Heads up for left-handed test-takers!

Let's talk about...whatever!
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:56 pm

Heads up for left-handed test-takers!

by BloreanTex » Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:35 am
Just a quick note for lefties:

I took the GMAT exam in January 2009. They gave me testboards for my notes. Testboards are those plastic, laminated, esrasable sheets that are like mini-white boards but thin and flexible. The pens are slender versions of whiteboard markers. If you're a true lefty, you know where I'm going with this. I don't write like lefties who hook their hand over to see what they're writing; I write like right-handed people taught me to: straight across with my hand dragging over everything I've written. Consequently, my work smeared all over the pages and the desk. This really stressed me out during the test because some of my notes weren't easily readable. (my score reflected my stress). They would not give me paper and pencil because some dishonest people have smuggled in cheat sheets in the past.

I hope this won't be an issue for others taking the test, but I wanted to share, in case it can help in preparation. (I have already registered a complaint with Pearson and asked for a paper alternative for those of us with "special needs").

Good Luck!
Source: — Lounge |

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2469
Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 12:09 pm
Location: BtG Underground
Thanked: 85 times
Followed by:14 members

by aim-wsc » Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:28 am
Where are you located?
which one was you test centre?

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 519
Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:56 am
Location: India
Thanked: 31 times

by Neo2000 » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:10 am
Pearson rolled out these "scratchpads" ages ago. There was a huge ruckus when it came out and lots of people protested. Unfortunately, it looks like these pads are here to stay. I too am a leftie and write like you-- straight across the page. However i was lucky in that i got a sample pad from a company and was ready before the exam. Plus i write in vertical blocks so i didnt smudge.

Check out https://www.gmatscratchpad.com for a sample pad.

User avatar
Site Admin
Posts: 2567
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:05 am
Thanked: 712 times
Followed by:550 members
GMAT Score:770

by DanaJ » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:20 am
OMG this is bad... I'm the lefties of lefties... I always get the side of my hand coloured no matter what...