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nov 2006
id like to offer some advice, some of which i think is offered elsewhere on this site:
(1) go through the test several times. my first pass through the test was in 30 minutes or less. doing this, answering just those questions that pop out, gives you a feel for the test, what types of questions you have left to answer. in my case, the questions on the the real test were of a much different type than i had encountered on the practice tests--passing through quickly allowed me to spot this difference early and adjust my approach accordingly; also, doing this helps you not to get bogged down. this method allowed me to be aware of those long questions at the end, my awareness allowing me to take my time on the second and third and other times around. in all, i think i looked over the test some four to six times, and i only felt rushed in the beginning (but that was only because it took a few minutes for my anxiety to give way to concentration).
(2) be prepared for a small desk. my desk was big enough to hold the bubble sheet-- that's it. by far, it was smaller than any desk i encountered in college (i took the test at another school, as i wanted no distractions of seeing people i knew). as i am left-handed, i would also mention to make sure you have requested the correct handed seating, as being forced to use right-handed seating (which some proctors might be strict about, my proctor was pretty strict (which is a good thing, i want my proctors to be strict)) can be discomfiting. so, because of the smallness of the desk, when i took the test i had to hold onto my spare pencils with one hand (because otherwise, they kept rolling toward the edge) and balance the booklet and write the answers with the other hand. as i was constantly flipping back and forth through the booklet, this was quite a task.
(3) wear comfortable clothing. perhaps, if you care about the people you know seeing you in "comfortable clothing" (which--- whatever), you might do as i did and take the test at a school other than your own.
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