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Taking the Exam at a Test Center

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If you are taking the exam at a test center, there are several key actions you need to take before your exam appointment to ensure your test day goes smoothly, including confirming you have the appropriate ID, and making sure you know where the test center is located. 

Below you'll find a test center pre-test checklist and details on what to expect in terms security measures and allowed/prohibited items when taking the exam at a test center.

Test Center Exam Day Information

Use this pre-test checklist prior taking the GMAT exam at a test center:

  1. Confirm your appointment date, time, and location in your appointment confirmation email and on your mba.com My Account page.
  2. Review the GMAT™ Handbook on the Exam Policies page to understand test policies and avoid policy violations which may result in your score being canceled.
  3. Familiarize yourself with the route to your test center location, and make sure to account for travel time and potential traffic delays.
  4. Think about what schools/programs you want to send your score to if you choose to select your five free score report programs up front. (Learn more about score sending for test center scores).
  5. Plan to arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment time, in order to allow plenty of time for the check-in process.
  6. Bring a valid photo ID; double check that your ID complies with your local ID requirements (and that your name exactly matches your GMAT registration).
  7. Relax and make sure you are well rested before your appointment!

View our ID Requirements page.

Checking in to Your Exam

Security measures are put in place to ensure consistency, fairness, and that you are able to perform your best on test day. To make certain of a safe and secure test environment, on test day test takers will:

  • Present appropriate identification
  • Provide a palm vein scan (where permitted by law)
  • Provide a digital signature stating that you understand and agree to the Test Taker Rules & Agreement
  • Sit for a digital photograph

What is a Palm Vein Scan?

As part of the test center check-in process, you will need to provide your palm vein pattern (i.e. a palm vein scan) as proof of identification. The palm vein reader biometric technology ensures that each test taker has a single GMAT record, preventing people from taking the test for others. The palm vein reader is part of the ongoing effort by GMAC to maintain test integrity, to prevent people from taking the test for others, and to ensure that the exam is a fair measure of everyone’s ability.

Various items are allowed and prohibited at GMAT exam test centers.

What You CAN Bring into the Test Center:

  • GMAT approved identification
  • Appointment confirmation letter or email you received from Pearson VUE
  • Prescription eyeglasses
  • Light sweater or light non-outerwear jacket
  • Comfort items only if they were pre-approved as an accommodation received in advance

What You Can Store in a Locker at the Test Center:

  • Watches
  • Electronic Aids
  • Writing Utensils
  • Thesaurus
  • Radios
  • Ear Plugs
  • Lip Balm
  • Pagers
  • Stereos
  • Pamphlets
  • Dictionaries
  • Cell Phones
  • Calculators
  • Mobile Phones
  • Scratch Paper
  • Rulers
  • Translators
  • Communication Devices

What You CAN’T Bring to the Test Center:

  • Food, drink, and candy are not allowed unless expressly pre-authorized with an accommodation.
  • Weapons, including firearms, knives, or any object that could be used as a weapon, are prohibited from the test center, including the testing room and waiting areas. This policy also pertains to off-duty law enforcement and persons with conceal and carry permits.

Interactive Exam Tutorial

This tool was designed to provide you with an idea of what the test screens will look like during their GMAT exam delivered at a test center.

The tutorial includes:

  • Look-and-feel of GMAT test screens
  • Preview of screen navigation and layouts
  • Information about the structure of the exam
  • Information about what to expect at the test center
  • Helpful reminders and tips for test day

All test takers can access this tutorial at any time, but we recommend that it be reviewed within 3 days prior to taking the GMAT exam.

 

 

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