Surprise: Write the test next week or never!

I have been considering writing the GMAT for a few months now since it would fit into my timeline for applying to MBA programs. So, today I figured I should go over and check out the test facility to see what it looked like and to check out the test schedule. The online schedule at “mba.com” just didn't seem solid. Also, it is the test center is in the neighbourhood where I work so it wasn't out of my way.

In Canada the GMAT test is offered by Nexient at their learning centers across Canada since the Pearson-VUE, the US based company with the license to administer the test, doesn’t have locations in Canada.

I walked into the Nexient test centre sometime after noon and struck up a conversation with the receptionist.

“Yes,” she said in the polite manner so well practiced by receptionists, “we do offer the GMAT test.”

Then she added, “until next week.”

“Pardon,” I say, rather confused.

“Well, we are offering the test until March 1st and then we won’t be offering it anymore,“ she said in a rather calm manner. I could tell she had been through this before and was bracing herself for the onslaught of yet another person totally bewildered to be hearing this news.

After a brief conversation in which I made sure I was extra friendly to put her at ease I discovered the details. The business arrangement between the two companies was coming to an end. Nexient was not happy with the arrangement and was not going to re-new it to allow Pearson-VUE to continue using their facilities to offer the GMAT.

I called Pearson-VUE and woman with a southern drawl answered. I explained the situation and asked her what to do. She suggested I take the test at a test center in Vancouver or Toronto. I thought this was absurd and confirmed it when I checked both test centers were Nexient locations.

So, I had to make a decision today. After some deliberation, I decided that I could study for the GMAT in a week and write it after booking the day off work. After all, I was considering taking the test a couple of years ago and had glanced at the material in the book I looked at. The math seemed easy enough, but that might just be because I’m an engineer. I was familiar with the basic layout of the test and the CAT system used to deliver it. At least I had read about it.

D-day has been set for March 1, 2007 and I only get one shot because who knows when the test will be offered in Canada again. I am going to have one hell of a week of studying tomorrow, but really how hard could it be…

Other related posts on my blog:

• The Test Is Back In Canada