Hi!
No, the online exam is not viewed any differently by schools. Don't worry at all about taking it that way.
We have updated both our blog posts and YT videos to address the fact that you get a combination of an online whiteboard and a physical whiteboard (but not the yellow pad) for the online exam.
The blog post:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/online-whiteboard/(Note: The title does still just refer to the online whiteboard, but I updated the info and strategy within based on the fact that we do now get a physical whiteboard.)
The YT playlist for the GMAT Online:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpCJsyZKXLw&list=PL9COThsndjwFlF3yZAA36a9_EnSDLco2eThe very first video on the playlist is the one that I shot after we learned we could use a physical whiteboard—so it contains the updated strategies for how to use the physical and online whiteboards for the online exam.
There are a couple of different things contributing to the test date issue.
(1) Legit reduced capacity. Most test centers are only able to use every other or every third seat because they have to keep people spaced out further than they used to.
(2) Legit reduced capacity #2. These test centers provide all kinds of tests, not just the GMAT, and some of those tests are first-responder-type tests. Nursing, paramedics, etc. They're getting priority now as they are essential services (all the time, really, but especially during a pandemic).
(3) Everyone's-buying-all-the-toilet-paper reduced capacity. People have been signing up for multiple dates, just in case. Then they cancel some of the dates. So this is why you're seeing dates in the next week or two but not in a month or two—because people aren't canceling a specific date until pretty close to that time. (CR problem: You get a certain amount of money back when you cancel and that amount gets smaller as you get closer to the test date. In most countries, you get the greatest amount of money back if you cancel 14+ days in advance...
)
I don't know whether this trend will continue. I'd keep checking in your area to see. But it may be the case that you'll be able to schedule in-person within the couple of weeks before you want to take it, as people cancel exams.
I will add, though, that I think everyone should be *ready* to take it online. This pandemic is going to continue to come in waves and, even if you get an in-person appointment, there's no guarantee that the test center is actually going to be open on that date. Prepare both ways / be ready for either way so that you give yourself the maximum flexibility possible.
The only* real drawback now to taking it online is that we don't get a break between Q and V (as well as not getting to choose whether to do Q or V first, but that's less of an issue for most people). There is a mental fatigue cost to factor in. You can deal with it, but you've got to be prepared for that (just as you have to prepare for using the online + physical whiteboards vs. the yellow pad).
*Well, and that we can only take it twice online. But hopefully you won't need to take it more than twice anyway.
