Confused between test center based exam and online exam

Hi

I am planning to appear for the GMAT exam next month. I live in Thiruvananthapuram, India, and there is no test center in the city I live in. The nearest test center is in Kochi (5 hours by train). I have been monitoring the slots for the past two weeks on selected test centers, and they are filling up quickly (no surprise in that considering it's almost July), and will need to make a decision this week.

The reasons that I am worried about the test center exam are:

Limited leaves from office: I am working full time and there is no scope of work from home. Furthermore, I highly doubt that I will be able to take a leave for three consecutive days in a week, considering the work that is in progress. I wanted to go and see the test center beforehand and this requires me to arrive one day before.

Frequent power disruptions and noise problems at test centers: I have heard from various sources that the test centers experience frequent power disruptions (sometimes for as long as 30 minutes). Furthermore, they also have a noise problem that disturbs the candidates. I am unsure of what happens if the PC disconnects in the middle of the test (do I start from where I left off?). Also, does Pearson VUE ensure that every test center provides ear plugs and laminated sheets (the situation in India for competitive exams is at its worst after COVID, as many national level exams had several technical glitches)

I had given GMAT online exam in January 2023. My test got disconnected in the first five minutes. Luckily I had started with Quant. However, I tried several times to contact the proctor assigned by calling him (only a meeting ID was given). It took thirty minutes to get in touch with a GMAT representative through online chat on the GMAT website. They contacted the proctor and he called me back. All he said for himself was "I said hello several times but you did not answer" (what kind of a person does not realize that if a call disconnects, you are supposed to call back?). I received no communication on my mobile phone (which was in the other room, but I checked after 20 minutes). I felt that the online exam is in its nascent stage and a few discontent students (read cases) won't matter to GMAC.

In all, I want to give the test center-based exam so that someone is present who can handle the situation. My final thoughts are I will need to fight for a three-day leave to go to a Pearson VUE center (one day trip) and will give the exam there. I have also accepted that Murphy's law comes into play without our consent, and I will need to go for the test since the deadlines for the first round are in the month of September (2 months from now).

Any advice, experience, or critical review is most welcome. I would greatly appreciate your help in this.

Have a great day ahead!