How Long Are Certification Exam Scores Valid? GRE, GMAT, PMP & CompTIA Compared
How long are certification exam scores valid? The answer depends on the type of credential you hold. The GRE and GMAT scores are valid for 5 years from your test data and they cannot be renewed or extended. Whereas the PMP and CompTIA certifications are valid for 3 years but can be renewed indefinitely through continuing education without retaking the original exam. Confusing these two systems can lead to costly mistakes that can be easily avoided if only the candidates asked what happens when a certification expires.
Test Scores vs. Certifications: Why the Comparison Isn’t Apples-to-Apples
GRE and GMAT scores are tied to a specific test date. The scores remain valid for a certain period of time, and after that, the scores expire. There is no renewal process for these scores, and students have to take the full exam again if they need a valid score.
Whereas PMP and CompTIA exams work differently. Both of these certifications remain active through continuing education and by following renewal requirements. Professionals don’t need to retake the original exam as long as they complete the required renewal activities on time. Knowing this difference is important.
PMP and CompTIA work differently. They award certifications that can remain active through continuing education and other renewal requirements. You do not usually need to retake the original certification exam as long as you complete the required renewal activities on time.
GRE Score Validity
- GRE score validity is for 5 years from your test date.
- There is no renewal option, and once it has expired, the student has to retake the full exam.
- Even if your score is valid, you need to check your target program’s score submission deadline because even a technically valid score can still be too old for a given application cycle.
When students are not prepared for the retake exam and they need to get good scores, they often search for an expert who can take my GRE exam for me.
GMAT Score Validity
- GMAT score expiration follows the same 5-year cycle as the GRE exam. It starts from your test date rather than your score report date.
- For this exam, there is no renewal cycle, and the candidate has to retake the full exam to get valid scores.
- There are some programs that set a stricter acceptance window than the official 5-year period, so you need to confirm your target program’s validity period.
Candidates who are planning to take the exam in a tight application cycle often ask test takers to take my GMAT exam for me.
PMP Certification Validity and Renewal
The PMP certification validity is 3 years PDU renewal cycle starts from the date you pass the PMP exam. Your certification remains active for 3 years, and you need to complete the renewal requirement before the cycle expires.
To renew the PMP certification, you need to earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) during the three-year period. You don’t need to retake the PMP exam when you fulfill the PDU requirement. However, if you miss the renewal deadline, PMI will place your certification in a one-year suspension period. During this time period, you cannot use the PMP title but can still complete the requirements to renew your certification.
If you don’t complete the renewal requirement even during the suspension period, then your PMP certification will expire completely. After this, you will have to retake the complete exam. Many professionals request experts to take my PMP exam for me when they don’t have time to retake it.
CompTIA Certification Validity and Renewal
The majority of CompTIA certifications, such as Security+ and Network+, are valid for three years after the date of certification. CompTIA’s Continuing Education (CE) program allows you to renew your certification without having to retake the same test. This often entails obtaining the necessary Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and fulfilling any necessary renewal criteria prior to the expiration of your certification.
After the three-year cycle concludes, there can be a 30-day grace period to finish any unfinished CE obligations or pay any related costs. You shouldn’t use this time frame as your standard renewal window, though. The CompTIA certification expiration CE status becomes expired if you fail to finish the requirements within the allotted time. To reclaim the credential, you would then have to pass the most recent edition of the certification exam.
CompTIA A+ and other entry-level certifications typically have the same three-year renewal schedule. Renewal criteria, however, may differ depending on the exam version and certification. Verify the current renewal path, CE requirements, deadlines, and any applicable grace period by consulting CompTIA’s official policy for your particular certification.
If you could not meet the renewal criteria and now need to retake the exam, you can search for take my CompTIA exam for me and experts will assist in passing the certification exam.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here is the full comparison in one place so you can easily check the validity and renewal options.
| Exam/Certification | Validity Period | Renewal Option | What Happens After Expiration |
| GRE | 5 years | No renewal option | Full retake required |
| GMAT | 5 years | No renewal option | Full retake required |
| PMP | 3 years | Renewable with 60 PDUs | 1-year suspension grace period before full expiration |
| CompTIA | 3 years | Renewable through CE/CEUs | 30-day grace period before expiration |
What This Means for Your Planning
- Plan your GRE/GMAT date around applications: If you are applying to graduate programs, then choose your test date based on the actual application cycle. The 5-year validity window should not be your only concern. You can also take a free GRE practice test, which will help you to decide if you are ready for the test or not.
- Set PMP and CompTIA reminders early: Set reminders for the renewal deadlines for your certification, and it should be well before the 3-year mark, so you have time to complete the renewal requirements.
- Avoid letting credentials expire: If your certification expires fully and you did not complete the renewal requirements in the suspension and grace period, then it requires you to retake the complete exam, which requires more time, effort, as well as money.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a GRE score valid?
GRE scores are valid for 5 years from your test date, and there is no renewal option. If the scores expire, then you need to retake the full exam again.
How long is a GMAT score valid?
GMAT scores are valid for 5 years from your exam date, similar to the GRE. There is no renewal cycle, so an expired score requires a complete retake.
How long is a PMP certification valid before it expires?
PMP certification is valid for 3 years, and it can be renewed by earning 60 PDUs within that cycle. If you renew the certification on time, then there is no need to retake the exam.
What happens if my CompTIA certification expires?
If you don’t complete CompTIA’s Continuing Education requirements within the 3-year cycle and a 30-day grace period, then your certification will expire, and you will have to retake the exam.
Can I renew the GRE or GMAT instead of retaking it?
No. Unlike PMP or CompTIA certifications, GRE and GMAT scores don’t have any renewal mechanisms. Once your score expires after 5 years, the only option is to retake the full exam.
Conclusion
You need to know which system applies to your credential. When you know what the expiration timeline is and whether your certification can be renewed will prevent you from making mistakes. If you need support for these exams, you can hire our experts. For any specific questions about our service, you can contact us.