Test Taker Q&A: How to Prepare for the GMAT Online Exam in India
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Make taking the GMAT Online exam one of your New Year's resolutions! No matter where in the world you want to go to business school, you can meet your application requirements from the comfort of your own home by taking the GMAT Online exam—an online, remotely proctored version of the test-center based GMAT exam.
But how should you begin to prepare for the GMAT Online exam? To gain the perspective of a candidate who was recently successful in taking the online exam, we interviewed Sushanth Ravva, an American citizen who currently resides in India. Sushanth works for Google through Accenture and plans to use his business school education to accelerate his career trajectory in marketing.
Read on to learn how Sushanth prepared for the GMAT Online exam and how you can too.
Why did you decide to take the GMAT Online exam?
I had already taken the GMAT exam in-person once before taking the Online GMAT. My first GMAT didn’t go well due to several issues— I was unable to time myself, I was nervous, and also a little offset by the environment of the test center. Don’t get me wrong, everything at the center was wonderful. The people there were very kind, supportive and helpful, although I fell victim to my own lack of preparation and composure. So, after reading online about the Online GMAT, I decided to give it a shot.
What was the difference between taking the GMAT at a test-center versus at home?
I felt that taking the Online GMAT exam was a wonderful experience. I felt more relaxed being home in an environment I’m comfortable with. It was a huge relief being able to take the exam from the comfort of my home and not expose myself to COVID-19.
Did you use the online or physical whiteboard? How was your experience with that?
I used a physical whiteboard while taking the Online GMAT. The experience was very easy, as GMAC has defined limits that allow for a very large whiteboard that is more than sufficient for the exam.
Read more: Whiteboard options for the GMAT Online exam
How was your overall experience of the GMAT Online?
Excellent. It was a very comforting and wonderful experience. The check-in was super quick, efficient and simple. I did face a technical issue where my exam paused in between questions, but the proctor was lightning quick in helping me fix the issue, and ensured a smooth and comfortable exam experience. I was extremely happy with my entire experience of the Online GMAT.
Preparing for the GMAT Online exam
How long did you study for the GMAT Online?
I studied for about four months before my second attempt. I started preparing for the GMAT in March 2020.
Did you self-study or did you sign up for professional coaching?
I signed up for professional coaching for the GMAT. I initially attended classes at a coaching center in Hyderabad, which I felt was useless, to be frank. Post the coaching, I couldn’t even score 620+ on simple mock tests. Afterwards, I signed up for online coaching and practised on mock tests offered by mba.com and 3-4 coaching companies.
On my second attempt at the exam, which was the online version, I scored a 710.
Free GMAT practice: Get your GMAT Official Starter Kit + Practice Exams 1 & 2
Was your preparation plan for the GMAT Online exam any different from what it would have been at the test center?
No, the preparation was the same.
What advice would you give to candidates who are at the start of their preparation journey?
I think it’s important not to compare yourself to others. It’s okay to take longer than others have in order to prepare for the exam. Lots of people try to pace themselves with respect to the time usually taken to complete prep for the GMAT, and that is a mistake. It’s important to go at your own pace. Also, the practice tests on mba.com are priceless and very accurate. I would also recommend using online prep. In my personal opinion, online prep is much better than the regular physical classroom coaching.
Post-exam experience
Are you satisfied with your score? Or are you planning to take it again?
I am satisfied with my score and have no current plans of re-taking the GMAT.
Are you planning to apply to schools/programs in India or abroad? You can send your scores to unlimited programs for free with the Online GMAT.
I have applied to MBA programs at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Indian Institute of Management Indore, and Indian School of Business.
What advice do you have for anyone planning to take the GMAT Online exam?
The GMAT Online exam is a wonderful experience. The entire process is seamless and very comfortable. I would recommend ensuring that you have a stable internet connection and make sure your test-taking environment is clean. Also, make sure that the dimensions of the whiteboard are within the specified limits.
Are you ready to take the GMAT exam in the comfort of your own home? Create an mba.com account to set your GMAT Online exam appointment and receive free prep materials.