GMAT Strategy

I went to go visit my test center today and I went in - the guy told me that I couldn't be in the room unless I was taking a test. I said, I'm just in the lobby and he said I couldn't even be in the lobby.

Is this true ?

This happened at the Oakland Pearson test center.

I was actually a little pissed. I got a good look at what the lobby looks like, the lockers and where I'd be taking my test.

Also, I called on the phone and they sounded very unprofessional. I asked in between breaks, could I get a new pad and they said only if you finished your other pad.

Can someone share their experiences? Is this typical? My MGMAT instructor said that people are allowed t chat up and ask the receiptionist questions but they were pissed that I was even there and basically told me to get out.

In the testing center I went to, visitors were not allowed. They had to be out of the entire building. There were other people in the testing center I went to that were taking a different test, and one girl brought her friend. The friend was immediately asked to leave.

Regarding questions to the proctors, they will ask you if you have any questions before you begin your exam. You have to fill in your entire scratch material before they will replace it.

The testing center I went to let us walk out of the testing office (it was in an office building) but we had to have a palm scan and present ID every time you re-enter.

When you say 'lobby' you seem to be referring to the reception area. They are right to kick you out. There are maybe 2 test administrators who need to be able to answer questions, check people in/out, and otherwise attend to the actual test takers. It is inappropriate for anyone else to be in the area. At my testing centre they had a sign telling the cleaning people not to come in!