Anything You Want to Ask GMAC? Post Your Questions Here

Question

GMAT Club is attending GMAC's Test Prep Summit on June 15th https://gmatclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/gmac-logo.png Are there any questions you would like to be asked? Concerns you would like to bring up? Feedback? If so, please post them in this discussion! GMAT Club will be represented by GMATNinja

who will do his best, without usurping the entire event, to get as many of them answered as possible and also will provide an update after/during the event. Previous such events attended by GMAT Club: 2016 Summit (by Mohater) https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmatclub-to- ... 28726.html 2014 Summit (by souvik101990) https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmac-annual-s ... 88582.html 2011 Summit: https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmatclub-atte ... 20877.html 2009 Summit: https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmatclub-atte ... 85573.html -

GMATNinja · Answer

Highlights from the 2021 Virtual GMAC Test Prep Summit As you'd expect in this bizarro era of our lives, the summit was conducted virtually via Zoom. The bad news: no opportunities to shoot the breeze with other test-prep folks. The good news: pants-optional!

This year's summit was short -- under 3 hours. And much of the content was recycled, particularly all of the content related to the online GMAT. Sadly, none of their psychometricians (the people who actually design the exam and analyze testing data) made an appearance. But all of the presenters struck me as very nice people. So very little of this is likely to blow your mind, but here are some highlights: The sky is not falling on MBA ROI There’s been a fair amount of online chatter questioning whether the MBA investment is still worthwhile, and GMAC presented some data that suggests that MBA ROI is still high. A few nuggets based on recent data from corporate recruiters: The average MBA graduate earns $50,000 more than people with only a bachelor’s degree. This is roughly equivalent to $3 million in additional lifetime earnings for MBA graduates. If anything, the salary premium for MBAs is increasing. 90% of MBA alumni are happy with the ROI on their investment So keep hanging around at GMAT Club, because I guess MBAs aren’t dead yet.

MBA applications are up None of this is exactly breaking news, but GMAC presented some interesting data on MBA application volumes: 74% of MBA programs reported an increase in applications from 2019 to 2020. This isn’t a shock: thanks to covid, a lot of people hedged their bets and applied to more schools. Also, plenty of unfortunate souls lost their jobs early in the pandemic, and data shows a strong negative correlation (r = -0.69) between employment levels and application volumes. Acceptance rates also went up, from 56% in 2019 to 60% in 2020. Of course, more students deferred their offers (2% in 2019 vs. 7% in 2020), and yields (the percentage of admissions offers that were accepted) declined from 54% to 49%. … but GMAT tests are down Also not shocking: the number of individuals taking the GMAT declined by 21% worldwide from 2019 to 2020, thanks to a combination of covid-induced shutdowns, test-optional policies, and increasing competition from the GRE and EA. So far in 2021, GMAT volumes are up 7% worldwide, but down by an additional 20% in the United States. Kinda interesting. GMAC wants you to know that the official guides ≠ actual exam I thought it was interesting that they went out of the way to make this point: changes to the OG should not be interpreted as an indication that the exam itself is changing. The OG is meant to give test-takers a taste of what the exam is like, and it doesn’t necessarily reflect the composition of questions on the actual exam. This isn’t big news, and GMAT veterans have been aware of this pretty much forever. But it’s interesting that GMAC made this a point of emphasis. Online GMAT is NOT easier or harder than the test center GMAT It sounds like the psychometrics team is still crunching the data, but so far, there’s no difference in average scores for the online GMAT vs. the test center version of the GMAT. The GMAC folks emphasized that the test is constructed in exactly the same way, regardless of the delivery method. No surprise there, but it was a point of emphasis in the presentation. So take whichever version makes you feel more comfortable. GMAC is “not ignoring” concerns about the limit of 2 online GMAT exams GMAC is aware that a lot of test-takers seem to prefer the online GMAT, and that test centers are still closed in some parts of the world. So they gave a nice, political answer about “looking into” ways to make the test friendlier for test-takers, including changes to the lifetime limit of two online GMAT exams. But don’t hold your breath on this. I didn’t get the feeling that it’s a huge priority.

Adding ESRs to the online GMAT is at the “top of the list” of future changes There’s no timetable for allowing online GMAT test-takers to purchase ESRs, but GMAC is apparently working on it.

GMAC is very aware of regional differences in test center availability Test centers worldwide were running at 89% of their normal capacity as of May 20, 2021. But in South Asia, only 27% of test-center seats were available. GMAC didn’t give specifics on how they’re attempting to address this (other than by offering the online GMAT, obviously), but they emphasized that they’re very aware of the problem. The Executive Assessment is gaining traction, I guess More full-time programs are slowly joining the EA bandwagon, and the GMAC folks showed some lovely graphs that seemed to illustrate explosive year-over-year growth in the number of EA tests administered. But the volume remains low: worldwide, GMAC expects to administer fewer than 6000 EA exams this year. So it’s still a niche thing, even though a nice, short EA exam is arguably a much nicer test-taking experience than the GMAT.

If you’re taking the online GMAT, run system checks beforehand This was another point of emphasis: if you’re taking the online GMAT, they strongly encourage you to download the secure browser and run a full system check well before your exam appointment. There are plenty of reports that GMAC’s list of supported operating systems isn’t completely accurate -- so if you’re in doubt, download the software and run the system check well ahead of time, and contact customer service if you have issues. Pdfs of the slide decks are here See attached for 101 pages of GMAC glory.

bb · Answer

I only meant it in the best of ways and intentions in the sense that if we have too many questions, that it may not be possible to ask all of the questions. It was really not a reference to your dominant personality and fear you instill into people. I apologize.

Gokul20 · Answer

I would like to ask GMAC,

Q1: If there are any plans to increase the available attempts with Online GMAT ?
People who have already taken the Online GMAT and living in cities with lockdown may find it difficult to give the test.

Q2: Will ESR be available for Online GMAT anytime soon ?

bb · Answer

Thank you! These are my questions as well!

I have heard that the number of tests should be expanded at some point in the future and I am hoping we can get a confirmation of this soon enough. My biggest question of course is why can't we take the GMAT online multiple times already? and if we are allowed to take GMAT Online multiple times, will the free score report sending remain in place?

BelalHossain046 · Answer

My question: Does GMAC have any plan to increase the lifetime limit of taking GMAT?

bb · Answer

That's a great question! Esp since they have been stingy with letting anyone take it as a part of their "we won't unnecessarily deny"

Ugi · Answer

GMAT has an option to send a score for free to 5 institutions. How can I confirm if the chosen schools received my score? Should I check with the adcom before or after I submit my application?

bb · Answer

Good question!

The new GMAT online allows you to send unlimited number of scores to unlimited number of schools unlimited number of times. That’s a lot of unlimited. I’m sure it’s not exactly unlimited but you get the idea.

What usually happens is schools will match your application with the score either manually automatically and so you can see it in the school application dashboard that they have received your score or verified it.

It is pretty rare and I’ve never actually heard of anyone failing to receive the score because the process is electronic. Nobody actually sends anything. GMAC makes your test record available to the school and that’s it. So if they somehow I missed it, they will find it next time they Login to the system.

Posted from my mobile device

youcandoitdumbo · Answer

Taking the covid situation in India, there are very few test centers available with limited timeslots. In recent interview, Sehar has informed that they might increase the number of attempts for Gmat online. If yes, when can we except the change?

Gokul20 · Answer

Q3: When a test appointment needs to be rescheduled due to a lockdown in the city the centre is, will there be any reschedule fee applied or will it be waived ? How many such reschedules/waivers are possible ? Is there any limit for this ?

Q4: Say I have booked an appointment, but I unfortunately contact covid, is there any provision to reschedule the test without the fee ? Or should this be handled on a case-by-case basis ?

Nums99 · Answer

My Question Regarding System Requirements :
I plan to give the online gmat soon. However, I have a windows 10 'home'. The system requirements mentioned by GMAC recommend windows 10 'professional'. Will I have a problem if i use the windows 10 home?

If you click the link provided below it says that the minimum requirement is windows 7 professional and recommended is windows 8 & 10 professional. No where is windows 'home' mentioned.
If we could have clarity of the same it would be really appreciated.

https://gmac.examity.com/SystemCheck/Do ... ements.pdf

ashimakumari · Answer

Hey,

After we have given our GMAT test, we can send our scores to 5 colleges right?
Just wanted to make sure what does that mean?
While submitting any application for a college, do we also have to submit scores via mba.com?

Posted from my mobile device

whatisthematrix · Answer

When will the face mask requirement for in person exam become optional ?

bb · Answer

Good luck GMATNinja ! Look forward to hearing some updates and hope you can squeeze some of these questions in today!

bb · Answer

I think this is a very local question (depending on the local authorities). My guess in North Dakota, there was never a mask mandate

akiara · Answer

Heard so many incidents of system failure with the Enhanced GMAT online. Makes me anxious. Considering the in-centre test

GMATNinja · Answer

Highlights from the 2021 Virtual GMAC Test Prep Summit As you'd expect in this bizarro era of our lives, the summit was conducted virtually via Zoom. The bad news: no opportunities to shoot the breeze with other test-prep folks. The good news: pants-optional!

This year's summit was short -- under 3 hours. And much of the content was recycled, particularly all of the content related to the online GMAT. Sadly, none of their psychometricians (the people who actually design the exam and analyze testing data) made an appearance. But all of the presenters struck me as very nice people. So very little of this is likely to blow your mind, but here are some highlights: The sky is not falling on MBA ROI There’s been a fair amount of online chatter questioning whether the MBA investment is still worthwhile, and GMAC presented some data that suggests that MBA ROI is still high. A few nuggets based on recent data from corporate recruiters: The average MBA graduate earns $50,000 more than people with only a bachelor’s degree. This is roughly equivalent to $3 million in additional lifetime earnings for MBA graduates. If anything, the salary premium for MBAs is increasing. 90% of MBA alumni are happy with the ROI on their investment So keep hanging around at GMAT Club, because I guess MBAs aren’t dead yet.

MBA applications are up None of this is exactly breaking news, but GMAC presented some interesting data on MBA application volumes: 74% of MBA programs reported an increase in applications from 2019 to 2020. This isn’t a shock: thanks to covid, a lot of people hedged their bets and applied to more schools. Also, plenty of unfortunate souls lost their jobs early in the pandemic, and data shows a strong negative correlation (r = -0.69) between employment levels and application volumes. Acceptance rates also went up, from 56% in 2019 to 60% in 2020. Of course, more students deferred their offers (2% in 2019 vs. 7% in 2020), and yields (the percentage of admissions offers that were accepted) declined from 54% to 49%. … but GMAT tests are down Also not shocking: the number of individuals taking the GMAT declined by 21% worldwide from 2019 to 2020, thanks to a combination of covid-induced shutdowns, test-optional policies, and increasing competition from the GRE and EA. So far in 2021, GMAT volumes are up 7% worldwide, but down by an additional 20% in the United States. Kinda interesting. GMAC wants you to know that the official guides ≠ actual exam I thought it was interesting that they went out of the way to make this point: changes to the OG should not be interpreted as an indication that the exam itself is changing. The OG is meant to give test-takers a taste of what the exam is like, and it doesn’t necessarily reflect the composition of questions on the actual exam. This isn’t big news, and GMAT veterans have been aware of this pretty much forever. But it’s interesting that GMAC made this a point of emphasis. Online GMAT is NOT easier or harder than the test center GMAT It sounds like the psychometrics team is still crunching the data, but so far, there’s no difference in average scores for the online GMAT vs. the test center version of the GMAT. The GMAC folks emphasized that the test is constructed in exactly the same way, regardless of the delivery method. No surprise there, but it was a point of emphasis in the presentation. So take whichever version makes you feel more comfortable. GMAC is “not ignoring” concerns about the limit of 2 online GMAT exams GMAC is aware that a lot of test-takers seem to prefer the online GMAT, and that test centers are still closed in some parts of the world. So they gave a nice, political answer about “looking into” ways to make the test friendlier for test-takers, including changes to the lifetime limit of two online GMAT exams. But don’t hold your breath on this. I didn’t get the feeling that it’s a huge priority.

Adding ESRs to the online GMAT is at the “top of the list” of future changes There’s no timetable for allowing online GMAT test-takers to purchase ESRs, but GMAC is apparently working on it.

GMAC is very aware of regional differences in test center availability Test centers worldwide were running at 89% of their normal capacity as of May 20, 2021. But in South Asia, only 27% of test-center seats were available. GMAC didn’t give specifics on how they’re attempting to address this (other than by offering the online GMAT, obviously), but they emphasized that they’re very aware of the problem. The Executive Assessment is gaining traction, I guess More full-time programs are slowly joining the EA bandwagon, and the GMAC folks showed some lovely graphs that seemed to illustrate explosive year-over-year growth in the number of EA tests administered. But the volume remains low: worldwide, GMAC expects to administer fewer than 6000 EA exams this year. So it’s still a niche thing, even though a nice, short EA exam is arguably a much nicer test-taking experience than the GMAT.

If you’re taking the online GMAT, run system checks beforehand This was another point of emphasis: if you’re taking the online GMAT, they strongly encourage you to download the secure browser and run a full system check well before your exam appointment. There are plenty of reports that GMAC’s list of supported operating systems isn’t completely accurate -- so if you’re in doubt, download the software and run the system check well ahead of time, and contact customer service if you have issues. Pdfs of the slide decks are here See attached for 101 pages of GMAC glory.

bb · Answer

Thank you Charles!!!

I find it fairly strange that the biggest priority is ESR and multiple test attempts are so vaguely positioned…. I guess I am not a fan of ESR…. But what use is an ESR if I have no attempts left?

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

Question 2: if the ESR is on top of the list, does that mean they actually have a list of more than one thing? What else are they working on?

Posted from my mobile device

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