Understand the directions for each question type. Learn the directions for each type of question. The directions in this book are very similar to those on the actual test. Understanding the directions for each question type will save you valuable time on the day of the test.

　　Take your time with questions at the beginning of each section. Remember that questions at the beginning of a section affect your score more than questions at the end. Be especially careful in choosing answers to questions in the first half of both the quantitative and verbal sections. Once the computer determines your general ability level with these initial questions, you will be unable to dramatically improve your score, even if you answer most of the questions toward the end correctly.

　　Be completely sure of each answer before proceeding. With a CAT, you must answer each question as it is presented. You cannot skip a difficult question and return to it later as you can with a paper-and-pencil test. Nor can you review responses to questions that you have already answered. Therefore, you must be confident about your answer before you confirm it and proceed to the next question. If you are completely stumped by a question, eliminate as many answer choices as you can, select the best answer from the remaining choices, and move on.

　　Pace yourself. To finish both the verbal and quantitative sections, you will need to establish a pace that allows you to spend an average of just under 2 minutes per item. You will need to work both quickly and accurately to complete each section within the 75-minute time constraint. You will still receive a score, even if you do not complete all of the questions in a section.

　　Be mentally prepared to receive a mix of different question types within each section. On the paper-and-pencil GMAT, questions are typically grouped by type. For example, in the math section, data sufficiency questions appear together as a group, followed by problem-solving questions. On the GMAT CAT, however, the computer may select one of several question formats, depending on whether you answered the previous question right or wrong. Therefore, you must be mentally ready to switch back and forth between questions that have very different formats, both in the quantitative section and in the verbal section, to maintain focus during the test.

　　Use the scratch paper provided at the test center. You will not be allowed to bring any paper or other materials into the test center, and since there is no test booklet, you will have no opportunity to underline, circle, or otherwise make notes on actual questions or problems. The test center does, however, provide as much scratch paper as you need to make notes during the test. You may want to develop a simple system for recording which answer choices you have eliminated or a way of noting key information in a reading passage. Use scratch paper to solve math problems, draw diagrams, and record any other information that helps you work accurately and quickly.