GMAT Strategy

I've never taken the GMAT before but I've been told that you don't get scrap paper, instead they give you a small whiteboard and a marker and you're suppose to erase constantly. Is that true?

Are we allowed to bring in our own board/markers? Thanks

You don't need to erase it (you don't get an eraser!) The whiteboard is a large (probably 8x14) double sided book of graph paper, and you write with a fairly thick tipped whiteboard marker. If you run out of space, you raise your hand and they bring you a new one. You can't bring your own though, you have to use theirs.

It might be helpful to practice with them (I think you can order them from MGMAT).

thanks for clearing things up. if it's graph paper, why do they force us to write with their markers? can't we bring our own pens?

It's laminated graph paper (so it feels like a whiteboard, but it has graph paper lines on it)

abcdefg wrote:thanks for clearing things up. if it's graph paper, why do they force us to write with their markers? can't we bring our own pens?

ur not allowed to take anything other than yourself . The writing pads or whiteboards are nothing to worry. The best part that since it looks like a graph you can draw ur answer list with your options. Markers are provided too. The center where i gave my test was really helpful. provided me 2 good markers, 2 whiteboards so that i don't waste time and soft ear plugs.

Yes if you can grab one of the whiteboard its good but if you can't its fine.

Keep Rocking,
Prasant.

https://www.testdayscratch.com/

This company sells a noteboard that is practically identical to what you get in the GMAT. It might be helpful to practise with it.

I believe the pen is exactly the same.

Here's the site's policy.

"The test administrator will provide you with a booklet of five (5) noteboards. If you fill up your noteboards during the test, please raise your hand; the administrator will collect the noteboards you have and give you replacements. You may not remove the noteboards from the testing room during or after the test and you must return them to the administrator after the test."

If you get 5 big "noteboards", I can't imagine running out. I only write for quant.

Cheers,
Tim

A single noteboard constitutes a single piece of laminated Legal-sized piece of paper.
You get 5 of them spiral bound together. They are double sided but I believe the first has instructions on it so you effectively get 9 sides to work with.

Personally I had to ask for one 'refill'.

You have to have used up the noteboards before getting another one, so if you are down to half a page, I would raise my hand and signal to the proctor that I need a new one. In case they are helping someone else, you have half a sheet to work with before it fills up.

You can save a bit of time by raising your hand and motioning in some way that you want a new noteboard.

You can't really 'erase' on the noteboards, but if you get a single digit wrong it is quite easy to smudge it with your finger. Otherwise, its better to just start over.

Good luck with your upcoming test!

prasantnaidu wrote:
ur not allowed to take anything other than yourself .

just to clarify for those that will be writing, you are not allowed to bring anything except (at my test centre) your ID and the key to your locker.

You are not allowed to wear a watch and your pockets must be empty. No tissue either (I was offered some, but maybe that's just cause it gets cold here in Canada!). I was also offered ear plugs.

If you are sick though (I'm sure this is test center dependent) you can bring unwrapped meds in a ziplock bag. I brought cough drops in with me.