GMAT Strategy

Just seeing if anyone else had this issue and if there are any suggestions?

I took the GMAT yesterday and took the breaks after the essays and after the quantitative section. After returning from my second breaks(returned with 2 mins 15 seconds before my break was up), the system froze and the lady checking me in had problems doing my sign in(took her about 6 minutes). Due to this reason time was taken off my verbal section(~3 minutes). They told me the time would be added on sometime during the test, since it was an error on their part.

Since the verbal section requires a lot of concentration, especially during the long passages, I found it hard to concentrate throughout the test, because I was constantly checking the clock to ensure my time would be added on. Finally halfway through the test the moderator interrupted me and told me they were going to add the time but I couldn't touch the keyboard and I had to wait there while they did it. This other distraction seriously affected my concentration and it was even more frustrating because no one else in the test center had this problem.

The distraction ended up with me rushing through the last 10 questions on the verbal part and getting a score a lot lower than I had been scoring.

Just seeing if anyone else had gone through this or anything similar? (I read the story about the fire alarm) I wanted to know if this was a common occurrence?

Not trying to use this as an excuse, I just found it hard to maintain concentration during the test constantly checking the clock to see if my time would be added on and then trying to regain composure after being interrupted to fix the problem.

Thoughts?

I wonder if there's anything you can do. That's not the most ideal situation, especially because you came back from break on time... Is this documented anywhere?

I would hope/assume they have it documented. She had to call in and tell them that she couldn't sign me in and they put the extra time on my test.

I wanted to see if this would justify me contesting my scores with GMAC. I would be willing to take the test again, despite doing well on math(Q 48), cause my verbal scores were so low since I didn't have time for the last quarter of the test.

i would definitely look into that!

This post is going to giving me nightmares today I know !!

migponce2003, Sure you could done well if you hadn't encountered such problems. Its not an excuse, its genuine cause.

what GMAC has to say in this regards ? Anyone knows ?

Haha I didn't mean to scare anyone before test day!!!

They told me to come back 45sec-1min before my break was up so they could do the proper inspections and check in. I showed up with over 2 mins to go and still had this problem.

I think I did well on the Essay, the Q was in my average, but after this debacle my V score was LOW.

GMAC said they were investigating it and would get back to me by the end of the week.

Moral of the story....eventhough they tell you you have an 8 min break, assume the break is only 4 minutes!!!

I will let you guys know what GMAC says to me.....

GMAC will probably let you retake at no cost, but you will have to wait 1 month before you can write the exam again.

can you let us know the outcome? i'm sure that would help others out on here tremendously in case they encounter the same problem. it's a shame because you said you were back with what you thought was enough time :-/

I will let you guys know what happens. They should hopefully be letting me know before the end of the week.

Does anyone know why they make you wait a month before you can retake it? Also, if they let me retake it, is my old score going to be erased? I am just jumping the gun, because I am sure they are going to tell me if they let me retake it, just wanted to know if anyone knew this info right off the bat.

Thanks!

by only allowing someone to take the exam every 31 days that ensures that they won't see any repeat questions. there's a finite pool of questions

as far as your scores being erase... id imagine that they would be replaced.

The person who got in contact with me said it doesn't merit a retest because it is common for people to be interrupted when taking the GMAT?!

Sounds kind of absurd, doesn't it?

I appealed the decision, and will hopefully hear back in 3-5 days....I will let you know what the result of the appeal is.

Thanks again for all your help!

that's crazy! i wonder if the person whom you contact has ever taken the GMAT and knows the importance of the time lost.

Have a look at the link below... I got a free retake, but my score was not erased. Anyhow, I got the score I desired with the retake and got admitted at the school of my choice!

https://www.beatthegmat.com/different-is ... tml#113008

Good luck my friend.

Thanks so much for all the help - my appeal went through and they are letting me retake it!