GMAT appt at 8am

Question

Guys
I am seeing that I can only get the GMAT appointment at 8am (trying to take it on a weekend). I cannot find any other slot. I assume that is when the centres open? I have never taken a test that early, get up around that time... I believe that the timing should make a difference to the alertness of the brain? I certainly don't want to be sleeping at the test time. Are these appointments scheduled by the hour? How late can one take it? If there is anyone around in Houston and has had any experience with the centres here, please let me know.. Thanks
MainHoon

akaydee · Answer

mainhoon,

I think the best time differs from person to person. Having said that I think you should check when you feel the most alert. Try and find an alternative time slot. There might be one that might open up if somebody decides to defer his/her test.

In general, most people have a dip in concentration levels between 2:30pm - 3:30pm. It's that time of the day when when you need a cup of coffee or some extra sugar in your body. So perhaps that's something you should keep in mind.

mainhoon · Answer

Part of me tells that 8am is fine, just get it done with that morning, first thing in the day, rather than finicking around and getting confused on last minute concepts

Of course 8am means I should be there by at least 730am, which means I need to be up by 5am.. OMG.. that is something... Amazingly the most common timeslot available is 8am, I guess not many takers there! I cant find anything beyond 8am.. It is very hard unless it is a weekday.. and months out..

akaydee · Answer

If you have to wake up at 5am. I don't think it's worth it. If you can afford it. Take an off day from office/your job. You don't want to be hungry and tired at 10am!

mainhoon · Answer

You are right. I can't remember the last time I saw 5AM on the clock. I see a 12pm appointment a month from now.. It does overlap with the attention dippping time, but at least I wont have to worry about lunch and such.. I think 10am or so is ideal...

akaydee · Answer

yes 10am is ideal. You would have just had breakfast and after the test you'll be ready for lunch. :-D

mainhoon · Answer

Is it also true that even if the appointment is at a certain time, if you showed up earlier, they can start it sooner?

akaydee · Answer

yes, they often let you take your exam earlier than your time slot if they have some seats that are free.

mainhoon · Answer

Has anyone here taken the Kaplan Official test day experience? They claim it is identical to the real thing and if so it should be helpful?

KapTeacherEli · Answer

Hi mainhoon,

The Kaplan Official Test Day experience is the most test-like practice exam you can take. This is because you're taking it at an actual Pearson center. That means you will fill out the same forms, use the same locker, write in the same note pads, and type on the same computer that test-takers use on test day. The only difference between it and the real GMAT is that the Experience uses a Kaplan practice test, so it doesn't count.

Hope this helps!

vladik210 · Answer

Yes. It is tough to find a 12 pm slot since people schedule appointments several months in advance.

The slot might get available anytime though. I was trying to register for GMAT at 12 noon but all they had left was 8 am which is not when I want to take my exam. However, I got lucky and somebody dropped their test, so I ended up with 12 pm schedule. Try to wait and see if somebody drops a test. Getting a 8am test is not that difficult. You can generally schedule your test 2 weeks in advance. So wait for two weeks and look for spots several times a day. If you don't succeed, then go for 8 am.

jb88 · Answer

If I were you I would keep visiting mba.com to schedule your appt. I am in Chicago and was looking at 2 centers. Available times would change every few hours. Some that would disappear would then show back up days later. When I finally found one I wanted I tried to sign up only to realize that I hadn't fully completed my profile and had to wait 48 hours to get it "approved." In the meantime I watched all of the slots for the rest of the month disappear, then a few "bad" times open up, then mba.com down for maintenance almost the whole weekend. Finally, I checked again on Monday and schedule an appt. for this upcoming Saturday at noon, the exact spot I was looking for a couple weeks ago.

In short, keep trying.

In short, keep trying.

akaydee · Answer

this should give you an idea of how the test center will look like. I found it in one of the older posts on the site. download/file.php?id=3756

jordanhendrix · Answer

that kaplan test at the actual center is an awesome idea!

You have to take the test when youre at peak mental levels. I think it could be the difference between 50 points.

qweert · Answer

I always do better in the afternoon. I'm just not ready in the morning.

mainhoon · Answer

So then has anyone taken this exam? Can
People comment on the official experience? How much does it cost?

Posted from my mobile device

KapTeacherEli · Answer

Hi Mainhoon,

A Kaplan test at the Pearson center costs $80--however, with the Kaplan On-Site class, you can take as many of the included CATs as you'd like at the Pearson center at no extra cost.

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GMAT appt at 8am

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