You’ve studied for weeks! You know your math formulas backwards and forwards! You can spot an idiom from miles away! You get all the way to the test center and it hits you… you’ve forgotten your valid photo ID.

Arriving at the test center on the day of your GMAT exam without something you need would certainly be a big bummer, but don’t worry! In this guide, I’ll walk you through what to bring to GMAT test day. First, I’ll go over the necessary items you have to bring to the test center. Next, I’ll talk about some things that would be nice to have at the test center. I’ll also give you a GMAT exam day checklist that you can use to make sure you’ve got all you need for test day. Finally, I’ll talk briefly about the items you shouldn’t bring to test day.

What to Bring to GMAT Test Day

GMAC has strict rules and regulations for test-takers, so it’s important to know what to bring to the GMAT test center so that you can take your test at your scheduled time. It’s also important to be prepared so you avoid any unnecessary fees from having to reschedule your exam or pay to send test scores later.

What to Bring to the GMAT: 4 Necessary Items

You don’t need to bring much to take the GMAT, but there are a number of items you must have in order to be allowed to take the test. You should make sure to bring each of the following items with you to your appointment.

#1: A Valid, GMAT Approved Photo ID

You must bring a valid, GMAT approved photo ID to be admitted your exam. If you forget to bring a photo ID, or if it doesn’t fit the qualifications discussed below, you won’t be allowed to take the GMAT. GMAC has strict rules and regulations about what constitutes a valid, approved photo ID. A valid photo ID must have:

• Your name using the Roman alphabet (an important note for test-takers in countries that don’t use the Roman alphabet) that is spelled exactly the same way you provided it when you registered.
• Date of birth that exactly matches the birth date you registered with.
• A recent, recognizable photograph.
• Your signature.

If your photo ID doesn’t have one of the above qualifications, you won’t be admitted to take the GMAT. If your photo ID has all of the above qualifications but is expired, you won’t be admitted to take the GMAT. Make sure your ID fulfills all the requirements well before test day, because it can often take a while to replace a driver’s license or passport.

Speaking of driver’s licenses and passports, they are two of the acceptable forms of photo identification. The four acceptable forms of ID for the GMAT are: international passport, government-issued driver’s license, government-issued national/state/province identity card, and military ID card. Note, you must bring a passport if you’re taking the GMAT in a country outside of your country of citizenship. So, if you’re from the United States and are taking the GMAT in India, you need to bring your US passport in order to take the GMAT.

Remember, you’ll be turned away at the door if you don’t have a valid photo ID!

#2: Names of the Five MBA Programs Where You Want to Send Your Scores

As part of your GMAT test day appointment, you’ll be able to select up to five programs to send your GMAT scores to. Your GMAT exam fee includes the cost of sending your scores to these five schools. You’ll only be able to send your free scores once, immediately before your exam. If you don’t select any schools to send your scores to, you can do it later, but it’ll cost $28 per school.

It’s a good idea to bring a list of the MBA programs you want to send your scores to your test so that you aren’t flustered with trying to make a decision on test day and so that you don’t spend unnecessary money sending your scores at a later date.

#3: Appointment Confirmation Letter or Email

Bring your appointment confirmation letter or email to your testing center in case there’s any discrepancy with your test date and time. By bringing your confirmation letter, you’ll be able to address any discrepancy (such as a confusion about your test date) and smooth out your check in process.

#4: Directions to the Test Center

Having printed directions to the test center or the address already pre-loaded onto your phone will save you time and stress as you’re driving to your appointment. Having printed directions can help if your phone unexpectedly dies or fails, while having the address pre-loaded onto your phone can help you search for alternate routes in case of traffic.

What to Bring to the GMAT: 3 Nice-to-Have Items

The GMAT is a long test and you’ll have the option of taking two breaks to refresh yourself during the exam. The following items aren’t required of test day, but may be nice to have if you’re concerned about being comfortable through the length of the exam.

#1: Water

Bringing water is a great way to refresh yourself during your break. You can’t bring it into the exam room, but you can retrieve it and drink it during the breaks. I’d recommend bringing water over soda or other sugary drinks, so you don’t experience a sugar crash.

#2: Snacks

Just like water, you can’t bring your snacks into the exam room, but you can get them during your breaks. A healthy snack like a piece of fruit, protein bar, or handful of trail mix can help boost your energy levels during the long test.

#3: Extra Layers

Sometimes, the test center you’re working in may be very cold or very hot. Bringing an extra layer, like a sweatshirt, or wearing layers that you can easily remove will help you be comfortable as you work in the test center for over three hours.

GMAT Exam Day Checklist

Worried that you’ll forget something important on your way to the GMAT? Don’t be! With our handy, downloadable GMAT exam day checklist, you’ll be able to remember exactly what to bring to GMAT test day.

Click here to download PrepScholar’s GMAT Exam Day Checklist.

3 Things Not to Bring to the GMAT

GMAC is very strict about what you can bring into the testing room. Leave these items at home or in your car on test day – you won’t be able to use them anyways.

#1: Electronics

You can’t bring a calculator to the GMAT, so don’t even bother packing it into your car on test day. You also won’t be able to use your phone, tablet, pager, laptop, watch, radio, or any other electronic item during the test, besides the computer station provided to you at the test center. You’ll be asked to lock up your electronics, so be prepared to put them into a locker or leave them in your car or at home during the test.

#2: Books and Other Print Aids

You can’t bring any books or print aids to the GMAT, including dictionaries, thesauruses, idiom dictionaries, math formula sheets, etc. Make sure you don’t accidentally have a sheet folded up in your pocket or on your person as you enter into the test center. Your test will be automatically voided if you’re found with any print aids in the testing room.

#3: Weapons

It should go without saying, but the only weapon you need to bring to the GMAT is your finely tuned brain that you’ve trained for weeks to conquer the test. Leave all weapons or items that could be considered a weapon (including pocket knives, nail clippers, and razors) at home.

Review: What to Bring to GMAT Test Day (and What Not To)

It’s important to know what to bring to the GMAT so you don’t have any trouble taking your test during your scheduled appointment. If you’re worried about forgetting something, print out our GMAT exam day checklist to make sure you’re all ready to go.

What’s Next

Wondering what to expect at your GMAT test center? A big part of feeling prepared for test day is knowing what you’ll encounter when you arrive to take your test. Check out our guide to GMAT test centers to make sure you’re well-prepared and ready to go.

If you’re concerned about sending your GMAT scores to schools, check out our complete guide to sending GMAT scores. The guide will help you learn how and when to send GMAT scores, as well as how to correctly time ordering score reports so your scores will arrive to admissions programs in time.

Searching for some last-minute GMAT tips? If your GMAT is just around the corner, our guide to last-minute GMAT tips will help you feel more prepared and ready for the exam, whether you just decided to take it recently or you’ve been studying for months.

The post GMAT Exam Day Checklist: What to Bring to the Test Center appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

So you’ve scheduled your GMAT appointment and feel good about it. A month later, you find out that’s your sister’s wedding date. What can you do? Don’t panic: you can reschedule the GMAT, though there is a fee. 

In this article, I’ll go over how to reschedule your GMAT date, how much it costs, and when it’s a good or bad move to reschedule.

Can You Reschedule GMAT Appointments? How Much Does It Cost?

The short answer is yes, you can reschedule your GMAT appointment. However, there are some limitations.

When you register for your GMAT date on mba.com, you’ll pay a scheduling fee of $250 for selecting the date, time, and location of your exam. You can’t get that fee refunded no matter what, so keep that in mind when deciding whether or not to reschedule.

If you decide to reschedule, you’ll pay a $50 fee if you change your exam date more than seven calendar days before your GMAT appointment. If you change your exam date seven days or fewer before your appointment, you’ll pay a $250 GMAT reschedule fee (meaning that you’re essentially paying to register for the test again).

You cannot reschedule or cancel your GMAT appointment 24 hours or less before your scheduled exam date. If you don’t appear on your exam date, your mba.com account will label that date a no-show. However, no-shows won’t appear on the score reports that go to business schools.

Rescheduling the GMAT: Step by Step

If you’ve decided to reschedule your GMAT appointment, it’s a fairly simple process.

1. To reschedule GMAT dates online, log into your mba.com account that you used to register for the exam.
2. Under “Future Exams,” on the first page, rescheduling your appointment will be one of the options under “Actions.” After clicking on ‘reschedule,’ you can select your new testing location (if applicable), exam date, and time.
3. Depending on when you’re rescheduling your exam, you will pay a $50 GMAT reschedule fee (more than seven days before your appointment) or $250 fee (seven days or fewer before your appointment). You’ll be directed to do this online in order to complete your new exam registration. Watch out for an email confirmation of your new exam date.

Note: You can also reschedule GMAT appointments by phone (find the appropriate number here). By phone, there is a $10 rescheduling fee. You are required to reschedule your appointment by phone if you want to reschedule an exam in a different country from the original one in which you registered.

Should You Reschedule the GMAT?

So, now you know you can reschedule GMAT dates. But is it a good idea? Let’s go over the do’s and don’ts of rescheduling the exam.

Avoid Rescheduling the GMAT If Possible

Rescheduling the GMAT is expensive, and your initial registration fee can’t be refunded. Also, depending on when you plan to apply to business schools, putting the test off until a later date can interfere with your admissions deadlines.

If possible, it’s usually best to stick to your initial plan and take the test on your scheduled date. If you don’t do well on your scheduled GMAT date, you can always retake the exam after further preparation—usually a better idea than putting it off to begin with.

Don’t Reschedule Because You’re Doing Poorly on Practice Tests

MBA programs don’t look down on taking the GMAT more than once, so it won’t reflect poorly on you if you take the GMAT twice or even several times. If you’ve prepared extensively but are not scoring exactly where you want on your practice tests, it’s usually a better bet to take the exam anyway. Taking the test at a real testing location may actually help you prepare and feel more relaxed and ready for your next GMAT appointment.

If you do decide to take the test more than once, just make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to prepare before your next exam date. You can’t take the GMAT more than once in a month, but depending on your target score, you’ll likely need at least three months to substantially prepare before retaking the test.

The one exception to this rule is if you truly haven’t prepared much for the GMAT at all due to work or other stressors in your life. If you’re still unfamiliar with the exam content and format, or haven’t focused on your weak spots at all, it’s better to reschedule. Taking the GMAT while woefully underprepared will only increase your fear of the exam.

Do Reschedule If You Have a Personal Emergency or Health Crisis

If you’re having an issue such as a personal crisis or illness, it may be better to reschedule. It’s best not to take the GMAT under more pressure than you need to, as it will likely lower your score and create anxiety around the process of taking the exam for next time. Taking time to heal and prepare before your next GMAT appointment will be better for your exam score and your health.

What’s Next?

If you’re ready to schedule your GMAT appointment, learn how to schedule wisely with our guides to choosing GMAT test dates.

Not sure how long you need to study for the GMAT? Our guide will help you set a timetable for your GMAT prep.

Meanwhile, our comprehensive GMAT Study Guide will cover everything you need for your GMAT preparation.

The post Can You Reschedule Your GMAT? Is There a Fee? appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

There are dozens of GMAT prep options out there, but none as important as The Official Guide for GMAT Review 2019. After all, it does have the word “official” in it’s title.

But what’s the deal with the official GMAT guide? Should every test taker get one? Read on to find out what’s in the book, what it’s best and worst features are, and how to get the most out of it in your prep.

What’s in the GMAT Official Guide?

So, what’s even included the GMAT official guide (or GMAT OG)? Well, quite a lot.

The Official Guide for GMAT Review 2019 includes 900 practice questions of all levels with answers and explanations, practice essay topics, and a diagnostic test, which helps you focus your practice.

The GMAT OG also includes a dedicated Integrated Reasoning chapter to build your IR knowledge and grammar and math review sections that cover concepts tested on the GMAT. While the review sections are nice to have, the guide’s real value lies in its plethora of official GMAT practice questions.

Pros of the GMAT Official Guide

Nearly every GMAT test prep company and private tutor recommend you purchase the GMAT Official Guide as part of your GMAT review. Why? Here’s a look at some of the guide’s pros.

#1: It Contains Real GMAT Questions Retired From Past Tests

Having access to real GMAT questions is an invaluable resource. It’s important to study realistic practice questions as much as possible because these questions help you recognize the format and content tested on the actual GMAT. While unofficial guides try to build realistic questions, nothing is as accurate as retired questions themselves.

#2: The Practice Questions Follow Actual GMAT Test Patterns

Similarly, the practice questions and the practice tests, follow the GMAT test patterns. Because the Official GMAT Guide is written by GMAC, you’ll get an accurate breakdown of the types of questions and content tested.

#3: You Have the Ability to Build Online Question Banks

You have the ability to build online practice question banks with your purchase of this guide. This ability helps you target your practice, especially if you’ve used the diagnostic test to figure out the areas that you need the most work on. All of the questions that are available in the Official Guide for GMAT in print are also available online, meaning you can access 900 practice questions from your computer.

#4: The Online Practice Bank Has New Features That Make Practice Easier and More Effective

The online question bank is set to a default “Exam Mode,” which is a very close simulation of what the test will actually be like. In this mode, you can’t skip questions, which ensures you’ll practice questions at different difficulty levels. The online practice bank also shows you how many questions of each difficulty level (easy, medium, and hard) you’ve answered or not answered.

#5: It Contains an Overview of the Integrated Reasoning Section

The Integrated Reasoning section is the newest section on the GMAT, and, as such, isn’t covered in a lot of depth in many places. The GMAT OG offers one of the most in-depth looks into the section itself, as well as real IR questions.

Cons of the GMAT Official Guide

Although The Official Guide for GMAT Review can be an incredibly helpful resource, it does have some drawbacks.

#1: The Grammar and Math Review Are Not That Comprehensive

The grammar review only really scratches the surface of concepts tested on the GMAT. The math review covers more, but doesn’t go into the depth you need to truly learn all of the content on the GMAT, especially if you’re looking to build a strong content foundation. I’d recommend supplementing the official guide with section specific strategy guides, such as those from Manhattan Prep or Veritas Prep.

#2: The Answer Explanations Can Be Confusing and Unhelpful

While the Official Guide for GMAT does include several strategies for test day, this book is mainly valuable for its official test questions. While all of the answers do have explanations, most GMAT test takers will find that they’re unsatisfied with just answer explanations and need more substantive review. Similarly, some of the answers can be confusing and unclear, which may cause frustration or prevent you from learning the underlying content tested in the question.

What Do Readers Think of The GMAT Official Guide?

Despite its flaws, most readers think that the official guide is extremely important to have. It has an average rating of 4+ stars on Amazon, and virtually all experts agree that it’s important to get. Most cite the realistic practice questions as the guide’s most useful feature.

The main complaints with the guide are that the question difficulty is a bit too easy, and there are few errors that make some of the questions unsolvable (most of these have been fixed in the corrected version).

Is The GMAT Official Guide Right For You?

I would recommend that almost every test taker purchase the Official Guide for GMAT Review. The sheer volume of actual GMAT questions you get makes the guide worth every penny.

However, if you have purchased an older version of the guide (e.g., the 2018 or 2017 editions), you don’t necessarily need to go out and buy the new one. Out of the 1,500+ total questions offered in this guide, only 220 are new. In total, about 15% of the guide is brand-new, never-before-seen GMAT content, so it’s a nice addition but not a vital upgrade.

Tips For Getting The Most Out of The GMAT Official Guide

So, if you’re buying the Official Guide for GMAT Review, how do you make the most out of it? Consider these tips as you’re thinking about the structure of your GMAT review.

#1: Supplement With Other Books

If you’re purchasing this guide and want to do a more comprehensive review, you’ll likely have to supplement it with other texts. Consider adding the dedicated books on the Verbal section and Quantitative sections from Manhattan Prep for more general overviews of the test. If you’re looking to really boost your performance, check out the Advanced Quantitative Guide we recommend in our Best GMAT Books 2017.

#2: Make Use of the Practice Tests and Questions

Try to do as many as practice tests and questions as possible during your GMAT review. These are going to help you develop the skills and familiarity with the test you need to do well on test day.

#3: Try to Simulate Test Day During Practice Tests

When taking a practice test with the Official GMAT Guide, try to simulate test day conditions as much as possible. Simulating test day means taking the test in a quiet environment, in one sitting, and with few interruptions. Doing so helps you ensure that your getting an accurate result.

What’s Next?

Want to supplement your GMAT Official Guide with other books? Check out other GMAT book options with our guide to the best GMAT books.

Alternatively, learn about options for studying on the computer with our guide to the best GMAT online prep.

Think about pairing your GMAT Official Guide with the Manhattan Strategy Guide Set. Check out our review to learn more.

The post How to Study With the GMAT Official Guide 2019: Full Review appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

So, you’ve registered and prepped for the GMAT, and now the fateful day approaches: test day! Your GMAT exam date can be daunting, but knowing exactly how to prepare, how to follow GMAT test rules, and what to expect at the testing location will calm your nerves. In this article, I’ll go over the best ways to rock your test date, from the night before to the end of your exam.

GMAT Test Day Tips: The Day Before

The night before your scheduled GMAT date can be nerve-wracking. Here are the best ways to get and stay organized in the final hours before your exam.

#1: Double Check the Day and Time of Your Exam

Your GMAT registration details are available through your account at mba.com. The day before the GMAT, do a final double check to make sure of the date, time, and testing location you signed up for. You don’t want to risk making a careless mistake and showing up late or missing your exam date entirely!

#2: Plan Your Route

Make sure you know exactly when you’ll leave the day of your exam and what travel route and form of transportation you plan to take. Check for any possible traffic or weather that might impede your route.

Getting lost or being delayed on the day of your GMAT will be an unnecessary frustration and distraction even if you manage to get to the testing location on time. You want to arrive to the testing site as calm and focused as possible.

#3: Locate the Correct ID

You’ll need to show the appropriate form of identification, as defined by GMAT test requirements, to sign in at the GMAT testing location. Find out what forms of ID qualify here. The last thing you want to be doing on the morning of the GMAT is scrambling around looking for a missing ID, so make sure you locate it the day before and have it ready.

#4: Get Some Rest

Make sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before your exam. Plenty of rest will help you stay focused and do your best the following day. Anxiety and exhaustion can affect your score even if you’re well prepared otherwise.

#5: Don’t Study the Day Before the GMAT

It can be be tempting to cram the day before the GMAT, but try to resist. Anything you study the night before likely won’t be retained, anyway. It’s best to give your brain a rest, get some sleep, and stay calm. Avoid any GMAT prep from the day before your test until the minute you sit down to take the exam.

GMAT Test Day Tips: Your Exam Date

Now your exam date has arrived, how can you maximize your chances of success? Let’s go over the best ways to physically and mentally prepare on your GMAT exam day.

#1: Set Your Alarm

It seems simple, but it could be catastrophic if you forget. Don’t oversleep! Make sure you set your alarm for well before the time you need to leave, so you’re not rushing out the door half-asleep. Leave plenty of time to gather your thoughts, go through your morning routine, and wake up a little.

#2: Eat Well

In addition to leaving time to relax before you leave, try to eat a good breakfast on the morning of your test. The GMAT can be exhausting, and brain food goes a long way.

#3: Leave With Plenty of Time

Make sure to leave with plenty of time to travel to the GMAT testing location. You should work a cushion into your travel plan so any obstacles that occur (parking, traffic, etc.) don’t stop you from arriving on time.

You should arrive at your testing location at least 30 minutes before your scheduled exam, since you’ll need to park, sign in, store your personal items, and get settled after you arrive.

If you arrive more than 15 minutes after your appointed testing time, GMAT rules specify that you may not be admitted to the testing room, your registration fee will be forfeited, and you’ll have to reschedule.

#4: Bring Comfort Items

Testing locations have specific rules about what you can and cannot bring to the exam on GMAT test days.

No personal items or testing items, such as snacks, water, a cell phone, your wallet, or a calculator, are allowed with you in the testing room (except a light jacket) under current GMAT rules, unless you’ve made prior arrangements with the testing location due to a disability. You cannot access these except during the provided GMAT breaks.

There is storage space available at every GMAT testing location, where you can store personal items that meet GMAT test requirements. I would suggest bringing water and snacks to replenish your energy during GMAT breaks. Gather the items you plan to bring with you and lay them out the night before so you’re not scrambling on the morning of the exam.

#5: Adhere to GMAT Test Rules

A few GMAT test rules apply to all testing locations. Some items, such as weapons (even for those with concealed carry permits and off-duty law enforcement officers), are prohibited entirely from all testing premises. In addition, you are never allowed to have a friend or relative wait for you at the testing site while you take the exam.

While taking the GMAT, you will be required to notify a testing administrator if you need to leave the room. If you’re away from your workstation for a lengthy amount of time, the testing location officials will be notified and you may be questioned.

You will also not be permitted to eat or drink while in the testing room, though you can eat during GMAT breaks. Use of cell phones, other forms of personal technology, and personal calculators is never permitted anywhere on the testing site.

Some GMAT test requirements are specific to the country in which the test is being administered. By registering to take the GMAT and signing in at the testing location, you agree to follow your country’s GMAT rules; you can find a comprehensive list of them here.

GMAT Test Day Tips: The Testing Center

Once you get to the testing center, it’s hard to know what to expect. Let’s go over the process of signing in to the testing location and what will happen once you arrive to take the exam on GMAT test days.

#1: Show Your ID and Sign In

Once you arrive at the testing location, you’ll check in with an administrator. You will present the proper government-issued ID and, if your country’s laws allow, will also have a digital photograph taken and be asked to provide a digital vein palm scan. You will have to provide an additional digital vein palm scan if you leave the testing room at any time, and again when you return.

#2: Take the Test

Once you are seated at your computer, testing will begin promptly. You will be provided with a scratch pad and marker to take notes on during the exam. The timer will begin after you agree to the GMAT test rules (which will be provided on the screen), and you’ll start with the analytical writing assessment section (the essay).

If you have any questions or issues (such as technical problems) during the GMAT, or if you need to leave the room for any reason, raise your hand and a testing administrator will come to you and help you. GMAT test rules ask that you never get up from your workstation without permission once you’ve been seated and informed that you can start the test.

#3: Sign Out and Receive Your Unofficial Score Report

Once you hit “submit” for your last GMAT question, you will see a preview of your unofficial score report on the screen. You’ll be asked if you wish to cancel your scores. Make sure to have decided what GMAT scores you will keep and which you will cancel beforehand, so you don’t make any rash decisions. If you want to reinstate a cancelled GMAT score within 60 days, you’ll have to pay a $100 fee.

When you leave the testing location, an administrator will give you a printout of your unofficial score report. This will include your score for every section of the GMAT except the analytical writing assessment, which will be scored separately. Your official scores will be sent out to the MBA programs you chose approximately 20 days after your test date, unless you cancel them beforehand.

GMAT Test Day Tips: Testing Strategies

When you’re taking the exam, there are a few key GMAT test day tips you can use to make the most of your testing time. Let’s go over the top five ways to do your best during the GMAT.

#1: Take Your GMAT Breaks

The GMAT is just over three hours long, not counting two scheduled optional breaks. Both breaks are eight minutes long.

Use the provided GMAT breaks to your advantage! Go to the bathroom, have a quick snack or a drink, or stretch your legs. These breaks are short, but they’ll be invaluable to your continued stamina and focus in the taxing and lengthy exam process.

Remember, however, that according to GMAT rules, you cannot use your phone during these breaks. If you are caught using your phone, your exam scores will be cancelled, and you won’t get a refund for your testing fee.

#2: Keep Track of the Time

As you take the GMAT, you’ll see a timer during every section in the upper lefthand corner of the screen that will let you how much time you have left. Don’t obsess over it, but do keep track of how many questions you have left and how much time you have to complete them.

Make every effort to get through the entirety of every section, as this makes a big difference in your score. Make sure you’re not spending too much time on the initial five to ten questions, which is a habit of many test-takers.

#3: Don’t Be Afraid to Guess

If you’re struggling with a particular question, do your best to use the process of elimination to get rid of one or more incorrect answer choices. Even if you can’t, take your best guess and move on. It’s in your best interest to complete as much of the test as possible and to answer every question.

Getting stuck on a certain question will only bring you down and could make you lose focus for the next several questions as well. The GMAT’s computerized adaptive format means that you have no idea what kind of question may be coming next at a given time. If you spend too long on a question you find difficult, you may miss the opportunity to answer several other questions correctly later on.

#4: Take Notes

Use the provided scratch pad to keep track of significant details, calculate solutions, or create outlines as you complete the GMAT. Some students think it will save them time to avoid taking notes, but that could actually cause you to skim over important details that would lead you to the right answer choice. You can find more details on the best ways to make use of the GMAT scratch pad here.

#5: Stay Calm

Whatever you do, try not to panic during the GMAT. Anxiety disrupts your focus and can cause you to spend too long on a question or make careless mistakes. Remember that you can always prepare again and retake the test if you don’t do as well as you hoped, so just take a deep breath and do your best.

What’s Next?

For more specific logistical GMAT test requirements and GMAT test day tips, check out our guide to exam registration.

Need to know more GMAT test rules about what you can and can’t bring to the GMAT testing center? Find a list of approved items here.

Find the test date that works for you at our list of 2017 GMAT test days.

The post GMAT Test Day: 18 Expert Tips to Rock the Exam appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

If you’re concerned about finances as you’re applying to business school, affording the GMAT fee can be a serious challenge. After all, the GMAT is expensive: It costs $250 to take the exam, and you’ll have to pay the full fee every time if you want to take the test more than once.

Unfortunately, GMAC doesn’t offer GMAT fee waivers directly to applicants, but you do have options for getting your GMAT fee waived or reduced. In this article, I’m going to talk about your options for GMAT fee waivers, how to get them, who qualifies, and other money saving tips to make your GMAT prep more affordable and accessible.

What GMAT Fee Waivers Are Available to Me?

GMAC doesn’t offer GMAT fee waivers directly to applicants, so if you’re looking to have your GMAT fees reduced or waived, you’ll need to work directly with schools.

GMAC provides GMAT exam vouchers to schools based on request. Each school can request up to 10 GMAT exam vouchers per year. These vouchers waive the GMAT exam fee for an applicant.

GMAC encourages schools to offer these fee waivers to economically disadvantaged students, but it’s up to each individual school to decide who gets a fee waiver.

How Can I Get a GMAT Fee Waiver?

Schools offer GMAT fee waivers in one of two ways. First, some schools offer GMAT fee waivers to their currently enrolled students or alumni. Second, some schools offer fee waivers to applicants to their business programs. Both ways require you to submit a supplemental GMAT fee waiver application. Let’s examine each of those options a little more closely.

Method 1: Getting a GMAT Fee Waiver From Your Undergraduate Institution

Some schools, like MIT, offer GMAT fee waivers to undergraduate students and recent alumni.

In order to apply to these GMAT fee waivers, you need to have graduated or be on track to graduate from an undergraduate college or university that offers GMAT fee waivers.

You can find more information about whether or not your school offers fee waivers to enrolled students or alumni by visiting the school’s Financial Aid Office website or calling the office directly.

Method 2: Getting a GMAT Fee Waiver From the Business Program You’re Applying To

Other programs, like the University of Rhode Island, offer GMAT fee waivers to prospective candidates. You do not have to have attended these schools as an undergraduate to apply for a fee waiver. You do, however, need to apply to these schools as an MBA candidate.

You can find more information about whether or not the schools you’re applying to offer GMAT fee waivers by visiting the school’s Financial Aid Office website or calling the office directly.

If you’re still an undergraduate student or a very recent alum (<2 years from graduation), I would recommend applying for a fee waiver from your undergraduate institution first, if your undergraduate institution offers fee waivers. You’ll be able to more easily access information about fee waivers by visiting your on-campus financial aid office and you may even have relationships with financial aid counselors that you can use to your benefit when submitting your application.

If your undergraduate institution doesn’t offer fee waivers, make sure to research the policies of the programs that you’re applying to so that you can find out which programs offer fee waivers.

Regardless of whether you apply for a fee waiver from your undergraduate institution or from a program you’re applying to, make sure that you complete the GMAT fee waiver application as soon as possible. Remember, each school only offers a maximum of 10 fee waivers and many are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Who Qualifies for a GMAT Fee Waiver?

According to GMAC, fee waivers are designed for economically disadvantaged students. However, GMAC states that each individual school is free to come up with its own definition for “economically disadvantaged.” What does this mean?

First of all, it means that you should apply for a GMAT fee waiver even if you’re worried you might not qualify as “economically disadvantaged.” If you’re rejected from one program’s fee waivers, you may be accepted at another’s.

Secondly, it means that every school will have different criteria for determining economic need. Most schools require applicants for fee waivers to submit a statement of financial need. In this statement, you should describe, in detail, your economic situation and why paying for the GMAT fee will be difficult for you. The more honest and clear you are, the better a scholarship committee will understand your unique situation.

In general, people who qualified for need-based financial aid as undergraduates or people who make below a certain income threshold may qualify for fee waivers. However, because each school has its own criteria, it’s hard to make a general statement about who should apply for a GMAT fee waiver or who will definitely receive one.

Which Schools Offer GMAT Fee Waivers?

Unfortunately, there is not a comprehensive list of schools that provide GMAT fee waivers. Business programs need to apply every year to get more fee waivers, so the availability of fee waivers changes often. For the most up-to-date information, you can check the financial aid section of a program’s website or call the admissions office to find out more.

How Else Can I Save Money Preparing for the GMAT?

While obtaining a GMAT fee waiver can be difficult and time-consuming, there are plenty of other ways that you can save money while preparing for the GMAT.

#1: Use Free and Low-Cost Study Materials

There are many free and low-cost study materials out there, ranging from complete GMAT study plans to extremely specific quant section drills and covering everything in-between. There are free PDFs, free apps, free websites… basically, there’s a lot of free information out there. Furthermore, spending just $20-30 can be enough to get access to a bunch more great resources. Check out our guide to the best GMAT books or our guide to the best online practice for the GMAT to learn more.

#2 Keep Extra Fees Down

You can rack up expenses extremely quickly as you study for the GMAT. You can spend money sending your scores to more schools or taking the exam more than once. Do your research so that you know exactly which schools to send your free score reports to, and study with the aim of hitting your goal score the first time around. Doing so will save you from spending extra money down the road.

#3 Apply for Application Fee Waivers

Many schools offer application fee waivers for students with demonstrated economic need. You’ll need to apply for an application fee waiver, much like you’ll need to apply for a GMAT fee waiver, but because each school determines its own number of application fee waivers, you may have a better chance of getting this fee waived.

Application fee waivers are also much more common than GMAT fee waivers, so you have a better chance of scoring one if finances are a concern.

What’s Next?

Curious about other free GMAT prep options? Check our guide to the best GMAT apps, many of which are free.

Not sure when to take the GMAT? We help you determine the best time for you to take the exam in our complete guide for when to take the GMAT.

Carrier pigeon? Snail mail? Email? In our complete guide to sending GMAT scores, we breakdown how and when your GMAT scores will be delivered to business schools.

The post Can You Get a GMAT Fee Waiver? appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about your GMAT score report: what’s on it, what it means, and how schools use it in their MBA admissions decisions. I’ll cover what’s actually on a GMAT score report, both official and unofficial, show you a GMAT official score report sample, and walk you through some of the most frequently asked questions about GMAT score reports.

What’s on a GMAT Score Report?

There are two basic types of GMAT score report. You receive your unofficial GMAT score report as soon as you finish the test.  Your unofficial GMAT score report includes your unofficial scores for each part of the test, except for the analytical writing assessment.

You’ll receive your GMAT official score report within 20 calendar days after you finish taking your exam. Your official score report includes your official scores for every part of the test.

Your GMAT score report also contains information about you as a test-taker, as well as scores from all the GMATs you have ever taken, with the exception of any scores you’ve canceled. Let’s take a look at the two different types of GMAT score reports.

Unofficial GMAT Score Report

You’ll get your unofficial GMAT score report as soon as you finish the test. It shows up on your computer screen before you exit the program.

Your unofficial GMAT score report will show your unofficial verbal, unofficial quantitative, and unofficial integrated reasoning scores, as well as your unofficial total score. You won’t get an unofficial AWA score, because your AWA essay needs to be read to get its score.

You’ll also get a preview of your percentile ranking. Your percentile ranking is super important for understanding how well you performed when compared to other people who took the GMAT. For instance, if your ranking is 76%, that means you did better than 76% of test-takers. The higher your percentile ranking, the higher the percentage of test-takers you did better than.

When you see your unofficial score, you’ll have an opportunity to cancel delivery of your GMAT official score report. If you feel like you didn’t perform very well, and you still have time to retake the GMAT, you may want to consider canceling your scores. You can cancel your scores at the test center for free, or you can wait up to 72 hours to cancel them for a fee. For more information about why and how you may cancel your GMAT scores, check out our guide on sending GMAT scores.

You’ll also receive a printout of your unofficial score report to take home with you after the exam. This printout will have additional information, like your ID number and your authentication code, which you’ll need to easily access your scores electronically once your official GMAT score report is available.

GMAT Official Score Report

As you can see in this GMAT official score report sample, your GMAT official score report has information about you as a test-taker, as well as your GMAT official scores. This report will be sent to the programs you’re applying to, so there’s more information on your profile that helps identify you, including your country of citizenship and your self-reported GPA, than on the unofficial report.

The first part of your GMAT official score report has information about where and when you took the GMAT. This information is important in case there’s any discrepancy with your test or with the test center, such as an inaccurately reported result. You can use this information when speaking with GMAC to help identify your exam session and clear up any issues. Discrepancies are extremely rare, so don’t worry too much about this information.

The next section of your score report has test-taker information, like your email address, date of birth, and GMAT ID. All of this information is automatically populated based on information that you gave GMAC when you registered for your test.

The third section includes optional test taker information. You can choose whether or not you want to report this information and you can choose what information you report. This section includes information about your undergraduate university or college, your graduation date, and your GPA. The section heading says that this is “self-reported,” which tells schools that you report this information yourself in case of any discrepancies.

Finally, as you can see from this GMAT official score report sample, your official GMAT score report has all of your official GMAT scores on it.

Your official GMAT score consists of five parts:

• Total Scaled Score (on a scale from 200 to 800)
• Verbal Scaled Score (on a scale from 0 to 60)
• Quantitative Scaled Score (on a scale from 0 to 60)
• Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) Score (on a scale from 0 to 6)
• Integrated Reasoning Score (on a scale from 1 to 8)

The total score is a scaled combination of the verbal and quantitative scaled score. It reflects how well you did on the quant and verbal sections of the GMAT. The AWA and Integrated Reasoning sections do NOT affect the total score.

Your score report will include all of your active GMAT scores. If you choose to cancel your scores on test day or 72 hours after test day, your scores won’t be reflected in your GMAT official score report.

All admissions committees will see exactly the same information you do when they view your official score report. That means that they’ll see all of your active GMAT scores, as well. But don’t worry about admissions committees seeing your old scores: they’ll only take into account your highest GMAT scores in their decision.

GMAT Score Report FAQ

In this section, I’ll go over some frequently asked questions about GMAT score reports, including how much they cost and how to send them.

#1: How Much Do GMAT Score Reports Cost?

Your GMAT registration fee covers sending your official GMAT score report to up to five schools for free. If you want to send your GMAT scores to more schools, it costs $28 per school. There’s no way to expedite your GMAT scores as this time, so make sure you pay attention to application deadlines so that you’re sending your scores with plenty of time.

#2: How Do You Send GMAT Scores?

Part of your GMAT registration fee covers automatically sending your score report to up to five schools of your choosing. These schools must be selected at the test center before your start your exam. You don’t have to send any scores at this time, but it won’t be free if you send your scores at a later date. Remember, if you cancel your scores, the schools you select won’t receive your report. It costs $28 to send additional score reports, which you can order by phone or online. For more information about sending your GMAT scores, check out our guide.

#3: Can You Order Another GMAT Score Report?

If you choose to send additional schools your scores, or to send your score reports at a later time, a $28 fee per school will apply. You’ll need to wait to do this until you receive your official score report. You can order more score reports online or by phone. There’s an additional $10 fee to order your GMAT score report by phone.

#4: How Long Does It Take For Schools to Get Your GMAT Scores?

Schools receive your official score report electronically within 20 calendar days of your exam (the same time you do). Additional score reports will be sent about five business days after you place an order. You can choose to send your additional score reports online, by fax, by phone, or through the mail. If you choose to send your GMAT score report by mail, you’ll have to pay an additional fee. If you choose to send your score reports online, by phone, or by fax, the school will receive them around five business days after you place the order. If you send the reports by mail, it’ll likely take longer, depending on shipping speeds.

#5: How Do Schools Use Your GMAT Score Report?

Admissions committees use your GMAT score report as an indicator of your academic preparedness for an MBA program. It shows schools how ready you are to take on the rigorous coursework in MBA classes. Schools want their students to succeed, so they look for applicants that are ready to handle the demands of their programs. Your undergraduate GPA and grades in any supplemental coursework you’ve taken also give programs information about your academic preparedness.

#6: What Does Your Percentile Score Mean?

Your percentile score tells how well you performed when compared to other people who took the GMAT. If your ranking is 64%, that means you did better than 64% of test-takers. The higher your percentile ranking, the higher the percentage of test-takers you did better than.

#7: Do Admissions Programs Really See Your Old GMAT Scores?

For the most part, yes. As I mentioned before, your official GMAT scores will show up on your official GMAT score report, except for any scores you’ve canceled. However, any scores that are over five years old won’t show up on your score report. You can pay to get scores that are between five and ten years old reinstated to your score report. Any scores that are more than ten years old are no longer valid.

Remember, schools will focus way more on your highest scores. It also always looks good to an admissions committee if they see that you’ve improved your GMAT scores overtime. Improving your scores shows you’re dedicated to your academic performance and willing to work hard to achieve your goals

What’s Next?

Carrier pigeon? Email? Snail mail? Wondering how to send your GMAT scores? Learn all about sending your official GMAT score report in our complete guide.

Now that you know what’s on your GMAT score report, dive into what your score actually means with our guide to your GMAT total score and learn how important your GMAT total score really is.

What even is a good GMAT score? In our guide to what makes a good GMAT score, we’ll break down what makes a strong GMAT score for different schools and tell you how to decide what’s a good GMAT score for your goals.

The post GMAT Score Report: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

Who is eligible to take the GMAT? It’s one of the most common questions asked by students hoping to complete this step on the way to their MBA.

In this article, I’ll break down the three main GMAT eligibility criteria for anyone looking to register, as well as factors that can make you ineligible to take the test now or in the future. We’ll also briefly cover the other eligibility criteria set by most business schools when they evaluate potential students.

Who Is Eligible for the GMAT?

First off, the good news: almost anyone can take the GMAT, regardless of background or education. The criteria for registering for and taking the test aren’t strict. And since the exam is available at testing centers frequently all over the world, GMAT eligibility isn’t something to be too concerned about.

That said, there are a few things you do need to know about your eligibility for GMAT testing. There are three primary eligibility criteria for anyone planning to take the GMAT:

• Be over the age of 18
• Have a government-issued photo ID
• Pay the testing fee

Age is pretty self-explanatory, but let’s delve into the other two a little more.

Photo ID: What Kinds of Identification Do I Need?

A government-issued form of photo ID is required of all test-takers on exam day. Make sure your ID fits the GMAT requirements:

• Includes your signature
• Includes a clear, recognizable photo of you
• Government-issued
• Original, not photocopied
• Non-expired
• Includes the full name, citizenship info, and birthday you entered when you registered for the GMAT

GMAT test centers will accept the following forms of ID, but make sure to note the caveats attached as not all types of ID are accepted in all circumstances:

• Passport (required for non-citizens of testing country)
• Government-issued driver’s license
• Government-issued learner’s permit (in the U.S. only)
• Other government-issued ID, such as national, state, or province identity card (such as European ID card)
• Green card or permanent resident card (U.S. only)
• Military ID (laminated)

On the day of your exam, you’ll also be asked to verify your identity by having a photo taken, entering an electronic signature at your testing computer to agree to the GMAT rules and policies, and, in some areas where it’s legally permitted, provide a palm vein scan.

Make sure to gather all your documents, including your ID, the day before the exam (or earlier if you’re an overachiever). That will cut down drastically on stress the day of your test.

Keep in mind that each country, and even each region where a testing center is located, may have a different policy regarding the exact required identification documents. Check out country-specific regulations in order to prep your documents here.

GMAT Fees

After you register for and schedule your test at mba.com, you’ll have to pay a testing fee online by debit or credit card, or by mail with a cashier’s check, personal check, or money order. The flat fee for test takers is $250 U.S dollars.

Needing financial assistance with your registration fee? You may be able to apply for vouchers that can be used towards your fees and other expenses. While the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) doesn’t offer vouchers itself, the Edward S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program and the Fulbright Foundation both do — contact them ASAP if you’re looking to apply for one. Individual schools sometimes offer vouchers to promising students, too, so make sure you check your intended schools’ websites.

For more information about GMAT fees, check out our complete guide to how much the test costs.

So, What Can Make You Ineligible for the GMAT?

There’s really only one thing that can make you permanently lose GMAT eligibility for testing: a policy violation. To keep things fair for everyone, the GMAC has set very clear guidelines for a safe and equitable testing environment. For the full list, see our complete guide to GMAT test day.

Most GMAT policies are self-explanatory, such as not cheating in any way, not duplicating any part of the test, and not tampering with the testing computer.

There are a few you might not know in advance, like the items allowed in the testing room or at breaktime. No cell phones or other electronic devices are allowed, but you can have a few personal items such as light outerwear in case you’re cold and snacks at breaktime. But again, there’s nothing too surprising.

Nonetheless, make sure you read the policies in full (you’ll be provided with a Testing Agreement right before the test and when you register) to avoid any potential mistakes that would endanger your eligibility for GMAT testing. You’ll need to agree to them with a signature in order to take the exam. You’ll also be expected to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, which means you can’t discuss any specific questions online, orally, or in writing post-GMAT.

Penalties for violating GMAT policies may include cancelled scores, being banned from testing again for one year to the rest of your life (in serious circumstances such as deliberate cheating or harassing another test-taker), notifications to your intended schools, and even legal consequences where applicable.

Bottom line: don’t be shady, read the policies, and follow them! Your future self will thank you.

MBA Eligibility: What You Need to Get In

While you are most likely eligible to take the GMAT itself, business schools have their own expectations for admission. Read on to learn about the key MBA requirements.

GMAT Scores

Of course, one of the most significant aspects of your MBA application is your GMAT score. Many MBA programs will accept the GRE in lieu of the GMAT (though some still prefer the GMAT), but most will require scores from one of the two tests. Check your school’s website for their specific recommendations about which test to take and what score you need.

Official Transcripts

Virtually all business schools require students to enter the program with a bachelor’s degree in any subject or the foreign equivalent. Columbia Business School, whose admissions requirements are comparable to those at most high-level MBA programs, requires official undergraduate transcripts and proof of undergrad GPA. At most institutions, you’ll also be required to fit any general criteria for incoming graduate students (such as a specific undergrad GPA).

Don’t worry too much about your major; MBA programs admit students with all kinds of backgrounds, as many different skill sets can be useful for careers in management.

Proof of English Fluency

International students are generally required to submit proof of English fluency for MBA programs conducted in English. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), PTE (Pearson Test of English), and the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) are all accepted by most schools for this requirement.

This requirement is waived for students who have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree that was taught entirely in English.

Other Requirements for MBA Admission

Though the three factors above are required by almost every business school, many programs will also ask for further information about you, including letters of recommendation, essays, and interviews.

You’ll generally be asked for two letters of recommendation (though some schools ask for three), which can come from former professors, instructors, supervisors, or colleagues. Remember to contact prospective recommenders as early as possible to give them time to write you a quality recommendation.

As MBA programs and careers in business require stellar interpersonal, writing, and communication skills, MBA applications often include several essays as a major factor in the admissions process. These essays are a chance for your prospective programs to get to know you on a slightly more personal level. Questions often cover your post-MBA goals and long-term goals, the diversity you could offer on a business school campus, your approach to teamwork, and school-specific questions.

Some schools also require interviews or additional writing samples. Check your prospective schools’ individual websites for more information.

Bottom Line: What Determines Eligibility for GMAT Testing?

As long as you’re 18 or over, have a valid photo ID, and haven’t been caught violating GMAT policies, you’re eligible to take the GMAT.

Now that you know the basics about eligibility for the GMAT, you’re ready to start preparing for the test and register for an exam date. Because the GMAT is so widely and frequently available, you don’t need to worry that you won’t be able to take it.

Stay organized, but focus on preparing yourself mentally and psychologically for the exam itself, rather than worrying about your eligibility for GMAT testing. Good luck!

What’s Next?

Ready to register for the GMAT? Check out our comprehensive registration guide.

If you want to know more about paying for the GMAT, our guide to GMAT fees will give you the nitty-gritty on costs.

Questions about what’s on the exam? Check out our complete GMAT syllabus, which explains exactly what to expect from the test and how to prepare for it.

The post GMAT Eligibility: 3 Key Factors appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.