The Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) is a standardized test, which means that it is given under standard conditions.

Part of what makes it possible for schools to look at GMAT® test scores and compare them across applicants is the schools' confidence that the test is administered the same way to everyone who takes it.

Consequently, there are some very specific rules about the way you must behave at the test center. You should understand that there is no flexibility about these rules and the test administrators cannot make exceptions.

The following rules apply during the entire GMAT test administration, which begins at check in, includes breaks, and ends at check out. Violations will be documented by the test administrator and reported to Pearson VUE, which administers the test on behalf of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

Note that these rules, in addition to other terms and conditions, are stated in theGMAT Information Bulletin.  You must agree to all terms and conditions at registration and again when you sit for the exam at the test center before you will be allowed to take the GMAT exam. If you take the GMAT exam, you will be bound by all terms and conditions set forth in the GMAT Information Bulletin.Please contact GMAT Customer Service if you have a question that is not covered here or in the Bulletin.

• When you check in at the test center, the test administrator will ask you to present valid identification (see Presenting Proper Identification). The administrator will also ask you to agree to the GMAT Examination Testing Rules & Agreement.
• The test administrator will digitally take your fingerprint, signature, and/or palm vein pattern, and photograph. Audio and video are recorded in the testing room at all centers during the exam. If you refuse to participate in any part of the check-in process or refuse to allow the audio/video recording, you will not be permitted to test and you will forfeit your test fee.
• Before you start the GMAT exam on a test center workstation, you will be asked to agree to the GMAT Nondisclosure Agreement and General Terms of Use statement. Electronic confirmation of your agreement is required. If you do not agree to the statement, you will not be permitted to take the test and you will forfeit your entire test fee.
• No testing aids are permitted during the test session or during breaks. Aids include but are not limited to beepers, pagers, pens, calculators, watch calculators, books, pamphlets, notes, blank sheets of paper, rulers, stereos or radios, telephones or cellular (mobile) phones, stopwatches, watch alarms (including those with flashing lights or alarm sounds), dictionaries, translators, thesauri, personal data assistants (PDAs), and any other electronic or photographic devices or potential aids of any kind.  Note: If you require wheelchair access or need to use an assistive or medical device, please follow the process to request a test accommodation.
• The test administrator will provide you with a booklet of five (5) noteboards. If you fill up your noteboards during the test, please raise your hand; the administrator will collect the noteboards you have and give you replacements. You may not remove the noteboards from the testing room during or after the test and you must return them to the administrator after the test.
• Testing must begin promptly once you are seated at the computer. The length of your appointment is approximately four hours.
• Two optional breaks are scheduled during the test administration. If you exceed the time allowed for these breaks, the excess time will automatically be deducted from the time you have to complete the next section of the test.
• Testing premises are subject to audio/video recording and other monitoring.
• You may not communicate with anyone about the content of the GMAT exam while the test session is in progress, during any breaks, or after administration of the test.
• You will not be allowed to eat, drink, or use tobacco in the testing room—you may store such items in a locker and use them during breaks.
• You will not be permitted to leave the testing room without the test administrator’s permission. You will be required to provide a digital fingerprint and/or palm vein pattern any time you leave or enter the testing room.
• During a break, you are required to remain in the test center building or in the immediate area. This policy varies depending on the test center location, and it is your responsibility to ask the test administrator where you are permitted to go—for example, to the nearest restroom or smoking area. If you violate test center policy, the administrator may refuse to allow you to reenter the testing room and continue your exam. Again, if you exceed the time allowed for each optional break, the extra time is deducted from your remaining exam time.
• Access to telephones, cellular (mobile) phones, or other communication devices will not be permitted during the test session or during breaks.
• Raise your hand to notify the test administrator if you believe you have a problem with your computer, need a new noteboard, or need the test administrator for any other reason.
• Disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated. The test administrator has sole discretion in determining what constitutes disruptive behavior. To understand the consequences of a disruption, please see Cancellation of Scores due to Misconduct.
• The test administrator is authorized to dismiss you from a test session for various reasons, including, without limitation, providing false information; attempting to take the test for someone else; failing to provide acceptable identification; possessing unauthorized personal items or testing aids; refusing to comply with an administrator’s reasonable requests; giving or receiving unauthorized help; attempting to tamper with the operation of the computer; refusing to follow directions or failing to adhere to any other procedure, policy or rule.
• For the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section of the GMAT exam, you will be required to compose two original essays. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable. GMAC and Pearson VUE reserve the right to cancel GMAT test scores when, in their judgment, there is evidence of plagiarism. As with all other test records, the AWA essays are the property of GMAC, not examinees.
• Removing or attempting to remove test content from the test center is strictly prohibited. Under no circumstances may any part of the test content viewed during a test administration be removed, reproduced, and/or disclosed in any form by any means (for example, verbally, in writing, or electronically) to any person or entity at any time. This includes, but is not limited to, discussing or disclosing such test content via email; in any Internet “chat room,” message board, or other forum; or otherwise. This disclosure prohibition applies before, during, and after any administration of the GMAT exam.
• Once you have completed the exam, you will receive a series of questions asking about your demographics, background, plans for graduate school, and whether you would like to participate in surveys or receive information from GMAC, graduate business schools, scholarship-granting organizations, and/or certain strategic partners of GMAC participating in the Graduate Management Admission Search Service® (GMASS®). The answers to these questions may be pre-populated with answers you previously provided.

Note: GMAC and Pearson VUE reserve the right to take all action(s) that they deem appropriate if an individual fails to comply with the test administrator’s directions or the test terms and conditions, including without limitation test rules, policies or procedures. This includes but is not limited to barring an individual from future testing, canceling or withholding the individual’s scores, and/or reporting any rule violations, fraud, or other irregularities to schools or other appropriate third parties, including law enforcement authorities. If your scores are canceled or withheld, they will not be reported and your entire test fee will be forfeited. For additional information about cancellation or withholding of scores by Pearson VUE or GMAC, see Canceling Your Scores.