Cancelling GMAT Scores: When Should You Cancel Your GMAT Score?

Wondering if Cancelling your GMAT score is the right decision? Whether you faced unexpected challenges during the exam or simply felt that your performance fell short, Cancelling your score can be a strategic move. In this blog, we'll explore the key factors to consider, when you should hit the cancel button, and how to navigate the process smoothly. With the right insights, you can make the best decision for your GMAT journey.

Key Highlights:

• You can cancel your GMAT score up to 72 hours after its release.
• You can reinstate your GMAT score for up to 4 years and 11 months after your test date.
• If you want to reinstate your GMAT score, you need to pay a fee of USD 50 (INR 4,190).

Should You Cancel Your GMAT Score?

Deciding whether to cancel your GMAT score can be a challenging choice. If you're uncertain about your performance or believe that you could achieve a significantly better score with more preparation, Cancelling might be a wise option. However, if you’re concerned about how a lower GMAT score could impact your application and have no immediate plans for retaking the test, it may be worth keeping the score. Ultimately, the decision depends on your confidence in your performance and your overall application strategy.

When Should You Cancel Your GMAT Score?

• Underperformance: If you feel you performed below your expectations or the score won't meet the requirements of your target schools, Cancelling might be a viable option.
• Test Anxiety: High levels of anxiety or stress during the exam could have affected your performance, leading you to believe that a retake could yield a better score.
• Technical Issues: Encountering technical difficulties or distractions during the test can impact your performance, making you consider Cancelling to avoid an unfair score.
• Personal Circumstances: Unforeseen personal issues or health problems on the test day may have affected your performance, prompting you to cancel the score and plan for a retake.

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How to Cancel the GMAT Scores?

If you've decided that Cancelling your GMAT score is the best option, it's important to know the steps involved in the process. Cancelling your score can be done either immediately after the test at the test center or online within a limited time frame. Here's a detailed guide on how to cancel your GMAT score through your online account.

• Step 1: Log In to Your GMAT Account: Visit the official GMAT website and log in to your account using your credentials.
• Step 2: Access Your Test History: Once logged in, go to the section where your test history is listed. This is usually found under "My Test Center" or "My Tests."
• Step 3: Select the Test for Cancellation: Find the specific GMAT test date for which you want to cancel the score. Click on the relevant test entry to view the details.
• Step 4: Choose the Cancellation Option: Look for the option to cancel your score. This is often found under a menu or button labeled "Cancel Score" or similar. Follow the prompts provided.
• Step 5: Review and Confirm: You will be asked to review your decision. Confirm that you want to cancel the score. Some systems might require you to provide a reason for the cancellation.
• Step 6: Complete the Process: Follow any additional instructions to finalise the cancellation. This may include agreeing to terms and conditions or entering a confirmation code.
• Step 7: Receive Confirmation: Once the cancellation process is complete, you will receive a confirmation email or notification from GMAT. This confirms that your score has been canceled and will not be reported to any schools.
• Step 8: Check Your Account: After a few days, log back into your GMAT account to ensure that the score has been removed from your test history.

Consequences of Cancelling the GMAT Scores

Deciding whether to cancel your GMAT score is a crucial step in your test-taking journey. While it might seem like a way to erase a poor performance, the decision carries certain consequences that can affect your MBA application strategy. Before taking action, it’s important to understand how Cancelling your score impacts your plans and options:

• Impact on Your Score Report: If you cancel your GMAT score, it will not appear on your score report. This means schools will not see this particular attempt, but they may still notice if you’ve taken the test multiple times without reporting certain scores.
• Score Reinstatement: You can reinstate a canceled score within 4 years and 11 months, though this will come with an additional fee. This flexibility allows you to reconsider if your initial decision was hasty.
• Financial Cost: Cancelling a GMAT score doesn’t refund your GMAT test fee. You’ll still need to pay the full amount for any future retakes, adding to the overall cost of your MBA application process.
• Psychological Impact: Cancelling your score can be disheartening and may lower your confidence for future test attempts. It's essential to weigh this decision carefully to avoid unnecessary stress.

Business schools will not see canceled GMAT scores, as they are completely excluded from the official score report sent to the institutions. If you decide to cancel your score, neither the schools nor anyone reviewing your application will know about that particular attempt. However, if you retake the GMAT multiple times and cancel several scores, schools may notice gaps in your testing history. This could potentially prompt questions about why scores were withheld, even though the canceled scores themselves remain invisible to admissions committees. It's important to carefully consider whether Cancelling your score is the best choice for your application strategy.

How to Reinstate a Cancelled GMAT Score?

If you've changed your mind after Cancelling your GMAT score, you still have the option to reinstate it. The GMAT allows candidates to reinstate canceled scores within a specific timeframe, offering flexibility for those who reconsider their decision. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to reinstate your canceled GMAT score.

• Log in to Your GMAT account: Access the official GMAT website and log in to your account using your credentials.
• Find the canceled score: Navigate to your test history and locate the exam with the canceled score that you wish to reinstate.
• Select the Reinstate Option: Click on the option to reinstate your score. This option is typically available for up to 4 years and 11 months after your test date.
• Pay the reinstatement fee: You will be prompted to pay a reinstatement fee (usually around $50 (INR 4,190)). Follow the payment instructions to complete the process.
• Confirmation: After successfully paying the fee, your reinstated score will be available within a few days, and GMAT will send the score to the schools you originally selected.

Yes, GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) has the authority to cancel your GMAT scores under certain conditions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the circumstances under which GMAC may cancel your scores:

• Violation of Test Policies: If you engage in any form of misconduct during the exam, such as cheating, using unauthorised materials (e.g., electronic devices or notes), or communicating with others during the test, GMAC has the right to cancel your scores. This can happen even after the test is over if evidence of misconduct is found.
• Identity Misrepresentation: GMAC can cancel your scores if they find that someone else took the test on your behalf, or if you used false identification to take the exam. This is considered a serious violation and can lead to permanent bans from future GMAT tests.
• Technical or Administrative Errors: In rare cases, GMAC may cancel scores due to technical issues, such as software malfunctions or administrative errors at the test center. If this happens, GMAC typically offers the opportunity to retake the test without additional fees.
• Irregularities in the Testing Environment: If GMAC determines that there were irregularities during the exam—such as a disruption in the testing environment or a security breach—your scores could be canceled. This is done to ensure the integrity of the test.

From the Desk of Yocket

Cancelling your GMAT score is a huge decision that depends on various factors, such as your exam performance and your future application plans. Carefully evaluating these factors will help you determine the best course of action. If you're looking to avoid a low score on your record or aiming for a better performance, cancelling could be a wise move. But remember, there's always the option to reinstate your score later if needed. 

To ensure you're fully prepared for such decisions, Yocket Prep offers comprehensive GMAT study plans customised to your needs, helping you get the best score from the start. You don't have to do it alone. Yocket Prep provides expert guidance and resources that are designed to help you achieve your highest potential.