How to Avoid Getting Your GMAT Score Cancelled
Yes, GMAC can cancel your GMAT score if you violate a test security rule, even unintentionally. Fortunately, the most common causes are entirely avoidable with a little bit of preparation.
The GMAT is stressful enough without worrying about losing your score over a technicality. Every year, honest test-takers who aren’t trying to cheat accidentally break a rule and end up with their scores under review or even cancelled.
The good news is with a little bit of preparation you can avoid these pitfalls entirely. This guide, based on detailed conversations with GMAC’s test security team, explains how GMAT test security works, the most common reasons scores are cancelled, and what to do if it happens to you.
If you’re still getting familiar with the exam scoring system, here’s a complete guide to GMAT scoring.
Innocent Mistakes that Get GMAT Scores Canceled (GMAC Reveals)
Why GMAT Test Security Matters
Test security ensures that:
- Every GMAT test-taker faces the same testing conditions
- Nobody gains an unfair advantage
- Schools can evaluate applicants fairly
Every GMAT policy, even the ones that seem unnecessarily picky (like banning chapstick), exists because someone tried to exploit a loophole in the past. Following the rules protects your score and keeps the playing field level for everyone.
2. Using Your Phone
- Keep your phone completely out of reach.
- Do not touch your phone, even during your scheduled break.
- Simply reaching for your phone can result in your score being cancelled
3. Talking to Other People
- Don’t talk to anyone except the proctor.
- Even a casual “hi” in the hallway can be treated as a test security violation.
4. Technical Issues
- At-home GMAT: an unstable internet can lead to a cancellation. For more on choosing your format in: GMAT Test Online vs. In-Person.
- Test center: computer outages are rare, but if they happen, GMAC may terminate the test
For everything else about exam day, see: How to Prepare for GMAT Test Day.
If Your GMAT Score Is Cancelled
About 94% of cancelled scores are never seen by business schools because they’re cancelled before score reporting.
Only about 6% of cancellations are visible to schools, and even then they’ll see only a one-letter code, not the full story
- T = Testing Issue (technical or minor issue)
- P = Policy Violation (for example, phone use, talking, or an unauthorized item)
- S = Serious Policy Violation (reckless or intentional cheating)
In general, T and P codes are viewed much differently than an S code. A Serious Policy Violation is the outcome you want to avoid at all costs.
How to Appeal a GMAT Score Cancellation
If you believe your score was cancelled unfairly:
- Email [email protected]
- Every appeal is reviewed by a real person, not AI
- Provide as much context and supporting information as possible.
GMAC’s test security team told us directly: if you believe your score was cancelled unfairly, they encourage you to appeal.
Other Risks to Avoid
Leaked Questions Online: If someone offers you “real GMAT questions,” don’t take the bait. Most are fake, and any legitimate leaked questions are typically identified by GMAC quickly. Using them can result in a serious policy violation.
Financial Misconduct: GMAC vouchers and fee waivers are non-transferable, so don’t buy, sell, or share them. Likewise, never dispute your GMAT test fee with your credit card company after taking the exam. Doing so may be treated as fraud and can result in your score being cancelled.
The Bottom Line: Protect Your Score
To avoid getting your GMAT score cancelled:
- Read and follow the GMAT’s test-day instructions carefully
- Keep your testing environment clean, compliant, and free of distractions
- Never touch your phone, talk to anyone other than the proctor, or bring unauthorized items into the testing environment.
- Appeal if you believe your score was cancelled unfairly.
The vast majority of score cancellations are avoidable with a little preparation. Focus on performing your best, and let GMAT’s test security team worry about the cheaters.
For more detail, watch our full video above or review the official GMAT handbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can GMAC cancel your GMAT score?
Yes. GMAC can cancel your GMAT score if you violate a test security rule, even unintentionally. The good news is that most cancellations are avoidable with a little bit of preparation.
What does it mean if my GMAT score is “under review”?
It means GMAC is taking a closer look at your exam. Most of the time, it’s simply a technical check or a routine review, and only a small percentage of cases result in a score cancellation.
Will schools see a cancelled GMAT score?
About 94% of the time, schools never see a cancelled score because it is cancelled before score reporting. In the roughly 6% of cases that are visible, schools see only a one-letter code, not the full story.
How do I appeal a GMAT score cancellation?
If you believe your score was cancelled unfairly, email GMAC’s test security team at [email protected] and provide as much context and supporting information as possible. Every appeal is reviewed by a real person, not AI.
