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06 Apr 2023, 10:16
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OK I had a bad experience taking the GMAT Online yesterday and need to vent.
So when deciding to take the GMAT online I read every policy & procedure. Cleared my office of second monitor & all unauthorized material.
I connect to the GMAT online 10-15 minutes before scheduled test time. I wait in queue until 10 minutes after scheduled test time.
We do room scan & desk scan. In my office I have 11 world maps on the walls. None are within reach or view of my desk. The proctor asks me if I can remove the maps from the wall or use another room. I state not really. They have me continue in this room after showing each map one by one to the proctor.
First section is Verbal. I am quick at verbal questions and I reach the last question with 15 minutes to spare.
This is where things apparently began to go awry. Instead of immediately advancing to the first break period, I chose to use some of the remaining time on the verbal section to meditate quietly and take deep breaths.
Now, my desk is right in front of a window that overlooks my backyard. I am essentially gazing out of my window while I meditate for a few minutes.
After a couple minutes, the proctor came online and asked me "why am I staring to the right." I say I am just meditating for a minute and so I will close my eyes. I close my eyes and continue meditating and finish the session.
So then I take the 8 minute break, return, do a room & desk check, and begin the Quant session. Here I should add that this is my 3rd time taking the GMAT (first 2 were 5+ years ago) and while I am good at verbal, I am trying hard for improvement on the Quant.
I get to about the 5th quant question and I am deep in thought using my whiteboard, looking down at the board in front of me. The proctor comes over the speakers and tells me I need to put my head up into the camera frame. I say OK and try to do so.
Then 3-4 questions later same thing again. Can I move my head up in the frame. I say I am just using my whiteboard but I then tried to adjust my laptop screen downward to cover me more. Difficult when I cannot see what I look like on the camera.
So I continue with the test and about question 15 or so, I am deep in thought on a tough question and the proctor comes over the speakers again to interrupt the section for the third time. "Why are you looking to the right again?" I say "what? I am just thinking about this question." She says we need to do a room check and desk check. So now I am completely interrupted during this question, have to take my laptop off the laptop stand and show her the walls and desk again. It takes around 2 minutes for this and the timer is running on the test during the whole time.
Of course I was doing nothing wrong so the check went OK. But I will not lie, I was pretty annoyed at this point at being interrupted 3x during my most difficult section. It definitely affected my mental state, in addition to the 3+ minutes of time that was wasted by 3 interruptions, the time I wasted by having to start 3 questions over again after being interrupted, and the 3rd room/desk check in the last hour and 30 minutes.
I get to the end of the Quant section and those 3 extra minutes would have been a big help. I was forced to take guesses at the last 2 questions, something I never do during any of my practice exams.
I take the 2nd break and finish IR/AWA without issue.
My unofficial score showed 720, which is less than the 730 that I scored 5 years ago. I have been doing extensive Quant prep for several months before sitting for this exam, and have scored 760 on each the last 3 practice tests that I took (the computer-adaptive official GMAC ones + a Manhattan GMAT one).
I received an unofficial scaled quant score of 42. Now we all know the way the GMAT works, if I got even 2-3 more questions right that could have resulted in as much as a 48 scaled quant score. But even 1 more question right and I would probably equal or improve on my previous score.
The stakes are really high here as I have already applied and am in the running for a full ride scholarship at a T25 business school. 720 prob doesn't get me there but 740+ does.
Immediately after the exam ended I called GMAC and reached a customer service center overseas. The agent did not seem at all sympathetic to my concerns and referred me to a GMAC email address. I sent them an email detailing what I have stated here. Today (the next day) they replied, stating that my exam score is in review and it will be 21 days before an outcome is determined.
21 days!??! I need to know if this exam can be cancelled or not ASAP, and whether they will process a refund so that I can register again to take the test ASAP!! I am already reaching the school's deadline for test submission.
I checked the test regulations again and it says nothing about having a window by your desk, or having maps on the wall for that matter.
But there seems to be no way to contact a real person at GMAC. So now I am left in the position of, do I put out another $300 to test again... before I even heard back on what they will do with the first test? I gather it is unlikely I get any refund after that.... ugh terrible experience and I feel like I am left with almost no recourse. Other than post here and hope you guys don't roast me and I get some sympathy.
Any advice is welcome!
So when deciding to take the GMAT online I read every policy & procedure. Cleared my office of second monitor & all unauthorized material.
I connect to the GMAT online 10-15 minutes before scheduled test time. I wait in queue until 10 minutes after scheduled test time.
We do room scan & desk scan. In my office I have 11 world maps on the walls. None are within reach or view of my desk. The proctor asks me if I can remove the maps from the wall or use another room. I state not really. They have me continue in this room after showing each map one by one to the proctor.
First section is Verbal. I am quick at verbal questions and I reach the last question with 15 minutes to spare.
This is where things apparently began to go awry. Instead of immediately advancing to the first break period, I chose to use some of the remaining time on the verbal section to meditate quietly and take deep breaths.
Now, my desk is right in front of a window that overlooks my backyard. I am essentially gazing out of my window while I meditate for a few minutes.
After a couple minutes, the proctor came online and asked me "why am I staring to the right." I say I am just meditating for a minute and so I will close my eyes. I close my eyes and continue meditating and finish the session.
So then I take the 8 minute break, return, do a room & desk check, and begin the Quant session. Here I should add that this is my 3rd time taking the GMAT (first 2 were 5+ years ago) and while I am good at verbal, I am trying hard for improvement on the Quant.
I get to about the 5th quant question and I am deep in thought using my whiteboard, looking down at the board in front of me. The proctor comes over the speakers and tells me I need to put my head up into the camera frame. I say OK and try to do so.
Then 3-4 questions later same thing again. Can I move my head up in the frame. I say I am just using my whiteboard but I then tried to adjust my laptop screen downward to cover me more. Difficult when I cannot see what I look like on the camera.
So I continue with the test and about question 15 or so, I am deep in thought on a tough question and the proctor comes over the speakers again to interrupt the section for the third time. "Why are you looking to the right again?" I say "what? I am just thinking about this question." She says we need to do a room check and desk check. So now I am completely interrupted during this question, have to take my laptop off the laptop stand and show her the walls and desk again. It takes around 2 minutes for this and the timer is running on the test during the whole time.
Of course I was doing nothing wrong so the check went OK. But I will not lie, I was pretty annoyed at this point at being interrupted 3x during my most difficult section. It definitely affected my mental state, in addition to the 3+ minutes of time that was wasted by 3 interruptions, the time I wasted by having to start 3 questions over again after being interrupted, and the 3rd room/desk check in the last hour and 30 minutes.
I get to the end of the Quant section and those 3 extra minutes would have been a big help. I was forced to take guesses at the last 2 questions, something I never do during any of my practice exams.
I take the 2nd break and finish IR/AWA without issue.
My unofficial score showed 720, which is less than the 730 that I scored 5 years ago. I have been doing extensive Quant prep for several months before sitting for this exam, and have scored 760 on each the last 3 practice tests that I took (the computer-adaptive official GMAC ones + a Manhattan GMAT one).
I received an unofficial scaled quant score of 42. Now we all know the way the GMAT works, if I got even 2-3 more questions right that could have resulted in as much as a 48 scaled quant score. But even 1 more question right and I would probably equal or improve on my previous score.
The stakes are really high here as I have already applied and am in the running for a full ride scholarship at a T25 business school. 720 prob doesn't get me there but 740+ does.
Immediately after the exam ended I called GMAC and reached a customer service center overseas. The agent did not seem at all sympathetic to my concerns and referred me to a GMAC email address. I sent them an email detailing what I have stated here. Today (the next day) they replied, stating that my exam score is in review and it will be 21 days before an outcome is determined.
21 days!??! I need to know if this exam can be cancelled or not ASAP, and whether they will process a refund so that I can register again to take the test ASAP!! I am already reaching the school's deadline for test submission.
I checked the test regulations again and it says nothing about having a window by your desk, or having maps on the wall for that matter.
But there seems to be no way to contact a real person at GMAC. So now I am left in the position of, do I put out another $300 to test again... before I even heard back on what they will do with the first test? I gather it is unlikely I get any refund after that.... ugh terrible experience and I feel like I am left with almost no recourse. Other than post here and hope you guys don't roast me and I get some sympathy.
Any advice is welcome! 
06 Apr 2023, 10:26
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi gradatgrad.
What a total drag that all is. If the proctor feels that a room check is necessary, the clock should be stopped. It's insane the the clock would continue to run while you did a room check. So, I think it's only fair to give you a refund.
Honestly, you should write an email directly to the new CEO of GMAC. She's working to improve the test, and insanity such as what you experienced is undermining her efforts.
In any case, maybe you could retake before hearing back from them and hope that they'll issue a refund anyway.
What a total drag that all is. If the proctor feels that a room check is necessary, the clock should be stopped. It's insane the the clock would continue to run while you did a room check. So, I think it's only fair to give you a refund.
Honestly, you should write an email directly to the new CEO of GMAC. She's working to improve the test, and insanity such as what you experienced is undermining her efforts.
In any case, maybe you could retake before hearing back from them and hope that they'll issue a refund anyway.
06 Apr 2023, 11:28
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Bookmarks
MartyTargetTestPrep
Thanks Marty. I couldn't agree more, the clock should stop any time the proctor feels the need to interrupt the exam.
I may have to resort to emailing the CEO... as I just tried calling a GMAC number again, reached someone overseas at Examify. Told me I have to speak with someone at GMAC. Gave me a number for GMAC customer care (+1-952-681-3680) that rings out of service.
A quick Google search reveals this is the number for Pearson/GMAC in-person testing .... So the wrong number for Online... and even that's not in service. Classic.
Fun times!!
