GMAT Select Section Order

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GMAT Select Section Order

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 Council® (GMAC®) is offering you an exclusive, invitation only opportunity to participate in a pilot program to explore a new option to the GMAT® 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.


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Vaibhav

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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
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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)

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Vaibhav.

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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
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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
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