How to Cheat on the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) and Why You Shouldn’t!
Updated July 21, 2023
Considering cheating on your GMAT?
Want to know how to do it, if you should do it and what the consequences will be?
Well you came to the right place!
Read on to find out more about cheating on the GMAT exam, but be warned...
... it's certainly not something I advise!
Why Do People Cheat on the GMAT?
You don’t need me to tell you that the GMAT is extremely difficult, and the rewards from getting a high score (700+) are invaluable.
In fact, they it could be life changing.
But do you really want to cheat your way in to Business School?
And even if you want to, is it even possible?
How to Cheat on the GMAT
Let’s be frank, cheating on the GMAT is not easy.
It is also illegal, and if you get caught the punishment could be severe.
My view? If you’re someone who’s considering cheating on your GMAT, you probably shouldn’t be going to Business School, and you certainly shouldn’t be employed at an executive level by a global company.
Not only is cheating deceitful, it’s also so likely that you’ll get caught that the decision to cheat shows some extremely poor judgment.
Let’s explain why, by explaining exactly how you can cheat in the methods outlined below.
Step 1. Get Someone Else to Take the Test for You
In order to cheat, some GMAT candidates have paid other people to take the GMAT for them.
Most of the time this takes the form of GMAT prep coaches getting paid fairly large sums of money to take the test, guaranteeing a very high grade (700+) in return.
Sometimes people have got away with this.
Most of the time though, they do not.
In 2012 this guy was caught by the FBI for taking money from candidates to sit over 212 GMAT tests.
His website still exists (here) although it seems to be defunct.
He went to prison.
So the consequences for paying someone else to take a test for you can be extremely serious, and not just for the person you’re paying to take the test for you.
When Business Schools found out about this scam, they traced all the students who had used the service and disqualified them from their courses.
In the USA, current rules for taking the GMAT are very strict, and require fingerprint and photo identification, so it is very difficult for someone else to take a test for you there.
But this isn’t true in all countries.
So it is possible that you might still be able to find someone to take a test for you somewhere in the world where rules for taking the GMAT are less stringent.
Step 2. Get Access to Real Questions
In recent years, some companies have managed to gain access to ‘live’ questions that candidates will be asked in the real GMAT tests.
In 2008 a company called ScoreTop was discovered to be publishing and distributing live questions to candidates.
The company was shut down and forced to pay millions of dollars due to copyright infringement.
Over 6,000 candidates had used the ScoreTop website to prepare for their tests and many of these had their exam results withdrawn, or were removed from the Business Schools where they were studying.
Getting hold of GMAT questions and distributing them to candidates is illegal, and the GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) who own the GMAT exam have stated the following for anyone caught disclosing, accessing, or using "real" GMAT questions:
- Your GMAT scores will be cancelled.
- You will not be allowed to take the GMAT exam again.
- Business schools will be notified.
- You may be subject to a civil lawsuit or criminal prosecution.
So the consequences of cheating in this way are very serious.
There may still be companies, or individuals, offering access to live GMAT questions online.
The question is, do you really want to run the risk of getting in so much trouble, for the chance of getting a slightly higher mark on your exam?
Is Cheating on the GMAT Worth it?
Let’s ignore the fact that cheating is a completely dishonest thing to do.
Why else shouldn’t you cheat on the GMAT?
Well for one thing, cheating would expose you to civil liability, because when you sit down to take the real test you sign a legal agreement with GMAC.
And don’t think for a second that GMAC would let you off for cheating with a warning.
GMAC has a long history of pursuing strict legal action against anyone whose actions damage the integrity of the test.
And anyone caught cheating will additionally almost certainly be stopped from studying an MBA at any Business School in the world.
Perhaps even worse than that, cheating may expose you to criminal liability, because paying someone to someone to pose as you is fraud.
But perhaps most importantly of all, anyone who is not capable of getting a Business School program’s required score by themselves will seriously struggle to successfully complete the program.
Students leave Business School all the time for not being able to cope with the classes.
Do you really want to be the worst candidate in class, and struggle with your studies for the length of your course?
Ultimately, scoring highly in the GMAT might seem like a trophy, but the score is designed to represent reality.
Your reality may not be getting into the very best school in the world.
And you have to remind yourself that this is OK.
So What If You Want to Guarantee Getting a Top Score on the GMAT but you Don’t Want To Cheat?
Then you need to practice.
Chinese students generally do disproportionately well on the GMAT.
What’s their secret?
They simply prepare harder.
How Can I Properly Prepare for the GMAT?
There are various ways to prepare for the GMAT.
All of them will cost money, but considering the price of an MBA, making the additional investment in yourself is almost certainly worth it.
Admission Consultants
Hiring an Admissions Consultant is expensive, but a great way to receive top class, experienced coaching and guidance into a top Business School.
Paid Tutoring
Plenty of companies offer real world, and online, paid for tutoring for the GMAT.
This can take various forms, including: group classroom time, 1-2-1 coaching and taking practice GMAT tests.
Take Multiple Tests
Some GMAT test takers take their tests multiple times until they achieve the score they are looking for.
As there is no limit to retakes for the GMAT, this can be a prudent if expensive and time consuming strategy.
Use Online Test Prep
The best and least expensive way to practice for GMAT exams is to use online test prep.
This takes the form of various coaching material and practice tests.
We recommend The Economist GMAT Test Prep.
To find out more about online test prep from The Economist, click here.
