What time to take the test?

Question

I have scheduled my GMAT test for march 26, 12 noon. It did not strike me to think about the time of the test all this time but now that the day is approaching, I see myself worrying because 12 noon is 'not a great time' according to me. I took the GMAT last year in Sept and had the 8 AM slot. This slot does not work for me either,too early! I remember waking up at 5 AM to get ready and reach the test centre by 730 AM. I wanted to avoid this and the only other slot that I saw was 26 march 12noon. Instantly I had booked this one. I can generally concentrate between 10 AM and 12 noon and around 130-2 PM onward. Clearly, 12 noon is not for me.
What can I do? I don't want the 8 AM slot either. My city has only 2 slots generally,8 AM and 4 PM.this 12 slot was something that I found out just by chance....Should I train my mind to start working at 12 noon ? Any other alternatives?

EBM · Answer

Well, if 8am doesn't work, and noon doesn't work, then that only leaves one option right?

Or you could try to figure out why the 12pm-1:30pm gap is bad for you. Are you saying you could sleep til 10am the morning of the test and still hit a wall when the test starts at noon?

heygirl · Answer

emont,thanks for your reply. I never sleep beyond 8 AM, so that's not a problem but the problem is I Start feeling hungry around,12 PM, that time :lol:

So I need to serve myself lunch around that time and then my mind 'shuts off' for some time after lunch... May be changing my daily schedule wil help? 8 am is definitely out of question for me, I'm not even fully awake by then...

ibbys · Answer

you still have quite a bit of time until march.
i would try to do full-length practice exams starting at 12 leading up to the test
this should help train your mind

EBM · Answer

Well, nutrition is a bit beyond the scope of this board, but if you can't go more than 5 hours without eating then you're probably riding blood sugar/insulin spikes and crashes throughout the day, which would explain your mind shutting down at random times due to low blood glucose levels.

PM me if you want more of an explanation.

PM me if you want more of an explanation.

hoogets25 · Answer

no good time to take the GMAT! you just get up and do it... it's never gonna be first thing on your list of great things to do with your day. :shock:

southernstunna · Answer

Does anybody have any data on the average score of each time slot? THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, AS I DON'T WANT TO PICK THE WRONG TIME SLOT AND MAKE A 370 OR SOMETHING.

AMUSE · Answer

I'm sure there is data on this, but what makes you think this may apply to you? I mean just because the average score after 4pm is around the high 600's doesn't necessary mean you'll have a higher chance of getting a high 600 score. Just my opinion. And I'm sure if you're taking the GMAT you have already been through school, know your study habits, and whether you are a morning or evening person. I would use that experience to schedule my test time.

southernstunna · Answer

ha I am kidding brah...obviously this is completely ludicrous. It does not matter when you take the test. Get up a few hours before, chug a pot of coffee and go take the thing. Who cares if you get the 8AM slot or the noon slot.

heygirl · Answer

southernstunna,I was actually really worried about test time especially if it was the early morning time slots. That slot did affect my score by may be 10-20 points, although I cannot really blame it

for my terrible performance on my last GMAT. So,wanted to get all the 'small things in place' and have only my strategies to blame if I underperform this time too :-)

KarishmaB · Answer

For most people, one or the other slot works best. I would not go for the evening slot if possible since I would feel the pressure of an important test throughout the day. Early morning would be painful since I would have to wake up very early. So if someone were to ask which slot is most appropriate in my opinion, I would say 12 noon too... Though if you did not have an option, you would not think about it and just focus on the test. I suggest you do just that. I believe that in the actual scheme of things, the slot doesn't matter. If you take an exam at the time you feel works best for you, it's just a psychological advantage for your frayed nerves.

Though, keeping hunger at bay is important. You wouldn't feel it in the beginning of the test but in the later part, you will be exhausted and then you may start losing patience if you are hungry too. My suggestion would be to take a decent breakfast around 9 and then a light snack before your test. Carry a light snack to munch on during Quant-Verbal break too.

Though, keeping hunger at bay is important. You wouldn't feel it in the beginning of the test but in the later part, you will be exhausted and then you may start losing patience if you are hungry too. My suggestion would be to take a decent breakfast around 9 and then a light snack before your test. Carry a light snack to munch on during Quant-Verbal break too.

southernstunna · Answer

I honestly did not even know there was an evening slot. Weird.

BM · Answer

We actually have a  thread  on snacks during the GMAT. The best thing for you to do, though, is to adapt to the 12:00 PM test schedule. Try to time your meals accordingly to accommodate for this (maybe two smaller meals in the morning instead of one larger one, etc.). And definitely take your practice CAT's at this time.

desiaggie1980 · Answer

This helped me while I was prearing for a different exam, but for 2/3 weeks or so, do your CATS (may be 2 a week) at the same time as the D-day, you will be amazed how your mind and body adapt to the habit!

heygirl · Answer

Thanks. I have taken 2 tests in the last 2 weeks at the same time and on the same day as my real GMAT. I think this time is working well for me

.

heygirl · Answer

I followed this and am now at peace about my test timing :-D

heygirl · Answer

Yes, I did take my practice tests at this time and I'm pleasantly surprised that this time is working for me. I need to work around the meals plan though...

desiaggie1980 · Answer

Thats great, I am myself in a big dilemma, what time would be perfect. I am going to take a date for first week of sept, and will have to take date in march start, considering all slots in bay area get taken up very quickly!

heygirl · Answer

I am in the New York area and here, it is said, that we need to book slots atleast 2 months in advance to be sure of the time/date that we want. So,it wuld be a good idea for you too, to book early and then prepare yourself for that time. I know that some people may have found this post of mine very trivial (how does the time matter???!!!) but, this did AFFECT me largely since being a strict non-morning person, I took the test at 8 AM only to realize that I had not yet 'woken' up fully

elleesie · Answer

8am is too early for me too!

I even postponed taking the exam a month later because they only had 8am available for the month I wanted to test. I settled on 10:30am in May. You have time to train your body and brain to work for you...

Take practice tests at the same time your actual GMAT is going to be. Eat meals and snacks at the same intervals you would on test day. When I first took the GMAT, I had the same concerns as you! My appointment was at 2pm, right when my body starts to crash after lunch. About two weeks before the test, I started eating small snacks for lunch, instead of my usual meal. It helped me avoid the crash! However, on test day, I got so nervous, I barely got a bite down at breakfast and didn't end up eating any snacks during the test breaks! I wasn't tired though!

Good luck with your exam!

	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

What time to take the test?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards