If you need to cancel or reschedule your GMAT® appointment, the process itself is simple. You log into your mba.com account, make the change, and pay any applicable fee.
But the decision of whether to cancel, reschedule, or push through and take the test as scheduled — that's where most people get stuck.
Maybe you're not as ready as you thought you'd be. Maybe something came up at work. Maybe you got sick, or a family emergency shifted your priorities.
All of those are valid reasons. The question is what to do next, and how to avoid spending more money than you need to.
This guide covers the full process: how to reschedule, how to cancel, what each one costs, when to choose one over the other, and what happens if you do nothing and miss your appointment.
GMAT® Rescheduling: How It Works
Rescheduling means moving your appointment to a different date, time, or location without cancelling it. You keep your registration active — you just change the schedule.
Here's how to do it:
Step 1: Log into your mba.com account.
Step 2: Go to your dashboard and find your scheduled appointment.
Step 3: Select "Reschedule" (or similar wording — the exact button text on mba.com may change from time to time).
Step 4: Choose a new date, time, and location (or online slot).
Step 5: Review the rescheduling fee and confirm the payment.
Step 6: Save your confirmation email. If it doesn't arrive within a few minutes, log back in and check that the change went through.
The whole process takes about ten minutes. You can only reschedule to a date within six months of your original appointment. If you need to push further out than that, you'll have to cancel and register again.
Rescheduling Fees
The fee depends on how close you are to your original appointment date. Here's the current structure for US-based candidates (check mba.com for the most up-to-date fees in your region):
More than 60 days before: $55 (test center) / $60 (online)
15 to 60 days before: $110 (test center) / $120 (online)
1 to 14 days before: $165 (test center) / $180 (online)
Under 24 hours: rescheduling isn't available
The earlier you act, the less you pay. The difference between rescheduling 61 days out and rescheduling 10 days out is more than $100.
Online appointments carry a $5 premium at every tier. If you're flexible on format, switching from online to test center during a reschedule can slightly lower your fee — but only if you can get to a test center.
If you call GMAC to reschedule by phone instead of doing it online, expect a $10 service fee on top of the rescheduling cost. There's rarely a reason to do this unless something goes wrong with your mba.com account.
GMAT® Cancellation: How It Works
Cancelling means dropping your appointment. You're not moving it — you're giving it up and taking a partial refund.
Here's how:
Step 1: Log into your mba.com account.
Step 2: Go to your dashboard and find your scheduled appointment.
Step 3: Select "Cancel" (or similar wording).
Step 4: Review the refund amount and confirm.
Step 5: Wait for the refund to process. It goes back to your original payment method and may take several business days to appear.
One thing to watch for: make sure you complete the cancellation. If you start the process but don't confirm it, the appointment stays active. If you don't show up, you'll be marked as a no-show — which means no refund.
Cancellation Refunds
The refund you receive depends on how much notice you give:
More than 60 days before: $110 refund (test center) / $120 refund (online)
15 to 60 days before: $80 refund (test center) / $90 refund (online)
1 to 14 days before: $55 refund (test center) / $60 refund (online)
Under 24 hours or no-show: no refund
Even in the best case — cancelling more than 60 days out — you're still forfeiting part of what you paid. The GMAT® costs $275 at a test center, and the maximum refund is $110. That means you lose $165 even with the most advance notice possible.
If you paid with a voucher or fee waiver, those funds are typically non-refundable. You may receive $0 back even though your account shows a credit. Check the terms of your voucher before you cancel.
Reschedule or Cancel: Which Makes More Sense?
In most cases, rescheduling is the better financial move.
When you reschedule, you pay a fee ($55 to $180) but you keep your registration. You don't have to pay the full $275 or $300 again.
When you cancel, you get a partial refund ($55 to $120) but you forfeit the rest. Then when you re-register later, you pay the full fee again.
Here's a quick comparison. Say you're 20 days out from your appointment and you realize you're not ready:
Reschedule: Pay $110 (test center). Total cost so far: $275 (original) + $110 = $385.
Cancel and re-register: Get $80 refund. Net cost so far: $275 - $80 = $195. Then pay $275 again later. Total cost: $195 + $275 = $470.
Rescheduling saves you $85 in that scenario. The further out you are, the bigger the savings.
The only time cancelling makes more sense is when you're not sure when you'll be ready to test again. If you might need six months or more before you re-register, cancelling and starting fresh may be cleaner than trying to keep a rescheduled date alive.
If you're not sure which option fits your situation, reach out to us anytime. We've helped plenty of students think through this decision.
What Happens If You Don't Show Up
If you miss your appointment without cancelling — either by choice or because something unexpected happened — GMAC marks it as a no-show.
Here's what that means:
You forfeit the full registration fee. No refund.
The no-show doesn't appear on your score report. Schools won't see it.
You can register again after 24 hours. Unlike a completed attempt (which has a 16-day waiting period), a no-show only requires a 24-hour wait before you can book a new appointment.
A no-show doesn't count as one of your five annual attempts. The five-per-12-months limit applies to completed exams, not missed ones.
That said, showing up and taking the exam when you're not ready has its own costs — both financial and psychological. If you know you're not prepared, rescheduling or cancelling is almost always the better move. You're not giving up. You're giving yourself a better shot.
Emergencies and Extenuating Circumstances
If you need to cancel or reschedule because of a documented emergency — a medical issue, a family emergency, a natural disaster — contact GMAC customer service directly.
GMAC has a process for reviewing emergency situations, and they may waive fees or offer a voucher in cases where you can provide documentation. A hospital note, a doctor's letter, or official documentation of the emergency can support your request.
The key is to contact them as soon as possible. Waiting until after the appointment has passed makes it harder to get a positive outcome.
You can reach GMAC through the contact information on mba.com. If you're calling by phone, remember that phone transactions carry a $10 service fee — but for an emergency waiver, that fee may be worth it.
Online vs. Test Center: Any Differences?
The cancellation and rescheduling process is the same whether you're taking the GMAT® online or at a test center. The rules, the deadlines, and the mba.com workflow are identical.
The only difference is the fee. Online appointments cost $5 more at every rescheduling tier and return $10 more at every cancellation refund tier. That mirrors the $25 premium on the online registration fee ($300 vs. $275).
If you registered for an online exam but decide you'd rather take it at a test center, you can switch formats during a reschedule — as long as a test center slot is available.
What About Score Cancellation?
Score cancellation is a different thing from appointment cancellation.
Appointment cancellation (what this guide covers) means dropping your test date before you take the exam.
Score cancellation means choosing not to keep your score after you've already taken the test.
Here's the short version: with the current GMAT® (Focus Edition), score cancellation isn't something most people need to worry about. You can choose which scores to send to schools. If you take the exam five times and only want to send your best score, you can do that. Schools won't see the other attempts.
If you do want to cancel a score after accepting it at the test center, you have a 72-hour window to do so through your mba.com account. After that, the score stays in your record. If you cancel and later change your mind, you can reinstate the score for $50 within four years and 11 months.
But again — with score selection, cancelling a score isn't necessary. Just don't send it. Schools won't see it, and it's as if you never took that attempt.
How to Avoid Wasting Money on Fees
A few things that can save you money:
Schedule your exam date with buffer time. If you're unsure about your readiness, pick a date that gives you room. You can reschedule earlier (to a date you're ready for) or later (if you need more time). The key is to avoid landing in the 1-14 day window where fees are highest.
Decide early. If you know you need to move your date, do it as soon as possible. The difference between a $55 rescheduling fee and a $165 one is just a matter of timing.
Don't no-show. Even if you're not ready, cancelling is better than not showing up. A cancellation gets you at least $55 back. A no-show gets you nothing.
Check for new slots. If you're rescheduling because your preferred date wasn't available, check back daily. People cancel and reschedule their appointments all the time, and new slots open up more often than you'd expect.
Keep your confirmation. Whether you reschedule or cancel, save the confirmation email. If something goes wrong on GMAC's end, you'll need proof that the change went through.
Want to learn even more?
If you're weighing whether to retake the GMAT® after a disappointing score, we have a full guide on when to retake and when not to.
If you're still in the planning phase, our GMAT® registration guide walks through the sign-up process step by step.
For the full fee breakdown — including score reports, prep materials, and regional pricing — see our GMAT® cost and fees guide.
And if you're trying to figure out when to schedule your exam in the first place, our GMAT® test dates guide covers scheduling strategy and availability.
You can also listen to our podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube for more strategy episodes on test day prep and study planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to reschedule the GMAT®?
Rescheduling fees range from $55 to $180, depending on how close you are to your appointment. If you're more than 60 days out, it's $55 (test center) or $60 (online). Within 15 to 60 days, it's $110 or $120. Within 1 to 14 days, it's $165 or $180. Under 24 hours, rescheduling isn't available.
How much of a refund do I get if I cancel my GMAT®?
Cancellation refunds range from $55 to $120. More than 60 days before your appointment, you'll get $110 (test center) or $120 (online) back. Within 15 to 60 days, the refund drops to $80 or $90. Within 1 to 14 days, it's $55 or $60. Under 24 hours or for a no-show, there's no refund.
Can I reschedule my GMAT® to any date?
You can reschedule to any available date within six months of your original appointment. If you need a date beyond that window, you'll have to cancel your current appointment and register again.
What happens if I don't show up for my GMAT®?
You'll be marked as a no-show. You forfeit the full registration fee with no refund. The no-show doesn't appear on your score report, and it doesn't count as one of your five annual attempts. You can register again after 24 hours.
Is it better to reschedule or cancel the GMAT®?
In most cases, rescheduling costs less. When you reschedule, you pay a fee but keep your registration. When you cancel, you get a partial refund but then pay the full fee again when you re-register. The further out you are from your appointment, the more you save by rescheduling instead of cancelling.
Can I cancel my GMAT® score after taking the test?
Yes, but with the current GMAT® (Focus Edition), you probably don't need to. You can choose which scores to send to schools, so if you don't want a school to see a particular score, just don't send it. If you do want to cancel a score after accepting it at the test center, you have 72 hours to do so through your mba.com account. Reinstating a cancelled score later costs $50.
Can I get a fee waiver for rescheduling or cancelling?
If you have a documented emergency — a medical issue, family emergency, or similar situation — contact GMAC customer service with documentation. They may waive fees or offer a voucher in approved cases. Reach out as soon as possible, ideally before your appointment date.
Does cancelling my GMAT® appointment affect my score report?
No. Cancelling an appointment before the test has no impact on your score report or your testing history. Schools won't see that you cancelled. Your score report only shows exams you actually completed.