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![AMA: First GMAT Focus test [instructor debrief]](/forum/styles/gmatclub_light/imageset/icon_post_target_unread.svg "AMA: First GMAT Focus test [instructor debrief]"){kind=icon}
Updated on: 14 Nov 2023, 00:53
Originally posted by AjiteshArun on 07 Nov 2023, 00:55.
Last edited by AjiteshArun on 14 Nov 2023, 00:53, edited 8 times in total.
Last edited by AjiteshArun on 14 Nov 2023, 00:53, edited 8 times in total.
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I just took the new GMAT Focus Edition.
Official score: Total 715 (99%) | Q 83 (81%) | DI 83 (96%) | V 90 (100%)
Appointment ID: 458247584
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have (particularly about the verbal section) here.
From the original blog post here: LINK
What did I do to prepare for the Focus Edition?
I had gone through the latest OGs, but they didn't help much because I was already familiar with the questions. Closer to the test, I took the two free official practice tests. I also reviewed the verbal sections of the official practice tests with my students.
Just before the exam
I already had an idea about my test centre as some of my students had taken the old GMAT there. Nevertheless, I made sure I reached the centre 30 minutes before my exam. It was my first time taking the test at one of the smaller, non-Pearson Professional centres, and I didn't want to take any chances. However, I'd recommend reaching early to anyone taking the GMAT.
I asked for and received two markers, and I checked both before entering the testing room. If you're planning to take the exam, don't forget to do this. I also discussed notepad and marker replacement with the proctor before entering the testing room. As always, I took only my passport into the testing room with me (technically, even hankies aren't allowed).
After I took my seat, I saw an identity confirmation and terms and conditions screens. Both were untimed.
Next, I saw the instructions screens, which were timed (total 2 minutes).
Next, I saw the select section order screen (1 minute). I decided to go with Quant - DI - Verbal. This is because I was feeling a little tired, and I expected fatigue to have the least impact on my verbal score. To be clear, I don't recommend that you change your section order on the day of the test unless you have a very good reason to do so. Try to go with the order you are familiar with.
Quant
I'm not a quant expert, but as far as I could tell, quant on the Focus edition felt like quant on the GMAT. I made the mistake of "skipping" too many questions (3) in the first 10 by bookmarking them if I felt that I couldn't get to an answer in the next 1-2 minutes. Looking back, I should have solved at least 1 or 2 of those questions, because when I got to question review and edit, I started switching between all 3 questions, and I ended up not solving any of them.
Continue test/take break
I was definitely feeling tired at this point, but I wanted to take my break before verbal, not before DI. Unfortunately, I forgot that waiting for this screen to time out does not start the next section. Instead, it starts the break.
For what it's worth, I think GMAC should have stuck with 2 8-minute breaks, and I'm pretty sure most test takers would agree that 2 optional 8-minute breaks are better than 1 optional 10-minute break.
Anyway, the break wasn't what I wanted, but I think it ended up helping me. I used it to mentally prepare myself to sit through 2 sections at a stretch, but I suspect that what actually made a difference was the chocolate I ate.
Data Insights
The big news here is that the Focus edition does have (the so-called) "verbal DS" questions. Also, the regular math DS questions I got weren't too math-heavy. This may be GMAC's attempt to make DI more like a mix of quant and verbal.
I also got a really heavy MSR question. I spent far too much time on it, and eventually decided to cut my losses and move on. This is something I've never had to do in IR.
Verbal
Firstly, I'm really glad I changed my section order, because by the time I got to verbal, I was absolutely back in the game. My verbal was going well, and I was sure that I was on track for a good score. I also had plenty of time left. I hadn't managed to use the review and edit feature yet (I had tried to in the quant section, but eventually ended up making no edits), so I decided to mark an option that I would most likely want to change later.
I chose an RC question with a reasonably close split. Instead of spending additional time to lock an option down, I marked one of the two options I had narrowed down to, and moved on. Once I marked the answer to the last question, I immediately went to the review screen and navigated to that RC question (IIRC, I had memorised the question number). I took some time here to read the entire passage again before switching to my preferred option and confirming my edit.
On the basis of my experience, I now think that test takers shouldn't rely too much on the review and edit feature. Use it only if you absolutely must (for example, if you made a silly mistake or are slightly behind time).
Official score: Total 715 (99%) | Q 83 (81%) | DI 83 (96%) | V 90 (100%)
Appointment ID: 458247584
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have (particularly about the verbal section) here.
From the original blog post here: LINK
What did I do to prepare for the Focus Edition?
I had gone through the latest OGs, but they didn't help much because I was already familiar with the questions. Closer to the test, I took the two free official practice tests. I also reviewed the verbal sections of the official practice tests with my students.
Just before the exam
I already had an idea about my test centre as some of my students had taken the old GMAT there. Nevertheless, I made sure I reached the centre 30 minutes before my exam. It was my first time taking the test at one of the smaller, non-Pearson Professional centres, and I didn't want to take any chances. However, I'd recommend reaching early to anyone taking the GMAT.
I asked for and received two markers, and I checked both before entering the testing room. If you're planning to take the exam, don't forget to do this. I also discussed notepad and marker replacement with the proctor before entering the testing room. As always, I took only my passport into the testing room with me (technically, even hankies aren't allowed).
After I took my seat, I saw an identity confirmation and terms and conditions screens. Both were untimed.
Next, I saw the instructions screens, which were timed (total 2 minutes).
Next, I saw the select section order screen (1 minute). I decided to go with Quant - DI - Verbal. This is because I was feeling a little tired, and I expected fatigue to have the least impact on my verbal score. To be clear, I don't recommend that you change your section order on the day of the test unless you have a very good reason to do so. Try to go with the order you are familiar with.
Quant
I'm not a quant expert, but as far as I could tell, quant on the Focus edition felt like quant on the GMAT. I made the mistake of "skipping" too many questions (3) in the first 10 by bookmarking them if I felt that I couldn't get to an answer in the next 1-2 minutes. Looking back, I should have solved at least 1 or 2 of those questions, because when I got to question review and edit, I started switching between all 3 questions, and I ended up not solving any of them.
Continue test/take break
I was definitely feeling tired at this point, but I wanted to take my break before verbal, not before DI. Unfortunately, I forgot that waiting for this screen to time out does not start the next section. Instead, it starts the break.
For what it's worth, I think GMAC should have stuck with 2 8-minute breaks, and I'm pretty sure most test takers would agree that 2 optional 8-minute breaks are better than 1 optional 10-minute break.
Anyway, the break wasn't what I wanted, but I think it ended up helping me. I used it to mentally prepare myself to sit through 2 sections at a stretch, but I suspect that what actually made a difference was the chocolate I ate.
Data Insights
The big news here is that the Focus edition does have (the so-called) "verbal DS" questions. Also, the regular math DS questions I got weren't too math-heavy. This may be GMAC's attempt to make DI more like a mix of quant and verbal.
I also got a really heavy MSR question. I spent far too much time on it, and eventually decided to cut my losses and move on. This is something I've never had to do in IR.
Verbal
Firstly, I'm really glad I changed my section order, because by the time I got to verbal, I was absolutely back in the game. My verbal was going well, and I was sure that I was on track for a good score. I also had plenty of time left. I hadn't managed to use the review and edit feature yet (I had tried to in the quant section, but eventually ended up making no edits), so I decided to mark an option that I would most likely want to change later.
I chose an RC question with a reasonably close split. Instead of spending additional time to lock an option down, I marked one of the two options I had narrowed down to, and moved on. Once I marked the answer to the last question, I immediately went to the review screen and navigated to that RC question (IIRC, I had memorised the question number). I took some time here to read the entire passage again before switching to my preferred option and confirming my edit.
On the basis of my experience, I now think that test takers shouldn't rely too much on the review and edit feature. Use it only if you absolutely must (for example, if you made a silly mistake or are slightly behind time).
07 Nov 2023, 01:35
Kudos
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Hi. How was the difficulty level of each section compared to the practice mocks 1-6? Any surprises in the sections?
07 Nov 2023, 01:52
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi Ajitesh,
I am taking mine tomorrow. How much did you score? Please let me know if you have any last minute tips.
Thank you!
Posted from my mobile device
I am taking mine tomorrow. How much did you score? Please let me know if you have any last minute tips.
Thank you!
Posted from my mobile device
. 
) 
