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18 Aug 2020, 04:41
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This is not my de-brief but more of my horrible experience with the GMAT test and its provider Pearson. I initially scheduled my GMAT exam on 15th July 2020, but because if a lockdown in Bangalore that scheduled exam was cancelled. Then I enrolled for the GMAT online on 20th July just a day before and on the day of the exam I performed the system test and every single time it checked out fine. But as I started my exam there was a glitch where the screen goes blank and only the loading symbol comes on the cursor on the screen. I wait for a long time (around 20+ min) and then switch off my laptop (MacBook Air 2019 model) and restart it then I get assigned a new proctor and then my exam begins (because of this whole scene anxiety kicks in and Im not able to concentrate, but still go ahead with the exam). After I finish up with the verbal part I take a break and in the middle of my IR section there is a technical glitch, and I get a call from Pearson and they give me a case number and a voucher code for the next GMAT exam. I try re-scheduling the exam. but am unable to because the code is invalid apparently (which I reconfirmed with the executive after my exam thrice). Then on calling the Pearson helpline they say it's under processing and I should get the coupon code within 3 working days (I get it after 18 days since the complaint was booked - more on that later). On 24th July I get my score-card which I was not expecting and I get 720 (Q50 V37 IR1). Then I knew I could do way better so wait for the coupon code (cause I've been practising with the physical whiteboard from the time they have announced that we can). I call them up every 2-3 days to follow up and am fed up at this point. So during the first week of August, I book an incentre appointment at Lalbagh, Bangalore. But surprise surprise I get my new coupon code on the 7th of August. So I cancel my incentre exam as soon as I got that email (because of the refund policy). But then I realise that the link still is not active that will take another 3-working day (god knows why). At this point, Im calling up Pearson and GMAT helpline number (each call I had to wait 20 min - before someone picks up). Then one helpful executive said that the process would only take forever and he said he'd book it for me with the coupon code. So I book a GMAT online exam for 17th August 2020 (yesterday at 8:00 pm IST). I get ready and sit before the laptop and start the pre-exam process at 7:40 pm and after submitting everything am waiting for my proctor - this is where the mess starts again. I wait for my proctor for 15min and then feel that the number of candidates is a lot so I have to wait longer, so end up waiting for a good 40 minutes. After this, I switch off my laptop and restarted it cause this had happened to me last time and restarting it rectified the issue. But no I still ended up at the same point and without a proctor. I waited for a long time and I was on the verge of giving up when a proctor called Parinidhi was assigned to me (at 9:00 pm for an 8:00 pm) exam. She asked me to show my table, surrounding, etc and said that I could now start my exam. But when it went to the exam page the page was blank and nothing turned up. Waited till 9:20 pm and then decided to restart again (just to clarify I was not able to contact anyone and never received a call from anyone - which Pearson says it will do in case of an issue). But by that time it said that I will no longer be able to take the test and re-scheduling will happen for free. I'm almost in tears cause I've spent almost a month since my previous GMAT online on 20th July. Then my mom suggests I get done with this exam and have no regrets - so I book a GMAT In-centre exam today 18th August 2020 at the Lalbagh, Bangalore centre for 3:15 pm. I look up the requirements it said that I needed a suitable identification card (so I took my driver's license and Adhaar card that I used for the GMAT online assuming it would be sufficient - my mistake cause I didn't go through 3-4 interconnected links before seeing the word passport required). On arriving at the test centre, the lady at the reception says that I will require a physical passport and other forms of ID are not valid (at this point I've given up on the exam and everything associated with the GMAT - cause I've just travelled 20 km to come there). My parents at that point give me a little bit of hope and say that they'll get it for me and asked me to cool down. When they arrived at the centre with the passport, the lady said the passport is not valid cause it was missing an initial D (dad's name) that I've registered with my name on mba.com. In India, in the passport, the father's name is first written and then the given name is written without the initials. If you haven't already guessed by now she said I couldn't write the exam because of this. I show her my other forms of ID that hold an equal if not more credibility than the passport does, she just walks away and says "don't irritate me" (and which point I'm triggered - cause I've been polite and been requesting her), I ask her if I can at least reschedule or cancel my exam for a refund for which she says "you should have done that 7 days before your test date", at which point I'm wondering if I'm crazy or her cause I booked the exam yesterday. I walk out very very ..... angry. Call GMAT and wait for 40 min before the executive replies. Then he speaks rudely and blames it on me and says that Im not eligible for a refund and it's my fault. Now I have lost money for the in-centre exam and don't know when in the world I'll receive another coupon code for the GMAT online. Well this journey or studying and pushing myself has been fun, but this last part which matters was actually a pain in the *** (to put it mildly).
Please direct me what to do next, cause I've lost hope.
P.S. - Ignore the grammatical errors please cause I'm currently not in the frame of mind to look through it and make changes
Please direct me what to do next, cause I've lost hope.
P.S. - Ignore the grammatical errors please cause I'm currently not in the frame of mind to look through it and make changes
18 Aug 2020, 06:18
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GRUG - I am sorry to hear your bad experiences with the GMAT, but the fact is GMAC has historically been very strict with the policies. Had you familiarized yourself with the policies and guidelines beforehand, you would not have experienced such things on the test day. The only drawback is that GMAT Online can be taken only once; therefore, you only can take the test in a test center. You've had a bad experience, yes. However, don't let your one experience deter you from looking at the larger picture, which is to get a good business school. Please take a few days off, and then resume your preparation. Once you feel comfortable, schedule a test date at the nearest test center. Review the below post.
10 Things Not to Do at the Test Center
10 Things Not to Do at the Test Center
19 Aug 2020, 12:25
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Hi Grug,
I'm sorry to hear how things went with your GMAT. Now that you've had a few days to cool down, do you have a plan moving forward?
I'm sorry to hear how things went with your GMAT. Now that you've had a few days to cool down, do you have a plan moving forward?
