Is there any downside in taking the GMAT Online (apart from the $$)?

Hi gmat2410,

The answer to your question depends a great deal on your goals and what you consider an 'optimal' testing environment.

To start, considering that the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Test, the idea that you would pay to schedule an Official Exam and go in hoping for a 'lucky day' is dubious. One of the reasons why Business Schools tend to place a high value on your GMAT Score is because the GMAT is remarkably good at giving you the Score that you EARN. If you're not scoring close to your goal Score during practice, then you should push back your Test Date and continue to work on honing the necessary skills to score higher (not pay $200 and rush in to take the GMAT with the hope of getting lucky).

Second, while you might be more comfortable at your home, that environment might actually create distractions for you that you would not necessarily experience at a Test Facility. In addition, the format of the At-home GMAT is 'fixed' - and having to take the Quant and Verbal sections without a 'break' might put you at a disadvantage during the Verbal section (whereas you have the option for an 8-minute break between those two sections when you take the GMAT at a Test Facility).

If you ultimately view this as a $200 "risk-free" attempt at the GMAT - and you have no problem with spending the money - then taking the At-home GMAT is a reasonable choice. It won't properly 'train' you for taking the GMAT at a Test Facility though - there are too many differences in the environments and administrations of those two testing options. In addition, if you're going to keep studying until you hit a particular Score level, then you would probably be better served by putting that $200 towards some additional study materials.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich