GMAT Online exam now a permanent option for test-takers
The GMAT Online test will be welcome news for students who are concerned about taking the test in-person at a test centre. Source: Frederick Florin/AFP

The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) has made the GMAT Online exam a permanent solution following COVID-19-related health concerns. GMAC owns and administers the GMAT. The take-at-home option was initially offered as a temporary measure following the closure of test centres around the world due to the pandemic, forcing students to cancel or reschedule their testing date, reported global educational services company Kaplan. GMAC notes that the GMAT Online exam is available in most locations, with the exception of Mainland China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Sudan due to regulatory and local data privacy rules. Proctoring support for the GMAT Online exam is only offered in English.

Online GMAT bolsters support for B-school applicants

In a statement, GMAC senior director of corporate brand communications Tania Hernandez-Andersen told Poets&Quants that they are reinforcing their commitment to online test delivery for test takers and schools providing the choice and flexibility to take the GMAT exam and Executive Assessment online or at a test centre. “Our position is that the GMAT is one exam, delivered in two different ways. Both options will always be available to support candidates’ business school applications, and the choice is theirs whenever they are ready. With a ‘one test – two ways’ approach, candidates can choose the option that will provide them with the best experience to help them reach their goals,” she was quoted saying. GMAC said it has delivered over 45,000 GMAT online exams and scores have been sent to more than 4,000 programs across the world since its launch in April 2020.

GMAT Online specifications

According to GMAC, the GMAT Online exam costs US$250 and the registration fees include unlimited score sending. Candidates can reschedule their exam appointment any time before their scheduled exam time for a fee of US$25, while the cancellation fee is US$100.

The test includes the Quantitative, Verbal and Integrated Reasoning sections (omitting the Analytical Writing Assessment Section). Each section will contain the same number of questions and time per section as the current test center based GMAT exam. The total exam time is approximately three hours – two hours 45 minutes for the exam and an additional 15 minutes to check into the online proctored system. Candidates will be allowed one, optional five-minute break before beginning the Integrated Reasoning section, said GMAC.