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bonhonina
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Need your input on changes in test questions and test center 07 Mar 2006, 17:07
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I have been reading from various postings that both the type and level of questions on the GMAT have changed. Can we talk about this issue, please?

What changes have people seen on the test from last year to this year? Are the quant questions any different from the questions in the 10th and 11th editions of OG? What about the verbal?

I've noticed also that the availability of test centers has dramatically decreased. This goes against the GMAC's claim that the switch to pervue was due to "better service".

Can we discuss? Thanks
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zzyzxzz
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Need your input on changes in test questions and test center 10 Mar 2006, 01:31
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bonhonina
I have been reading from various postings that both the type and level of questions on the GMAT have changed. Can we talk about this issue, please?

What changes have people seen on the test from last year to this year? Are the quant questions any different from the questions in the 10th and 11th editions of OG? What about the verbal?

I've noticed also that the availability of test centers has dramatically decreased. This goes against the GMAC's claim that the switch to pervue was due to "better service".

Can we discuss? Thanks
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I wrote the test this year, so I can't say how it was last year.

But assuming Powerprep tests as a basis for the level of difficulty of tests last year, I would say the Verbal is at or about the same level as it was last year. Whereas Quant is slightly different if not tougher than the ETS Quant. The new Quant seems to put more emphasis on problems related to absolute values, inequalities, set theory, coordinate geometry and DS.

Also test administration seems to be stricter. I wasn't allowed to wear my watch into the test room, I felt this was silly considering I was wearing a two dial watch which doesn't even tell me today's date. The workbooks seem to have evoked mixed opinions. I personally don't care what they supply as they long as they supply enough. But at my center the Pearson guy told me he would only supply one book at a time, so I had to raise my hand a half dozen times to get new workbooks. I felt this was a pain because sometimes I used to be on the last page in the middle of a problem and the guy used to take away my old workbook. Also you must have already seen some posts on the new passport requirement.
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lfox2
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Need your input on changes in test questions and test center 10 Mar 2006, 11:33
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I felt I got a better service from vue, I took the test last year in London, and it was ok. But Vue seem much better, more security, but additional times to choose from and more venues in the UK.

I have found it hard this year to find a saturday slot.

Last year I took the GMAT and scored 570, I was scoring 510's in the Kaplan tests

This year I took the GMAT and scored 560, I was scoring 570's in the Kaplan tests.

I cannot say if they have reconfigured the exam, but the verbal felt harder, lotsa more sentence correction.
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jlui4477
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Need your input on changes in test questions and test center 10 Mar 2006, 19:52
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The people at the Pearson center are nicer but the signing in takes a bit longer. Also, when you make your test appointment, you should make it a month ahead of time or more. The center where I went only had 14 computers.
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Tajik4GMAT
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Need your input on changes in test questions and test center 10 Mar 2006, 20:01
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Besides, I do not know if anyone mentioned this or not, as I was told you will never get a full refund if you cancel the test. If you let them know 7 days in advance you get 80$ back I think. Rescheduling also is for a fee. And if you reschedule a week before your exam, you will have to pay 250$ again :(
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drummond
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Need your input on changes in test questions and test center 14 Mar 2006, 18:35
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I took my GMAT at a Pearson center today. First off, they are not kidding about security. ANYTIME you enter or leave the test room, they check your fingerprint with a biometric monitor (kinda cool) and the camera shot they took when you checked-in, as well as your ID. So yeah, going to the bathroom or getting an apple from your locker needs to take that extra time into account.

The facility I went to (Bellaire, inside Houston) had 15 stations. All full, all scheduled by 14 days before the test. Chatting with the receptionist, I found they had to add an extra day of testing this week because this is a busy season. Keep that in mind when scheduling.

The noteboards were NOT a problem for me.

The Verbal was very much like the practice tests I bought from MBA.com, the Quant is VERY, VERY different in places. I had one coordinates problem, like a token, surprisingly few Data Sufficiency questions, my test was very intensive on Algebra, especially factorials and exponents. I can't say more than that because of the disclosure agreement you have to sign when you check in, but it's not so much tougher as it is different. If you expect it to be like the old-style, you will get ambushed, so I would recommend the Challenges here.

For the record, I got a 730, 48 Quant 42 Verbal, official results due in about 20 days.

Good luck!
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