Query regarding booking for GMAT test

[killerdrummer]

Guys,

How many days in advance one has to book in order to appear for the test? Is there any upper limit or something with number of days ?

This will be my first attempt( and hopefully last too ).

Note: Please don't confuse my query with the ideal number of days one should have/study for GMAT.

[David@VeritasPrep]

If there is an opening you should be able to sign up on very short notice. Say it is Monday and you decide to take it on Friday, you should be able to do so -- but only if there happens to be an opening.

As for upper limit, whatever they allow you to sign up for on MBA.com you can sign up for. So if you want to sign up for a test date in October (six months from now) and the computer shows you those slots you should be able to do so.

I think that the key is this - it all depends on the demand for the test center in you area and the demand for times during the period when you plan to take the test. If you have a very busy test center it may be that there are no slots of any kind within the next two months. Go to MBA.com and check out your options. Whatever the computer offers you for options you can choose to take: whether it is this week or six months from now....

Can I say one thing, though...it is never a good idea to wait too long to get in there for the first time. That tends to lead to unnecessary pressure. Your attitude is great when you say that this is your first attempt...remembering that you can get right back in there 31 days later can help to remove that "once in a lifetime" sort of stress.

[Brian@VeritasPrep]

Hey, while you're talking about booking the test, this is timely so I might as well bring it up:

Make sure that the name you use to register is the same as the name on your photo ID. I just heard another case yesterday about someone being turned away from the test center because he used his day-to-day name ("Matt") to register for the test, but his photo ID had Matthew (maybe as his middle name). Test centers can be pretty particular, so treat your GMAT registration like an international flight booking so that you don't run into any trouble - register with the name on your ID so you have nothing to worry about.

[killerdrummer]

Thanks David and Brian for your inputs.

Really appreciate your thoughts/suggestions.

Actually, I have decided the date but the only reason why i am reluctant to register for the test is i MIGHT be travelling out of my native country for work related purposes.If this possibility turns out to become reality then i will have to register in the country i will be travelling to.

This conversation has ignited another though in my mind, Is GMAT geographic based test ? I mean if a non-native appears for test in native country(like US,UK) does the Verbal part appear be more difficult than the otherwise as native people have good hold on Verbal.

Thoughts....

[David@VeritasPrep]

The test is NOT geographically based as you describe. It is the same test worldwide. Of course the test also adapts to you, so you are not taking the same test as the person next to you! But the test that you take would be the same worldwide.

Of course you are still being compared to English speakers as well as to non-English speakers -- who take the test anywhere.

With that said, test conditions can change. Maybe a smaller computer monitor. Maybe the center has a bad air conditioner...and maybe one center is quieter or another noisier. So that might be different in different countries.

[killerdrummer]

Thanks David for the clarification.