,000 (USD 300)

INR 23,000 (USD 275)

Refunds:

1–14 days: USD 60
15–60 days: USD 90
>60 days: USD 120

GMAT In-Centre

INR 23,091 (USD 275)

1–14 days: INR 12,045 (USD 165) 15–60 days: INR 8,030 (USD 110) >60 days: INR 4,015 (USD 55)

Refunds:

1–14 days: USD 55
15–60 days: USD 80
>60 days: USD 110

GMAT Online and In-centre GMAT: Score Cancellation

Another point of difference between GMAT online and in-centre GMAT is the score cancellation. It is not allowed under GMAT online, but you can cancel your score within 72 hours of taking the test, if you’re taking it in a centre. After cancelling the score (if it’s not up to your requirements), wait another 16 days before re-taking the exam.

Let’s look at the difference in the score cancellation process of GMAT online vs in-person test:

	GMAT Online	GMAT In-Centre
Score Reporting	Unlimited free score reports	5 free reports; additional ones at INR 2,555 (USD 35) each
Scoring & Validity	Identical section/total scores and percentiles; scores valid for 5 years	Identical section/total scores and percentiles; scores valid for 5 years
Score Cancellation	Not permitted	Allowed

Do Business Schools Have a Preference for One GMAT Format Over the Other?

The scores from both your Online GMAT and Offline tests are comparable. Business schools across the world do not favor one format over the other. Both the online and in‑centre GMAT exams are designed to assess your abilities equally, and you are marked accordingly. Your score, valid for 5 years, is the key criterion, and rigorous checks ensure comparability between the two formats.

Therefore, choose the option that best fits your personal circumstances and comfort level. The admissions committees evaluate your performance solely based on your score, not the testing format. So, focus on your thorough preparation and choose confidently.

Is Online GMAT More Difficult than In-person GMAT?

No, the online GMAT is not more difficult than the offline GMAT. Both versions use the same questions, scoring algorithm, and overall structure. What might differ is the environment: when you take the exam online, you need to make sure your devices meet all the requirements. In contrast, a test center provides a controlled atmosphere with proctors on hand to assist if needed.

Ultimately, your performance depends more on your preparation and comfort with the testing conditions rather than the format itself. Choose the environment that best suits your needs, knowing that business schools view both formats equally.

From the Desk of Yocket Prep

Whether you take the GMAT online or offline, it doesn’t make all that difference. With a few crucial changes like the exam fees, registration costs and score cancellation, everything else is the same. So, prepare to take the GMAT and make it to a top business school, with a little help from us :) Join Yocket Prep to boost your GMAT prep the right way. Book a free demo, and get personalized advice for your profile, GMAT exam structure, cost differences, retake policies, and how each format impacts your application.