My GRE General Test was scheduled on 11th Feb 2022 at 1pm at Prometric Testing Centre at Kolkata. I got a call from the centre some days prior to my exam informing me that I need to report to the centre no late than 11am. On being asked the reason, he informed me that due to heavy checking and lots of procedures I need to report at that time. I live in a nearby town named Durgapur and had to travel that day to Kolkata for my GRE, which was the reason why I booked the 1pm slot. I had initially planned to reach the test centre by 11am, take rest somewhere, have my breakfast and take my painkiller for the backpain from which I was suffering from since the last past days. But after being informed that I need to be there, I planned to be there by 11am, and had assumed that I'll be sitting at my seat atleast 10mins before my start time, during which I can stretch myself and clear my mind.
But after reaching the centre, I was told to proceed for checking, after which I was taken to my seat, was told to check some confirmations on the screen, and finally, I was told to start my exam, at 11.30am even though my reservation was at 1pm. I told them that my exam is from 1pm and still the invigilator told me to start the exam and also added that I need to proceed the sections within 15 seconds or else it will be a violation. I was nervous about this, but had to start my exam. The people knew that I was travelling from another town, they were keeping track of my travel via regular phone calls on my exam day, I had not eaten anything since the morning and also, I couldn't take my painkiller.
The exam registration had cost me approx INR 17K, and I didn't want to do anything which could lead to a violation, and this was how I was treated. After the exam, I asked one person why my exam was started so earlier and he said it's because they had to close the office within 4pm. I think this should've been communicated to me earlier on call if they had this issue with me, or they could've simply not kept the 1pm slot for that day. Whatever I did, I kept it within the rules. I booked the slot for 1pm because they had offered it. If they couldn't provide me the service, why should the I bear the cost for my damage. 17K is a huge sum for a middle class family. The score I got was below my expectations, and I feel I have been treated unfairly. I was mistreated, my trust on the examination system was misused just because they wanted to close the office at 4pm.
I feel the only way this issue can be resolved is either they compensate me for my loss or if they sponsor my next examination fee. I was scared to issue a complaint the next day of my exam. I waited for my scorecard to be published, only after which I am posting this complaint today.
I am attaching my test details and the call history with the tesing centre.
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