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Victz
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Keyboard Shortcuts Didn't Work for GMAT Online 11 Jul 2020, 08:09
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Hello GMAT Clubberers, I just took the GMAT Online using Mac. I realized the keyboard shortcuts that work on GMAT Prep (more details below; thanks mcelroytutoring ) didn't work on the actual exam--I had to use my mouse to click through the questions... :-o

Is this your experience as well? :|

mcelroytutoring
As you all know, time is of the essence on the GMAT, and any method or strategy that can speed you up by even a few seconds per question is well worth considering.

Many of you might already be familiar with the keyboard shortcuts for the Analytical Writing Assessment portion of the GMAT. However, there are also a few lesser-known keyboard shortcuts that you can use on the multiple-choice portions of the GMATPrep software, as well as on the real GMAT. These keyboard shortcuts should cut down on your “mouse time” by 67%, by only requiring 1 mouse click per question (when you select your answer choice) instead of 3 clicks per question (Select Answer, “Next”, Confirm “Yes”).

In fact, you can avoid clicking your mouse at all by using the "Tab" button to move through your answer choices, and selecting ("clicking") your answer by pressing the space bar before pressing ALT-N and ALT-Y to confirm.

That's 24 fewer clicks on IR, 74 fewer clicks on Quant, and 82 fewer clicks on Verbal: a total of 180 fewer mouse clicks! This should save you at least a few minutes over the course of the test.

A Full List of Keyboard Shortcuts for the GMATPrep tests and the real GMAT (when applicable, both keys must be held down at the same time):


Multiple-Choice Portions of the Test (IR, Quant, Verbal):

1) TAB: scrolls among answer choices from top to bottom.
2) SPACE BAR: "clicks" on the answer choice that you have selected with the tab key.
3) ALT-N: “Next (Question)” = Press these two keys simultaneously after you have selected an answer choice with the mouse.
4) ALT-Y: “Yes” = Confirms your answer once you have selected “Next”, and again saves time by avoiding another mouse click.
5) ALT-N : “No” = Choose this if you’ve changed your mind about your answer and want to re-try the question.

Mac users take note: for GMATPrep on a Mac, use the "Command" button instead of the "Alt" button. However, the real GMAT will always be on a PC which uses the ALT shortcuts, so this will obviously not work on test day.

Bonus shortcut for GMAT Prep - Review Mode only: Simply press the space bar to move on to the next question.

AWA (Essay):

1) CTRL-X : Cut
2) CTRL-C: Copy
3) CTRL-V: Paste
4) CTRL-Z: Undo
5) CTRL-Y: Redo



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https://gmatclub.com/forum/time-saving- ... 22198.html
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Keyboard Shortcuts Didn't Work for GMAT Online 11 Jul 2020, 09:19
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Hi Victorz,

Yes, I also took the GMAT Online on a Mac computer, and can confirm that the keyboard shortcuts do not work (I definitely tried).

Though I would assume that the keyboard shortcuts do in fact work on a PC running Windows, I can't confirm that yet.

-Brian
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Keyboard Shortcuts Didn't Work for GMAT Online 13 Feb 2022, 08:51
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I will take the Online GMAT in a few weeks. I understand that some changes were implemented in the online exam since it began last 2020.. so.. Can I check with any recent takers whether the shortcuts were put back? The "A, B, C, D, E-then- ALT N + ALT Y" shortcut has been so much help to me, and it puts a damper on my efficiency if this were not put back.

Cheers!
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Keyboard Shortcuts Didn't Work for GMAT Online Updated on: 16 Feb 2022, 17:50
Originally posted by mcelroytutoring on 16 Feb 2022, 09:49.
Last edited by mcelroytutoring on 16 Feb 2022, 17:50, edited 1 time in total.
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No problem Vitz!

Did you take the GMAT online on a PC? If so, then we can conclude that the Alt-N ("Next") and Alt-Y ("Yes") keyboard shortcuts definitely don't work on the GMAT online, since I used a Mac, and you used a PC — and neither of us were able to get the shortcuts to function.

don30002: It appears you may be out of luck. These time-saving keyboard shortcuts — which do still work on the test-center GMAT — don't appear to function at all on the GMAT online, based off my and Vitz 's experiences.

I suggest that you take a practice test without using the shortcuts, to get used to the feeling of 3x as many mouse clicks.
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Keyboard Shortcuts Didn't Work for GMAT Online 16 Feb 2022, 12:30
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don30002

I can understand wanting to use keyboard shortcuts for efficiency, but if there is any doubt, on the actual exam perhaps do the first two or three questions very slowly, using the commands with pauses to see if the actions indeed function the same way as in your practice. It could, for example, be a really be a downer if you quickly selected and confirmed an answer choice you did not mean to.

It might be good to consider playing it safe and using the mouse.
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Keyboard Shortcuts Didn't Work for GMAT Online 16 Feb 2022, 13:05
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don30002
I will take the Online GMAT in a few weeks. I understand that some changes were implemented in the online exam since it began last 2020.. so.. Can I check with any recent takers whether the shortcuts were put back? The "A, B, C, D, E-then- ALT N + ALT Y" shortcut has been so much help to me, and it puts a damper on my efficiency if this were not put back.

Cheers!
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Hi don30002,

As has been said, I think the best thing you can do is to start taking practice GMATs without using these shortcuts. Have you had a chance to do so?
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Keyboard Shortcuts Didn't Work for GMAT Online 01 Jul 2026, 06:47
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One thing I'd add is that it's worth checking your keyboard before the actual exam, especially if you plan to rely on shortcuts. I've seen cases where an Alt key or another modifier wasn't registering consistently, and it looked like a software problem when it was actually the keyboard.

Before my practice tests, I usually verify that every key responds correctly using https://www.testeteclado.com.br/. It only takes a minute, and if all the keys work there but the shortcuts still fail in GMATPrep or the online exam, then it's much more likely to be a limitation of the exam software than a hardware issue.

That quick check gave me a lot more confidence before starting the test.
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