BIG Improvements in the GMAT Online Exam

Ever since the onset of Covid-19, the GMAC has made several changes to the GMAT test-taking. It started with the introduction of Online home-testing on April 20, 2020. This delivery channel gave test-takers a choice to take the GMAT exam either at the test center or from the comfort of their home – even both if they decide to take the test more than once.

Initially, this GMAT interim Online exam was allowed only once and was not part of the lifetime limit of 8 exams. However, this was changed eventually and the online test became part of the lifetime limit with the option of one retake.

Now, again, the GMAC has brought some big and thoughtful changes. This has been done in order to make the GMAT Online exam at par with the test-center based GMAT exam. The 5 changes in the GMAT Online exam are as follows:

1. SELECT SECTION ORDER ALLOWED – Now, the test-taker taking the test in the comfort of his home will be able to select the section order just like when the test is taken at the center.
2. PROVISION OF TWO 8-MINUTE OPTIONAL BREAKS – The candidates will be allowed to take 2 breaks during the exam just like the test-center exam. This, again, has been done in order to make the GMAT Online exam at par with the test-center based exam. This will allow students to refresh themselves during the break and feel more energized and prepared for the next section.
3. ADDITION OF THE ANALYTICAL WRITING ASSESSMENT (AWA) – AWA has been added back to the test which was missing from the GMAT online exam. This has been done to allow students to exhibit their writing and critical thinking skills to their target schools; just like in the test-center based exams.
4. VIEW UNOFFICIAL SCORE REPORT IMMEDIATELY – The test-takers will be able to see the unofficial scores on the screen immediately after completing the test beginning April 8, 2021, and the official scores will be available within 7 days.
5. SCHEDULE GMAT ONLINE EXAM 6-MONTHS IN ADVANCE – The GMAT online exam gives the flexibility of taking the test at any time of the day or night. The test-takers may, now, make an appointment 6 months in advance on a rolling basis.

The registration for the enhanced GMAT Online exam will begin from February 17, 2021, with appointments beginning from April 8, 2021.

As is evident from the points mentioned above, the enhancements have been made in order to keep the same number of sections in both test types, make the test scores more comparable and reliable for the schools, and provide a similar testing experience to the students (select section order and a number of breaks). This alignment in the two delivery modes – Online and Test-center exam – will help the test-takers to give their best shot irrespective of the delivery mode.

Unlike the GMAT test-center based exam, the GMAT Online exam comes with the advantage of sending unlimited complimentary score reports to the schools and will be available within 8 hours of the candidate’s request.

The GMAT online exam is available in all locations, with the exception of: Mainland China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Sudan due to regulatory and local data privacy rules.

For more information on the GMAT Prep and the available courses at Manya Education, write to us at info@manyagroup.com or call us on 1800-102-4646.

Stay calm and Learn as per your learning needs. 🙂

Aspire higher, Achieve more.