GMAT Score Delays & Administrative Reviews - Share Your Experience

[TIPS to avoid being subject to administrative review]

Dear all,

I compiled here all the tips that I found while browsing through social media, GMAT club and the personal experiences of some of my friends in order to avoid administrative review. I am sharing this to benefit all my peers out there also looking to make the Round 2 deadline and are planning a retake. As experiences have shown, administrative reviews can happen even in the most innocent of circumstances. They don't have to be a case blatant cheating. Putting these items in mind will ensure that you get a score in time and avoid getting delayed in Round 2 if you are planning a retake in December as a result of an administrative review (which takes 20 days and even more). With deadlines fast approaching, this could prove difficult and may push you to make Round 3 (if the school won't allow exceptions) and Round 3 is not the best time to submit for most people.

1. Never (or at least avoid) cover your mouth while answering. This a common response when thinking but have heard of cases where this gets flagged. Simulate this in the mocks too especially if you are the type to do such a cognitive response
2. Always insist to show the back and front of your whiteboard after the test, even if the proctor does not ask. (by far the most common issue that I saw). Argue with the proctor if necessary and do it yourself.
3. Avoid technical issues as much as possible. Technical issues about internet connection that would result in you being gone from the camera in the middle of the test could automatically put your session in administrative review even if you did nothing
4. In relation to 3, it seems best to do the AWA-IR-Q-V section order. The AWA and IR could be used as a test run and if you encounter issues here, the score is less likely to be put in administrative review. You also get to test your internet, gear, etc (helpful if you are doing the GMAT online for the first time)
5. Avoid looking at one area (except the screen of course) all the time. My friend likes to look out his window to the right to clear his mind when thinking and this got his session in administrative review (he eventually got cleared )
6. NEVER EVER take a picture of your unofficial score at the end of the test

Feel free to share others that I may have missed