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Apr 2512:30 AM EDT
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At one point, she believed GMAT wasn’t for her. After scoring 595, self-doubt crept in and she questioned her potential. But instead of quitting, she made the right strategic changes. The result? A remarkable comeback to 695. Check out how Saakshi did it.
Apr 2610:00 AM EDT
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Apr 2711:00 AM EDT
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Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors
Apr 2808:00 AM PDT
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Whether you are just beginning your MBA journey or fine-tuning your path to a 700+ score, GMAT Day is designed to give you a competitive edge.
05 Jul 2021, 13:47
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I had my GMAT Online exam scheduled yesterday at 12 pm, but it got canceled due to technical difficulties with my desktop equipment. I logged on 15 minutes early for the exam with everything set up, but my proctor did not arrive until 2 minutes before my scheduled time. I use an old Canon DSLR as a webcam via a virtual capture card (EOS Webcam utility) and a gaming headset as a microphone (I do not need to wear the headset as I have external speakers as well). In the test policies, it says you are not allowed to have headphones on the desk or within arms reach, so I put them off the side far enough that I could not reach them but close enough that it could still hear me. Unfortunately, I was unintelligent enough to not foresee the problems ahead.
Problem #1: My webcam, despite working on every other software I tried it on (Skype, OBS Studio, Google Meets, webcamtests) failed to connect to their GoToMeetings application. After 10 minutes of working with the proctor and technical support, I was advised to switch to Zoom. This worked perfectly fine.
Problem #2: I was told I could not have access to headphones, which I was aware of so my headphones were out of reach and behind my desk. The proctor then told me I had to unplug my headphones...but my headphones are my mic??? She told me to hold on while she discussed with her supervisor. In a panic, I asked, "does this cut into my test time?". She said it did not, and the exam only starts when she hits the button. After 20 minutes of going back and forth with myself and her supervisor, it was determined that the headphones could not be plugged in. Now I have no mic. Time for plan B. I asked her if I could switch to a laptop with a built-in mic and webcam, to which she agreed.
Problem #3: I hurriedly ran to get everything set up on the laptop and she tried to assure me by saying "TAKE YOUR TIME." Ignoring her advice, I rushed to get everything set up. I got the laptop ready, cleared my desk of my desktop equipment, and logged onto the applications in 5 minutes. It's 12:35. Let's do this thing.
Me: "Ok I'm all set, please start the exam."
Proctor: "Because you are past the 30-minute window after your scheduled time slot, I am unable to start the exam, you will have to reschedule your exam for another time."
Me: "...what 30-minute window? You said the exam would start only when you started it?"
Proctor: "Unfortunately there is nothing I can do."
The end. 300 dollars and 2 weeks of intense ramp-up preparation wasted. I am trying to appeal for a refund because, despite the issues with my hardware, I feel like I was misinformed about headphone mics and having my exam canceled after 30 minutes of setup.
In hindsight, after seeing a bunch of posts from people saying that they got folded by the online exam despite high practice exams, it may be a sign that I should do it offline. Regardless, I have ordered a proper webcam with a built-in mic should I choose to try the online exam again in a few weeks. I read on gmat club that someone got disqualified as a result of his laptop webcam not showing his desk and his face at the same time. So I believe that an external webcam that can survey a wide-angle is best.
TLDR: In attempting to do the online exam using a DLSR webcam and a mic that is attached to a headset, I hit so many technical speed bumps that my exam got canceled and I lost 300 dollars. Get a webcam with a mic to save yourself from this pain.
Problem #1: My webcam, despite working on every other software I tried it on (Skype, OBS Studio, Google Meets, webcamtests) failed to connect to their GoToMeetings application. After 10 minutes of working with the proctor and technical support, I was advised to switch to Zoom. This worked perfectly fine.
Problem #2: I was told I could not have access to headphones, which I was aware of so my headphones were out of reach and behind my desk. The proctor then told me I had to unplug my headphones...but my headphones are my mic??? She told me to hold on while she discussed with her supervisor. In a panic, I asked, "does this cut into my test time?". She said it did not, and the exam only starts when she hits the button. After 20 minutes of going back and forth with myself and her supervisor, it was determined that the headphones could not be plugged in. Now I have no mic. Time for plan B. I asked her if I could switch to a laptop with a built-in mic and webcam, to which she agreed.
Problem #3: I hurriedly ran to get everything set up on the laptop and she tried to assure me by saying "TAKE YOUR TIME." Ignoring her advice, I rushed to get everything set up. I got the laptop ready, cleared my desk of my desktop equipment, and logged onto the applications in 5 minutes. It's 12:35. Let's do this thing.
Me: "Ok I'm all set, please start the exam."
Proctor: "Because you are past the 30-minute window after your scheduled time slot, I am unable to start the exam, you will have to reschedule your exam for another time."
Me: "...what 30-minute window? You said the exam would start only when you started it?"
Proctor: "Unfortunately there is nothing I can do."
The end. 300 dollars and 2 weeks of intense ramp-up preparation wasted. I am trying to appeal for a refund because, despite the issues with my hardware, I feel like I was misinformed about headphone mics and having my exam canceled after 30 minutes of setup.
In hindsight, after seeing a bunch of posts from people saying that they got folded by the online exam despite high practice exams, it may be a sign that I should do it offline. Regardless, I have ordered a proper webcam with a built-in mic should I choose to try the online exam again in a few weeks. I read on gmat club that someone got disqualified as a result of his laptop webcam not showing his desk and his face at the same time. So I believe that an external webcam that can survey a wide-angle is best.
TLDR: In attempting to do the online exam using a DLSR webcam and a mic that is attached to a headset, I hit so many technical speed bumps that my exam got canceled and I lost 300 dollars. Get a webcam with a mic to save yourself from this pain.
07 Jul 2021, 18:53
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi and thank you for the warning and your post! Really appreciate it. Sorry to hear about the painful experience - that definitely sucks 
P.S. You should not lose money due to tech difficulties. You should get a voucher in about a week with the value of the GMAT that will allow you to rebook your test. You may need to contact GMAC about it but most of the folks get their voucher due to tech difficulties. So, don't book another test quite yet.
P.S. You should not lose money due to tech difficulties. You should get a voucher in about a week with the value of the GMAT that will allow you to rebook your test. You may need to contact GMAC about it but most of the folks get their voucher due to tech difficulties. So, don't book another test quite yet.
08 Jul 2021, 05:53
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thank you, and yes I managed to get a voucher for them! They said that I shouldn't have to wait the 16-day time period so I will test to see if that is true today.
