A 5 min read

October 2021 Update to GMAT Online Exam

Test takers now have more flexibility with their exam attempts as per the October 2021 update. Compared to the previous edition, the #OnlineGMATExam will let you:

1. Take all your attempts online as compared to just 2
2. Send five free score reports within 48 hours with the flexibility to send additional reports for $35 each
3. The fees associated with the GMAT online, including the fees for taking, rescheduling, and canceling your GMAT, will match the fees of the In-Center GMAT Exam.

Watch this video where Rajat Sadana, founder of e-GMAT, walks you through these new updates and what it means for the test-taker:

Previous Updates to GMAT Online Exam

GMAC had announced four key enhancements to the GMAT Online Exam starting May 20, 2021. With these enhancements, the GMAT Online exam will provide you with even more choices and flexibility. Here are the four enhancements that will be available:

• View your official score immediately
• Select your section order
• Take two 8-minute optional breaks
• Write your AWA assessment

Want to maximize your performance on the Enhanced GMAT Online exam? Watch this video where we highlight 3 types of disruptions you can avoid to maximize your performance:

Watch this video to know more about the Enhanced GMAT Online exam. Kickstart your GMAT online prep with these free concept files and 400+ free questions:

Due to th 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 eventually, 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.

When and How Can You take the GMAT Online Exam?

This Exam is now available on a rolling basis and can be taken 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can schedule an appointment 24 hours before your preferred slot.

Moreover, Moreover, GMAC will continue to add appointments throughout 2021 on a rolling basis. So, start preparing for GMAT online with free concept files and 400+ free questions.

Learn how to prepare for the GMAT at home

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 for GMAT Online is $250. You can reschedule or cancel your GMAT online appointment 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. There is a reschedule fee and cancellation fee.

You can reschedule your appointment anytime before their scheduled exam time for a fee of $25. The cancellation fee for the GMAT Online exam is $100. 

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. However, starting May 20, 2021, you will be able to take the AWA section for the GMAT Online Exam. 

What is the order of sections in the interim GMAT exam? 

Starting May 20, 2021, you will be able to choose your section order and can take 2 optional breaks, 8 mins each. 

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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 for taking GMAT Online:

Technical requirement	Technical Specification
Operating System	Windows 10 Windows 8.1 (32-bit and 64-bit) Mac OS 10.13 and above (excluding beta versions)
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.
Display	Minimum Resolution: 1024 x 768 in 16-bit color. Additional monitors are forbidden.
Internet Browser	The newest versions of Microsoft Edge, Safari, Chrome, and Firefox for web registrations or downloading the secure browser or Internet Explorer 11.
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.
Webcam	Webcam must have a minimum resolution of 640×480 @ 10 fps. Webcam may be internal or may be external and connected to the computer. Mac users may need to allow OnVUE within their ‘System Preferences: Security & Privacy: Privacy’ settings for Microphone, Camera, Automation and Input Monitoring.
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.
Browser Settings	Internet Cookies must be enabled. Any Pop-Up blocking setting(s) must be disabled.
Work Computer	We recommend testing on a personal computer as work computers may block the OnVUE software.
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?’

Yes, you can retake the GMAT Online. Starting October 2021, you will also be able to take the GMAT online for all your GMAT attempts, rather than for just the two attempts allowed under the previous policy. In total( GMAT online + in-center), you are allowed five GMAT attempts in a rolling 12-month period and 8 in a lifetime.

Is the At-Home GMAT Exam Temporary?

As of now, the GMAT Online is temporary. However, GMAC will continue to add appointments throughout 2021 on a rolling basis. So, we can expect the GMAT online to be offered throughout most of 2021.

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 2000 reviews.

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