There are many discussion on sites how to handle time pressure in exam, should you invest in first 5 question or not etc. Though, Small topic that I haven’t seen discussed is how to effectively manage your time during breaks. To me, it is a crucial topic and warrant detail discussion. These are my thoughts.
1) Understand exactly what to expect!
If you notice in your GMAT registration receipt, it says that total length of test is 255 min! What everyone knows is…
Test has three sections and two breaks
60 min : AWA
First break between AWA and Quant session
75 min : Quant
Second between Quant and Verbal session
75 min : Verbal
At present these breaks are 10 min each.
So all together are 230 Min, so what about extra 25 min!
=> Before essay section you have 5 min to go through instructions such as GMAC policy, tutorial etc.
=> Another 5 min are given to fill out personal information after test.
=> There is 1 min after each break (2 min total) to read section directions.
=> Other 13 min are perhaps miscellaneous.
2) Understand Breaks and plan on how to use these breaks.
What to expect:
Once you hit last question of any section, a screen asking weather you want to take break will appear! Do not click anything, please raise your hand so proctor can come and lock the station.
I notice that 10 min down counter starts when proctor locks the station rather than when you finish last question (I would love if someone can second on these observation). So, before clicking anything raise your hand and let proctor come and tell to click “yes I want to take breakâ€