The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) employs leading-edge security measures designed to ensure valid and reliable GMAT exam scores and prevent cheating. GMAC strives to not just exceed industry standards in test security, but to establish and set the industry standards for test security.
You can be confident that the person whose scores you receive will be the same person attending your program.
Our Investment in Security
Our system works because we continue to evolve and become more complex as technology advances. Because the techniques and technologies to deceive are complex and ever-evolving, we are constantly working with our testing vendor on ways to deter, identify, and respond to testing misconduct.
Preventing Cheating
Cheating on admissions tests is not new. But it is preventable. News of cheating in college admissions testing has, in recent years, raised questions among the public, the media, and lawmakers about test security. We at GMAC administer the GMAT exam under the strictest supervision and security measures to protect the integrity of testing. We use security safeguards within an enterprise security program, administered by our security officials, as well as incorporating administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect against cheating.
Secure GMAT Exam Check-In
Unique GMAT security measures used to prevent, detect, and deter cheating on the GMAT exam include:
- Strict identification requirements - A government-issued identification document that must include:
- A recent, recognizable photograph
- A signature
- The date of birth must match what was provided at registration
- In some markets, we accept only passports as an ID and use document readers to verify the authenticity
- Digital photograph taken at the test center is captured as part of the candidate profile
- Palm vein scanned at the test center
Rigorous Candidate Monitoring
Our monitoring measures include the following:
- Audio/Video monitoring and recording of every testing session: Video recording enables the test center administrator to see each candidate during the testing session and to refer any suspicious behavior to a regional center where the video can be reviewed.
- Testing proctors: Proctors monitor every testing session in real time with the ability to report any concerns, also in real time.
- Limiting items in testing rooms: Limited items are permitted into testing room with some exceptions granted as deemed appropriate. Explicit rules set out what can be brought in. All candidates are provided with a locker in which to store items that may not be taken into the testing area.
- Palm vein scan and a “one to many” matching system: These tools enable us to catch potential serial proxy test takers and preclude both the proxy and the candidate who hired the proxy from taking the GMAT exam in the future. See Palm Vein Identification for more information.
- Extensive proprietary test forensics: Used to detect potential fraud.
Our Commitment to Privacy & Data Integrity
In addition to our efforts to protect the security, reliability, and fairness of the GMAT exam, we are also committed to protecting the privacy of every test taker no matter where in the world they are taking the exam. Our data protection program has been honored by the International Association of Privacy Professionals, and we are committed to continually monitoring and enhancing our efforts. We adhere to local privacy law and respect the local privacy culture. See our Privacy Statement for more information.