Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Apr 2610:00 AM EDT
-11:00 AM EDT
The Target Test Prep course represents a quantum leap forward in GMAT preparation, a radical reinterpretation of the way that students should study. Try before you buy with a 5-day, full-access trial of the course for FREE!
Apr 2601:30 AM EDT
-02:30 AM EDT
Learn how Keshav, a Chartered Accountant, scored an impressive 705 on GMAT in just 30 days with GMATWhiz's expert guidance. In this video, he shares preparation tips and strategies that worked for him, including the mock, time management, and more.
Apr 2711:00 AM EDT
-12:00 PM EDT
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
-11:00 AM PDT
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.
Apr 2912:30 AM EDT
-01:30 AM EDT
Learn how Kamakshi achieved a GMAT 675 with an impressive 96th %ile in Data Insights. Discover the unique methods and exam strategies that helped her excel in DI along with other sections for a balanced and high score.
May 0111:00 AM PDT
-12:00 PM PDT
Free- full-length test + 15 concept videos + 150+ short videos + study plan!
10 Jun 2024, 10:18
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hello everyone,
first off, I do not hold any grudges as I did end up getting accepted to my favored Master's program even despite my bad experience with the GMAT, so this "hit piece" does not stem from a frustrated declined student.
My GMAT study journey was long and taxing, but I must say TTP was an excellent source to prepare!
So, after preparing on/off for about one year I decided to take the GMAT. One day prior to it I unfortunately caught the flu and tried to cancel/reschedule it. The GMAC support team briefly told me that was not possible. --> -265 US$
About three weeks later I booked the exam again. For some reason, in the confirmation email the timezone was not correct, the test time said 12:30am instead of 12:30pm. I immediately contacted customer support about the issue, but they quite literally said "We do not care, you are responsible, you need to pay." As I had no other choice, since applications were due, I paid the reschedule fee of 160 US$.
On test day, I had prepared everything but I made one crucial mistake. To the online GMAT Focus exam I brought the yellow-grid line paper that I got from Manhattan Prep, which apparently is only used in the in-person exam. The proctor said he doesn't accept it. I know it is my responsibility to read the instructions carefully prior to the exam, but even when I told him I could remove the yellow sheet, so it would be a transparent laminated sheet, he declined. I talked to his manager and we agreed on me looking for an adequate alternative within 15 minutes. I found something that met all requirements: an eraseable whiteboard in the right size. She said that works, but she needs to get back to GMAC via email. Of course GMAC doesn't respond within a few minutes, so they got back to me said "Sir we don't hear back from them, the exam is cancelled, bye." I literally couldn't even say good bye.
Now, since, in the end, I met all requirements for the test and the exam was canceled due to the support team's delay or the proctor's lack of training, I reached out to GMAT to kindly reschedule the exam. They again gave me a standard response in the sense of "This is the students' responsibility, the matter is closed." Once again -265$. Once again money wasted. A bit frustrated I replied that I do not accept a standard response, I would like to have someone seriously look at the matter and explain me how they can refute my eligibility to take the test despite meeting all criteria within the given time. Not to mention that application dates were closing and the GMAT was just super necessary for me to take.
Following this email I got a reply by the customer support that shocked me. They told me to never message them again and that further emails by me will be ignored and that no one will take on my matters anymore.
So here comes my issue: I don't mean to be xenophobic or racist, but in my opinion outsourcing the proctoring of the GMAT and the customer support, so that no direct contact with anyone responsible from GMAC is possible is atrocious. From the proctor to the manager to the customer support on the phone or on the mail were all Indians. That does not mean Indians can't be good to interact with but it is a fact that GMAC outsources these processes to save money. Then why do we pay such enormous amounts for these tests or a 160$ reschedule fee if they choose the cheapest way out and a customer support that even curses you out if you have a serious inquiry?
In the end, I had no other choice to again take the test which brought me to costs of 955 US$, only to take the test once. I know this is partially my fault, but given that this is a test required by more or less all universities and GMAC has a monopole, I think customer support should be improved tremendously and the test should be made not for profit. Instead, a company should be selected that only covers their costs with the test fee, maybe that is the case for the GRE, I have heard it is a bit better in that regard.
first off, I do not hold any grudges as I did end up getting accepted to my favored Master's program even despite my bad experience with the GMAT, so this "hit piece" does not stem from a frustrated declined student.
My GMAT study journey was long and taxing, but I must say TTP was an excellent source to prepare!
So, after preparing on/off for about one year I decided to take the GMAT. One day prior to it I unfortunately caught the flu and tried to cancel/reschedule it. The GMAC support team briefly told me that was not possible. --> -265 US$
About three weeks later I booked the exam again. For some reason, in the confirmation email the timezone was not correct, the test time said 12:30am instead of 12:30pm. I immediately contacted customer support about the issue, but they quite literally said "We do not care, you are responsible, you need to pay." As I had no other choice, since applications were due, I paid the reschedule fee of 160 US$.
On test day, I had prepared everything but I made one crucial mistake. To the online GMAT Focus exam I brought the yellow-grid line paper that I got from Manhattan Prep, which apparently is only used in the in-person exam. The proctor said he doesn't accept it. I know it is my responsibility to read the instructions carefully prior to the exam, but even when I told him I could remove the yellow sheet, so it would be a transparent laminated sheet, he declined. I talked to his manager and we agreed on me looking for an adequate alternative within 15 minutes. I found something that met all requirements: an eraseable whiteboard in the right size. She said that works, but she needs to get back to GMAC via email. Of course GMAC doesn't respond within a few minutes, so they got back to me said "Sir we don't hear back from them, the exam is cancelled, bye." I literally couldn't even say good bye.
Now, since, in the end, I met all requirements for the test and the exam was canceled due to the support team's delay or the proctor's lack of training, I reached out to GMAT to kindly reschedule the exam. They again gave me a standard response in the sense of "This is the students' responsibility, the matter is closed." Once again -265$. Once again money wasted. A bit frustrated I replied that I do not accept a standard response, I would like to have someone seriously look at the matter and explain me how they can refute my eligibility to take the test despite meeting all criteria within the given time. Not to mention that application dates were closing and the GMAT was just super necessary for me to take.
Following this email I got a reply by the customer support that shocked me. They told me to never message them again and that further emails by me will be ignored and that no one will take on my matters anymore.
So here comes my issue: I don't mean to be xenophobic or racist, but in my opinion outsourcing the proctoring of the GMAT and the customer support, so that no direct contact with anyone responsible from GMAC is possible is atrocious. From the proctor to the manager to the customer support on the phone or on the mail were all Indians. That does not mean Indians can't be good to interact with but it is a fact that GMAC outsources these processes to save money. Then why do we pay such enormous amounts for these tests or a 160$ reschedule fee if they choose the cheapest way out and a customer support that even curses you out if you have a serious inquiry?
In the end, I had no other choice to again take the test which brought me to costs of 955 US$, only to take the test once. I know this is partially my fault, but given that this is a test required by more or less all universities and GMAC has a monopole, I think customer support should be improved tremendously and the test should be made not for profit. Instead, a company should be selected that only covers their costs with the test fee, maybe that is the case for the GRE, I have heard it is a bit better in that regard.
10 Jun 2024, 11:05
Kudos
Bookmarks
Indeed, GMAT and GRE customer service is atrocious. Meanwhile, they seem to want to maximize the number of people who take their tests, but they don't seem to get that providing good customer service is one way to do so.
It's good that you ended up succeeding in any case.
It's good that you ended up succeeding in any case.
Moderator:
