GMAT Select Section Order

Expert replies

vabhs192003: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 51; Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:32 amFollowed by: 1 member; Location: Bangalore, India; Thanked: 2 times

by vabhs192003 » Mon Jan 11, 2016 11:15 am

Hi,

I have received an email from GMAC stating that if I am planning to retake the GMAT exam (which I am), I will now have an option of selecting the order of sections in the exam. This is a pilot experiment and they are presently testing this on 1% of test takers for analytical analysis. Only the order of the exam changes and rest of the parameters and result assessment remains the same. I am copy pasting the content here. Please help me decide what is the best option here:

The Graduate Management Admission CouncilÂ® (GMACÂ®) is offering you an exclusive, invitation only opportunity to participate in a pilot program to explore a new option to the GMATÂ® exam testing experience.

This pilot gives you an opportunity to retake the GMAT exam with the ability to choose the order of the exam sections. You will be able to choose from four options of section orders:

Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
Quantitative, Verbal, Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning
Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Verbal, Quantitative
The testing period of this pilot is limited and is expected to run from February 23 - March 8, 2016. Exact test dates will vary depending on test center availability and other logistics of the program. Normal registration fees apply.

I have limited time to book my selection. The seats are running out really quickly. Experts please help.

Thanks,
Vaibhav

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Mon Jan 11, 2016 11:15 am

GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Jan 11, 2016 12:57 pm

1. Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
2. Quantitative, Verbal, Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning
3. Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
4. Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Verbal, Quantitative

VERY interesting development.
Since schools place less value on IR and AWA scores, I'd go with options 1, 2 or 3, and complete the quant and verbal sections first, while I'm still fresh.

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

vabhs192003: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 51; Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:32 amFollowed by: 1 member; Location: Bangalore, India; Thanked: 2 times

by vabhs192003 » Mon Jan 11, 2016 5:10 pm

Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:
1. Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
2. Quantitative, Verbal, Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning
3. Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
4. Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Verbal, Quantitative
VERY interesting development.
Since schools place less value on IR and AWA scores, I'd go with options 1, 2 or 3, and complete the quant and verbal sections first, while I'm still fresh.

Cheers,
Brent

Hi Brent,

While I agree with your obvious choice of either option 1,2 or 3, I am worried if it would be too early to walk into these critical sections on the go, without getting into the exam mode. I am worried walking into the sections may lead to silly errors early on that in turn pulls down my score big time.

Additionally, I am thinking of preferring Option 1 or 2 over option 3 as option 3 is beyond the usual flow of exam that we are accustomed to. To change a lot during the testing conditions can also be counter productive. This is my thought process.

Please assist in getting the mental aspect of it straight for me and how do I think and prepare for it. This is something which I wasn't prepare for. (or infact none of us were)

Thanks,
Vaibhav.

GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Jan 11, 2016 5:43 pm

I'd be more concerned with mental fatigue, but that's me.
If you're concerned that you need to ease into exam mode, perhaps answer a handful of questions just before the test.

Cheers.
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

GMAT/MBA Expert

[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Mon Jan 11, 2016 8:55 pm

Hi vabhs192003,

There's certainly something to be said for dealing with the more valuable sections (Quant and Verbal) earlier on - when you have more energy and before fatigue has set in. The question for you (and I suppose for all Test Takers) is whether you need a little time to 'warm up' or not before starting those sections. If you were to start with the Quant/Verbal sections BUT you were not fully in 'test mode', then you might end up making some mistakes in the early part of that first section (and hurting your scores because of it).

You can certainly run some 'experiments' to see how you handle working with those sections first; using that data, you could then make the best decision for you.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

GMAT Course Reviews

563 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (563 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review