Terrible Test Center Experience

Question

Hi everyone,

Has anyone taken the GMAT online test recently? Is it still plagued with issues?

I took the GMAT at a test center today but one of the proctors ruined my experienced and took up a lot of my time in Verbal. I've been consistently scoring 38-40 on V but ended up with 31. My markers ran out of ink and I raised my hand for 5 minutes and had to ask for new markets twice. When she came the second time I asked if the markers were new and she said yes and had brought the box over. Then she tried to talk to me when I had earplugs and the headphones on. Took a lot of effort to take everything off and I ended up asking her if I could focus on the exam. The experience (which took place very early in verbal) ruined my rest of the section and made me very distracted and upset. I definitely had to rush through the section as I lost a lot of time.

I took quant first and scored my expected 49. Altogether ended up with 660 when I've been consistently scoring 720 the past few days.

I was advised to take the GMAT online so I don't have this test center mishap again but reading up on the horror stories also sound scary. This was my first time taking the GMAT so I don't have any backup scores and I'm planning on applying to first rounds in the upcoming months. I'm aware sometimes GMAT online takes 20 days to review so that would make my timeline very risky. I'd rather take the test in the comfort of my own home but am afraid I'll encounter issues and won't have a score for applications. My office does have mirrors on one side so I was planning on facing my camera at the mirror so the proctors can see everything in my room so I can't be accused for cheating. Or should I just go to the test center again?

Thanks!

bb · Answer

Oh bummer. Sorry. A test center proctor “helpfully” chats you up during the gmat 🥴

I have not seen too many complaints lately about the GMAT online experience. I think he may still experience very slight lag but it hardly matters really besides being slightly annoying at times.

We haven’t had nightmare experiences besides a few issues with names and people getting denied from taking the test.

So I would say go for it. You will have to wait for 16 days…

Posted from my mobile device

vipkhare · Answer

Hi  bb

You have mentioned above "You will have to wait for 16 days".

Does that mean between any 2 tests taken at test center there has to be a gap of atleast 16 days ?

bb · Answer

Yes. They changed the rules a few months ago. 16 days between any 2 tests regardless of format

Posted from my mobile device

helpmestudy · Answer

Yes that's the official policy. I was thinking of taking the GMAT online ASAP but it's not showing me availability until September 3rd... which is exactly 16 days from today. But since they are different formats, I shouldn't be subject to this 16 day waiting period. I even checked on my friend's account and there is earlier availability but I'm just being blocked from it. What's even odder is that if I try to reschedule GMAT test center, it's showing me availability before the 16 day waiting period.

vipkhare · Answer

Hi  bb   helpmestudy

Last time when I also gave the exam the ink of the marker dried up and I asked for the marker from the proctor.
Though he gave me the marker but mentioned that every time I use the marker I have to close it and open it again when required.

But doing this will waste time especially on quant section.
For eg after reading 1st question I will open the marker solve the question and then close the marker. Then after reading the 2nd question I will open it again and after solving I will close it again. How on earth this is possible as it will waste tons of time.

Any suggestion how to overcome this ?

bb · Answer

Huh. That is surprising they show availability earlier than 16 days away ... but they will cancel if you book it. They also allow booking only 1 test at a time. We have had people book 2 appointments and GMAC canceled one of them.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Consider asking GMAC for a free rescheduling/refund (you may end up with a voucher). Try to mention any indisputable evidence if/when you reach out. If you ultimately decide to take the exam online, keep a spare marker next to your eraser in case your primary one runs out. Fair to say an Online score going into admin review doesn't mean it's definitely going to be cancelled. Admin reviews are, in a sense, common. Had a student for example who went from a 700 to a 760 in about 10 days on a retake. The 760 Online went into review and took about 2-3 weeks to become official. You may need to wait longer between attempts currently.

Might be worth reading some of the recent Share GMAT Experiences from people who have taken the Online to get a sense of the pros and cons.

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