I would like to share my GMAT experience. Please advise whether to complaint about test centre or not and why.
Two days ago I took the GMAT. From the beginning of the test I complainted about the fact that the pen (or marker) for laminated paper did not write properly, it means when I was writing something on laminated paper, sometimes black ink did not imprint on it at all.
Test administrator proposed me other pens that were even worse and just said that the are only 3 pens available and he can't do anything else for me!
I insisted to give me paper and a pencil, he agreed, gave me and I entered the test room.
After may be 25-35 minutes( I was writing AWA) his collegue brought the administrator new pen and after this the administrator entered the testing room and took my papers
(with notes!) and replaced them with laminated paper and pen, saying that it is prohibited to use paper (
WTF!!!
).
I loose my concentration for couple of minutes, got nervous and continued my AWA.
After AWA, I continued to complaint that the pen does not imprint, but he replied smth like: "it works properly, look here (he wrote something on laminated paper), we have bought just right now, well,
you just have to rewrite or write in other part of paper if it would not imprint"
I am sorry WHATT??I have to re-write?!!! In conclusion he said: "well, you pass this test in order to get a scolarship from US universities, right? so, you must obey the rules and procedures and even suffer (he referred to pen), if you want a scolarship". WHAT?!!!
I am sorry, but I have paid 250$ for taking this test, I don't care about scolarship now! I would kill him!
I have concluded that his understanding why people need the GMAT is quite limited and vague.
I promissed him to complaint about this case to GMAC.
Nervous, I came into the testing room and have started te Quantative section. Almost everything was fine i when the pen did not imprint I pressed it harder, some of calculation I did in my mind. But still it was difficult.
During the break, I did not argue at all, because I wanted to calm down and concentrate.
During the Verbal part, everything was more or less good untill 18-22 question, when the pen
completely refused to write, leaving only invisible path (yes, I pressed it harder to see at least something).
Moreover, when I have emotions, my palms sweat. I think the combination of capricious pen and wet laminated paper completely destroyed the pen. Do you imagine how difficult it was to concentrate?
I did not want to argue again with the test administrator again or explain him that I need something for my records, because of time pressure.
I became very nervous, I loose my concentration. I tryed to memorize long a RC passage, and draw in my mind schemes, when doing CR and cross the wrong answers in my mind.
Do you imagine this?
I decided to do my best, whatever happens.
When I was asked whether I want to report my score or cancel it, I really did not know what to do, I knew that although my Q section was more or less OK, the Verbal part was a black box for me.
I selected "report the score" and pressed next.
my score was 560 (Q44 V23)
Before the test, the CATs showed me that I am in 27-34 range for Verbal, and 42-45 for Q.
Now I am thinking whether to complaint to GMAC or not. If yes, should I ask them to cancel my score/refund me money/or ask to sit another test instead of this.
Please advise me, guys.
Thank you.
p.s.
According to GMAC:
We have the following rights and responsibilities: Have your test administered according to standard technical specifications and under standard environmental conditions by test administrators (TAs) who have been trained in the specific rules and procedures required for the GMAT exam.
Promptly inform the appropriate person(s), as specified to you by the organization responsible for test administration, if you believe that testing conditions affected your results.
Present any concerns about the testing process or your test results in a timely fashion.