GMAT Strategy

Hi there

I've just taken my first practice test - the 800score.com Test 1 - and scored a 42Q,39V = 670

I have since read that these 800score.com tests aren't great indicators (some people say they are too hard, most say that they are just unrepresentative of the actual test), so I was wondering if people found them at all useful? Should I not bother with the other 4 at all? Is 670 at all representative of what I might score on the GMAT?

(I only decided I should take my GMAT last week and my only prep has been a week of trying to answer questions posted on these forums. I've ordered the Official Guide but that is all so far. I'm aiming for 720+ and I must admit I'm a bit disheartened after only scoring 670. I must have a problem with my pacing - I had 1 minute to guess the last 5 quants and I had 20 minutes spare at the end of my verbals!)

I had the same problem with 800score - very little time left for quant and loads of time left for verbal. Quant was a killer, verbal was not representative and slightly too easy...

I personally believe that there are much better tests out there! You should probably take them only if you've run out of other options. I remember trying to retake the first test and I saw the same questions in the same order - even though I did not make the same mistakes, which makes be wonder if the tests are even adaptive...

Thanks for that

In order to prepare better for the conditions of the exam, I have a couple of other questions...

1) What is the 'erasable scratchpad' we are given furing the test? Paper notepad and pencil? Whiteboard? If so, how big is it? (I tend to write big!)

2) Would I be able to wear earplugs? (helps me concentrate)

(My exam would be in the UK if that makes a difference)

Thanks again

In the US we got a scratch pad that was made of laminated paper. The sheet was about 8.5" by 14". You get two pens. You have to finish the scratch board before getting a new one. They also supply ear plugs and ear phones.
You can get white paper (Note: in the exam the paper is yellow and square ruled) that is 8.5 by 14 and laminate it at a Kinkos to simulate the actual scratch pad. The pen looks similar to this on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lumocolor-Overhea ... d_sim_op_2 I believe Manhattan GMAT site has the pen and the booklet for sale for 15 bucks (approximately 7.50 pounds or "quid" as you would say