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GMAT General Instructions

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GMAT General Instructions

shape Introduction

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer-based test conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (also referred as GMAC). It intends to assess certain skills of a candidate, including; analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning ability, quantitative, and verbal ability. The assessment so made is used for admission to graduate programs around the world and the most popular among them is Masters in Business Administration (MBA). Students from different background aspire to get admission in top business schools of the world. GMAT is the first step on the way. Best applicants are chosen on the basis of their scores. Therefore, the system for selection of students is made in a transparent manner. All the candidates are strongly advised to read the GMAT General Instructions article for a smooth testing experience.

shape Instructions

This article discusses in detail about the GMAT General Instructions to be followed before, during and after the GMAT exam.
What to bring:
  • Appropriate identification. Click here for Acceptable forms of ID
  • A list of graduate management programs that should receive your GMAT scores (Note: You are not permitted to bring the list into the test center)
  • Your appointment confirmation letter or email from Pearson VUE; if you don’t have it, you may still take the test if you have a scheduled appointment
What not to bring:
  • Mobile phones or other communication devices
  • Notes or noteboards
  • Photographic devices
  • Calculators
  • Dictionaries, translators, or thesauri
  • Watches, stop watches, or watch alarms
  • Personal data assistants (PDAs)
  • Rulers or any other measuring devices
  • Scratch paper
  • Beepers or pagers
  • Stereos or radios
  • Any other electronic devices that could aid testing
  • Books or pamphlets
  • Pens or any other writing utensils
  • Weapons, including but not limited to firearms, knives, or any object that could be used as a weapon; this policy includes off-duty law enforcement officers and persons with conceal and carry permits
Notes about noteboards:
  • The overseer will give you a booklet of five noteboards to use amid the exam.
  • You may not eradicate your notes.
  • You may ask for extra noteboards by raising your hand. We prescribe you utilize your space wisely with the goal that you don't need to disturb your focus to ask for new noteboards much of the time. Try to request to ask for new noteboards in the middle of segments.
  • You may not expel these noteboards from the testing room whenever.
  • Each noteboard must be returned toward the finish of the test session.
  • You may not take your own noteboard into the testing room.
Testing Room:
  • The GMAT exam is controlled in a room with private computer workstations. Testing premises are liable to sound/video recording.
  • On occasion, weather conditions or other circumstances beyond the test administrator's control may require a delayed start or the rescheduling of your test.
  • If technical issues, climate conditions, or other different conditions canceling your test session or prevent reporting of your scores, you will either be offered the opportunity to schedule another test free of charge or receive a full refund of the original test fee.
  • Testing must start promptly once you are situated at the computer.
During the Test:
  • You have three and a half hours in which to take the GMAT exam, however plan for a total time of approximately four hours. You can take two optional breaks; if you exceed the time allowed, the additional time will be deducted from your remaining test time.
  • Dress serenely and be set up to adjust if the room temperature changes.
  • You will not be allowed to leave the testing room without the test administrator’s permission. You will generally be required to provide a digital palm vein pattern any time you enter the testing room to verify the identity confirmed during check-in.
  • You will not be permitted to eat, drink, or use tobacco while in the testing room; however, you may get food and drink during your scheduled breaks.
  • Access to phones, cell (portable) telephones, or other specialized gadgets or test helps, for example, calculators will not be allowed at any time while you are in the test center, during the test session or during breaks.
  • In the test room that you trust you have an issue with your computer, need to replace a keyboard, or require any other assistance, raise your hand and notify the test administrator.
  • You may not leave the testing room while timed sections of the test are being administered. If there is an emergency and you must leave your seat during the test session, raise your hand and notify the test administrator. The timing for the test section you are working on will not stop during your absence.
  • Repeated or long departures from your workstation will be recorded by the test administrator and reported to and investigated by Pearson VUE and the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).
At the Test Center:
  • Friends or relatives who go with you to the test center are not allowed to wait in the center or contact you while you are taking the test.
  • Individual items are not permitted in the testing room, and testing aids are not allowed at any time in the test center. You can store individual things before being seated at your workstation, but please keep in mind that storage space is limited.
  • Weapons are prohibited from the test center. These items are not permitted on the premises and may not be stored in the provided lockers. This arrangement includes taking a break law enforcement officers and persons that cover and convey licenses. Only emergency personnel responding to an incident at a test center are prohibited from this approach.