GMAT Procedures

GMAT Test Day Procedures

Upon arrival to the test center on your test day, you will need to check in. Make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled GMAT appointment to allow adequate time to comfortably check in and acquaint yourself with the test center environment.

GMAT Identification Requirements

Test taker identification is verified as part of the check in procedure at the test center, at which time the test taker is required to present valid photo identification. Identification requirements are rigorously enforced; no test taker is permitted to enter the testing room without satisfactory valid identification.

At least one form of government issued identification must be presented at the test center. Acceptable forms of identification include: (i) passport; (ii) government issued driver's license; (iii) government issued national, state or province identity card (including European Identification card); (iv) military identification card; (v) laminated government issued learner's permit (in the United States only); and (vi) permanent resident card or green card (in the United States only).

Presented identification must (i) be of current validity and not expired; (ii) be fully legible; (iii) bear the name of the test taker in the Roman alphabet in the exact form as is provided when the test taker registered for the test appointment; (iv) be an originally issued identification and not a photocopy of such.

Further, presented identification must include (i) a recent, recognizable photograph; (ii) the signature of the test taker; and (iii) the date of birth of the test taker matching that which was provided when the test taker registered for the test appointment.

Depending upon the location of the test center, the only acceptable form of identification may be a passport. For example, test centers in Bangladesh, China (including Hong Kong), India, Japan, Pakistan, Singapore, and South Korea require the presentation of a passport to fulfill identification requirements. Citizens of a European Union or Schengen Zone country testing in another country within the European Union or Schengen Zone, as applicable, may present a passport or national identification card to fulfill identification requirements. With few exceptions, if the test taker is taking the GMAT in a test center outside of one's country of citizenship, the test taker generally must present a passport to fulfill identification requirements.

Admission to the test center and being permitted to take the GMAT does not imply that the identification provided by the test taker is valid. In cases where identification is later determined to be fraudulent or invalid in any manner, GMAT scores are cancelled, test fees are forfeited and notification of such cancellation, and in some cases the reasons for such cancellation, is sent to all schools which initially received scores.

A digital photograph, signature, fingerprint and/or palm vein pattern may be obtained by the test center. Such information may be used for comparison with other test takers for the purposes of fraud detection.

Personal Belongings

Lockers are provided to test takers by the test center in order to store all personal items during the exam. No food, drinks, mobile phones, watches, bags, purses and other personal belongings are permitted inside of the testing room. Storage lockers generally are small in size and hold only limited personal belongings; as such, test takers are encouraged not to bring much into the testing center.

Test Center Temperature & Conditions

Room temperature can vary widely from test center to test center. Accordingly, test takers are encouraged to dress in layers to provide flexibility to comfortably adapt to any reasonable temperature which the test taker may experience while sitting for the GMAT.

Test Center Waiting Area

Note that test centers generally do not have waiting areas that hold more than a few individuals at a time. Accordingly, most test centers will not permit for anyone accompanying a test taker to wait in the center during the test. As such, anyone who may accompany you to the test center should make arrangements to wait elsewhere during the exam.

Test Takers Rules & Agreement and Non-Disclosure Agreement

Prior to beginning the GMAT, the test taker is required to sign a Test Takers Rules & Agreement and Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Learn more about GMAT testing rules >>

Individual Workstations

Test centers generally have individual workstations, separated by small temporary walls or barriers, where GMAT test takers sit to take the GMAT.