Mr Wilson is a respected thought-leader and has been associated with GMAC for more than decade. He is an MBA from the University of California (Berkeley), and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He has served as a faculty member in a number of institutions including Harvard University's Graduate School of Business. Prior to joining GMAC, Dr. Wilson was with Ernst & Young in various senior capacities.
Mr Wilson will write a fortnightly column titled 'A Global Perspective on Graduate Management Education' for India's leading management portal – MBAUniverse.com. This fortnight's column is based on the recent "cheating scandal" involving a US based website that unlawfully sold GMAT questions to test-takers.
Column by Mr Dave Wilson:
Be Aware, and Be True to Yourself
"Many of you may have been aware of a serious problem GMAC encountered with a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT™) test preparation company, Scoretop.com. This was a U.S.-based web business which sold access to what it termed were "real, live" GMAT questions, and which encouraged test takers to post questions after taking the test.
Earlier this year, a U.S. court shut down Scoretop.com, and awarded GMAC a US $2.35 million judgment in a copyright infringement case against the Web site's operator. Just a few weeks ago, GMAC announced the completion of its investigation of GMAT test takers who paid to receive active test questions, in violation of GMAC testing policies and procedures.
As a result of our investigation, GMAC canceled the GMAT scores of a total of 84 test-takers, and notified the business schools to which they had sent their scores. Of these individuals, 12 posted live GMAT questions on the Scoretop Web site, and will not be eligible to take the test again for a minimum of three years. The remaining 72 wrote messages on the Web site confirming they saw items on Scoretop on their GMAT exam. While their scores were cancelled, they will be permitted to re-test.
At GMAC, we understand the anxiety and time that consume most students during their preparation for the GMAT examination. We also know that GMAT test-takers are bombarded with marketing and promotions from all manner of GMAT test preparation companies – some offering classroom-style instruction, others providing online practice. The vast majority of these companies offer test-takers a legitimate and sound way to prepare for the exam.
Unfortunately, a few online GMAT test preparation companies, like Scoretop, have emerged claiming they can put students on an easy path to high scores by supplying "live" GMAT questions and answers. Such companies not only are committing copyright infringement, they are ensnaring thousands into a situation in which the students are, in fact, cheating –and thereby jeopardizing their scores, their entry into graduate management education programs, and -- perhaps worst of all – their reputations.
It is wrong to steal and then to sell stolen goods -- which is the essence of copyright infringement.
I invite you to learn more about GMAC's investigation and response to the Scoretop.com situation and our policies regarding the use of live GMAT questions by visiting a special Q&A on the topic at our website http://www.gmac.com/gmac/TheGMAT/Tools/FAQsScoretop.htm
In the meantime, please know that the GMAT is generally regarded as one of the most secure examinations available today. It is designed as a computer-adaptive test, meaning that each candidate receives different questions based on his or her response to the previous question. And when a GMAT test-taker enters a testing center, and again at the computer terminal, he or she is required to review and agree to GMAC's terms and conditions, which clearly prohibit improper access to or sharing of test content: "Any disclosure of test content prior to, during, or after the test administration" is subject to the invalidation and revocation of test scores.
Maintaining the security and integrity of the GMAT test is one of GMAC's most critical responsibilities. We owe nothing less to tens of thousands of GMAT test-takers who work so hard each year to prepare for the exam fairly – and to the more than 4,000 graduate management education programs which rely on the GMAT's reliability and validity to measure the aptitude of incoming students.
If you are planning to take the GMAT, you also have a responsibility to do everything you can to prepare diligently, honestly and fairly – a responsibility to yourself.
As always, I would like to hear your thoughts and suggestions on the Scoretop situation and GMAC's response. What are your thoughts and reactions? Please tell us and I will be sure to address them in future columns."
