Writing notes during test: between sections

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pdshah: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 26; Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:38 pm; Thanked: 2 times

by pdshah » Sun Oct 30, 2011 5:26 am

Hello all
My question is regarding taking notes during the test, specifically between sections.
As I understand there are 10 minute breaks between sections, can I use this time to jot down notes for the upcoming section. For example can I write down math formulae in the scratch paper provided during the break after essay section? Likewise can I write down my verbal notes during the break following the quant section?
Thanks in advance.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Sun Oct 30, 2011 5:26 am

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by beatthegmat » Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:28 am

I believe that is not allowed. During the breaks you have to leave the testing area as well as any materials you've been using (scratchpad). You won't be able to bring in your own written notes prior to the sections.

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pdshah: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 26; Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:38 pm; Thanked: 2 times

by pdshah » Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:05 am

Thanks a bunch for the reply.
Does this mean a person taking test doesn't have time to jot down all the formulae he/she has memorized prior to starting the test? Even when you get back to the test and sit down for a new section, can you write down the memorized stuffs in the scratch pad before you click on Start test?

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pdshah: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 26; Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:38 pm; Thanked: 2 times

by pdshah » Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:54 am

Anybody

Last edited by pdshah on Thu Nov 17, 2011 8:01 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Luke.Doolittle: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 42; Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2011 7:26 amFollowed by: 5 members; Location: Madison, WI; Thanked: 23 times; GMAT Score:770

by Luke.Doolittle » Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:45 pm

I think this may depend on the testing center. You can't take anything in, however when I took my test they gave me a board before the test started. It sat next to me during the AWA and when I got up to take a break the guy just left it there. So presumably I could have written in it during the pre-test questions. Between the Quant and Verbal sections he took it away but that was only because I had basically filled it up. I'm not sure if that is standard protocol. To be safe I wouldn't count on it. But you do have the 60 seconds while the instructions for each section are displayed. You could jot stuff down then.

As a suggestion: if you're remembering the formulas enough to recall them before the timer starts, why not just internalize them?. I'd make you faster anyway.

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David@VeritasPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2193; Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:30 pmFollowed by: 512 members; Location: Vermont and Boston, MA; Thanked: 1186 times; GMAT Score:770

by David@VeritasPrep » Mon Nov 14, 2011 3:38 pm

First of all the breaks are 8 minutes not 10 minutes.

You have the first 4 minutes with the tutorial at the beginning of the test when you can write things. Otherwise you are not allowed to be sitting at your desk with your notepad unless the timer is running against you (AWA, Quant, or Verbal).

The notepad is often taken between the Quant and the Verbal and a fresh notepad given, especially if you have filled up the first one, but between the AWA and the Quant probably not. I understand wanting to write out Quant formulas. If you write them you will probably never look back at them - but if you don't write them you are likely to have that moment when you can't remember. So I say use those 4 minutes at the beginning called the "tutorial" and write the Quant formulas. As Luke.Doolittle mentions you have 60 seconds before the verbal when you sit down and you could write any verbal notes then since your notepad will likely be changed before the verbal.

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pdshah: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 26; Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:38 pm; Thanked: 2 times

by pdshah » Thu Nov 17, 2011 8:03 am

Thanks to David, Luke and Eric.
David, I think your answer pretty much closes my issue. I had some notes on CR section that I wanted to write before the section starts. 60 secs is enough for me to jot them down.

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