Kunal8196 wrote:
My exam was scheduled for 6/28, 6 p.m. IST. Following is the torture that lasted for almost 4.5 hours: (please excuse the grammar/spelling mistakes as I have just vented out and explained the exact sequence of events. Also, these are all facts and exactly how things happened, nothing has been exaggerated)
The exam started smoothly. I logged in on time and the invigilator (Rahul) also logged in on time.
The system check was complete and good to go. Note that the system check was fine and everything was okay with my internet speed. All parameters were on point, including the secure browser. This was confirmed by Rahul as well. Also note, I was able to communicate smoothly with Rahul via GoTo meeting and there was no lag at all.
I started with the Quant section. While doing the questions, there was a lag that I was facing. I used to click on the answer but the response time was quite bad (taking 2-3 sec or multiple clicks to choose an option). I did not complain though and continued. However when there were around 33 minutes remaining, I faced a technical glitch. I selected an answer choice, but wasn't able to proceed. When I clicked on "Next", an error popped up saying that I needed to choose an answer before proceeding. I tried selecting some other answer choice and then selecting back my answer choice again, but the issue persisted. Note, all this while, the timer kept running. I tried to call for help, tried to call Rahul, raised my hand and what not, but there was no response. It was a nightmare for me and you out of all the people would realize the impact it has on psychology. I panicked, started sweating and what not, knowing that I am losing precious time.
Then the invigilator responded around the 29 minute and some seconds mark, and very conveniently said , is there any problem. I told him what's happening and he told me that he will pause my test. He paused it around the 29 minutes and some seconds remaining mark. He said "sorry I was busy helping other test takers". I thought there was one to one proctoring and he was there to assist only me. This is not at all acceptable.
He then asked me to restart the system, and I did that. And then told me that the test would resume where he had paused it (29 minute mark). I was annoyed and shocked that because of a system glitch, I lost precious time and now I am not even going to get that time back. I felt this was quite unfair and asked him to restart the exam or give me an option to reschedule it. He said he can't do that and I will have to continue. Imagine the state of mind. I had already given up. The system is pathetic, and has so many glitches. Moreover he was trying to blame it on the fact that I am not close to the router. Now, if the examity system tests were okay before the exam, I have been using the same laptop and internet connection throughout my preparation, for all mocks, then how can the proximity to the router be a problem all of a sudden. If he was able to converse with me properly and we were able to video chat flawlessly before the exam (and even during the exam), then how could my internet possibly be an issue. And just to highlight, the router was not even 10m away from the place where I was sitting, I have been working from home using the same connection and laptop for more than 1.5 years now and I never faced such issues.
Anyway, by this time I had lost 5-6 min approx because of this issue (plus the panic, plus the time lost due to the persistent lag). He suggested that I submit the exam right now and then write to GMAC about the technical glitch. So I decided to at least continue with the exam. The lag persisted, and during each question I lost precious seconds.
Quant ended, I said I desperately need a break after all that has happened. I clicked on take a break, nothing happened. I waited for 4-5 sec and then again clicked on it. Turns out, 2 clicks meant the next option - end break, also got clicked and that meant no break for me.
So I started the Verbal section, and during the first question itself, I lost connection to the test and it crashed. The go to meeting window remained open though, I tried to connect again but no response. Again, he responded after 2 min and said that he will have to restart the exam again. He also suggested that I pick my desk up and move it to the place where the router is placed, something which was not at all possible and even if it was, this was not the time to make these suggestions. This clearly points to the flaws in the Examity system check or a flaw in the software or something because I am quite sure my internet was working well. Same process had to be repeated, he opened the window, launched the exam again and I then continued with the verbal section. Note, during all this 2-3 minutes were again lost. I pleaded that I am just not in the right frame of mind to continue, to which he had the same response, that I will have to submit the exam and then I can take it up with GMAC. I decided to at least finish the exam. The lag became worse during verbal but I sort of got used to it. I accepted the fact that I will have to waste a few seconds on every question trying to select an answer choice. Quite a few times during this section, the window stopped responding (it showed the ESS secure browser not responding) and then again it used to start. Verbal ended, I had to rush through and guess 7-8 questions towards the end.
Now cut to the AWA section, the final nail in the coffin. The lag was so bad, soooo bad that I had to wait for 4-5 seconds to see what I was typing on the screen. It was literally impossible to write anything. I complained again, but he had the usual answers that this is not in his hand, he does not have exam control, Examity is not responsible for it blah blah. I somehow managed to write an incomplete, sub standard essay and submitted the exam.
The score was 640 (V32, Q47) and I felt I could have easily crossed 700 given my strong preparation. This was my first online attempt and a horrific one. I have been preparing for the past 6 months now and don't know what to do as I don't see any slots available in the next 2 months at the center in my city (needless to say the lockdown restrictions are still in place).
I would not recommend the online version to anyone. Reading other reviews as well, I feel it is a fluke, there is a 50-50 chance of things going smoothly, a chance that I will never take in my GMAT journey again.
Sorry to hear about your experience.
I faced the same issue and wrote an email to GMAC two weeks back. But there's no response. It looks like technical glitches are very common in their new enhanced GMAT online version and they are still not taking this seriously.
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28 Jun 2021, 15:44
. The money was transferred by Examity. The entire process took about a month. The status for this online attempt has been updated to technical error on the mba.com profile page.
