710 Q47 V40 - Pearson Vue

Arggh! I took the test yesterday here in Korea at the Pearson VUE center. The test was free, but I'm kind of frustrated with the score. I'm still debating whether or not I should retake it.

Here is the breakdown:

Q47 - 81%
V40 - 91%

710 - 94%

I guess I should be happy with the score, but from the practice tests and studying that I did I was pretty confident that I would get between 730 and 750.

Before even touching any questions in the OG, my PP scores were 710 and 720.

I took two Kaplan CATs: 630 and 640.

And two Princeton Review CATs: 730 and 740.

And after going through the OG and analyzing my mistakes I took the PP CATs again: 790 and 780.

My strike rates for all the sections in the OG were around 90%.

Anyway, I'll write about my experience with Pearson VUE.

My appointment was for 12:30, but I got there around 11:40 and the clerk let me check-in and start the test early. She checked my confirmation letter from Pearson VUE and took my digital signature and fingerprint, as well as my photograph from a video camera hooked up to a computer.

She then gave me a checklist of rules to look over. I was disappointed that I couldn't take my watch into the testing room...I hate looking at the timer on the computer screen. No watches are allowed, even analog ones without alarm clocks. I was only allowed to take my locker key and passport in the testing room. Before entering the testing room I had to press my finger on a fingerprint recognition device and hand over my passport again. Before entering and right after leaving the room each time I had to go through this procedure.

What I think contributed to a possible loss of 20 or 30 points in my score was the marker and "erasable boards" I had to use. The boards were just just laminated white grid paper. Two of them. And I was told not to erase my work, but to just raise my hand and request more. I found this extremely frustrating during the quantitative section as it ate into my precious time. It didn't take long to fill up the paper. More annoying than this was the markers. I've always done all my mathwork with a mechanical pencil and found the markers awkward to write with. Even though they were fine-tip. Not only that, but I was only given one marker at a time and I had to replace them about three times just during the math section. The first two markers didn't write well - they just gave me used markers. Because of the constant replacing of markers and papers, I had trouble maintaining my pace. Needless to say, it rattled me and threw me off for the entire test. In hindsight, I should have found the best marker before going into the testing room. But, I shouldn't have to do this...Pearson VUE could easily shell out a new marker for each person and throw away all the old ones. This test really is about confidence and racing against time...so disturbances, no matter how minor, can have a big impact on your mindset.

One other difference, I think, is the break times. Ten minutes after the AWA, and ten minutes after the Quant section.

Anyway, as for content, nothing new to report here. I got a few probability questions. And lots of Data Sufficiency ones. The first ten in a row were DS. Much more fun to do the PS questions.

My score will get me into the schools I want to get into, I'm just wondering if I can get more $$$ for having a 740 or 750, instead of a 710. Any advice is welcome.

Well, I'll write more later, and if you have any questions, shoot.