Taking the GMAT at Home?
Here's What You Need to Know COVID-19 Series
The Princeton Review
A few days ago on April 20th, GMAC started offering the option to take the GMAT from
home.
Like so many other exams (including the GRE, LSAT, and even AP exams), the GMAT stopped
being offered at test centers due to Covid-19–related closures.
As of now, it’ll be available in this format until June 15th, but given how the current
public health crisis evolves, that date may get extended.
It’s a bit cheaper to take this online version ($200 instead of $275), and the format is
the same—except there’s no Analytical Writing Assessment.
It’s offered close to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—good news if you’re a night
owl or early bird.
Popular time slots do fill up, but if you register sufficiently in advance, you should
be able to nab your ideal test-taking time.
While you may have flexibility in when you take the test, you won’t have flexibility
in the test itself.
Whereas the in-person GMAT allows test takers to choose from several section orders, the
online test does not.
As teachers and parents have been saying for decades: You get what you get, and you don’t
get upset.
In this case, “what you get” is Quantitative, Verbal, an optional 5-minute break, and then
Integrated Reasoning.
There are also a number of technology requirements you’ll have to satisfy in order to take
the GMAT at home (we’ll put a link to those in the description).
These include—but are definitely not limited to—the need for a laptop or desktop (no
tablets), and for a speaker, microphone, and camera.
You need that camera because, yes, someone will be watching you.
It sounds creepier than it is, folks—you’ll have a remote proctor; and yes, your session
will be recorded.
(They’ll be able to see you, but you won’t be able to see them.)
During the test, you’ll be able to open the proctor chat if you need to (but you won’t
need to unless anything goes wrong).
You can also wave your hand if you need help, as you’ll be watched the entire time.
(Again, it sounds creepier than it is!)
One of the icons you’ll see is the video feed of you taking the test.
You can move this to the left of the screen so that you aren’t staring at yourself taking
your test!
You’ll need to be alone in a well-lit room.
If a family member should walk in—GMAC has not explicitly stated what would happen in
this case, but expect the worst: Your test could be canceled with no refund.
So take advantage of the flexible appointment schedule to choose a day and time when you’re
least likely to be interrupted, and be extremely clear with anyone who lives with you that
you must not be disturbed in any way.
Your desk will also have to
be free of all unapproved items, including books, notepads, and writing instruments.
You can have a clear class of water, but no snacks or gum.
What that means is: You will not be allowed to use scratch paper.
You’ll need to use a virtual whiteboard on the screen.
I know, I know.
That’s a serious pain.
Here’s what you can do to make it less painful: Get a mouse if you don’t already have one,
because a trackpad may be difficult to draw with.
Unfortunately, external writing tablets aren’t permitted, and neither are touchscreens.
(It’s OK if your computer has that functionality, but you won’t be allowed to use it during
the test.)
GMAC has also just posted a practice version of the whiteboard used in the test, so you
can get some reps using it before you sit for the real online GMAT.
After you’ve finished taking the test, you can expect to receive your score about 7 business
later.
Here’s a pro tip.
If you need to send scores to schools immediately, then you should select schools when you register.
However, if you are not on a tight deadline, it’s probably better to wait until you see
your scores.
The GMAT Online scores are separate from the scores earned at test centers.
You can’t cancel them, but you’re also not compelled to send them.
So, if you think you can do better, you may be able to take the GMAT again once the test
centers reopen—and you should then be able to choose which scores to send.
No school need be the wiser about an at-home GMAT score you’re not thrilled about.
If you do opt to send your online GMAT score, know that business schools will know that
you took the GMAT Online rather than in person (there’s no AWA section, for starters—plus
the score report will indicate that you took the online version of the test); but we do
not expect that you’ll be penalized for this circumstance, which is very much out
of your control.
So prep as well as you can, get yourself in a good headspace, use that online whiteboard,
and go get your dream score.
Check out our books and the resources on our website to help you get prepped.
We’re rooting for you every step of the way!