Manhattan GMAT Test Simulation Booklet w/ Dry Erase Marker

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.

It won't make any difference even if they provide OG 12

Thanks for this bb! it is indeed surprisingly big!

This is awesome! One of the big factors that i felt i was unprepared for was this booklet. So many times during my test i couldnt clearly figure out what ihad written because of the pattern below.

I dont understand why they wont give us plain ones rather than the one here! Nevertheless a good tool in preparing for the real exam.

This is probably a more reliable and cheaper option:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/storeitems ... 78&catid=8

I consider this product a necessity. Everyone should make this purchase and incorporate it into CAT practice. You don't want to spend time and energy trying to adapt to anything unfamiliar during the actual test. That could cost you test points.

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.

Looks like 14.28 on amazon currently. Can GMAT club members get a better deal? I would think it would be worth it.

Call me a wierdo but I haven't used any paper since I got this thing..... (i.e. 3 months ago)

I decided I want to feel like a fish in water when using the laminated paper and marker... so I did the whole OG quant 1.5 times using this booklet - I bought extra pens from amazon.

The only problem is washing it - my fingers are all blue and I look like i just came home from the kindergarden! Not to mention the looks I get in the library bathroom while I'm turning the sink blue....

This booklet is useful in familiarizing yourself with the actual test taking conditions. I have seen many postings where this booklet is sold along with the manhattan gmat strategy guides on craigslist. That might cost less than buying from amazon.

I think here is something that's relevant to your comment: fight-the-noteboards-26934.html

These booklets are a godsend. I have two of these booklets and no longer need them now that I am done with the GMAT. If you want them for cheap, PM me.

I got this booklet from craigslist along with some GMAT books. the guy did not give me the marker and I need to buy it. Can anyone post the name and specification of the marker so that I can buy it? I purchased some from walmart and it does not write good on this one.
Please help.

The marker is: Staedtler no-permanent Lumocolor

Made in Germany
Art. No. 316-9
UPC 0 31901 908812

P.S. It looks like it is $11 by itself

I used this on my prep for my latest retake and it helped wonders! It got me used to the particulars of taking the test and helped me to not feel out of my element for even a second in the exam room. Not a must have, but absolutely helped.

this is incredibly helpful - also helps you to realise how much space you have/don't have and not waste it!!

I have a question.. I ordered the Manhattan simulation pad - it seems to come with about 10 of those plastic sheets - do we get that many that day? Is what I see exactly what I am going to get? Also do we have to erase the stuff we write or we get new ones? I read somewhere that the pen might dry out also.. what do we do to prevent that?

There are nine sheets which you can write on for the Manhattan test booklet. The test center's booklet will be almost exactly like the Manhattan version. The only thing different is the wear from constant use. This relates to the pens, which run out of ink over time. Make sure that the test administrator gives you a few markers. Test them out immediately to see whether they still have ink.

Also, if you find that all the markers run out of ink during the test, raise your hand. The administrator will come over. However, in order to save time, hold the marker in your hand and maybe even point to it with your other. If the administrator understands, then you will save time that way since he or she will just walk over and hand you another marker. But don't wait for the marker to entirely run out of ink before raising your hand.