Test day strategy - Suggest!

[AkashM25]

Hi guys,

I wrote my GMAT once on the September 6th and scored a 700 (Q49, V37). I was hardly satisfied, my scores a week before had been in the range of 710-720 and mostly because, the exam centre screwed me over.

The markers that I had during the verbal section refused to work. Every two minutes, I had to raise my hand and ask for a new marker. This meant decreased concentration and I ended up freaking out by the time I was at the 33rd question.

I read Stacey's article on handling the sheet, but is there a way to handle the marker too? I have heard that the marker dries if you don't write down anything for somewhere around 2 minutes.

1. What do you in such a situation? Can I instruct the centre beforehand that I need new markers only. I will certainly put in a polite word to the proctor before the exam.
Also, how to handle the drying up issue?

Believe it or not - out of the whole GMAT experience, I am worried about the market the most!

2. I have written 4 practice tests during the last one month.
MGMAT 4 - 710
Veritas Prep - 710
GMAT Prep 2 - 760
GMAT Prep 3 - 740

When do I give up my books and take a break before the exam? My exam is on October 9th.

After practicing CRs, I have concluded that the only way you can have the CRs correct is when you are in the frame of mind, personalizing the questions, asking yourself about the assumptions. So a break is needed!

[StaceyKoprince]

Ugh, I have been hearing people complain a lot about the markers, lately - in fact, I've just sent an email to my contact at GMAC to let her know about this. A different company (Pearson) runs the test centers, but GMAC can make an inquiry into the issue.

Next, I have heard some people say that the test center proctor gave them 2 markers in an attempt to try to avoid this situation. When you go in next time, explain what happened last time and ask the proctor whether you can be given two markers at once. Then, explain that when one runs dry, you will raise your hand then to get a new one, so that you can keep working with the other marker while you wait. If the proctor agrees to this, then it is minorly annoying, but you will never be without a working pen.

Second, I'd advise getting into the habit of popping the cap back on the pen when not in use - keep the cap in your non-writing hand. (I don't know whether this will help, but it's worth trying.) If you can, try to train yourself to just put your two hands together (and therefore rest the cap over the pen) whenever you're just thinking but not writing.

I would also file a formal complaint with the test center (fyi for anyone else reading this: you can file a complaint at the test center right after the test is over - that's the best time to do this). If it's on record, you'll be more likely to have the situation resolved before you go back. This time, you may even want to call before you go in there again to explain what happened last time and ask whether your proposed remedy (two markers at at time) can be allowed the next time.

Finally, re: your test score: 700 is a great score and it is not statistically significantly different from 710 or 720, so I really wouldn't stress about that too much. You have a great score on record already, which is a great position to be in.

I generally recommend that people do no more than about 1 hour of review the day before the test - and just high level, overall review of your major strategies (including overall pacing strategies, guessing strategies, and so on). No questions, no practice tests, etc.

Two days before, I recommend no more than about 2-3 hours, again high-level review only.

Good luck!

[StaceyKoprince]

p.s. could you please tell me where this test center is? GMAC has asked me to try to tell them where the complaints are originating so that we can try to narrow down the problem. Thanks!

[AkashM25]

It's amazing how you are picking up this issue to help us !
The center is located in Dwarka Area of New Delhi, India. I know one more person who has had the same issue there.

There is one Pearson Center in south Delhi too. I am not sure if this problem exists there as well.

- Thanks for your help. I hope GMAC sends out a notification to the centers today itself. Will help me tomorrow :)

[StaceyKoprince]

Thank you! And good luck!

[RishabhK267]

Hi,

I faced the exact same issue at the same test center three years hence.
I got them replaced thrice and I tried 6 different markers but none of them worked.
They told me to adjust with whatever they had.

It cost me 5 to 7 minutes during my exam and I had panicked by then. I could not comprehend a single word after that. I had to end my exam abruptly because of this.

What is even worse, the test center opened 10 minutes before the scheduled exam and had no ear plugs.

Now i am apprehensive about a 200 cancelled score on my copy of scorecard. I am not too sure what I need to do to wipe that red flag off my scorecard which wasn't even my doing. Please help.

[StaceyKoprince]

I'm sorry that you had such a frustrating test experience. If you canceled your score, then schools do not know that you even took the exam that day—only you can see that information. So you don't need to worry about that, at least.

I would also file a complaint on the mba.com website. Describe your experience (and make sure to tell them which testing center you were at). Ask (very nicely) to be refunded or to be given a free re-take. (I don't know that they will give you a free re-take, but it doesn't hurt to ask. As always, make sure you are very polite—companies are more likely to respond positively to this kind of request when you are nice!)