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. 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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