Manhattan GMAT Test Simulation Booklet w/ Dry Erase Marker

Question

Manhattan GMAT Test Simulation Booklet with Dry Erase Marker This booklet is not a must have - people have scored 700+ without it, BUT, consider these arguments: 1. This booklet and pen are exact replicas of what is used at the test center, and the more you can be comfortable with that environment, the better. (This set comes with one pen, but you will actually get 2 at your test center) 2. You are probably not used to writing notes and solving questions on a spiral-bound dry-erase board with a dry-erase marker pen. Having used this pen and board for a test can help you avoid some discomforts and set expectations properly 3. The size of this board (see customer images for comparison) is huge - much larger than expected (larger than OG 12) - it will take a good portion of your desk space, so again, something else good to know Available from Amazon.com for $14.28 !!!IMPORTANT!!! Regardless of whether you buy this set of not, remember 2 things: 1. Test the pens at the test center - many report that they get dry pens that do not write and, which ends up wasting time when they have to request new pens during the test time 2. Close the cap of the pen if you don't plan to write for more than 5-10 mins as it will dry up the pen Erase board comparison with OG.jpg Erase board and marker Pen Tip.jpg Erase board and marker Grid2.jpg marker.jpg I think it is worth mentioning that you are not guaranteed to get a pad that resembles this one. Whilst I think in the US they will likely always be this format when I took the test in the UK the pads were laminated white A4 pages with a heavily ruled rectangular grid (each "cell" being approx 10mm wide by 7mm tall). The pens were the same though and to be honest the colour / size of the paper shouldn't be that big an issue.

PadawanOfTheGMAT · Answer

I ordered the booklet just to see how it looked like, then I have sent it back to amazon without using it. I think it's a good idea to see how it looks like before hitting the test.

Also I guess we can train on it during the "tutorial time" of the real test. I would advise to wear a disposable Tshirt as the ink of the pen will destroy your Gekko French cuff shirts

SeniorFlunky · Answer

I think it is worth mentioning that you are not guaranteed to get a pad that resembles this one. Whilst I think in the US they will likely always be this format when I took the test in the UK the pads were laminated white A4 pages with a heavily ruled rectangular grid (each "cell" being approx 10mm wide by 7mm tall).

The pens were the same though and to be honest the colour / size of the paper shouldn't be that big an issue.

The pens were the same though and to be honest the colour / size of the paper shouldn't be that big an issue.

saxenashobhit · Answer

ha ha.....that would have been great if they provided OG12 in the main exam....

dokiyoki · Answer

Not sure if it would be of great help then :wink:

Sachin9 · Answer

hi all

..Are we given limited scratch papers or can we ask for as many as we need. .

bagdbmba · Answer

Can we expect more than two markers if required during test day...?

bagdbmba · Answer

pardeepattri-you commented long back..but I really like it..

bagdbmba · Answer

Folks-can anybody share any ideas on this?

BM · Answer

From what I recall, debayan222, the proctors will provide you with additional markers if necessary. Should the need arise, raise your hand. And to save time, hold the marker in your raised hand to signal to the proctors that you want another one.

bagdbmba · Answer

Wow.....that's great! Thank you BM

P.S: I really like the way we need to get the additional markers if required..it reminds me the elementary school days.. :wink:

iPen · Answer

Do the same dry erasers that erase markers on big boards work on this booklet?

I wouldn't think so since these are wet erase markers, but melamine works...

Is melamine with a damp towel the best to erase, or something else?

That'd really help save me a trip to the sink and/or paper towels.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi All,

A reasonable 'substitute' to the standard 'pad and marker' set is to take 6 sheets of yellow legal pad paper and staple them across the 'short side.' The front side of the first sheet would normally have instructions on it, so you can put a big 'X' across it, leaving you the normal 11 sheet 'faces' to write on. Along with a felt-tip marker, you have a decent approximation of what you'll use on Test Day.

This set-up has 2 advantages over using an actual pad and marker:

1) You can create several of these pads before starting your CAT, as swap them out as needed.
2) You can keep your notes from each CAT (for later review), instead of having to erase an actual pad every time you use it.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

iPen · Answer

Reflecting on the MGMAT booklet, here are some insights I took away from using it that may be overlooked if you're still considering to study with it.

1) Use the booklet horizontally. It won't get in the way of the keyboard, or you, for that matter. You may actually like it better that way.

2) You'll discover (or rediscover) if you write big, and set yourself to train to write smaller. It's better to get used to writing smaller now than on test day!

3) You'll learn that if you write in an unorganized manner, the amount of space you waste is much more noticeable, because you may find yourself consistently moving onto the next clean page. This may sound like it's not such a big deal, but the booklet doesn't give you an unlimited number of pages - far from it. There are only several (10 or so) pages so staying organized matters more than if you were to practice on paper, which you may have more of to work with while practicing. Training yourself to be more organized may mean less time wasted waiting for a new booklet.

4) Don't write as much - at least for the verbal section. If you're able to do questions without writing, that's a good sign of where you're headed. This one you probably already knew or realized while writing on paper, but the less you write, the more time you have to read and think. I've personally realized how much I don't look at my notes for the verbal section.
EDIT: that is, if you write too much and your notes aren't efficient, don't write as much. Learn to make do with less and utilize efficient shorthand.

5. If you like writing with bold or gel pens, the test day marker will annoy you. Get used to it since that's what they'll give you on test day. It's an ultra fine point 0.4mm tip that sometimes doesn't write well if your writing angle is off. Not to mention, the marker may run dry while you leave it uncapped, or it may have dried out from the last test takers who used your marker.
Also, remember that these are not dry erase markers - they're wet erase. They both erase, but one comes off more easily with water, so you won't accidentally smudge it off (as much) - learning how to interact with something as minor as how the wet erase markers work may be something that'll make you more comfortable.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi iPen,

I'm sure that your suggestions will prove quite helpful to Test Takers who are looking to hone their 'mechanics' for Test Day. However, point #4 is a BIG potential mistake. Silly errors and little mistakes tend to KILL Test Takers and they're almost always caused by NOT taking enough notes. Choosing to write less on the pad is a dubious gamble; if you're 'off' (even a little bit) or you miss some detail in the question (and don't factor it into the work you're doing 'in your head'), then you'll likely get the question wrong (and in the Verbal section, you have no way of realizing when you have done the work incorrectly). The solution to all of these little problems is to take MORE notes and do so in an organized fashion.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

iPen · Answer

I should have been more clear. I do write, I just write more concisely with more efficient shorthand that works for me.

On one extreme, writing everything down and paraphrasing will mean a lot of time will be wasted. On the other extreme, writing nothing means that some content will need to be reread, so for example, writing an efficient outline of each paragraph of the reading comprehension section will be good. I have my own system of writing, but compared to when I started, I don't write nearly as much down.

So, I should have stated that one will discover to write less and get more out of it, while developing one's best system of note taking.

ms17 · Answer

I just received my booklet from MGMAT today and I got a different marker. The marker I received, which seems to be of a different size, has the Art. No. 311-9.

Because I don't want to get used to a different marker, I want to make sure to know in advance which marker is used at the actual GMAT.

I think it can make a huge difference whether you got a marker, which is either thin or thick.

Can anyone help me with this issue?

GMATBusters · Answer

bb

Can we use this pen :Staedtler Lumocolor Non-Permanent 0.6mm F , 316WP4

https://www.amazon.in/Staedtler-Lumocolor-Non-Permanent-Markers-Multicolour/dp/B0007OEDSO?channel=dyn%7Bifmobile%3Amobile%7D%26placement%3D%7Bplacement%7D%26target%3D%7Btarget%7D%26campaignid%3D%7Bcampaignid%7D&tag=googinremarketing54-21

bb · Answer

It looks very close to the real marker (may be just slightly wider/smaller tip) but same brand/concept, dry erase technology.

GMATBusters · Answer

both are 0.6mm F tip

as per specifications given in Amazon.com

this is 316-9  https://www.amazon.com/Brand-Staedtler-Lumocolor-Non-permanent-0-6mm/dp/B004QN8TM8

But problem is that it is coming only in pack of 10 ( costlier than 316WP4)

DebbieChats · Answer

Hi 
Quick question - has the size of the actual booklet changed in the recent years or differ across test centers? I have been provided with A4 sized booklets - white in color. The one I bought is different as referred to in point 3. 
The detail story of strange women passing and scrubbing the booklets at the center come another day. But is there generally a shortage of booklets at the center, which I should be cognizant about from beforehand?

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Manhattan GMAT Test Simulation Booklet w/ Dry Erase Marker

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