GMAT Strategy

Hi,
Some test day questions:
1. How much time is available for reading instructions?
2. Anecdotally, is 1 scratch book sufficient for the entire test(AWA+Q+V)?
3. If you take a 2nd scratch book at the beginning of the Verbal section, can you get it a few minutes before you start the section?
4. What are the durations of the breaks?

I am working on mastering my pace for the various test sections. I read a very good suggestion on this EXCELLENT forum that I could use the time provided for reading test instructions to do some scratch work (write down pace parameters: "T 75 65 ...Q# 1 5 ..." as a reference. Hence the above questions!

Thanks in advance for your continued support. My test is coming up in 2 weeks!
-Stoic

1. How much time is available for reading instructions?

I think you get 1 min to read instructions before each section.

2. Anecdotally, is 1 scratch book sufficient for the entire test(AWA+Q+V)?

It depends on your usage. Measure up in a practice exam if knowing this in advance will help. I never used to write in VA section and hence for me one scratch book was sufficient.

3. If you take a 2nd scratch book at the beginning of the Verbal section, can you get it a few minutes before you start the section?

You can ask for the new scratch book when the admin lets you in to take the exam. That way you can be sure that time is not wasted.

4. What are the durations of the breaks?

Currently the break is 10 min between each section. (This incl time to check out and check in back..so conservatively assume a break of 7-8 min)