Can you write on GMAT pad during the break? (ABCDE grids)

Question

I have found that writing A,B,C,D,E answer options on scratch paper and crossing off the wrong ones is helping me in the verbal section.
however writing each line probably takes 2-3 seconds and will add up during the real GMAT.

Are you allowed to mark these answer grids on the yellow pads during the break?

cvsmech · Answer

Yes. You can write anything you want.

I did that too and doing so saves you at least a minute or so.

Zynga · Answer

Thanks..good to know

did you by any chance also take notes/snippets for RC ? If yes, then how did you draw the grids ?
I mean all grids on page 1 of the pad and all RC scribbling on other pages ?..how did you approach this ?

bb · Answer

I have drawn the grid during the break as well before the time starts ticking.
Also, before the AWA section (during the beginning and instructions/etc) I used that time to write down an AWA template (if you need that of course) how-to-get-6-0-awa-my-guide-64327.html

menacel · Answer

I wasn't allowed to go in the breakroom during my break until I wanted to take the exam.

HOWEVER, before the AWA section, I could write as much as I wanted

novanative · Answer

On the real GMAT, can you get more than one noteboard? If so, do you have to fill up the entire previous one?

menacel · Answer

yes, you can get more than one noteboard. You can raise your hand to request another, or you can get one during the break. but they have to take the one you have.

Mindreko · Answer

How many pages is the notebook? Is it thick enough to write on both sides? If you write the ABCDE grids on a piece of paper, are you allowed to keep that piece and get a new book when you run out of space?

Zynga · Answer

I bought the test simulation booklet from amazon : https://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-GMAT-Si ... 0979017580 I use it for my MGMAT tests

rjkaufman21 · Answer

Hey guys I took the gmat today. I was low on time on my last math question and had to guess between two answers. Once the break screen came up I continued to solve the problem because I wanted to see if I guessed correctly. The proctor approached me and said I wasn't allowed to write on the pads during the break. Nothing else happened she just asked me to stop, but just be aware of that.

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

Zynga · Answer

Took my GMAT today and wanted to tell you folks that  I WAS NOT ALLOWED  to write anything on my yellow pad during the break.
 This was at the Gardena Test centre in Los Angeles
I started writing down the templates for essays before the AWA section when the proctor came in and warned me not to write anything until my alloted time started.

I took both the breaks and in both cases the proctor made sure to take away my old pad and gave me a new one only after she signed me back into the test. In both cases when I returned, I had a couple of minutes remaining.but as soon as the proctor signed me back in, the clock started ticking.
Is this the normal procedure?

Zynga · Answer

Agreed if you are given 2 yellow scratch pads to start with. If you are given only one at first then you dont have any time before the Verbal section to draw the grids

budablasta · Answer

If you are really into counting seconds here, try writing " a b c d e " in small, cursive hand rather than in uppercase. Saves you 2 seconds per question. Maybe, you could learn to write the five letters as a signature that you can scribble really fast? Saves you 1 more second, probably. LOL!

(People, please don't thrash me for giving out such gems of advice!)

udvranto · Answer

I didn't know it is possible to write on the scratch booklet during the break!!! Surprise! Surprise!!

Yekrut · Answer

It seems like it really depends on the test location. What is the abcde writing strategy being mentioned in this thread?

lamanxa · Answer

What I do on my practice tests is to jot five dots instead of writing ABCDE.

aisha12 · Answer

what if you return from the break and realize you still have 2 mins or so remaining. Can't you just write on the pad then?

udvranto · Answer

aisha12,
In my case, the timing prompt went away and the test started as soon as I returned to my desk. I was a bit puzzled because I wanted to draw the grids for vebal, write timing for quant and verbal, etc., but did not find a way to do it. If I am allowed to write on the pad during the break as people are saying here, that would resolve the problem.

onsameline · Answer

Has anyone found an updated answer to this question? Does it really depend on test center/proctor on whether you can write on the scratch pads during the break? Also, can you start out with two pads instead of just one?

highdiving · Answer

At my test center (Rome) they allowed me to write in between sections (I prepared tables for verbal) and they gave me a new pad after quant, when I asked.
I am pretty sure they would have given me two pads to begin with if I had asked, but I also have to say that I was the only one taking the test and the proctor didn't even bother to stay in the room.

I guess it really depends on where you are.

Maybe the rules pamphlet GMAC sends you via mail has something to say about this?

	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $79 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $325 $200 Discount + $79 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Can you write on GMAT pad during the break? (ABCDE grids)

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards