Poets & Quants are assembling a collection of tips and resources for the candidates wishing to take the new, online GMAT test.
Equipment:
Use the biggest monitor at your disposal. Only one monitor is allowed.
Since no headset is allowed, you need either built-in or external speakers and a microphone. Laptops have built-in speakers and a microphone, however, their monitors are usually quite small.
If you use a laptop, you might want to connect an external mouse. The finger pad might be difficult to use with the digital whiteboard.
Users of touchscreen laptops are not allowed to write on the digital whiteboard using a stylus, a finger or other means.
Writing tablets, pads etc. are not allowed.
Make sure that the viewer (the proctor) will be able to see most, if not all of your desk. They may also ask you to take pictures of yourself and all parts of the room. If you wear glasses, you will be asked to take them off and show the front and back to the proctor before you can use them.
Digital whiteboard:
Before the test, set the mouse pointer speed to 25% in your computer settings to make it easier to write on the digital whiteboard.
Practice with the digital whiteboard before the test for at least a week. This is crucial. It takes time to get used to the whiteboard. It is available online for practice.
Open the digital whiteboard during the instructions to save time.
Use Undo and Clear Screen functions instead of trying to erase the board with the mouse.
Testers have encountered issues with the digital whiteboard when using the zoom-on, zoom-out feature. Try to avoid it unless required.
Watch this video from Manhattan Prep for more tips how to use the digital whiteboard:
Test tips:
Before the test, practice using keyboard shortcuts that will save time during the exam: Alt-N to go to the next question, Alt-Y or Alt-N to confirm.
Make sure that nobody else is in the room while you take the test. Take it seriously. The proctor and AI will observe your eye movement to identify if you are receiving help during the test.
You are allowed to have water in a clear glass on the desk during the test, but we recommend you don't (to avoid spills and distraction).
