How Do I Find an Old GMAT Score?

If you've taken the GMAT in the past but set then misplaced or forgot your score because you delayed going to graduate or business school, take heart. If you took the test up to 10 years ago, you have options: There are ways to retrieve your old score. If you're looking for an old GMAT score that is more than 10 years old, however, you may be out of luck.

GMAT Score Basics

A GMAT score, the score that you receive when you take the Graduate Management Admissions Test, is vital for gaining admission to graduate programs. Many business schools use GMAT scores to make admissions decisions (as in who to let into business school and whom to reject).

The Graduate Management Admission Council, which administers the test, keeps old GMAT scores for 10 years. After 10 years, you'll have to take the exam again if you plan to attend business or graduate school. Considering that most graduate and management programs won't accept a GMAT score older than five years, you'd have to retake it anyway, even if you retrieve your score for a GMAT you took more than half a decade ago.

Retrieving Your GMAT  Score

If you took the GMAT a couple years ago and need to know your scores, you have a few options. You can create an account on the GMAC website. You'll be able to access your scores this way. If you previously registered but forgot your login information, you can reset your password.

The GMAC also allows you to order old GMAT scores by phone, mail, fax or online, with different fees assessed for each method. There is also a $10 fee for every customer service phone call, so you can save money by requesting your score reports via email or the online contact form. The GMAC's contact information is:

• Email: GMATCandidateServicesAmericas@pearson.com
• Phone: (toll-free): 1-800-717-GMAT 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. central time or 1-952-681-3680
• Fax: 1-952-681-3681

Tips and Hints

The GMAC is always making improvements to the exam. The test you took even a few years ago is not identical to the one you'd take today. For instance, if it's been a long time—prior to the next generation GMAT introduced in 2012—you may not have taken the integrated reasoning section, which can really show off your ability to synthesize materials, analyze several facets to form an answer and solve complex multidimensional problems.

The GMAC now also offers an enhanced score report, which shows you how you performed on specific skills tested in each section, how long it took you to answer each question, and how your skill level compares with other people who took the test from the past three years. 

If you do decide to retake the GMAT, take the time to review the parts of the test, such as the analytical writing assessment and verbal reasoning section, how the test is scored, and even take a sample GMAT test or two and peruse other review materials to sharpen your skills.