Due to COVID-19 outbreak, many GMAT test centers are closed around the world, making it challenging for students to give the exam. To overcome this problem, the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) has launched an online alternative to the GMAT Exam – The GMAT Online Exam, which will let students take an online GMAT exam at home.
Earlier you were only allowed an online whiteboard for calculations, but today GMAC put out a statement that the test-takers will be allowed to use the physical whiteboard for calculations. More details on the physical whiteboard here.
You can also take a look at this video to learn more. More updated details in the article:
- When and How Can You take the GMAT Online Exam?
- Who is Eligible for At-Home GMAT Exam?
- What is the registration fee for the GMAT Online?
- What is the structure of the GMAT Online Exam?
- What is the order of sections in the GMAT Online exam?
- How will GMAC administer the GMAT Online?
- System requirements for taking the GMAT online exam
- Can I retake the GMAT Online?
- Is the At-Home GMAT Exam Temporary?
When and How Can You take the GMAT Online Exam?
This Exam is now available from April 20 till August 14, 2020 and can be taken 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can schedule an appointment 24 hours before your preferred slot.
Who is Eligible for At-Home GMAT Exam?
The online GMAT test will be available in impacted geographies, outside of Mainland China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Slovenia . Thus, anyone who is not able to take the test due to COVID-19 is eligible for taking the GMAT Exam at home.
For test-takers in Mainland China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Slovenia, GMAC is working closely with the government authorities to present an alternative solution.
What is the registration fee for the GMAT Online?
The registration fee is US $200 which is $50 less than the in-person GMAT test fees. You can reschedule or cancel your ‘GMAT online’ 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. There is no reschedule fee and cancellation fee.
No appointment changes can be made within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment time.
This is in line with the statement from Geoffrey Basye, a GMAC spokesperson, who said, “The organization is actively working on launching an interim online alternative to the GMAT exam, which will be used during the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of the current situation, this interim alternative will have a lower price point than our current exam.”
What is the structure of the GMAT Online Exam?
There are no changes in format as compared to the in-person GMAT exam. The number of questions and the duration of the section will be as follows:
- Quantitative – 31 questions and 62 minutes
- Verbal – 36 questions and 65 minutes
- Integrated Reasoning – 12 questions and 30 minutes
One significant change to the Interim online GMAT Exam is that there will have no AWA section.
What is the order of sections in the interim GMAT exam?
The section Order for the GMAT Online exam is fixed as follows:
Quantitative → Verbal → Integrated Reasoning
You are allowed a 5-minute optional break after completing the Verbal section.
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How will GMAC administer the GMAT Online?
One of the major concerns while taking online GMAT exams at-home is ensuring the integrity of the online GMAT testing. GMAC points out that to accommodate online delivery, security protocols, and check-in will be modified. In addition, to manage test integrity, remote proctors will be used.
According to Bayse, “GMAC focus is on maintaining a rigorous and valid assessment, with the relevant security protocols and practice in place, to evaluate a candidates’ ability to succeed in a graduate school business program.”
Thus, are specific measures and requirements to take the at-home GMAT exam. The exam will be taken via the onVUE online proctoring mode. To know more about onVUE online proctoring, take a look at this video:
Are there any system requirements for taking the ‘GMAT Online’ exam?
As per GMAC, below are the system requirements:
System Requirements for ‘GMAT Online’ |
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Technical requirement |
Technical Specification |
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Operating System |
Windows 10 |
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Note: Windows Operating Systems must pass Genuine Windows Validation.
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Firewall |
Do not take your exam in a setting with a corporate firewall (including VPN), or, alert your Network Administrator to the network configuration requirements. |
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Display |
Minimum Resolution: 1024 x 768 in 16-bit color. Additional monitors are forbidden. |
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Internet Browser |
The newest versions of Microsoft Edge, Safari, Chrome, and Firefox for web registrations or downloading the secure browser or Internet Explorer 11. |
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Internet Connection |
A consistent connection speed of 1 Mbps down/up is required. We recommend testing on a wired network as opposed to a wireless network. Tethering to a mobile hotspot is explicitly prohibited. |
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Webcam |
Webcam must have a minimum resolution of 640×480 @ 10 fps. Mac users may need to allow OnVUE within their ‘System Preferences: Security & Privacy: Privacy’ settings for Microphone, Camera, Automation and Input Monitoring. |
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Sound & Microphone |
Verify the audio and microphone are not set on mute in Windows. Mac users may need to allow OnVUE within their ‘System Preferences: Security & Privacy: Privacy’ settings for Microphone, Camera, Automation and Input Monitoring. |
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Browser Settings |
Internet Cookies must be enabled. |
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Work Computer |
We recommend testing on a personal computer as work computers may block the OnVUE software. |
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Power |
Ensure you are connected to a power source before starting your exam to avoid draining your battery during the exam |
Can I retake the ‘GMAT Online?’
Earlier you weren’t allowed to retake the GMAT exam, but now GMAC has allowed test takers to retake the GMAT Online. More details in this article.
Is the At-Home GMAT Exam Temporary?
As of now, the ‘GMAT Online’ is temporary and it can only be taken till August 14, 2020.
Keep an eye on this blog and get the latest updates on the Online GMAT Exam at Home. In the meantime, get FREE GMAT Preparation resources by signing up for our FREE Trial. We are the most reviewed GMAT preparation company on GMATClub with more than 1900+ reviews.
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GMAT Online FAQ
Do not worry. GMAC has introduced the ‘GMAT Online.’ Now you can take the official GMAT exam from the comfort of your home.
GMAC plans to start offering the ‘at home GMAT Online’ exam from the middle of April 20, 2020.
You can start preparing for the GMAT at home by self or by using an online study resource. You can take a look at this article for a few tips on how to prepare for GMAT at home.
This exam will not have the AWA section. The rest three sections i.e., Quant, Verbal, and IR will continue to remain the same. Here is the format of the GMAT.
GMAT Online will cost $50 less than the regular GMAT exam. Its cost is $200.
Hey, does taking GMAT Online still enable one to send one’s score to multiple schools free of charge?
Hey Aravind
Yes. You can send your GMAT Online scores to as many business schools as you want, free of charge. Earlier, GMAC used to charge $35 for every additional score report over the quota of 5 score reports. Here is a detailed article on the differences between GMAT Online and in-center GMAT – https://bit.ly/2NAO4E6
Can we use a scratch paper during the online GMAT exam?
Hey Akshat
As of now, scratch paper and pens are not allowed during GMAT Online exam. Also, no touch-screen machines allowed.You can only use the online whiteboard for calculations and rough work.
I would recommend attending the webinar by GMAC on ‘GMAT Online’ tonight. Here is the registration link – https://start.mba.com/gmat-alt
You can also ask queries to GMAC by filling out this form – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V22VDLG
Hello, Thank you for this article. I would like to know- Is there a restriction on using notepad for calculations and rough work?
Hey Sowmya
There is a restriction on using scratch pad or pens or touch screen devices. You can only use the online whiteboard for calculations and rough work.
I would also recommend attending the webinar by GMAC on ‘GMAT Online’ tonight. Here is the registration link – https://start.mba.com/gmat-alt
You can also ask queries to GMAC by filling out this form – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V22VDLG
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