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Candidates preparing for the GMAT exam already have the knowledge about scratch paper and that it is provided by the GMAT test-centers for problem-solving purposes. But this is no normal scratch paper but a laminated scratchpad consisting of five yellow grid double-sided pages. It is important to know the importance of the GMAT scratch paper as it is going to play a vital role in the GMAT exam.
About GMAT Scratch Paper
The scratch paper in GMAT has pages about half the size of those on a legal pad making it bigger than a regular sheet of paper. It is a blend of a dry erase board and a flip pad or sketchbook. While the booklet technically has 10 faces (front and back of 5 pages), the first page has a bunch of writing and instructions on it, so in practice, the candidate will have only 9 faces to write.
A few factors to keep in mind in terms of using GMAT scratch paper:
- The candidate gets the GMAT scratch paper accompanied by a non-permanent wet-erase marker.
- Nothing from the GMAT scratch Paper is erasable
- Additional scratch paper is available
- The best time to ask the proctor for a new scratchpad is between sections
- Note only necessary things;
- Proper planning is needed for the note-taking plan
GMAT Scratch Paper Tips
The following preparation tips will help the candidates with scratch paper during GMAT:
GMAT Scratch Paper for GMAT Analytical Writing
In the GMAT AWA section, the candidate does not need scratch paper. It will be better to take the notes right onto the screen as the candidate reads the essay prompt. This will make the writing of the essay much easier by reordering the information there.
GMAT Scratch Paper for Integrated Reasoning
While attempting the GMAT Integrated Reasoning section, the candidate must target to use space of 9 sheets on a single GMAT Scratch Paper. This section has 12 question prompts, which can be done in 9 sheets. The GMAT IR questions have two or three parts, and thus, spending about half a page per problem will be a great idea. Segregation through the middle will help in concentrated problem-solving.
GMAT Scratch Paper for Quantitative Reasoning
It is advised to get a fresh booklet once the 8-minute break starts before the GMAT Quantitative Aptitude section. GMAC ensured that the candidate is allowed to ask for a fresh pad even if the existing pad is not completely used up, so ask for it.
- Divide the scratch paper to flip to the last page.
- Draw a cross on the page, divide it into 4 quadrants, and write “Done!” in the lower-right corner.
- Flip to the second last page and similarly divide that one into quarters and write “8” in the lower-right corner.
- Follow the same step-up till the second page and write multiples of 8 in the lower-right corners.
- On the first page, divide the page into 5 sections, not 4. Thus, now there are 37 discrete spaces to complete the 37 problems of this
- The candidate will also know exactly how much time should be left on the clock. So, in case, a question requires more than 2 minutes, they can increase their speed.
- In case, they are too fast, they can slow down to check whether the candidate is answering the right question.
GMAT Scratch Paper for Verbal Ability
For the GMAT Verbal section, the candidate will require a new scratch paper. For the GMAT Verbal Ability section, 36 questions need to be answered in 65 minutes. Thus, the planning of scratch paper needs to be done carefully. These tips can help the candidates:
- As soon as the time starts, write ABCDE with some space in between for swift answering.
- As the problem is on-screen, numbering is unnecessary.
- Only take note when necessary, and box the answered questions.
Alternatively, the candidates can split the Verbal test into four different quarters to understand the time remaining. For each quarter, the candidate can spend approximately. The division is as follows:
- When the candidate is attempting question number 10, then the remaining time must be 56 minutes.
- While attempting question number 20, the remaining time should be around 37 minutes.
- While attempting question number 30, the remaining time should be around 18 minutes.
The numbers defined above, assume that the candidate starts exactly one new GMAT Reading Comprehension passage in each new quarter. Now, when the candidate glances at the clock for the first check, there should be one dot on the top of the page and at the second mark, there should be two dots, and finally, at the third mark, there should be three dots. Thus, in case the candidate has fewer dots than expected, the need is more speed.
So, planning the proper utilization of the GMAT scratch paper is mandatory to have the track of the time as well as the number of questions answered. These tips will surely help the candidates in this matter.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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