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05 Jan 2021, 16:26
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Hi everyone!! I have been part of Gmatclub for a while, but have mostly used it to do practice questions or read about other people’s success stories or questions I also had. So, for those of you who don’t know me, hi, I’m Sofia. I wanted to take the opportunity to share my attempted/failed online GMAT experience and ask for advice on how to prevent any technical problems from happening in the future again. By the way, I hope most of you have been able to take your GMAT without any problems, and if you have the chance to take it at an actual test center, I personally recommend doing so! The online GMAT is extremely stressful in many cases.
Online GMAT experience
So, I thought that first I would describe what exactly happened to me on the 4th of January 2021 when I tried to take my online GMAT. Prior to my online GMAT appointment, of course I did a System Test to make sure that my Macbook could be used for the exam and the test was successful. During the exam day, I checked in 30 minutes before the start of the online GMAT and once I reached the final stage waiting for a proctor to launch my exam, it turns out that the proctor (Eva) was not able to see my video streaming. I told her that my Firewall, and VPN were both off and that I had allowed camera access to OnVUE in Settings. However, even though I could see myself recording, Eva was still not able to see me. This same problem happened already last time when I took the online GMAT for the first time and the proctor was actually able to somehow fix the issue and see my video. However, this time, the tech issue could not be fixed. As such, she created a “case” for me and told me to contact a certain number (customer support).
Customer service told me that it would take 7 DAYS to look over my case. At that point, I almost lost it but I stayed calm. I tried launching the exam again and this time I got a new proctor, who again, could not see my video and was overall very unhelpful. He kept telling me to just restart it and was not even trying to help me. Lastly, I spoke to a third one who kept ignoring all my concerns and suggestions. I finally tried to give access to OnVUE to control my computer. I thought that by doing so, they could get a technician or just one of the proctors to look over my computer to figure out what was wrong but at that point, he CLOSED my exam. I was really mad at that point because I realized that there was nothing more I could do and that I would not be able to take my exam that day.
How do I fix and prevent this same technical issue from happening again?
So, that was my experience. Pretty awful honestly
. Unfortunately, I still have to reschedule my next exam but I want to make sure that for next time, something like this does not happen again. Now, I was wondering if anyone experienced a similar issue and if anyone could shed some insight into how to identify and prevent this same problem from happening again next time I take the test.
For context, this is the computer and OS I used:
Computer: Macbook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
Computer version: 10.15.3 (macOS Catalina)
Browser: Chrome
Prior to taking the test, I performed a System Test and it was successful. Moreover, I allowed OnVUE access to my camera. Even though the System Test was successful and I permitted camera access to OnVUE my video was still not streaming properly. Basically, I could see myself recording but the proctor was not able to (the video streaming did not seem to “reach them”).
I apologize if this post is quite long but I would massively appreciate any help. Specifically, if anyone has any answers to the following questions, I would be extremely grateful:
1) Are Macbooks more likely to experience these problems due to privacy settings?
2) On Friday, I am going to purchase a new laptop (mine is old anyways), is anyone who is good with computers able to suggest which computer would be best to purchase?
3) For anyone who actually successfully completed the GMAT online, what computers did you choose? And which Windows/Mac version?
4) Does anyone know how to successfully check prior to the exam that my video will be streaming and the proctor will ACTUALLY be able to see me?
Thank you in advance for any help!
Online GMAT experience
So, I thought that first I would describe what exactly happened to me on the 4th of January 2021 when I tried to take my online GMAT. Prior to my online GMAT appointment, of course I did a System Test to make sure that my Macbook could be used for the exam and the test was successful. During the exam day, I checked in 30 minutes before the start of the online GMAT and once I reached the final stage waiting for a proctor to launch my exam, it turns out that the proctor (Eva) was not able to see my video streaming. I told her that my Firewall, and VPN were both off and that I had allowed camera access to OnVUE in Settings. However, even though I could see myself recording, Eva was still not able to see me. This same problem happened already last time when I took the online GMAT for the first time and the proctor was actually able to somehow fix the issue and see my video. However, this time, the tech issue could not be fixed. As such, she created a “case” for me and told me to contact a certain number (customer support).
Customer service told me that it would take 7 DAYS to look over my case. At that point, I almost lost it but I stayed calm. I tried launching the exam again and this time I got a new proctor, who again, could not see my video and was overall very unhelpful. He kept telling me to just restart it and was not even trying to help me. Lastly, I spoke to a third one who kept ignoring all my concerns and suggestions. I finally tried to give access to OnVUE to control my computer. I thought that by doing so, they could get a technician or just one of the proctors to look over my computer to figure out what was wrong but at that point, he CLOSED my exam. I was really mad at that point because I realized that there was nothing more I could do and that I would not be able to take my exam that day.
How do I fix and prevent this same technical issue from happening again?
So, that was my experience. Pretty awful honestly
. Unfortunately, I still have to reschedule my next exam but I want to make sure that for next time, something like this does not happen again. Now, I was wondering if anyone experienced a similar issue and if anyone could shed some insight into how to identify and prevent this same problem from happening again next time I take the test. For context, this is the computer and OS I used:
Computer: Macbook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
Computer version: 10.15.3 (macOS Catalina)
Browser: Chrome
Prior to taking the test, I performed a System Test and it was successful. Moreover, I allowed OnVUE access to my camera. Even though the System Test was successful and I permitted camera access to OnVUE my video was still not streaming properly. Basically, I could see myself recording but the proctor was not able to (the video streaming did not seem to “reach them”).
I apologize if this post is quite long but I would massively appreciate any help. Specifically, if anyone has any answers to the following questions, I would be extremely grateful:
1) Are Macbooks more likely to experience these problems due to privacy settings?
2) On Friday, I am going to purchase a new laptop (mine is old anyways), is anyone who is good with computers able to suggest which computer would be best to purchase?
3) For anyone who actually successfully completed the GMAT online, what computers did you choose? And which Windows/Mac version?
4) Does anyone know how to successfully check prior to the exam that my video will be streaming and the proctor will ACTUALLY be able to see me?
Thank you in advance for any help!
05 Jan 2021, 17:33
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Bookmarks
Sorry to hear about your gmat experience.
Several people have reported a few minor issues while taking the GMAT on a Mac. Nobody quite had the issues you were describing. Or at least nobody referred to them. I would hope that you wouldn’t have to purchase another computer just to take the GMAT but if you were going to anyway then that works.
I would potentially use Safari as your browser since it’s more native to Mac. Does GMAT allow/work with Safari?
Alternatively you could download and install a free version of Windows on your MacBook using Boot Camp which is a native tool with an macOS and you can easily see the instructions to do that. You don’t technically need another computer. Even if you want to use the windows.
They will most likely require you to wait for 15 days to retake her GMAT. I hope that works for you.
As to to a computer to choose, that’s tricky... again, I don’t think you really have to buy a computer to take the gym at. I think you could have a few potential options but if you were buying one, figure out if you want to get a Mac or Windows laptop. If it’s a Mac, that it’s an easy choice. If it’s a Windows, decide what needs you have and then base your purchase on that.
PS. Sorry I am not much help with streaming check.
Posted from my mobile device
Several people have reported a few minor issues while taking the GMAT on a Mac. Nobody quite had the issues you were describing. Or at least nobody referred to them. I would hope that you wouldn’t have to purchase another computer just to take the GMAT but if you were going to anyway then that works.
I would potentially use Safari as your browser since it’s more native to Mac. Does GMAT allow/work with Safari?
Alternatively you could download and install a free version of Windows on your MacBook using Boot Camp which is a native tool with an macOS and you can easily see the instructions to do that. You don’t technically need another computer. Even if you want to use the windows.
They will most likely require you to wait for 15 days to retake her GMAT. I hope that works for you.
As to to a computer to choose, that’s tricky... again, I don’t think you really have to buy a computer to take the gym at. I think you could have a few potential options but if you were buying one, figure out if you want to get a Mac or Windows laptop. If it’s a Mac, that it’s an easy choice. If it’s a Windows, decide what needs you have and then base your purchase on that.
PS. Sorry I am not much help with streaming check.
Posted from my mobile device
06 Jan 2021, 06:37
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Hi bb, thanks for the response.
I think quite a few people had these issues but because there were so few, they might have gone unnoticed
. No worries, I am not purchasing a new laptop solely to take the GMAT. I have been meaning to get a new one for a while and I thought that since I'm buying a new one, I wanted to try to get one that might be better suited to the online gmat software.
The browser is not actually an issue apparently. Particularly, since the online gmat is taken in the onVUE software, picking one specific browser won't make a difference.
I realize this is a very specific issue so there might not people that know how to help, so thank you anyways.
For anyone who is wondering: you don't have to wait 15 days to retake the GMAT if something like this happens because in these situations, your GMAT gets cancelled and it's as if you never took it in the first place, so you can reschedule whenever you want.
But yeah, if anyone knows how to fix/check the streaming issue, and can advice any computers, please let me know!
I think quite a few people had these issues but because there were so few, they might have gone unnoticed
. No worries, I am not purchasing a new laptop solely to take the GMAT. I have been meaning to get a new one for a while and I thought that since I'm buying a new one, I wanted to try to get one that might be better suited to the online gmat software. The browser is not actually an issue apparently. Particularly, since the online gmat is taken in the onVUE software, picking one specific browser won't make a difference.
I realize this is a very specific issue so there might not people that know how to help, so thank you anyways.
For anyone who is wondering: you don't have to wait 15 days to retake the GMAT if something like this happens because in these situations, your GMAT gets cancelled and it's as if you never took it in the first place, so you can reschedule whenever you want.
But yeah, if anyone knows how to fix/check the streaming issue, and can advice any computers, please let me know!
