Had a GMAT Nightmare? Now you Can Cancel a Score Instantly: MBA News

By Tim Dhoul Updated Aug 15, 2014

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GMAC advises prospective MBA students to be prepared

Had a GMAT Nightmare? Now you Can Cancel a Score Instantly: MBA News main image

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Sometimes even the best prepared of prospective MBA students can have a bad day and fail to do themselves justice on the GMAT exam.

So, a new feature to be introduced by GMAC (administrators of the GMAT) at each of its 600 test centers worldwide from tomorrow, June 27 should come as welcome news.

The score preview feature will allow prospective MBA students to see their unofficial GMAT scores, on all but the analytical writing section of the paper, directly after finishing. They can then decide whether to reject it out of hand or to allow an official GMAT score to be generated and reported to schools – before leaving the test center.

“The new score reporting feature gives test takers more certainty and control in the testing process and in how their scores are reported to schools,” said Ashok Sarathy, vice president of product management at GMAC in a press release.

GMAC advises prospective MBA students to be prepared

You’ll have to think fast when confronted by your unofficial score – two minutes is all you’ll have to deliberate. And this, according to Sarathy, serves to emphasize the importance of planning what kind of GMAT score you’re aiming for and what the bare minimum you’re prepared to accept might be:

“Know what score you're willing to accept so that when asked whether you wish to send your scores or cancel them, you have already considered your answer.”

And what if you spontaneously reject your GMAT score out of sheer disappointment only to realize, on reflection, that it’s a score that can suit your needs after all?

Well, GMAC has thought of this too, allowing prospective MBA students to reinstate a cancelled score within 60 days of taking the GMAT – albeit at a price of US$100.

GMAC’s aim is to facilitate the experience of sitting the GMAT and to give all prospective MBA students the chance to register a score that represents their true ability. In this, the move bares some resemblance to a measure recently introduced on the GRE, whereby test takers can sit multiple tests and select their best result to send on to schools.

Written by

Tim Dhoul

Tim is a writer with a background in consumer journalism and charity communications. He trained as a journalist in the UK and holds degrees in history (BA) and Latin American studies (MA).