I was wondering, during the actual exam, will we be given time (say 5 minutes or so) to read the directions before each section, or is there no time allocated to doing so? I want to see if I have time to set up a POE grid during this time.

Before the test starts, you will have the opportunity to select schools to which to report your scores and you can also do an optional "tutorial." Technically, I think you're not supposed to write on your scrap paper during these sections - but you might as well try. Just stop if they tell you to stop.

When you do your essays, try to finish a few minutes early so that you have time to write things down then - at that point, you are absolutely allowed to write on your scrap paper.

The last time I took the test, there was like a 1-min "directions" thing before the math and verbal sections. If anyone has taken it very recently and can verify that that's still the case, let us know! They will also give you directions for each of the 5 question types right before the first time one of a particular type pops up on the screen, but this is during the test - the clock is running.