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a question on the use of scratch pad on GMAT day

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a question on the use of scratch pad on GMAT day

by iamseer » Fri Apr 23, 2010 6:26 am
I read about the effective and efficient use of scratch pad in Kaplan Premier 2009 book. Thanks Kaplan.

I would be grateful if anyone who has given GMAT, shares his or her experience on using the scratch pad on the GMAT day. Are there any surprises? Any issues with its use or one's speed? Is it any different from the unormal pen and paper practice at home?

I called up the test center and asked if I could come to see the actual scratch paper and pen provided :) But they refused.
They said they give 5 laminated sheets.

Any additional information would be great. Any suggestions for material available in market that resembles best.

Thanks a ton!!
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by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Fri Apr 23, 2010 6:35 am
Its different from pen and paper. Its closer to using a dry erase board. The main thing you should do to prepare is practice not erasing. You can't really erase during the test. Also, as soon as you get your pad, use the marker to make sure that the marker works. My place gave me two markers, but one did not work.
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by student22 » Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:36 am
What? You can't erase? I easily use 10 or more notebook sheets during my practice gmats.

Can you bring alcohol wipes to use as erasers?
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by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:45 am
student22 wrote:What? You can't erase? I easily use 10 or more notebook sheets during my practice gmats.

Can you bring alcohol wipes to use as erasers?
Nope, you can't bring alcohol wipes. If you notice that you are about to run out of space, simply raise your hand and they will bring you a fresh board. You can also request two at the beginning but it varies from site to site whether they will give you the extra board or not.
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by student22 » Fri Apr 23, 2010 9:06 am
Oh ok thanks, good to know. As long as they give you a fresh board when you run out, that's fine.
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by Brian@VeritasPrep » Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:48 pm
Hey guys,

I have a couple of suggestions/comments:

1) I hate using this space simply to advertise, but since you asked I know that Veritas Prep does sell the exact markers and a replica noteboard so that you can get accustomed (we include it when you buy our books, or you can purchase it separately: https://www.veritasprep.com/s/gmat/store/

2) Just a test-prep instructor's "trick" - if you get in the habit of holding your marker with the felt tip pointing downward, gravity will keep the ink where you need it (do it the other way and sometimes it temporarily dries out on you - like everyone has said, you can always get a new one, but that twinge of fear that comes with a 'dead" marker is probably something you want to avoid)

3) Know that, however inconvenient that noteboard/marker setup might feel, everyone is using the same one, so trust yourself to adapt to it better than others and you can see it as an advantage. Lance Armstrong, the cyclist, is famous for waking up happy on rainy race days because he thought "sure, I'll hate it, but I'll hate it less than everyone else, and because of that it will help me win." If you can adopt that kind of attitude - and practice with those pens and noteboards can help you develop that comfort with it - you set yourself up to succeed.
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by KapTeacherEli » Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:14 pm
At Kaplan, we generally recommend swapping out your scratch pad for a new one one both breaks. Though you can replace your notepad, pen, or both during a section, doing so will knock valuable time off your clock as you wait for the proctor to help you. Best to make the exchange while the test clock isn't running.
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by iamseer » Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:09 am
Brian@VeritasPrep wrote:Hey guys,

I have a couple of suggestions/comments:

1) I hate using this space simply to advertise, but since you asked I know that Veritas Prep does sell the exact markers and a replica noteboard so that you can get accustomed (we include it when you buy our books, or you can purchase it separately: https://www.veritasprep.com/s/gmat/store/

2) Just a test-prep instructor's "trick" - if you get in the habit of holding your marker with the felt tip pointing downward, gravity will keep the ink where you need it (do it the other way and sometimes it temporarily dries out on you - like everyone has said, you can always get a new one, but that twinge of fear that comes with a 'dead" marker is probably something you want to avoid)

3) Know that, however inconvenient that noteboard/marker setup might feel, everyone is using the same one, so trust yourself to adapt to it better than others and you can see it as an advantage. Lance Armstrong, the cyclist, is famous for waking up happy on rainy race days because he thought "sure, I'll hate it, but I'll hate it less than everyone else, and because of that it will help me win." If you can adopt that kind of attitude - and practice with those pens and noteboards can help you develop that comfort with it - you set yourself up to succeed.
Thanks for the reply. We all hate advertisements, doers and viewers, but then that is the only way to create awareness :)
Point #2: thanks for sharing that experience.
I am a fan of Lance too...cheers!!
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by iamseer » Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:11 am
KapTeacherEli wrote:At Kaplan, we generally recommend swapping out your scratch pad for a new one one both breaks. Though you can replace your notepad, pen, or both during a section, doing so will knock valuable time off your clock as you wait for the proctor to help you. Best to make the exchange while the test clock isn't running.
Thanks for the valuable piece of advice.
I just hope they don't crib about giving 3 scratch pads or exchange a partially unused one for a new one.
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by iamseer » Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:16 am
iamseer wrote:
KapTeacherEli wrote:At Kaplan, we generally recommend swapping out your scratch pad for a new one one both breaks. Though you can replace your notepad, pen, or both during a section, doing so will knock valuable time off your clock as you wait for the proctor to help you. Best to make the exchange while the test clock isn't running.
Thanks for the valuable piece of advice.
I just hope they don't crib about giving 3 scratch pads or exchange a partially unused one for a new one.
vow!! GMAT is getting on to me... doing SC on my post

I just hope that they don't crib about giving 3 scratch pads or exchanging a partially unused one for a new one.
Is this one error free?
"Choose to chance the rapids and dance the tides"
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