Horrible Horrible Test Center Experince

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Horrible Horrible Test Center Experince

by emo231 » Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:02 am
I should have known to run as soon as I arrived.
The test environment was completely unprofessional. While in the actual test room, the three proctors were talking loudly and with complete disregard to those taking the exam. About an hour or so into the exam, the computer abruptly shuts off. No reason or apology was given, and we were told to leave the room. Upon leaving the room, after many inquiries I was told that something was wrong with the electrical wiring, and we should wait. We waited for 3 hours. I cannot begin to describe what kind of mood I was in during that time. From 10:17 am to past 1pm, I was waiting in the test center for the light to come on.

After being allowed into the room, there were so many disruptions, it was unreal. One of the proctors came into the room on her cell phone. Myself and another lady asked her to please leave the room, since we were in the middle of the test. Throughout the entire test, there were disruptions upon disruptions. I still finished the exam.

I just wrote to GMAC explaining my experience. I am hoping for a chance to retake the exam within 31 days. I definitely am ready, and I don't want to wait another 31 days. Do you think they will allow me take the exam before the 31 days? Any advice would be appreciated. I am literally freaking out.
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by essaysnark » Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:19 am
Oh no! emo231, this sounds awful!

What you describe certainly seems to qualify as a "testing issue" or "testing irregularity" (these are the terms that the GMAC uses) - you can review the Official GMAT Bulletin for details. It's good that you have contacted GMAC. They have policies in place to investigate such issues. If they determine that the test was administered improperly, they may cancel the scores, notify the schools, and allow you to test again right away at no charge. There are sometimes some delays in how they process the complaints though.

You may want to go through the Bulletin for more details:

www.mba.com/the-gmat/gmat-information-bulletin.aspx

Let us know what the outcome is! The GMAT is stressful enough without all sorts of craziness happening during the test!!!

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by emo231 » Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:37 am
Really appreciate your response. I honestly felt like I was in the twilight zone. The proctors had absolutely no respect for the test takers - even came late to the test centre. I just hope this is resolved in a timely manner.

I'm curious to know if there has been any other cases like mine? or similar..

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by mriiidula » Sat Oct 15, 2011 8:58 pm
I wouldn't say I had a similar experience at all, since I definitely had electricity :) but I had test administrators who were extremely...dead, for a lack of a better word. I finished the essay section and raised my hand, but nobody came to me, and I was just sitting there for three out of my eight minuted before I decided to just leave the room myself.

I also had to do the test in a TINY room with three others who were not writing GMAT but some other test; a test which involved a lot more typing and a lot more breaks. The cheap keyboards made a hell lot of noise when I was in my verbal section, making me lose focus more than once, and the door kept opening and closing which distracted me. I was proper annoyed, which is why I was glad to see a 700, but wish I could've done better.

It's in no way comparable to what you had to go through of course. Hope you get a favourable reply from GMAC.
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by rishi raj » Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:34 am
Can't believe that some test center administrators can be this lousy in conducting the exam. Their license to conduct the exam should be revoked by GMAC, if you ask me.

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by sdilmanian » Mon Oct 31, 2011 3:59 pm
Oh man, so sorry to hear for you guys.
Emo231; hope you got positive news from GMAC?
Emo231 and mriiidula; where did you guys take the test?? I have to reschedule mine tonight within New York/Long Island, and want to make sure I don't choose any of your centers!
Thanks and best of luck,
Simon

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by emo231 » Tue Nov 01, 2011 12:24 am
Thanks for all your concern.

I contacted GMAC, and they have allowed me to take the exam in another location, however I have to wait the 31 days.

It's just a bit unfortunate although I am glad that they're offering me a free retake.

I took my exam in Lagos.

According to GMAT regulations, is the test center allowed to administer other non - GMAT tests in the same room?

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by sdilmanian » Tue Nov 01, 2011 3:17 am
Good question, I am not sure. Your best bet is calling them to find out, I would assume you can find their number at "mba.com"?

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by essaysnark » Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:08 am
emo231 wrote:According to GMAT regulations, is the test center allowed to administer other non - GMAT tests in the same room?
Yes. GMAC (the organization behind the GMAT) has outsourced test administration to another company, PearsonVUE. It's about efficiency and cost control, especially in areas of the world where there's less demand for test-takers. And, it offers more convenience: They wouldn't be able to keep a GMAT-only test center open to offer the test all the time, as they do now. It would probably have to be scheduled a few times a year as they do with the LSAT and others.

In a well-run test center, this presents no issues; each test-taker is doing their own thing and they keep distractions and disruptions to a minimum. It's unfortunate that that wasn't your experience initially! But it's great to hear that they've offered you an accommodation with another test. Certainly not ideal but also it's much better than it could've ended up.

Good luck as you tackle it again!!!
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by mriiidula » Mon Jan 09, 2012 11:40 pm
sdilmanian wrote: Emo231 and mriiidula; where did you guys take the test?? I have to reschedule mine tonight within New York/Long Island, and want to make sure I don't choose any of your centers!
Sorry for the late reply, I was completely out of this site for a while. Guess it doesn't matter anymore, but I took the test in Malaysia :)

Happy New Year!
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