The GMAT online service was launched in 2020 to cope with the global test centre shut-downs in the wake of the covid pandemic. Moreover, GMAT isn’t the only exam that had to resort to online alternatives as GRE, LSAT and other standardized tests also followed suit.

This, of course, has prompted many to ask which test should they take. Thousands of aspiring business school graduates take the GMAT every year, and now a significant portion of those tests are administered online.

In this article, I will lay out the pros and cons of both tests so you can make an informed decision on which test suits you best.

Should I Take GMAT Online or GMAT In-person?

Right off the bat, the two tests are identical as far as format, syllabus, scoring system, structure, difficulty, and duration are concerned. The only major difference between the two tests is the way it is delivered.

Prior to 8^th April 2021, GMAT online wasn’t exactly the same as the in-person test. Firstly, the AWA section was missing from the online test resulting in a considerably shorter test. Secondly, the number of breaks you could take was less than the in-person test. Thirdly, you couldn’t select the order of sections as you could in the in-person test.

However, after receiving feedback from the community, GMAC announced that they would be releasing a modified version of the online test on 8^th April 2021. Now, thankfully, the two tests are identical, and the only real difference is the delivery.

So which test is right for you?

Well, that is a question only you can answer as everyone has different preferences and concerns. Below you will find the pros and cons of both tests. Read them and see which one suits you best.

Pros of Online GMAT

Round-the-clock Test Appointment

The most significant advantage of GMAT online, in my opinion, is that it’s practically available 24/7. Contrary to the in-person test that is subject to available slots in a given month, you can schedule the online GMAT as soon as you want.

Due to the sheer volume of applicants, you’d be hardpressed to find a date for the in-person test if you are on short notice. This is especially true for people living in developing countries where test centres are few and far between.

Hence, if you have a deadline to meet, your best bet is to take the online test. This is a clear win for the online version of the test, as you’d need to book the in-person test at least a month in advance, depending on where you live.

No Need for Commute

Let’s be honest, GMAT can be a nerve-wracking test even if you are well prepared. Seeing how your nerves would be all over the place on the day of the test, it would certainly help if you didn’t have to worry about reaching the test centre on time.

Thanks to the online test, you wouldn’t need to leave your house at all. All you need is a stable internet connection and a laptop, and you are good to go. This can be especially beneficial for those who live far away from the test centre.

Depending on where you live, it might take you as much as an hour or more to get to the assigned test centre. Thankfully, if you opt for the online test, you can spend that hour meditating and mentally preparing for the test instead of being stuck in traffic or public transport. Not to mention you save up on gas money too.

Familiar Testing Environment

Since the online test is administered at home, you get the advantage of being in a familiar place where you feel more comfortable and relaxed. Suppose you are someone who has difficulty dealing with people due to social anxiety or other similar reasons. In that case, you’d be far more comfortable taking the test in the comfort and safety of your home.

Moreover, while the pandemic isn’t as intense as it was a year ago, it is still a reality for many people across the globe. Hence, if you take the online test, you will have peace of mind and won’t have to worry about catching the virus.

Quicker Score Reports

The in-person GMAT test can take as long as three weeks for you to receive your official score report. However, on the other hand, the online test is far quicker in this regard as it only takes seven days for the official score report to reach you.

Again, if you have to meet deadlines, this can be a significant advantage for you. Your official score report for the online test will be posted to your mba.com account within seven days. Once it is posted, you can then select your score recipients, making the whole process a lot quicker.

That being said, do keep in mind that the in-person doesn’t always take three weeks to get to you. It depends on several factors and at times can even reach you within a weak. In my opinion, it is always best to err on the side of caution, and hence GMAT online gets the win here.

Cons of Online GMAT

No Score Cancellation

When you take the in-person GMAT, you are shown the unofficial score at the end of the test. You are then allowed to either accept the score or cancel it. Sadly, it works a little differently on the online test. While you will still be shown your unofficial score at the end of the test, you wouldn’t be able to cancel the score if it isn’t in line with your target score.

You can counter this by not sending your score to any school if you think it’s below what you expected. This can be done easily as you choose the recipients once your score is posted to your account.

Potential stability issues

Unfortunately, while online testing provides a convenient alternative to in-person testing, it is still far from perfect. Many test-takers have had negative experiences with their online GMAT test, such as connection loss, screen freezing up, webcam feed breaking up etc.

One thing that you would need to make sure of is a reliable and stable internet connection. If you live in a remote area with no high-speed wired internet connection, then perhaps this is something you need to consider. A mobile hotspot or other wireless alternatives are generally not a good idea for something like an online test.

PROS of In-person GMAT

Fewer Distractions

This will vary from person to person, but you may face fewer distractions during the in-person testing depending on your home environment. If your home is situated in a noisy or busy place, or you have little kids running out making a ruckus, then perhaps the in-person test might be a better option.

Moreover, if you live with roommates in a relatively small apartment, you may find it difficult to focus on the test due to ambient noise.

Since in-person tests are administered at designated test centres, there are protocols in place to make the experience as flawless as possible. You will have multiple invigilators making sure nobody causes a disturbance and that there is silence in the test centre.

No Internet or technical Worries

If you opt for the in-person test, you wouldn’t have to worry about the equipment malfunctioning or the internet going out. It is solely the test centre administration’s responsibility to ensure a smooth and problem-free test-taking experience.

However, the online test is different in that you won’t be compensated for any lost time due to unforeseen technical issues. Moreover, if your internet connection keeps dropping, the online proctor can go ahead and cancel the test, and you won’t be reimbursed the fee.

Peace of mind

The peace of mind meant here is very specific to in-person testing. We all know by now that online testing is made possible thanks to human proctors who supervise the test taker via webcam. Since online tests don’t allow for in-person supervision, you have to understand that the proctors are way more vigilant than they would be during in-person testing.

So what does this mean?

Well, any unexpected noise or talking sounds might alert the proctor to cancel the test. Is TV too loud in the neighbouring room? The proctor might make an objection. Are you not looking directly at the screen at all times? It might be a cause for concern.

While these things don’t seem like significant problems, I have read some accounts of tests being cancelled due to the odd sound or other out-of-your-control scenarios.

Able to Cancel Score

At the end of your exam at the test centre, you will be shown your unofficial test score. At this point, you’d have 2 minutes to make a decision whether to accept or cancel the score. If you decide to cancel, no schools will ever know that you even took the test on that date. This is something that is not available on the home version of the test.

Being Able to Use Transparent Scratch Paper

You may already know that you can only use either the online whiteboard or a physical whiteboard during the online test for any note-taking or calculations. I won’t even talk about the online whiteboard as it goes without saying that it is far from an ideal solution. Even the physical whiteboard with the erasable marker is not something id be personally comfortable with, especially if I am solving math equations. The bigger marker and the thick whiteboard is just isn’t the same as simple paper and pencil.

Hence, if this is something you also find problematic, then the in-person test might be the way to go. You get to use a transparent paper and marker without the need for any bulky alternatives.

Cons of In-person GMAT

Availability Issues

One thing that will always be a win for online testing is the freedom to choose the date and time. Contrary to the online GMAT, in-person test dates are subject to availability, and if admissions deadlines are fast approaching, you might have a problem finding a close enough date.

Depending on the area you live in and the volume of applicants, you’d be lucky to schedule an in-person test within a given month. Usually, slots go very quickly, and your only other option might be to take the online test instead.

Distance and Commute

If you don’t live in the city, then depending on your region, the nearest test centre might be hours away. This is something that can potentially bring unnecessary stress and worry on an already stressful day. You will have to wake up early, leave your house on time, find public transport in case you don’t have a car, make sure you don’t get stuck in traffic and the myriad of other things that can potentially go wrong.

Hence, if the distance is a problem for you, the online test might be a far better option given that you meet all the other requirements.