Hi guys!

I want to tell you what happened today at the test centre—a bizarre situation.

I took the GMAT in Milan in a test centre that has been authorized by Pearson Vue 4 months ago. I think that the one I took this morning was the first GMAT test they offered in the test centre since of course here in Italy the pandemic situation has been quite bad from the beginning until now.

I arrived at the test for 1 hour in advance, and I was focused and energetic. I got 770 and 720 in the last two simulations, (the 770 was inflated since I knew 3 questions that I saw on YT/GMATClub) and I felt quite confident.

The test was scheduled at 10.00 am, and I got there 9/9.15. The proctors weren't able to obtain the codes to let us begin the exam, and the exam started 1 hour and 30 minutes delayed (11.30), the situation totally bombed me. I completely lost my focus. We were all distraught.

We haven't been provided with the GMAT erasable notepad guys!! I am not joking! They just gave us one plastic sheet (ONLY ONE), and we have been told to raise our hand after finishing it. WE WERE ALL CRAZY FOR THAT!
The proctors didn't have earplugs with them, and they brought us during the quant section interrupting us while working on the exam and time was going. Of course, after 3 problems (I got a geometry one) I finished my only sheet, and so I raised my hand while wasting too many seconds. The proctor came in 2 minutes, and I was not able to write down anything. At that point, I decided that it was really a horrible situation and I would have lost a total of 10 minutes just continuously asking a new sheet every 5 minutes. We have been provided with rubber, but the desk was not fixed, and so everything was unstable while rubbing the only paper I had.
It goes without saying that there weren't soundproof divisors between us.

At that point, I was sure I was aiming for a 600 at a max of course. I decided to quit and get a 200 to make everything more dramatic with the GMAC. Soon other guys quit.

I am so angry with the test centre, and I've already called the London office which will call me back tomorrow. Same with the US headquarters.

Not only I want a refund but also like to ask for having another exam as soon as possible in another test centre. While we were waiting for the exam to begin, I talked with a guy who has already taken GMAT in another test centre in Milan and told me that everything was fine as it should be.

I haven't read anything like that so far here on the forum, and I would like to know what you think about that.


IF YOU ARE ITALIAN, DON'T TAKE THE EXAM AT "FIRST CONSULTING" in "Valtorti 48"!

At least not now that it was clear they didn't have any experience at all.

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I was very satisfied with the gmat experience. There are 3 things that are important for me when it comes to gmat test: 1. Decorum 2. Infrastructure and 3. Moderator. All the 3 met my expectations
Apart from that, the staff was very polite and approachable.
On #1 Decorum, the management ensured that there is no disturbance . It was in a commercial complex and they had ensured that all the doors were closed to avoid any disturbance
On #2, the class had an AC, proper lights and sanitation facilities. Internet connectivity was also on spot
On #3, the moderator was disciplined and adhered by the rules. Also, ensured that the tests start on time.

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I gave my exam at the pearson center at ashoka estate barakhamba road. The center is highly recommended as the staff are highly professional, polite and courteous. There were no disturbances or issues while i gave the test. The computer hardware is new which sort of helped with streamlining the testing experience. Lockers are available incase you want to keep your phone, backpack etc. There is a washroom and a water cooler at the center. Lastly, the location being in delhi's office hub has adequate amount of parking nearby. Also, it is easy to find and is pretty close to the metro station. Moreover it is correctly tagged in google maps - hence finding the center should not be a problem.

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I took the GMAT on 14th July 2020 at Xavier Research Foundation, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

Even though I managed to sit for my test somehow amidst the pandemic fears and lockdown restrictions, I am deeply disappointed with the test experience. Following are some of the highly unacceptable issues I faced during my exam:

-I took the Verbal Section first and when I had 15 mins (~10 questions) to go, my screen started flickering.
-I lost the exam view and a white washed screen appeared; a dialog box flashed with some Error message and "DISCONNECT" written in the summary of the box.
-I raised my hand for assistance, but did not receive any help from the test center.
-After a few moments the screen came back on its own but then, it blanked again almost immediately. This phenomenon of screen flickering on-off happened to me almost 6-7 times after the first instance and I raised my hand for assistance every time. It was as if someone was turning my screen on and off like we do with a fan switch.
-I got quite disturbed by this ongoing interruption, but since nobody came to assist me (despite my hand in the air multiple times) and time was less, I had no option but to finish the verbal section with the continuously interrupted screen somehow.
-There were 2 proctors at the center but none of them were present to help me when I had raised my hand.
-During the break, I physically sought out the proctors for help and told them about my issues. They admitted they were engaged elsewhere (another candidate at the center had technical issues with his system and the proctors were busy with that candidate). Then, one of the proctors came to my screen and fixed a cable behind my monitor and told me that the problem should not occur now. Trusting him, I proceeded with the Quantitative section. The problem with the screen did not happen to me again but I had already lost valuable time and peace of mind during the Verbal Section.
-This is also clearly visible in my score report (while I had average performance in other sections, I clearly had a below average performance in Verbal). Even judging by the ESR analysis, I had strong Section I, II in Verbal part but a poor Section III (when the problem with screen started) and a horrible Section IV.

I have written to GMAC and urged them to go ahead and verify my story from the record of CCTV cameras (which will show I did not receive help despite repeated attempts to call for proctor's attention) or check the error log of my exam appointment (which should show how my screen blanked out).

I believe my problem could have been fixed immediately if Pearson Vue staff were more attentive or professional.

I am still waiting to hear back from GMAC / Pearson Vue as I have requested them consider my case and allow me to reschedule another exam attempt soon without any fee since my first attempt turned out to be a disaster due to Pearson Vue's Negligence.
I have lost all hopes of a professional behavior from Xavier College's Pearson Vue.

Side Note : Not just the screen issue, the place itself is too poorly maintained. The AC was not working. There were labor workers right outside the test room who were using heavy machinery, and producing too much noise. We requested Pearson Vue to ask the workers to stop making noise but Pearson staff point-blank refused to help. The workers were good people though and we approached them directly and asked them not to work until we finish our exam, to which they obliged.

This is an extremely poor center and I would not recommend it to anyone.

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Range hill centre is not good, systems are old and noisy, traffic sounds are also disturbing.
Try considering WTC centre, that is way better but has less no of dates available.
Knowing the nearby surrounding, the infra is easily accessible and has the peaceful feel to it, apt to give the test.

All the best. Hope this was helpful

Range hill center has had several complaints on test centre staff amd no response on breaks too. Please be careful in picking dates and centre. It is really a demotion If the test centre is not comfortable or doesn’t have test taking ambience

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The test center is an excellent choice.

Proctors:
- Professional, explained the rules/ regulations very clearly.
- They did not interfere during the exam. Requests for additional test sheets/ markers were promptly met
- The ID testing was smooth and methodical. We are first asked to provide our passports, then sit for a photo and then scan our palms

Test Center Facilities:
- Clean, hygienic
- The testing room had well-spaced systems, was sufficiently lit, and had no external disturbances
- The lockers provided were spacious and clean
- Washrooms could have been cleaner.

Overall:
- The computer worked perfectly fine. The keyboard was a bit clacky
- headphones were provided - they were of great help

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The overall experience was great.
I reached my test center early by 45 mins. They completed all the official work including the palm scanning and locker in just 10 mins.

I was given ample time to sit down and calm myself. Once I was ready I could proceed for my test as per my convenience. Since I was early and was ready, I was allowed to start my exam 10 mins early.

I was allowed to carry a light jacket in the room and kept all my belongings outside. The room was pretty quiet and testing conditions were also good.

I did not face any glitches or issues my computer setup. I was provided with a clean scratchpad and pens.

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This GMAT test center is easy to locate as it's just opposite to the passport office. It is quite peaceful and organized. Staff present at the premises are supportive and provides proper instructions at all times after you enter the premise until you leave. The Center has proper facilities and the restrooms are fine. During the exam, you just have to raise hands for changing the erasable writing pad once completely filled, they will be there to change instantly. You won't have to wait for it.
People writing the exam in Bangalore, I would highly recommend this center to you.

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I took my test 3 years ago and this is a review about the test center. I guess the best thing is the silence they maintain. Sometimes it becomes an issue because you have a technical glitch and you can't speak up. They also have water and lockers outside so we don't have to go outside. There is a washroom close by in case you need to use the facilities. It is not that clean though. One thing we must remember is that the breaks automatically end once the time is over. The camera is recording everything, this can make you feel a little intimidated. The calculator is a bit tough to use, hence try to make some calculations on paper.

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Toronto test center had friendly and professional staff. Had no issues at all. Building was easy to find. Lockers were available for us to store our stuff.

I forgot my coffee mug and they saved it for me. I picked it up several days later and they even washed it for me.

Very nice test center. I would recommend going here. the computers were a bit outdated and I could see other testtakers in the room. But noise cancelling headphones were provided. I was also not given proper markers but i did not panic. it just took me longer to write but still managed to finish on time. So no complaints.

would retake the test here.

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