Online GMAT Issues : General GMAT Questions and Strategies

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Neha3011

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

04 Aug 2020, 07:14

karanbce wrote:

Neha3011 reddy10d pabpinor and others? I just gave the online GMAT and had a weird technical issue. I think this post would be best to put this forward as I read some similar experiences here. Kindly let me know if I should do anything about it.

I did the check-in in 5 mins, and the proctor came immediately. He/she asked me for a 360-degree view of the room, then after all that, told me they're giving clearance to proceed to the test. After that, however, the screen just went black. I was thinking the test was probably loading, but nothing happened. I did not know what to do, and so asked the proctor in chat to kindly help. There was no response for a while, and in a minute or so, the software froze (the mouse icon turned into a loading one, and nothing was clickable anymore). I waited for 6-8 mins for it to come back, but it was like really stuck with no sign of coming back. I was hoping I would get a call from the proctor during this time to ask me what went wrong and help me out, but did not receive anything.

So, I switched off the laptop (using the power button), hoping to restart the process again and speak to the proctor (since the questions and the actual test had not started, I thought this was the best approach). As soon as the laptop turned on, thankfully, I saw the first screen of the test (where they ask you to confirm if your name is so and so). It was a little surprising to see that, but I guess my test resumed from the point where it had previously got stuck. I opened the chat (to see if there were any remarks from the proctor) but the chat was exactly the same as before. So, without speaking to the proctor any further, I just continued and started the test. Everything went smoothly after that till I finished.

Do I need to worry about the glitch, or do something, like email them? The video recording would have been broken at the initial point where the laptop was off for a brief 1 minute or so, hence I'm worried. But this happened before the actual test started. I also don't know if the proctor knew this as the chat had no reply to my previous messages of asking help when the screen had frozen. The current status on my mba.com account shows "Delivery Successfully".

Please suggest.

Hey. Sorry to hear about the glitch. Glad it didn't affect your real testing experience!

I got my score in about 2 days after taking the test. If the test shows as successfully delivered I'd probably suggest that you wait a day or two to receive your score.

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

04 Aug 2020, 08:50

Hey,
As they mentioned if it went well after that you should not worry much.
I would anyway send an email to pearson vue or gmac about the issue, wait till you get your grade if that mskes you more confortable.

Regards,
Pablo

karanbce wrote:

Neha3011 reddy10d pabpinor and others? I just gave the online GMAT and had a weird technical issue. I think this post would be best to put this forward as I read some similar experiences here. Kindly let me know if I should do anything about it.

I did the check-in in 5 mins, and the proctor came immediately. He/she asked me for a 360-degree view of the room, then after all that, told me they're giving clearance to proceed to the test. After that, however, the screen just went black. I was thinking the test was probably loading, but nothing happened. I did not know what to do, and so asked the proctor in chat to kindly help. There was no response for a while, and in a minute or so, the software froze (the mouse icon turned into a loading one, and nothing was clickable anymore). I waited for 6-8 mins for it to come back, but it was like really stuck with no sign of coming back. I was hoping I would get a call from the proctor during this time to ask me what went wrong and help me out, but did not receive anything.

So, I switched off the laptop (using the power button), hoping to restart the process again and speak to the proctor (since the questions and the actual test had not started, I thought this was the best approach). As soon as the laptop turned on, thankfully, I saw the first screen of the test (where they ask you to confirm if your name is so and so). It was a little surprising to see that, but I guess my test resumed from the point where it had previously got stuck. I opened the chat (to see if there were any remarks from the proctor) but the chat was exactly the same as before. So, without speaking to the proctor any further, I just continued and started the test. Everything went smoothly after that till I finished.

Do I need to worry about the glitch, or do something, like email them? The video recording would have been broken at the initial point where the laptop was off for a brief 1 minute or so, hence I'm worried. But this happened before the actual test started. I also don't know if the proctor knew this as the chat had no reply to my previous messages of asking help when the screen had frozen. The current status on my mba.com account shows "Delivery Successfully".

Please suggest.

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

27 Aug 2020, 06:32

jprac you cannot do much. Write an email to customer service. They will take 7-10 days to respond.

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

30 Aug 2020, 18:53

I started my exam. Completed the quants and verbal section. While moving on to verbal, there was an technical issue and ultimately my exam was revoked. The proctor gave me a case id and asked me to connect to their customer care. What are the steps ahead? How do I inform the GMAC about this. Will I be able to take the test again? Any idea?

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

31 Aug 2020, 00:17

I had my exam scheduled today @ 9.15 am 31st August.

I've logged into my Computer at 9 am for the check-in process. After uploading photos of myself, Photo ID, and of the test environment, I was directed to the penultimate screen saying you are almost done with the check-in process . After a few mins, my proctor contacted me via Chat saying that "I'm unable to see your video stream, Kindly check if Firewall and VPN are turned off. If that doesn't work kindly quit and reopen your application"

I have done the same, and the problem still persists. So the proctor has asked to use a different computer. So I have tried it on my 2nd personal computer
(My 1st attempt was on Windows PC with internet connection via LAN)

Now my second attempt was on Macbook connected via Wifi. I still faced the issue. Not once, but twice. So they have given me an option to reschedule, so I have rescheduled it to tomorrow 7.45 am Sept 1st

Hope I will be able to give the exam tomorrow without any hurdles

I still wonder where exactly the issue was. I'm pretty sure that there are no issues with my Net connection (100mbps up/down) or with my computers (System test was done on these computers a week back prior to the exam)

Suggestions from anyone, on what else I need to check or can do prior to the exam to avoid the above-stated issues.

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

31 Aug 2020, 09:56

Megablaziken wrote:

I started my exam. Completed the quants and verbal section. While moving on to verbal, there was an technical issue and ultimately my exam was revoked. The proctor gave me a case id and asked me to connect to their customer care. What are the steps ahead? How do I inform the GMAC about this. Will I be able to take the test again? Any idea?

Posted from my mobile device

the same thing happened with me as well that too for the second time

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juliahamm24

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

26 Sep 2020, 13:26

Hello,
Has anyone had an issue with the test not launching during the scheduled time? The "Begin Exam" button never populated for me. I even rescheduled my exam after this happened the first time hoping it would work during the next time slot, however it still never populated.
Where "Begin Exam" should have been, it said "Why can't I begin my exam?". When I clicked on this it listed out 4 reasons that were not applicable (Exam Completed, Not within testing window, Future Exam, Exam no longer available).
No one seemed to be available to help resolve this issue. I will be emailing in regards to this shortly.

Thanks,
Julia

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KevinMaloneSr

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

30 Sep 2020, 07:35

Hey - has anyone figured out a solution to when the proctor is not able to see your video? It happened to me today, and I am trying to find a potential solution before booking another exam - thanks in advance for the help

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KevinMaloneSr

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

30 Sep 2020, 07:39

SairamRamo wrote:

I had my exam scheduled today @ 9.15 am 31st August.

I've logged into my Computer at 9 am for the check-in process. After uploading photos of myself, Photo ID, and of the test environment, I was directed to the penultimate screen saying you are almost done with the check-in process . After a few mins, my proctor contacted me via Chat saying that "I'm unable to see your video stream, Kindly check if Firewall and VPN are turned off. If that doesn't work kindly quit and reopen your application"

I have done the same, and the problem still persists. So the proctor has asked to use a different computer. So I have tried it on my 2nd personal computer
(My 1st attempt was on Windows PC with internet connection via LAN)

Now my second attempt was on Macbook connected via Wifi. I still faced the issue. Not once, but twice. So they have given me an option to reschedule, so I have rescheduled it to tomorrow 7.45 am Sept 1st

Hope I will be able to give the exam tomorrow without any hurdles

I still wonder where exactly the issue was. I'm pretty sure that there are no issues with my Net connection (100mbps up/down) or with my computers (System test was done on these computers a week back prior to the exam)

Suggestions from anyone, on what else I need to check or can do prior to the exam to avoid the above-stated issues.

Figured out a solution yet? I faced the same issue today

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KevinMaloneSr

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

30 Sep 2020, 07:50

pabpinor wrote:

Hi all,

As we are facing the challenges of this new Online GMAT experience lets collect here the issues we encounter and their solutions (if any).

1.- Registration block, 2 weeks from the current date (Solved, extra capacity added)

2.- Vouchers not available for the Online GMAT (Pending, expected by May, not specific ETA yet)

3.- Black screen with video down during the exam (Being addressed, no ETA yet)

4.- Exam not launching (Being addressed, seems an issue on the verification step by PearsonVUE)

5.- Black screen after submitting photos and the exam status in mba.com (Refunded and allowed to take again the test 20 days later)

6.- Technical difficulties that lag the exam (Already rescheduled)

If you encounter other issues, post them here so we can have a better understanding of the situation.

If you have not done it, contact GMAC customer service about your issue, from experience I would say that the website form does not work at all, so send a detailed email to customercare@gmac.com (or your regional contact email) so they can take care of it.

Regards,
Pablo

Hey - has anyone found a potential solution to the video not reaching the proctor problem?

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Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

10 Oct 2020, 09:00

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Hi, Monica

Sorry to hear your awful experience. In fact the same issue occurred to me as well during verbal section AND IR section on my 15th, July test. However the pearsonvue and GMAC insisted that there was no technical issue. ( Although, I asked for help for million times to the proctor during the exam, shouting “please someone help me with my system!!”, no one answered. If they have recorded me throughout the test, I cant understand how they could possibly say there was no issue.

Funny thing is they refunded my test fee. ) Anyway after claiming for months, I just gave up. It seems like there is no way but to register one more exam.
I hope at least you get the chance to reschedule the exam.

MonicaAvala wrote:

Completed GMAT Online exam despite technical error that reduced the total exam time. Not receiving any resolution about retest.

I first attempted the GMAT online exam on 2nd May 2020 (when physical whiteboards were not permitted). When their policy changed to allow Physical whiteboards I was given then chance to take the GMAT online exam again (had to pay the exam fees again) under the condition that the score from my second attempt (with physical whiteboard) would be considered only if it is higher than the score from my first attempt. Otherwise, the score from my first attempt would be retained (fair enough).

However, during my second attempt (6th July 2020), I lost a few mins during the quant section due to a technical error where the screen wasn't responding to my cursor movements. I had to restart my exam as directed by the proctor after a lot of waiting, and continue the remainder of the exam in a complete state of panic. It seemed that the timer kept running even as I restarted my system. However, I logged back in and completed the exam (despite lesser than the stipulated time) and got my score which was obviously not satisfactory. I reported to PEARSON VUE (even before I got my scores) asking to allow me a retest since this was a legit technical glitch which affected not only that particular section where I lost time but also my state of mind for the remainder of the exam. Since this was already a second attempt of the exam (a permitted exception by GMAT due to the whiteboard policy change) and since I got my score already, they are unable to arrive at a conclusion regarding my request for a retest.

A. It has been 17 days now and they're not clarifying my request for a retest. As of now I've only been informed that they requested an authorization from GMAC to allow for a retest but they cannot assure it will be approved in my case. The round 1 application deadlines are all in Sept first week and I see myself missing them all thanks to GMAC and PearsonVUE's delayed resolution.

B. They are not commenting about the validity of my current score

C. I don't know if my current score will be nullified if they allow a retest (that's scary, my current score is 710 and I don't want to end up in a scenario where I get less than 700 in the retest and lose my 710 which I rightfully earned with lesser than usual time limit)

Does anyone know what happens to the previous score if a retest is permitted?

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

10 Oct 2020, 11:54

KevinMaloneSr wrote:

Hey - has anyone figured out a solution to when the proctor is not able to see your video? It happened to me today, and I am trying to find a potential solution before booking another exam - thanks in advance for the help

Same thing happened with me in yesterday exam . I need your help in this matter ,what you have done after this problem.

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anshulvnd5

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

10 Oct 2020, 12:55

SairamRamo wrote:

I had my exam scheduled today @ 9.15 am 31st August.

I've logged into my Computer at 9 am for the check-in process. After uploading photos of myself, Photo ID, and of the test environment, I was directed to the penultimate screen saying you are almost done with the check-in process . After a few mins, my proctor contacted me via Chat saying that "I'm unable to see your video stream, Kindly check if Firewall and VPN are turned off. If that doesn't work kindly quit and reopen your application"

I have done the same, and the problem still persists. So the proctor has asked to use a different computer. So I have tried it on my 2nd personal computer
(My 1st attempt was on Windows PC with internet connection via LAN)

Now my second attempt was on Macbook connected via Wifi. I still faced the issue. Not once, but twice. So they have given me an option to reschedule, so I have rescheduled it to tomorrow 7.45 am Sept 1st

Hope I will be able to give the exam tomorrow without any hurdles

I still wonder where exactly the issue was. I'm pretty sure that there are no issues with my Net connection (100mbps up/down) or with my computers (System test was done on these computers a week back prior to the exam)

Suggestions from anyone, on what else I need to check or can do prior to the exam to avoid the above-stated issues.

Was your issue resolved or were you allowed retest???

Posted from my mobile device

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anshulvnd5

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

10 Oct 2020, 12:57

shreyas007 wrote:

MRasita wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I was scheduled to take my online GMAT test on July 9th. After successful system checks (which upon reading from all your experiences, are clearly flawed) and early check in process, while waiting to commence, the proctor said she couldn’t see me a.k.a my webcam isn't transmitting to theirs

So I got rescheduled to next day. July 10th, yesterday. I used a new personal laptop, did all the system checks and made sure I turned off all my firewall & antivirus uninstalled, completed check-in where I took pics of my face, ID, and the room, waited for a while and then a chatbox popped up where the proctor said she couldn’t see me. Interestingly, she mentioned that she has received all of the pictures i sent for the check-in process. But because she couldn't see me, I couldn't begin the exam and had to reschedule.

So Now I’m rescheduled AGAIN to July 14th but how do I make sure this won’t happen again? I tried everything but why won't my camera transmit to proctor? Is using Mac perhaps better than using windows and guaranteed the camera can work?

Proctor deduce two possibilities for next time:
1. Try using a Macbook instead of my windows laptop
2. Something to do with my internet connection? I've done the system checks, internet speed is deemed fine. I also checked my speed and it was 49mbps download, 10 mbps upload. I don't suppose their requirement is just 1mbps, no?
3. During my check-in process, there were about at least 8 different instances where my onVUE app froze and said "You have lost all your internet connection. OnVUE is disabled" and I had to manually turn off the wifi, turn it on again, and that's when the onVUE app works again. But this happened many many times during the check-in process too. I am not certainly not willing to imagine if this is going to be the case when the exam commences.

I've sent emails to their customer care, also did talk to their agent on the live chat feature but the live chat was completely useless. He mentioned there literally was nothing else to do in terms of troubleshooting prior to the system, said I just had to wait if this issue arises again in my next scheduled test. I found this ridiculous.

Please guys, help me on what to do with this. Was it the laptop (bear in mind I have used TWO different laptops)? What else needed to be turned off beside windows firewall defender and antivirus? Was it the internet? I can't imagine facing this the 3rd time again and GMAT is the only thing pending from my B-school decision.

THANK YOU

Hello MRasita,
What happened to July 14th exam? Any success?

I faced the exact same problem twice! The first time, I tried with my 2 windows laptops and the proctor could not launch the test. The second time I borrowed my friend's Mac laptop and the proctor could not see my video feed. Nobody knows what the real problem is. GMAC is clueless about the problem. I tried taking the exam with 2 windows laptops and one mac laptop and failed all three times. The experience was a nightmare! and GMAC or Pearson VUE will not help you at all!
Try taking the exam with a different internet connection (I could not test this one as I do not have any other internet option for my home). Let us know if you succeed.

GMAT system test is useless. It just checks your webcam, mic, and internet speed that's it. It does not actually check if your video feed is able to reach the proctor or not, the part that is actually important to launch the exam.
GMAT Online gave me nightmares literally!

Thanks

This problem of video not reaching , was it resolved, did GMAC gave permission for retest ?

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

25 Oct 2020, 07:13

cmcmurrin wrote:

Just figured I would post this here for others.

Before my exam even started my screen went black and mouse (mac trackpad) became unresponsive. I couldn't chat with the proctor.

I called customer service and was given a case number. I was told they would respond to the case within 3-5 business days.

That was on May 1st in the morning. I still had not heard from them today, so I called again. I was told that I should now receive an email within the next 48 hours.

Update: today I received an email and am able to reschedule for Monday. Glad to finally be back to the races! It's been two weeks since the initial incident.

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

16 Nov 2020, 14:27

I went through the system test successfully, however, it is an extended monitor that I'm using, connected to my laptop via HDMI. Say my laptop's original monitor is broken and I'll have it OFF all the time during the exam, and I'll be using ONLY the extended monitor. Do you guys think it's allowed as such? I've asked this question to the customer service but no one has given me a clear Yes/No answer to my particular question.. I know what the policy says on external devices, but I think this is a special case, could anyone answer that?

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Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

17 Nov 2020, 13:45

Saw some other people posted about this issue on here. Had my GMAT Online scheduled for 2pm today. Logged in around 1:45 and was connected with the online proctor, spoke to her over the computer and showed her my desk, etc. She said she was going to start my exam and I was immediately faced with blank screen with my recording, pearson vue logo, chat, and online whiteboard text box (none of which I was able to click), my Mac also was just pinwheeling the entire time. After 40 minutes I called customer service and was told my proctor created a case number and I would receive an email to reschedule within 1-2 days (which I knew was totally false even before reading this thread). Not expecting that email until at least next week, but I plan on calling their customer service every day to get this handled. It's unbelievable that they're still having such bush league issues like this in November.

gmatclubot

Re: Online GMAT Issues [#permalink]

17 Nov 2020, 13:45