Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Gmat Handbook 2018 04 16
Gmat Handbook 2018 04 16
Gmat Handbook 2018 04 16
Yourself
GMAT Handbook
®
What you need to know and agree to when scheduling your GMAT exam.
5 Get noticed.
Make it easy for schools to find you. Use the free GMASS®
Search Service and connect with business schools and
other graduate management education related organizations
around the world based on your background, lifestyle, career
aspirations, study destination, and more.
Page
Topic Check Z
#
Contact Us 1 Z
Read the GMAT Handbook 2 Z
Market Yourself With the GMAT Exam 2 Z
Your Rights and Responsibilities 3 Z
Before the Exam 4 Z
Schedule Your GMAT Exam 4 Z
Exam Fees 6 Z
Reschedule or Cancel Your Exam 8 Z
Your Privacy is Important to GMAC 8 Z
Location Specific Regulations 9 Z
The GMAT Exam Measures Multiple Skills 10 Z
Structure of the Exam 10 Z
The GMAT Exam Uses Advanced Technology and Security 11 Z
Know What to Expect 11 Z
On Exam Day 13 Z
Check-In 13 Z
Agree to the GMAT Test Taker Rules & Agreement 14 Z
Agree to the General Terms of Use 15 Z
Accept Your Scores 17 Z
Avoid Testing Violations 17 Z
After Your Exam 20 Z
Pick Up Your Unofficial Score Report 20 Z
Cancel Your Score 20 Z
Reinstate Your Score 20 Z
Evaluate Your Performance 21 Z
View Your Official Score Report 22 Z
Compare Your Scores With Other Test Takers 22 Z
Send Score Reports to Programs 23 Z
Beware of Score Cancellations 24 Z
Report Inappropriate Behavior 26 Z
Submit a Concern About Your Experience 26 Z
Consider Retaking the Exam 27 Z
Policies and Procedures 29 Z
Contact Us
The GMAT exam is owned by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).
We develop and deliver the exam with the help of our service providers, including
Pearson VUE and ACT. We wrote this handbook for you, the test taker. Please contact
us if you need assistance.
For assistance, visit us on the web at mba.com or mba.com/contactus.
You may also use the contact information below to reach us:
Asia Pacific Phone: +852 3077 4926 Telephone services are available
(except China Fax: +91 120 4001660 Monday-Friday, 9am to 6pm
and India) Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Email: GMATCandidateServicesAPAC@
pearson.com Email services are available
Monday-Friday, 7am to 7pm
Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Response time for email sent outside
of these times may be up to 48 hours.
China Phone: +86 10 82345675 Telephone services are available
Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Fax: +86 10 61957800
China Standard Time.
Email: GMATservice@neea.edu.cn
Email services are available
Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
China Standard Time. Response
time for email sent outside of these
times may be up to 48 hours.
India Phone: +91 120 439 7830 Monday-Friday, 9am to 6pm
Indian Standard Time. Response
Email: GMATCandidateServicesAPAC@
pearson.com time for email sent outside of these
times may be up to 48 hours.
Europe, Phone: +44 (0) 161 855 7219 Telephone services are available
Middle East, Fax: +44 (0) 161 855 7301 Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm
Africa Greenwich Mean Time.
Email: GMATCandidateServicesEMEA@
pearson.com Email services are available
Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm
Greenwich Mean Time. Response
time for email sent outside of these
times may be up to 3 business days.
Americas Phone: +1 800 717 GMAT (4628) Monday–Friday, 7am to 7pm
Region (United States and Canada) Central Standard Time.
Fax: +1 952 681 3680 or +1 952 681-3681
Response time for email sent
Email: GMATCandidateServicesAmericas outside of these times may be
@Pearson.com up to 48 hours.
Send mail:
Send all mail inquiries to the address below. Please keep in mind that it can take up to
eight weeks for letters to reach the United States from some countries.
GMAT® Handbook
1
Read the GMAT Handbook
®
Pursuing a graduate degree is a rewarding experience. The GMAT exam is part of that
process. We are here to help you understand everything you need to know and do to take
the GMAT exam.
This handbook is designed to help you through this process. Since you must agree to our
policies as a condition for taking the GMAT exam, we describe what you need to know
about the exam, what you need to do, and when you need to do it. Use the convenient
checklist in the Table of Contents to track your progress toward the next step in your
graduate management degree. Be sure to read this handbook carefully as you will be
bound by its content.
• More than 7,000 graduate business programs worldwide across over 2,300
schools use GMAT scores to help them find, recruit, and select the students who
best fit with their programs. Take the exam to let them know you are serious and
committed to graduate management education.
• Your scores are a way to compare yourself with other graduate applicants and
stand out in the application process. Figure out what you need to focus on to help
your application.
The GMAT exam gives you information about your strengths and weaknesses. Identify the
skills you need to focus on to be successful in your graduate program.
2 GMAT® Handbook
Your Rights and Responsibilitiies
As a test taker, you have certain rights and responsibilities. You maintain these rights
only if you comply with all GMAT policies and procedures.
• GMAT Official Starter Kit and Practice Show up at the test center with
Exams 1 & 2 (free), available through the proper identification
your mba.com account
Follow the policies and procedures and
• GMAT Handbook Supplement for
® report any violations you observe
Test Takers with Disabilities Know the consequences if you do not
show up, fail to complete the exam, or
Develop and deliver the exam according
violate our policies
to professional standards
Read the GMAC Privacy Statement
Treat you fairly and with impartiality,
and know how your information will be
regardless of personal characteristics
collected and used
protected by law
Share only your official scores
Share our GMAC Privacy Statement with
with institutions
you and treat your personal information
as stated in our privacy practices Send us any questions you may have
about any of the information presented
Send you an Official Score Report
in this handbook or other GMAT
online or by mail (if you have accepted
publications and communications
your scores)
Send us any concerns you may have
Share your official scores with only those about the testing process or your results
institutions or organizations you specify
or allow (except when issues arise
relating to your scores)
This statement of your rights has been adapted with permission from the APA, AERA,
and NCME Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing.
GMAT® Handbook
3
Before the Exam
• You must wait at least 16 days after Step 2: Build your timeline
you take the exam before you can
take it again. ZZ Build your timeline using the
information you gathered in
• You must wait at least five years Step 1.
to test again if you have previous-
ly achieved a perfect Total Score ZZ If scheduling by mail, add time
of 800. for standard shipping times to
the United States.
• You must follow all of the
registration and testing rules. ZZ If paying by personal check or
money order, add at least 10
ZZ Research schools and check days for processing.
application deadlines for programs
that interest you. ZZ If applying for accommodations,
add time to gather your documentation
ZZ Check our “Location Specific and submit your application.
Regulations” for any guidelines
that may apply to you
(mba.com/locationregulations).
4 GMAT® Handbook
Build Your Registration and Score Reporting Timeline
Instructions: Start at the end with your earliest application deadline and work backward to determine your test date.
• Phone – Call GMAT Customer ZZ If your test center name includes “DoD”
Service in your region. You may or “Military,” make sure you have proper
be charged an additional service identification. If you will not have proper
fee of US$10. military identification by your exam
date, reschedule your exam now.
• Postal Mail - Complete the form
on mba.com and mail it in along
with your payment information. If
you pay by check or money order,
this is your only option.
GMAT® Handbook
5
Before the Exam
Exam Fees
The following are the fees for the GMAT exam and related services.
Note: These fees are of the printing date of this handbook and are subject to change. You can find the most
current fees and other details on mba.com/gmatfees. Some fees and charges may vary.
6 GMAT® Handbook
Credit Cards and Debit Cards* Cashier's Checks, Money
Orders, and Personal Checks Must:
• VISA
• Be payable to Pearson
• MasterCard VUE-GMAT, in US dollars
• American Express and drawn on a US bank
GMAT® Handbook
7
Before the Exam
For example, if your GMAT exam is scheduled for a Monday at 8 am, you must reschedule
or cancel by 7:59 am the previous Monday to avoid losing your entire fee.
8 GMAT® Handbook
What Information Do We Collect? • For research publications,
we combine information from
Required information for all test takers: individuals who respond to
surveys into aggregated,
• Contact information including anonymized reports that are
your full legal name (given shared publicly. We remove
and family/surname), address, personal information from these
telephone, and email address reports. Additionally, the reports
contain information on groups
• Background data including of respondents, not individuals.
gender, ethnicity (United States GMAC’s minimum acceptable
only), date of birth, and country group sizes are defined to protect
of citizenship confidentiality of the individuals in
each group. The aggregated
• Identity data verified at the test information may be combined with
center, such as government-issued information that we have already
identification, a digital photograph, collected, such as demographics
signature, palm vein pattern, and or GMAT exam scores. For more
audio/video recording of the test information, visit our GMAC
session are collected at the Research Services: Survey
test center Participation Privacy and
• Payment data for GMAT fees Confidentiality page
• Cooperate as required by law or
Optional For Test Takers: in legal proceedings
• Other data about you including • Fraud prevention and security:
fax number, native language, Authenticate and verify your
education history, and other identity to maintain the integrity,
background information quality, and security of the GMAT
exam; protect the security and
• You determine and inform GMAC
integrity of the examination process
of your preferences and consent
for receiving information about • Share your payment information
our other products and services, with our financial partners and
surveys, other research, events, vendors to process your payment
and promotions
Transfer of data: Ultimately, all information
• Score sending preferences we receive is sent from your test registration
(e.g., schools, programs, location to GMAC and our service providers
strategic partners, financial aid, in the United States and is subject to United
and scholarship providers) States and other applicable laws. These laws
may be different and less restrictive from
How Do We Use It? those in your home country.
GMAT® Handbook
9
Before the Exam
Time Number
Test
Limit (in of Question Types Score Range
Section
Minutes) Questions
Analytical • Analysis of an Argument 0-6
Writing 30 1 in 0.5-point
Assessment increments
• Multi-Source Reasoning 1-8
Integrated • Table Analysis in 1-point
30 12
Reasoning • Graphics Interpretation increments
• Two-Part Analysis
10 GMAT® Handbook
The GMAT Exam Uses Know What to Expect
Advanced Technology Regardless of your current skills with
and Security reading, writing, arithmetic, or the computer,
you will be able to do your best only if you
The GMAT exam is available only at prepare and practice:
designated test centers around the world.
The exam is delivered only on computer, • Knowing what to expect will save
which ensures consistency and fairness. you time and effort at the test
Our computer exam allows you to: center. Watch our video about
the testing facilities:
• Test around the world on almost mba.com/the-gmat/test-day.aspx.
any day of the year • Practicing with question types
• Track your time and the number so you spend time on the
of questions you have to answer question, not on decoding
what is being asked.
• Receive unofficial scores when
you finish the test • Get tips on how to prepare for the
exam using the GMAT Official
The two longest sections (Quantitative Starter Kit, and practice with the
and Verbal Reasoning) are “item adaptive.” two free GMAT Official Practice
As you progress through the section, the Exams, which feature real questions
computer evaluates your answers, updates from past GMAT exams.
your score, and selects the next question
• Planning study time for the GMAT
by adapting to your level of skill. You may
exam will help you develop skills
not skip or return to questions. For several
that make it easier to plan study
reasons, we consider this the best
time when you start your graduate
testing method:
management program.
• The test has fewer questions than
Practicing with GMAT Official Prep:
others, because you will not see
questions that would be too easy • Access the GMAT Official Practice
or too hard for you. Exams 1 & 2 for free through your
• Your scores are updated based on mba.com account.
all of your answers, not just the
• To purchase other GMAT
previous questions.
Official Prep products, go to
• Questions are selected for you mba.com/store.
and other test takers individually,
but the rules about the number • For a list of questions that have
and types of questions ensure been used for the Analytical
fairness of the overall test. Writing Assessment (AWA), go to
mba.com/GMATformat and
• The uniqueness of each test click on the link for “Analytical
enhances the security of the exam. Writing Assessment.”
GMAT® Handbook
11
CAUTION!
The Penalties for Cheating on the GMAT® Exam are Severe.
12 GMAT® Handbook
On Exam Day
Check-In
The information below will help you have a successful and worry-free testing experience.
Begin Your Comply with all applicable policies and procedures while you
GMAT Exam are testing
GMAT® Handbook
13
On Exam Day
You will receive a copy of the following While in the Test Room:
GMAT Test Taker Rules & Agreement at
your test center prior to taking the exam. 1. You may bring ONLY the following items
In order to test, you must agree to comply into the test room:
with and be bound by the rules set forth
in this Agreement. • Your ID
• Key to the supplied locker
GMAT Test Taker Rules & Agreement
• Prescription eyeglasses
Everything you do after signing this • A light sweater or light,
Agreement is part of your exam. If you non-outerwear jacket
remain in the test area, you will be bound
by this Agreement. Leave the test center • Comfort items ONLY if they were
immediately if you don’t agree to be bound pre-approved as accommodations
by this Agreement and these rules. received in advance
• Taking other action, such as 5. You may leave the testing room or
prohibiting you from retesting your seat only if you are escorted by
• Forfeiting your exam fee a certified test administrator. You must
raise your hand for assistance or to
leave your seat.
14 GMAT® Handbook
During a break: For additional information concerning the
collection, transmission, and processing
1. You may ONLY have: of your personal data (including, without
• Water limitation, exam results, palm vein pattern
template, photograph and signature, and
• Food the audio/video recording), refer to the
• Comfort items, such as tissues or GMAC Privacy Statement available in the
cough drops as pre-approved by GMAT® Handbook and at mba.com.
GMAC and Pearson VUE By providing my digital signature, I give
2. You must return from breaks on time. If GMAC and Pearson VUE my permission
you are late, time will be deducted from to retain, process, store, and transmit
the next section of your exam. the following:
• My personal information related
3. You may not access any unauthorized
to the exam
items such as watches, study materials,
or electronics such as cellphones. If you • My palm vein pattern scan data
need to check the time while on break, • The digital photograph of me
you should ask a test administrator. taken at the test center
4. You may not remain in the testing room • The video and audio recordings
at your workstation. You must take your that include me from the
break in the test center lobby, locker test center
area, and/or nearest restroom. You are • My test responses
not allowed to leave the test center
during this time. to the United States, which may be outside
of the country in which I am testing.
5. If you return from your break early and I understand the information provided
request to be checked into your exam, above and agree to comply with and be
you must immediately begin your exam. bound by this GMAT Examination Testing
You may not sit at the workstation for the Rules Agreement.
remainder of your break.
GMAT® Handbook
15
On Exam Day
• GMAT fees, retest and other I certify that I have not knowingly accessed
testing policies, and score “live” GMAT questions or answers that might
cancellations for irregularities and appear on my test and will not discuss the
inappropriate examinee conduct content of the exam with anyone.
• Ownership of the GMAT test, I will not record, copy, or disclose any exam
all rights therein, and all test questions or answers, in whole or in part, in
related records by the Graduate any form or by any means before, during, or
Management Admission Council after I take the GMAT exam (orally; in writing;
• Privacy policies describing the in any Internet “chat room,” message board,
collection, use, processing, or forum; by SMS or text; or otherwise).
protection, and transmission to
the United States of my personal I understand and agree that if I provide false
information (including the digital information or if I violate any of the GMAT
photograph, palm vein pattern, rules and procedures, or any other terms or
signature, and audio and video conditions stated in the GMAT® Handbook:
recording collected at the test
center), my test responses and • The test administrator may
describing the disclosure of immediately dismiss me from
such data to GMAC, its service the test session.
providers, and score recipients I • My scores may be canceled
select, and others as necessary without refund, and a school
to prevent fraud or other unlawful receiving my scores may be
activity or as required by law informed of the reason for the
(mba.com/privacy) cancellation.
• The exclusive remedies available • I may be banned from retaking
to me in the event of an error the GMAT test.
in scheduling, administration,
or security of the reporting of • I may be subject to other
my scores consequences, as GMAC or
Pearson VUE deems appropriate.
I understand that the GMAT test is a
confidential and secure test, protected by I understand that, after finishing the test,
civil and criminal laws of the United States I will be prompted to decide whether to
and elsewhere. cancel or report my test scores. I understand
and agree that if I do not select either the
“Report Scores” or “Cancel Scores” option
within the time allotted, my scores will be
canceled automatically.
16 GMAT® Handbook
Accept Your Scores
When you complete your exam, you will be shown your unofficial GMAT scores—Verbal,
Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, and Total. You will be given two minutes to decide
whether to cancel or accept your score. If the time expires before you make a selection,
your score will be automatically canceled. If you choose to cancel your scores, your scores
will not be sent to any of the schools selected by you, you will not receive a hard copy of
your unofficial scores at the test center, and you will not be able to access your Official
Score Report.
To avoid testing violations, read and understand the GMAT Examination Testing Rules
Agreement. The Agreement will explain what you are allowed to do on the day of
your exam.
• Your ID • Water
• Key to supplied locker • Food
• Prescription eyeglasses • Comfort items pre-approved by
• A light sweater or jacket GMAC and Pearson VUE
(non-outerwear) (ask the test administrator)
• Comfort items if they were
pre-approved on an accommodation
ALL OTHER ITEMS, INCLUDING CELLPHONES AND WATCHES, ARE NOT PERMITTED TO
BE ACCESSED UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF YOUR EXAM. THEY ARE TO REMAIN IN THE
SUPPLIED LOCKER.
GMAT® Handbook
17
On Exam Day
Policy Violations
The following are examples of common Policy Violations. All Policy Violations may result
in a minimum 31-day wait to retest, canceled scores, notification to schools, forfeiture
of test fees, and up to a three-year ban on testing. Below are examples of common
Policy Violations:
18 GMAT® Handbook
Serious Policy Violations
Additional
Serious Policy How to Avoid a Consequences of
Violations Serious Policy Violation a Serious Policy
Violation
Disrupting Others You must act in a manner that does • Score revoked
(includes verbal not disturb, interfere, or threaten • Ban from test
altercations, lewd acts, other test takers or administrators. center for one-year
and physical violence) to lifetime ban
• Notification
to schools
Falsifying Score Reports You may not alter or falsify • Score revoked
an Unofficial or Official GMAT • Ban from testing
Score Report. for three years
• Notification
to schools
Taking the Test for Others You must take the test for yourself. • Score revoked
You may not test for anyone or • Ban from testing
have another person test for you. for five years
You also must not present • Notification
tampered or altered identification. to schools
GMAT® Handbook
19
After Your Exam
20 GMAT® Handbook
Evaluate Your Performance
Your Official Score Report will include several ways to interpret your exam results. You
may be tempted to pay attention only to your Total Score, but the other scores are also
meaningful. Those scores offer you and the programs receiving your scores insight into
your strengths and areas for development.
The unofficial report includes your Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and Total
Scores. You may use this report to determine:
Although this unofficial score report can be very helpful to you, you may not use it for
your admissions applications.
GMAT® Handbook
21
After Your Exam
22 GMAT® Handbook
Send Score Reports to Programs
We will send your Official Score Report to up to five programs that you must select at the
test center, prior to the start of your GMAT exam. We will send them electronically or by
mail, depending on the programs’ preferences. You may ask us to send your official score
to as many additional programs as you like (fees apply), as long as the scores are not
more than five years old. When you request scores to be sent to schools after your exam,
please note that additional fees will apply.
To have your scores sent to additional programs, go to mba.com to use the Additional
Score Reporting service and pay the required fee. Here are a few things to remember:
• Each score report will include GMAT exam scores you have accepted within
the past five years. GMAT scores that you have canceled will not be shown.
• Scores impacted by a Policy Violation or a Serious Violation will remain on
your score report.
• Score reporting fees are non-refundable.
• You may not remove recipients once you have submitted your request.
• If you purchase an additional score report within 72 hours of your exam, you
will not be able to cancel your score online.
If you have scores older than five years but less than 10 years, you may ask us to send
these scores to programs as long as you have not taken the GMAT exam within the past
five years.
GMAT® Handbook
23
After Your Exam
If your score is canceled for a Serious Policy Violation, it will be noted on your score
report. Scores are withheld or canceled for reason code “T” (Testing Issue) when a testing
irregularity occurs. Testing irregularities refer to events that affect the administration of a
test. When testing irregularities occur, they may affect an individual or multiple test takers.
Note that in some instances, we may cancel your scores even if we cannot confirm your
direct involvement in the violation. This includes any incident or pattern that causes us to
question the validity of your scores, such as:
• Possible exposure (purposeful or accidental) you may have had to test content
• Unusual answer patterns
• Unusual score changes
• Inconsistent performance on different parts of the exam
When scores are canceled by GMAC, your Official Score Report will have special
notations in the place of actual test scores.
In the case of a score being canceled for T (a test center issue or testing issue beyond
a test taker’s control), the candidate may be offered the option either to retest at no
additional fee or to receive a refund of his or her examination fee (unless the affected
examinee is found to have caused or been involved in the conduct that resulted in the
corrective action). If a retest is offered and an examinee selects that option, the
examinee must retake the entire exam in order to produce a valid score.
These are the exclusive remedies available to examinees whose score was canceled for
testing issues. Candidates will have 15 days from date of notification to schedule a free
retest or request a refund, if either is offered. The free retest can initially be scheduled out
as far as six months. If the candidate decides to reschedule the exam for a different date
or for further out, the candidate will be responsible for paying the rescheduling fee.
24 GMAT® Handbook
Reason
Meaning Given When Consequences
Code
• Administrative errors Scores withheld or
T Testing Issue
• Registration or canceled; noted on
payment errors Official Score Reports
for five years
• Inadvertent access to
or disclosure of test
content
• Disruptions at the test
center that were out of
the test taker’s control
• Other testing
circumstances leading
to the questionable
validity of scores
Scores withheld or
P Policy Violation • Test taker committed a
canceled; noted on
policy violation
Official Score Reports
for five years; schools
may be notified
Score cancellation;
S Serious • Test taker committed a schools notified; noted
Policy Violation serious policy violation on Official Score Reports
for five years; possible
ban on future testing and
other legal remedies
GMAT® Handbook
25
After Your Exam
26 GMAT® Handbook
Get Your Enhanced Score Report
Pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses and boost your confidence
Available at
mba.com/store
Makers of the GMAT® Exam
• Did you feel rushed? Your scores are adjusted if you do not finish a section.
If you believe you can do better with different pacing, it may be worthwhile to
take the test again.
• Were you nervous? Once you know what the test center looks like and what
taking the test feels like while you are there, you may be able to take the test
again with less anxiety.
• Did you struggle with certain areas? Targeted study may help you learn new
skills or refresh old skills to help you on your next test day and even in your
future graduate program.
If you are eligible to retake the exam, you may register for the exam on mba.com just as
you registered for the first exam.
GMAT® Handbook
27
Policies and Procedures will forfeit your test fee. Note: This is
in addition to the requirement that
you must present acceptable and
Test Policies and Procedures
valid identification.
GMAC and Pearson VUE have established
• Before you start the GMAT exam at a
terms and conditions, including testing
test center workstation, you will also
policies and procedures, to enhance the
be asked to agree to comply with the
testing environment and the validity and
GMAT Non-Disclosure Agreement and
security of the GMAT exam. When you
General Terms of Use statement.
register for the GMAT exam, you are
Electronic confirmation of your
agreeing to all terms and conditions
agreement is required. If you do not
contained in the GMAT® Handbook
agree to comply, you will not be
including, without limitation, the GMAT
permitted to take the test and you
Privacy Statement that includes privacy
will forfeit your entire test fee.
policies describing the collection, use,
processing, protection, and transmission to • Personal items, including watches,
the United States of personal information wallets, purses, bags, hats, large jewelry
and the disclosure of such information to and hair clips, and coats are not
GMAC, its service providers, and others. permitted in the testing room; limited
storage space is available. No devices
GMAC reserves the right to contact
or testing aids may be used or accessed
schools and take other appropriate
during the test session or during breaks.
actions with respect to individuals who
Prohibited items and conduct include,
violate testing terms and conditions.
but are not limited to: ear plugs, pens,
pencils, calculators, lip balm, watch
Test Administration Rules calculators, books, pamphlets, notes,
Test administration begins at check-in including writing on articles of clothing
(when you walk into the test center doors), or on one’s body, blank sheets of paper,
ends at checkout, and includes breaks. Test rulers, stereos or radios, digital music
administrators are required to report any players, telephones or cellular (mobile)
violation of testing policies or procedures phones, stopwatches, watches
and any other irregularity. (including digital, analogue, and those
with flashing lights or alarm sounds), and
• When you check in at the test center, any other electronic or photographic
the test administrator will ask you to devices or potential aids of any kind.
present valid, original identification. • Weapons, including but not limited to,
The administrator will also ask you to firearms, knives, or any object that could
confirm your agreement to the GMAT be used as a weapon, are prohibited
Examination Testing Rules & Agreement from the test center, including the
with a digital signature. testing room and waiting areas. These
• The test administrator will digitally take items are not allowed on the premises
your photograph and palm vein pattern and may not be stored in the provided
(except where collection is prohibited lockers. This policy includes off-duty
by law). Audio and video are recorded law enforcement officers and persons
in the testing room at all centers during with conceal-and-carry permits. Only
the exam. If you refuse to participate in emergency personnel responding to an
any part of the check-in process you incident in a test center are excluded
will not be permitted to test, and you from this policy.
GMAT® Handbook
29
• Access to telephones, cellular (mobile) entity at any time. This includes, but is
phones, other communication devices, not limited to, discussing or disclosing
watches, books, notes, or study guides such test content via email; in any
will not be permitted at the test center Internet “chat room,” message board,
at any time, including during the test or other forum; or otherwise. This
session or during breaks. Violation of disclosure prohibition applies before,
this policy could lead to confiscation during, and after any administration of
of the prohibited devices or materials the GMAT exam.
by the test administrator or • You will not be permitted to leave
invalidation of your scores. the testing room without the test
• The test administrator will provide you administrator’s permission. You will
with the equivalent of five erasable be required to provide a digital palm
noteboards. If you fill up your vein pattern scan any time you enter
noteboards during the test, please the testing room to match the identity
raise your hand; the administrator will verified at registration (except where
collect the noteboards you have and prohibited by law).
give you replacements. You may not • During a break, you are not allowed
remove the noteboards from the to leave the test center building. You
testing room, and you must return are only allowed to remain in the
them to the administrator after the test. designated locations during your
• Testing must begin promptly once you break–the locker area, the test center
are seated at the computer. The length lobby, and the nearest bathroom.
of your appointment is approximately • You may not leave your workstation
four hours. while timed sections of the test are
• Two optional breaks are scheduled being administered. If there is an
during the test administration. If you emergency and you must leave your
exceed the time allowed for these seat during the test session, raise your
breaks, the excess time will automatically hand and notify the test administrator.
be deducted from the next section of The time clock for the test section you
the test. are working on will not stop during
your absence. Repeated or lengthy
• You will not be allowed to eat or drink
departures from your workstation will
in the testing room–you may store food
be documented, reported by the
and drink in a locker and use them
administrator, and investigated
during breaks.
by Pearson VUE.
• Testing premises are subject to audio/ • Raise your hand to notify the test
video recording and other monitoring. administrator if you believe you have
• You may not communicate with anyone a problem with your computer, need
about the content of the GMAT exam new noteboards or a noteboard pen,
while the test session is in progress, or need the administrator for any
during any breaks, or after administration other reason.
of the test. Removing or attempting • Disruptive behavior in any form will not
to remove test content from the test be tolerated. The test administrator has
center is strictly prohibited. Under no sole discretion in determining what
circumstances may any part of the constitutes disruptive behavior.
test content viewed during a test
• The test administrator is authorized
administration be removed, reproduced,
to dismiss you from a test session for
and/or disclosed in any form by any
various reasons, including, without
means (for example, verbally, in writing,
limitation: providing false information,
or electronically) to any person or
30 GMAT® Handbook
attempting to take the test for ACT, and/or Pearson VUE, whose rights
someone else, failing to provide include copyright and/or trade secret rights.
acceptable identification, possessing These rights are protected. In particular, the
unauthorized personal items or testing GMAT test questions administered at test
aids, disrupting the testing environment, centers are valuable, copyright protected
refusing to comply with an property and trade secrets of GMAC. These
administrator’s reasonable requests, test questions have not been previously
giving or receiving unauthorized help, published or disclosed to the public at
attempting to tamper with the large. You must maintain the confidentiality
operation of the computer, refusing to of all test questions administered to you
follow directions, or failing to adhere to during the test. A disclosure of test
any other procedures, policies, or rules. questions in any form by any means
The test administrator is also authorized violates this confidentiality obligation.
to confiscate any and all unauthorized Any unauthorized access, reproduction,
items found in a test taker’s possession distribution, or disclosure of GMAT test
in violation of these terms and questions or answers before, during, or
conditions. GMAC and Pearson VUE after you take the GMAT exam is a violation
reserve the right to determine whether of US and international intellectual property
such items will be returned. laws and treaties and of your confidentiality
• Note: GMAC and Pearson VUE reserve obligations. GMAC will pursue all available
the right to take all action that they remedies (including those enumerated
deem appropriate if an individual fails in this GMAT® Handbook), which may
to comply with the test terms and include prosecution to the maximum extent
conditions or the test administrator’s possible under such laws and may result in
directions. This includes, but is not severe civil and criminal penalties.
limited to, barring an individual from
We reserve the right to cancel or withhold
future testing, canceling or withholding
any test scores when, in our judgment,
the individual’s scores, and/or reporting
a testing irregularity occurs. Testing
any rule violation, fraud, or other
irregularity identifiers that may be listed
irregularities to schools or other
on Official Score Reports include “T” for
appropriate third parties. If your scores
testing issues, “P” for policy violations,
are canceled or withheld, they will not
and “S” for serious policy violations.
be reported and your entire test fee will
be forfeited.
GMAT® Handbook
31
GMAT® Official Prep
32 GMAT® Handbook
mba.com/store
The 2019 GMAT® Official Guide series available June 2018
GMAT® Handbook
33
To ensure talent
never goes undiscovered
34 GMAT® Handbook
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is a nonprofit education
organization of leading graduate business schools and owner of the Graduate
Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) exam used by more than 7,000 programs at
approximately 2,300 graduate business schools around the world. GMAC is based in
Reston, Virginia, and has regional offices in London, Gurugram (Delhi), and Hong Kong.
The GMAT exam—the only standardized test designed expressly for graduate business
and management programs worldwide—is continuously available at over 600 test
centers in more than 110 countries.
GMAT® Handbook
35
© 2018 Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®). All rights reserved.
The policies and procedures explained in this Handbook are effective as of the Effective Date indicated above and supersede
previous policies and procedures. The fees, terms, rules, and conditions contained in this Handbook are subject to change.
Visit mba.com/handbook for the most up-to-date information.
The GMAT logo is a trademark, and GMAC®, GMASS®, GMAT®, Graduate Management Admission Council®, and Graduate Management
Admission Test® are registered trademarks of GMAC in the United States and other countries. American Express® is a registered
trademark of American Express Company. JCB® is a registered trademark of JCB, Co. Ltd. MasterCard® is a registered trademark of
MasterCard International Inc. VISA® is a registered trademark of VISA International Service Association.