GMAT Test-Taking Tips and Advice

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In the final week before your test, remember:

Don't cram.

Take a GMAT practice test. You can often even do this at the test center (a good way to ensure that you will not get lost on the day of the test). Again don't cram.

Get solid rest.

At the test:

Follow your normal routine.

Arrive at the test at least 30 minutes early.

Do concentrate on the first 10 questions of each section most. At the beginning of each section, the total number of questions and the total time allowed are stated.

Maintain a focused mind and a positive winning attitude throughout the entire test.

Do not panic. Focus on one question at a time. Focus on one section at a time. Do not think beyond your current section and lose your concentration.

Do not get fixated and spend unreasonable time on any single question. It will not make or break your score. Because the score per section is partially based on the number of questions you answer, try to answer as many questions as you can.

Do not leave any questions unanswered before the section time runs out. Always submit an answer after some educated or blind guesses. Remember that you cannot skip questions or change an answer once you confirm it.

If a few questions or passages are difficult to understand, do not let that prompt you to cancel your score entirely. You never know.

If something is wrong with the computer, or if someone is bothering you, or if it's miserably hot etc., signal to an exam proctor. The proctor walks around in the test room every 15-20 minutes.

Pace yourself and keep track of your progress by checking the amount of time you have left on the test screen. Each section is 75 minutes. You have about two minutes per Quantitative question and about 1.75 minutes per Verbal question.

Pay attention to the number of questions that remain in a section. There are 37 quantitative section questions. There are 41 verbal section questions.

Clicking on "HELP" or hiding the "TIME" information doesn't pause or stop the time.

Take advantage of breaks. Rest your eyes, as the computer screen is difficult to stare at for 4 hours straight.

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