Giving the students greater flexibility during the exam, GMAC recently introduced a new GMAT Select Section Order. Starting July 11, 2017, test-takers can choose the order in which they want to take the four different sections of the exam.
What are the GMAT Select Section Order options?
It’s not as if this move allows students to take the sections in any order you want. Instead, GMAC has three preset options from which students can choose from. The Select Section Order options are as follows:
- Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal (original order)
- Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
- Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
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When do students choose their Select Section Order?
Test takers will have to select their preferred option at the test center. The options will be presented after the students select the schools to send their score report, and immediately before the GMAT exam. Students will get two minutes to choose their preferred order. However, if they do not make any selection, then the original order will be selected as default.
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How will the Select Section Order affect the GMAT Breaks?
If test takers choose option 2 or 3, then the two eight-minute breaks will be given right after the quant and verbal sections. Again, remember that these breaks are optional. Students can continue taking the exam if they do not intend to take a break. Also, the order selected will not be reflected on the GMAT score reports.
Why did GMAC introduce these changes?
GMAC aims to improve the test experience for students by giving them flexibility and control of their own testing process. According to their research, the Select Section Order was a highly requested feature among the pilot group. Also, this move seemed to be aimed squarely at getting an upper hand against the GRE. Over the years, GMAT has been losing ground to GRE steadily ever since the latter exam was used for MBA admissions. GMAC hopes that this user-friendly feature will help them gain some of that lost ground.
Is there any right Select Section Order?
Absolutely not! These options give the students an opportunity to tailor the exam according to their own strengths and weaknesses. If you think having a crack at your weakest section when you are fresh suits you better, by all means go for it. Alternatively, if you want to get off to a good start in your exam with your strongest section, feel free to select it.
Are there any mock GMAT exams which simulate the Select Section Order?
The Select Section Order feature is not available in the official full-length GMAT exams – GMAT Prep and Exam Packs 1 and 2. However, these products will be updated with the feature by July 31, 2017. However, if you do not want to delay the purchase of these full-length exam products, you can buy it right away. You will still be eligible for a complimentary upgrade whenever the software is updated with the Select Section Order feature. Test takers can use existing mock tests and practice questions to build confidence on their preferred order.
In addition to this major change, GMAC has also removed the profile update screens at the test center. Earlier, students had to address a series of profile questions after the exam. These will now be removed from the exam process. However, students can still update these details from their own profiles on mba.com.
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