Schedule issues & Planning - GMAT Online

Question

Hello everyone.

I need some urgent help with my planning!

I've been having some issues with the online exam. I've scheduled to have the exam on a certain date, at a certain hour, but once I try to start my exam, the website says that my exam already started and that I cannot begin (even though I'm 15 minutes ahead of time). I've reported the problem the first time (on the 10th of this month), they've sent me a voucher code, but the same thing happened again yesterday! I've got an email saying they are looking into the matter, but time is of the essence for me. Has this happened to anyone else?

The exam takes a lot of time and I have to ask my boss for the afternoon off. But at the same time, I haven't come clean about my MBA intent yet, and I'd like to keep it that way for now. So this is turning into a problem in that sense too.

The reason for this post is the following: 
What would you suggest me doing next? I want to score as high as possible (obviously), but time is running out and I need to advance with other things required for my postulation (my objective is the second round, beginning of January). I try to do some exercises every day to keep the hang of the pacing and don't forget about any learned concepts and tricks. Do you think I should keep doing this until the exam? Or should I start spending more time with the other requirements as well?
Again, I'm aiming for the best GMAT score I can right now, but at the same time, I'm only in the initial phase with the other requirement.

I've appreciated some expert's advice on the matter.

Thanks in advance!

Regards,

Nicolas

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Nicolas,

It's understandable that you would be frustrated by all of this - and I cannot recall if anyone else has reported that specific type of technical issue. The At-home GMAT has had a variety of technical problems (and still does) since it was first introduced last year. If the issue has occurred twice now - and you used the same computer for both attempts - then it's possible that some combination of your operating system, browser, firewall, anti-virus software, etc. might be impacting the functionality of the Exam. Thinking in those terms, do you have any alternatives when it comes to the computer (a friend or family-member's computer, for example) that you might use?

From a studying standpoint, you should certainly continue to put in some study time - although you don't necessarily need to do too much. GMAT skills will 'fade' over time, but you will not likely lose them over the course of a week or two while you wait for a response. As an aside, do you have any reasonable options to take the GMAT at a Test Center?
 
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi NicoBJ,

I'm sorry to hear about what is going on with your online exam. Have you been in touch with the folks at GMAC by just email or have you spoken to anyone over the phone? Also, do you have another computer you could use for the online GMAT?

NicoBJ · Answer

Hi Rich and Scott, and thank you for your help.

I have contacted someone from GMAC by phone yesterday too, and he said they were looking into the matter. 
This would be my second try on the online GMAT, the first one went perfectly. So, I'm not saying that is not possible that my computer has something to do with it, but I believe it's unlikely. I suppose the issue has more to do with the recent time change in the US. Further, the forum may be having a similar issue since I've posted the issue at 14:56 (local time), and the posted time says 15:56.

Taking the test at a center is not an option right now, but if the problem persists I'll consider going somewhere to take it.

Appreciate your help and support.

Nicolas

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi  NicoBJ ,

If I were you, I'd try to take the online GMAT again after a week or so. Then the regular GMAT if the problem persists.

NicoBJ · Answer

Hi  AjiteshArun

You are right. I haven't got any news from GMAC on the matter yet, but I can't wait any longer. So if I can't schedule an online exam next week, I'm going to have to take the regular one.

Thanks for the advice and support.

NicoBJ · Answer

bb   Bunuel   AjiteshArun   ScottTargetTestPrep   EMPOWERgmatRichC

Hi everyone.

Finally, I was able to take the exam yesterday, and I wish I could say it's the end of it.

During the Quant section, the exam shut down. I called the proctor several times with no reply. Wrote in the chatbox with the same result. After some minutes, I started a live chat with Examity. While I was explaining the issue to them, the proctor appeared. He started my exam once again, but several minutes had passed. I asked him about that ( many times ), but again, no reply. I had more questions than minutes left, so I rushed through the rest of the exam.

At the end of the section, another proctor appeared, and I asked him about it. He said he was not aware of my problem and that there was nothing he could do.

I took the 8 min break, and on my return, my original proctor was back. I asked him what happened, and he said that if I'd told him about that at the moment, he could have fixed it... I mean, really?

The final result of my exam was a 690 (under my objective score), with my lowest-ever (including every practice mock) Quant score.

I really don't like complaining, but I feel under these circumstances I had to, so I sent an email explaining what happened to GMAC. About two hours later, I received one from the Test Security Team saying that my test was red-flagged and that the resolution would take +20 business days.

I've been calling GMAC all day but could not get a hold of them. I read on the website that the exam scores might be canceled even if I had nothing to do with the incident.

This was my second attempt, and further, I can't enroll in the in-person exam for at least 16 days.

My plan was to apply on the second round, but I think those plans went through the drain.

Please, I need some urgent advice! Is there anything I can do? How would you suggest I proceed?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Nicolas,

I'm sorry to hear about these ongoing technical issues - the issues with this latest attempt must heavily add to your frustration. Since it can often take School Admissions Departments weeks (or even months) to determine who to invite to attend School, those groups are sometimes 'flexible' with their application requirements (meaning that as long as you have the rest of your application in on time, the School might be willing to 'wait' for your Official Score). Obviously, this is something that varies from Program to Program - but I suggest that you reach out to the Schools in question and explain your situation. This could potentially give you the additional time that you need to retake the GMAT (if needed) - as it's also possible that your 690 would be a strong-enough Score (so a retest wouldn't necessarily be a must).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

bb · Answer

Sorry about the totally a noxious situation that cost $250.

I think you should report the situation and bring it to GMAC’s attention. It is unacceptable.

I would take your story and make it sound very very professional and take out emotions out of it and send it to GMAT to see if they would give you a free retake. Chances are not high but perhaps they would feel guilty enough.

Meanwhile, sounds like he will be retaking to get a more adequate score, I would keep yourself engaged and mentally prepared.

PS. I am not sure that the two are related and probably the inconsistency of the test was flagged.

PS. Why are you not able to take the in person test? You can take it tomorrow

Posted from my mobile device

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi  NicoBJ ,

690 is a good score, so at least there's that.

1. I think it's good they flagged your test for review. Hopefully, they'll see that you didn't do anything wrong and that the test did not work well for you. And if they can see that, they'll most likely offer you a refund or a free retake.

2. Why do you say that you can't schedule a test-center test for another 16 days? The online GMAT and the regular GMAT run on entirely different systems, as far as I know. As bb mentioned, you should be able to schedule an appointment for the regular GMAT.

Take the regular GMAT when you can, before your earliest deadline. If that isn't possible, get in touch with your target schools and let them know that you may need to update your GMAT score once you take the regular GMAT.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

HI NicoBJ,

I see it's been almost a week since your online GMAT. Did you get anything resolved with the folks at GMAC?

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

I try to do some exercises every day to keep the hang of the pacing and don't forget about any learned concepts and tricks. Do you think I should keep doing this until the exam?

Probably fair to say you don't want to let your skills rust. Consider including a bit of gmat prep everyday - even it's just a small bit (perhaps a SC or two before breakfast).

5 Quick Verbal tips:

https://www.gmatknight.com/post/5-verba ... gmat-tutor

NicoBJ · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC   bb   ScottTargetTestPrep   AjiteshArun   GmatTutorKnight

Hello everyone.

Thanks for your support guys.
I have tried to contact the GMAC: sent an email explaining the situation, and called several times. Sadly I haven't received any reply yet, but the formal notification stating that "...additional quality control steps are sometimes necessary, to ensure the result is accurate and valid". My anxiety does not help, but luckily I've been busy with the MBA Spotlight event.

I've been reading the GMAC Policies, and from what I understood, my last score may be canceled even if I'm not responsible for the incidents. So the worst-case scenario would be to have a Christmas notification saying that I should re-take the exam or accept a refund. 
I've also read in the forum that some people had red flags for entering the wrong answers to the security question. I did miss two attempts, so that could explain the red flag too. 
I agree with  bb . I don't think the red flag is related to my email.

I've been contacting the schools to let them know of my situation and to ask for advice, although without definite solutions yet.

Regarding taking the in-person test, I'm saving that option as a last resource until I have an answer from the schools. The main reasons for this come down to 4 factors:
Location: I have to travel to take the exam.
Health-related concerns.
Money-Service.
Time: I'm running on a real tight schedule now.

Once again, thanks guys for the support. I'll keep you posted.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Thank you for the update. And yes, keep us updated.

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