| User Preferences and settings |
| How do I change my settings? |
| All your settings (if you are registered) are stored in the database. To alter them click the Profile link (generally shown at the top of pages but this may not be the case). This will allow you to change all your settings. |
| The times are not correct! |
| The times are almost certainly correct; however, what you may be seeing are times displayed in a timezone different from the one you are in. If this is the case, you should change your profile setting for the timezone to match your particular area, e.g. London, Paris, New York, Sydney, etc. Please note that changing the timezone, like most settings, can only be done by registered users. So if you are not registered, this is a good time to do so, if you pardon the pun! |
| I changed the timezone and the time is still wrong! |
| If you are sure you have set the timezone correctly and the time is still different, the most likely answer is daylight savings time (or summer time as it is known in the UK and other places). The board is not designed to handle the changeovers between standard and daylight time so during summer months the time may be an hour different from the real local time. |
| When I click the email link for a user it asks me to log in. |
| Sorry, but only registered users can send email to people via the built-in email form (if the admin has enabled this feature). This is to prevent malicious use of the email system by anonymous users. |
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| Posting Issues |
| How do I post a topic in a forum? |
| Easy -- click the relevant button on either the forum or topic screens. You may need to register before you can post a message. The facilities available to you are listed at the bottom of the forum and topic screens (the You can post new topics, You can vote in polls, etc. list) |
| How do I edit or delete a post? |
| Unless you are the board admin or forum moderator you can only edit or delete your own posts. You can edit a post (sometimes for only a limited time after it was made) by clicking the edit button for the relevant post. If someone has already replied to the post, you will find a small piece of text output below the post when you return to the topic that lists the number of times you edited it. This will only appear if no one has replied; it also will not appear if moderators or administrators edit the post (they should leave a message saying what they altered and why). Please note that normal users cannot delete a post once someone has replied. |
| Why can not I access a forum? |
| Some forums may be limited to certain users or groups. To view, read, post, etc. you may need special authorization which only the forum moderator and board administrator can grant, so you should contact them. |
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| Login and Registration Issues |
| Why cannot I log in? |
Have you registered? Seriously, you must register in order to log in. Have you been banned from the board? (A message will be displayed if you have). If so, you should contact the webmaster or board administrator to find out why. If you have registered and are not banned and you still cannot log in then check and double-check your username and password. Usually this is the problem; if not, contact the board administrator -- they may have incorrect configuration settings for the board. |
| Why do I get logged off automatically? |
| If you do not check the Log me in automatically box when you log in, the board will only keep you logged in for a preset time. This prevents misuse of your account by anyone else. To stay logged in, check the box during login. This is not recommended if you access the board from a shared computer, e.g. library, internet cafe, university cluster, etc. |
| Why do I need to register at all? |
| You may not have to, however, registration will give you access to additional features not available to guest users such as definable avatar images, private messaging, emailing to fellow users, usergroup subscription, etc. It only takes a few minutes to register so it is recommended you do so. |
| How do I prevent my username from appearing in the online user listings? |
| In your profile you will find an option Hide your online status; if you switch this on you will only appear to board administrators or to yourself. You will be counted as a hidden user. |
| I have lost my password. |
| Do not panic! While your password cannot be retrieved it can be reset. To do this go to the login page and click I have forgotten my password. Follow the instructions and you should be back online in no time. |
| I registered but can not log in. |
| First check that you are entering the correct username and password. If they are okay then one of two things may have happened: if COPPA support is enabled and you clicked the I am under 13 years old link while registering then you will have to follow the instructions you received. If this is not the case then maybe your account need activating. Some boards will require all new registrations be activated, either by yourself or by the administrator before you can log on. When you registered it would have told you whether activation was required. If you were sent an email then follow the instructions; if you did not receive the email then check that your email address is valid. One reason activation is used is to reduce the possibility of rogue users abusing the board anonymously. If you are sure the email address you used is valid then try contacting the board administrator. |
| I registered in the past but can not log in anymore. |
| The most likely reasons for this are: you entered an incorrect username or password (check the email you were sent when you first registered) or the administrator has deleted your account for some reason. If it is the latter case then perhaps you did not post anything? It is usual for boards to periodically remove users who have not posted anything so as to reduce the size of the database. Try registering again and get involved in discussions. |
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| Private Messaging |
| I cannot send private messages! |
| There are three reasons for this; you are not registered and/or not logged on, the board administrator has disabled private messaging for the entire board, or the board administrator has prevented you individually from sending messages. If it is the latter case you should try asking the administrator why. |
| I keep getting unwanted private messages! |
| In the future we will be adding an ignore list to the private messaging system. For now, though, if you keep receiving unwanted private messages from someone, inform the board administrator -- they have the power to prevent a user from sending private messages at all. |
| Why is not X feature available? |
| Please suggest new feature you feel will add value. |
| I have received a spamming or abusive email from someone on this board!! |
| We are sorry to hear that. The email form feature of this board includes safeguards to try to track users who send such posts. You should email the board administrator with a full copy of the email you received and it is very important this include the headers (these list details of the user that sent the email). They can then take action. |
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| GMAT General |
| For whom the GMAT is required? |
GMAT is required for students who want to do their post graduation (MBA) in countries like USA, UK, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA.
The GMAT is a reliable measure of basic verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills that have been found to be important in the study of management at the graduate level. Unlike academic grades-which vary in meaning according to the grading standards of each school-GMAT scores are based on the same standard for all test takers. |
| What is the test format? |
The purpose of the GMAT is to measure your ability to think systematically and to employ the verbal and mathematical skills that you have acquired throughout . It should be noted that the test does not aim to measure your knowledge of specific business or academic subjects . The format includes the following:
Analytical Writing Assessment
It is designed to assess your ability to think critically and to communicate complex ideas You begin the GMAT with the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) which consists of two separate writing tasks-
Analysis of an Issue and
Analysis of an Argument
You are allowed 30 minutes to complete each one
Quantitative Section
Following an optional five-minute break, you begin the Quantitative Section of the GMAT. This section contains 37 multiple-choice questions of two question types-Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving. You will be allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section.
Verbal Section
After a second optional five-minute break, you begin the Verbal Section of the GMAT. This section contains 41 multiple choice questions of three question types-Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. You are allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section.
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| In all, how long does the test last? |
The total time of your test appointment is approximately four hours. Two five-minute breaks are scheduled during the test administration. The time allowed for these breaks cannot be exceeded. |
| What are the test fee and preferred mode of its payment ? |
The fee to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is U.S. $250 worldwide. The preferred forms of payment are:
Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express)
Money order/certified money order |
| Is there any extra fee for rescheduling? |
The fee for rescheduling the date of the GMAT or transferring from one center to another is U.S. $50 worldwide. |
| What happens if there is a technical problem? |
If technical, the test center necessitate canceling your test session or prevent problems at reporting of your scores, you will be offered the opportunity to schedule another test appointment free of charge. Or, you may receive a full refund of the original test fee.
You may also seek reimbursement for reasonable and documented expenses associated with traveling to the test center. All reimbursements will be made in U.S. dollars.
To request reimbursement, please contact ETS-GMAT Customer Service with the following information within 30 days of your original appointment:
Full name
Date of birth
Mailing address
Daytime telephone number
E-Mail address
Original test date and appointment number
A brief description of what occurred at the test center |
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| GMAT Exam |
| What exactly is computer-based testing (CBT)? |
In CBT, you appear for an exam that is conducted entirely on the computer. The multiple-choice questions appear on the computer screen along with the answer choices, and you have to indicate your answer choice by clicking the mouse at the appropriate place.
In what respects does CBT differ from Paper-based testing (PBT)?
Other than the fact that the mouse does the work of a pen in case of CBT, the two differ on the following counts :
Question/Time Ratio : The CBT allows more time per question as compared to PBT, having a fewer number of questions than the PBT.
Scores : In CBT, you get to know your score immediately on completion of the test. Official score reports, however, are sent to you later by post, just as in case of PBT.
Skipping questions : Unlike PBT, the CBT does not allow you to leave a question unanswered. You must attempt a question in order to get to the next one. And once you have answered a question, you cannot go back to it.
Adaptive Testing : This is probably the most important difference between the two kinds of tests. The CBT software is such that the level of difficulty of your next question depends on the correctness of your previous response. In other words, no two tests are alike - each examinee will get a different set of questions to attempt based on his or her ability level. (More on adaptive testing in the next question) |
| How does the computer-adaptive test work? |
| In a computer-adaptive test, the computer screen displays one question at a time, which is chosen from a very large pool of questions categorized by content and difficulty. The test starts out by posing questions of average difficulty. As you answer those questions, depending on whether you are correct or incorrect, the test poses future questions accordingly. So if you answer a question incorrectly, the next question will be easier, with a smaller point value; and conversely, if you answer the question correctly, the next question will be more difficult, with a larger point value. The larger number of difficult questions you answer, the higher score you receive. |
| What computer skills do I need to take a computer-based test? |
Though previous computer experience is not a prerequisite, familiarity with the use of a personal computer does help. All CBTs have a detailed tutorial before you actually start the test, which tells you how to navigate through the test, how to answer, and what the various buttons on the screen indicate. There is no time limit for this tutorial, so you can make yourself comfortable before you start answering.
The GMAT requires you to type two essays for the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) Section, within a total of sixty minutes. This implies that some practice with the keyboard would certainly help. You do not have to be an expert typist - the AWA is not assessed on the number of words that you type - but some typing experience will surely stand you in good stead.
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| What are the conditions like at the Test Centre? |
| For taking the test, you will be assigned to an individual testing station (similar to a partitioned cubicle in an office). Other than your admit card and compulsory identification, you cannot carry anything with you - not even a pen. You are provided pencils, a sharpener, and ample sheets for rough work. |
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| GMAT Score |
| Do I have the option of cancelling my score? |
| Yes, you have that option, but the decision to cancel must be made before you view your scores. Once you choose to view scores on the computer screen, you cannot cancel them - either at the test centre or later. Once you cancel the scores, you will not be able to view them. |
| What is the scoring pattern of the test? |
Total GMAT scores range from 200 to 800. Two-thirds of test takers score between 400 and 600.
The Verbal and Quantitative scores range from 0 to 60. Scores below 9 and above 44 for the Verbal section or below 7 and above 50 for the Quantitative section are rare. Both scores are on a fixed scale and can be compared across any GMAT administration. The Verbal and Quantitative scores measure different things and cannot be compared to each other. If you do not finish each multiple-choice section of the test, your score will depend on the number of questions answered within each section.
The scoring pattern of AWA section is different from the Verbal and Quantitatives.The scoring is done as follows:
Each of your essays in the AWA section will be given two, independent ratings, one of which may be performed by E-rater. E-rater is an electronic system that evaluates more than 50 structural and linguistic features, including organization of ideas, syntactic variety, and topical analysis.
If the two ratings differ by more than one point, another evaluation by an expert reader is required to resolve the discrepancy and determine the final score.
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| When are GMAT scores available? |
Unofficial scores from the Verbal and Quantitative multiple-choice sections, along with the Total score, are available immediately after you complete the test. Official GMAT score reports, which include the AWA score, will be mailed to you and your designated score report recipients (schools) approximately two weeks after the test.
You must respond to both essays and each multiple-choice section of the test to get an official score report.
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| What does my score report include & how is my score determined ? |
Score reports include your three most recent scores from tests you have taken in the last five years and the following background information you may have provided during GMAT registration or on the day of the test:
Country of citizenship
Social Security number
Gender
Date of birth
Telephone number
Undergraduate institution
Grade point average (GPA)
Major and date of graduation
Intended graduate study
Highest level of education attained
Score Determination
Your Score Is Determined By:
The number of questions you answer
Whether you answer the questions correctly or incorrectly
The level of difficulty and other statistical characteristics of each question. |
| What is the validity of the score & under what conditions are my scores released ? |
The Validity of the score is generally for 5 years.
Under what condition score is released
Although GMAT scores are not your property, you do have rights concerning the use, reporting, and cancellation of scores. To protect your rights, the GMAT score are reported to schools only at your specific request. Your scores will not be released at the request of schools, fellowship agencies, or other organizations. However, your score record and the documents you complete are retained by ETS and may be released to third parties (e.g., government agencies, parties to a lawsuit) if they are requested in connection with a subpoena. |
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