GMAT Online vs. Test Center
You can now take the GMAT either online at home or in person at a test center. The exam itself is exactly the same: the length, difficulty, and scoring are identical no matter where you take it. That means your choice comes down to which testing environment makes you more comfortable.
If the idea of a test center increases your anxiety, the online GMAT may be the right fit. If you’re worried about internet issues, distractions, or roommates, you might prefer the in-person GMAT.
Read on for the key differences — and watch our video with tips for surviving the online exam, produced in close collaboration with GMAC, the creators of the GMAT:
Benefits of Taking the GMAT Online
The online GMAT gives you flexibility and comfort:
- Familiar environment. You can test from home in a space you’ve practiced in. Set up your desk exactly as you’ll have it on test day, and simulate the experience ahead of time.
- No commute. Cutting out travel to a test center can save time and reduce fatigue.
- Flexible scheduling. Online appointments are available nearly every day, at almost any time. It’s generally easier to book a convenient slot than it is at a test center.
That said, you are responsible for your own test environment. You’ll need:
- A quiet, private room with no interruptions
- A reliable computer and webcam
- A strong, stable internet connection
- An approved whiteboard (no larger than 12×20 inches / 30×50 cm)
If you’re prepared to control these factors, the online GMAT can be a smooth and stress-free option.
Benefits of Taking the GMAT in a Test Center
The test center version takes care of many details for you:
- No tech worries. The test center provides the equipment, secure environment, and technical setup. You don’t have to worry about internet outages or background software shutting down your test.
- Fewer distractions. At home, even a cat wandering in can cause problems. At a test center, the proctors manage the environment for you.
- More natural proctoring. Some test-takers dislike the online GMAT’s webcam surveillance and occasional interruptions (“Please adjust your camera,” “Stop moving your lips,” etc.). If you’d rather avoid that, it may feel easier to take the exam at a test center.
- Game-day atmosphere. For some people, walking into a formal test center boosts focus and performance. If you thrive under that “official exam” energy, the test center could be your best choice.
Risks of the Online GMAT
The online GMAT runs smoothly for most candidates, but it comes with risks you don’t face at a test center. Common causes of score cancellations include:
- Network outages or unstable internet connections
- Unauthorized items (cell phones, smartwatches, the wrong-size whiteboard)
- Other people or pets entering the room
- Leaving the room without permission (yes, even for the bathroom)
- Talking, muttering, or even chewing gum
If any of these occur, your score may be placed “under review” or canceled. Most cancellations happen before scores are reported, meaning schools never see them — but it’s still a major hassle to retake.
The good news: if you feel that a cancellation is unfair, you can appeal to GMAC’s test security team. Real people (not algorithms) review appeals, and they encourage you to provide context if something unusual happened.
Online vs. Test Center GMAT: What’s the Same?
Whether you test online or in-person, these things are identical:
- Cost. There’s no discount for at-home testing.
- Length. The GMAT exam is just over two hours, regardless of location.
- Content. GMAT sections and question types are the same.
- Scoring. The adaptive scoring algorithm and score scale are identical.
- Score reports. Schools will not know whether you tested online or in-person.
- Difficulty. The GMAT is standardized — the level is the same either way.
GMAT Online vs. In-Person: The Bottom Line
Both options deliver the same GMAT exam. The real difference is whether you’d rather:
- Control your own environment at home (online GMAT)
- Leave the logistics to the test center (in-person GMAT)
If you’re confident you can meet the online GMAT’s rules — and you value convenience, comfort, and flexible scheduling — the at-home option may be best. If you’d rather avoid potential tech issues and prefer a more structured environment, go with the test center.
Either way, your MBA applications will see the same GMAT score.
Want more detail? Watch our full video above for practical tips to avoid score cancellations and make your online GMAT experience as smooth as possible.