Try to
Relax
Yes, this is easier said than done -- especially for
admissions consultants who have already taken the exam
and graduated from business school. Nonetheless, worrying
and stressing over the GMAT will not do anything to
boost your confidence or make you answer the questions
more correctly.
Keep in mind that the GMAT exam is only one component
of your total application package and your academic
qualifications, which includes grades and other non-GMAT
components, if only very rarely given a weighting of
more than 40% by the MBA programs . Even if your score
falls somewhat below the median of those applicants
your top-choice schools have historically accepted,
you may still be a very competitive applicant.
Get Adequate Sleep
the Night Before
If you have spent any significant amount of time preparing
for the GMAT CAT, then you will know that your score
will be more positively impacted from some extra sleep
than it will be from a few last minute cram preparations.
Dress in Layers
Since you can never be sure whether the test center
will be warm or cold, it is always a good idea to wear
layers of clothes that you can easily add and remove.
The GMAT test site is not a fashion show, so dress
comfortable. If that means old jeans and sneakers for
you, then by all means that is what you should wear!
Make Sure You
are Comfortable with the Computer Tutorial
We do not recommend you rush through this tutorial.
After completing any type of adequate preparation there
will be no short-term memory loss in the few minutes
it takes to complete this tutorial. You do not want
to rush through this and risk panic when the timed
test begins and you're suddenly not sure how to scroll
through the long passages in the verbal section, for
example. Finally, this tutorial provides an excellent
way for most test-takers to calm their nerves before
delving into the actual GMAT test questions.
Become Familiar
with the Testing Facility
Learn where the nearest bathroom and water fountain
are located before you begin the test. You will want
to be able to quickly locate them within your two allotted
5 minute breaks. It is also not a bad idea to know
how to get to the test center and arrive well before
your scheduled time.
Request Scrap
Paper and Use it Freely
The scrap paper will come in handy and it is a good
idea to use it for the verbal as well as the quantitative
sections. There is no need to feel self conscious if
you happen to have a few more sheets of this scrap
paper than the other test takers. Additionally, you
do not want to waste valuable test-taking time requesting
additional paper should you run out during the middle
of a section.
Speak Up if Your
Working Conditions are Less than Optimal
If your carrel is too small or if you are having difficulty
with your mouse, keyboard, or any other part of your
computer, do not hesitate to speak up. While these
instances seem to be rather rare, they are usually
quite easily remedied.
Don't Waste
Time
This probably sounds self explanatory but we mention
it because we've had clients tell us how they revisited
the help screen or requested extra scrap paper after
they began their test. These activities, if undertaken
once the section has begun, will take time away from
working on the questions.
Pace Yourself
You want to spend a considerable amount of time on
the first 5 questions of every section. (See the GMAT
Preparation Tips and Advice page for more information
on this strategy.) However, after these first 5 questions,
you may need to pick up the pace a bit to stay on track
towards getting an opportunity to answer each of the
questions in the section. The GMAT CAT's software will
provide the time left in each section for you. With
some simulated practice tests in the computer-adaptive
format, you should become proficient at managing your
time during the exam.
Think Very Carefully
Before Doing Any of These
Before you cancel your score or quit the exam, make
sure that you are sure this is what you really want
to do. It has been our experience that most test takers
who cancel their scores or quit the exam do so irrationally.
You probably know from previous test experiences that
you have done better on exams than you initially thought
you did.
It is human psychology that the questions you believe
you answered incorrectly are dwelled on more heavily
than the (hopefully) more numerous questions that were
answered correctly. Try to keep this in perspective
when the GMAT CAT prompts you to cancel your scores
or see them immediately. It is our frank advice that
unless you felt deathly ill during the exam, you should
not cancel your scores.
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