Hi,

I wanted to ask about the breaks during the exam.
If I understand correctly and please correct me if I'm wrong, there's a break between the second AWA and the quant chapter and another break between the quant and the verbal chapters.

Let's assume that I've answered the last question on the quant and i'm sure that it is the right answer, can I ask to take a break without pressing on the submit button (just marking the right answer), thus earning me a couple more minutes to take a break? Or if I don't press the "next" button it means that I haven't answered this question before the time ended, which means I'd get a penalty?

How about if we're talking about the break in the end of the AWA? Is it the same?

I'm asking mostly because I'm strong and pretty fast in the quant chapter (50-51) and until now I've always finished the chapter about 10 minutes ahead of time and since the verbal chapter is a hard one for me, I thought that a nice 10 minute break would be very helpful to relax before beginning the verbal.

Thanks!
Aviv

Hii,
This same thing happens with me as well. In most tests, I finished quant section much ahead but unfortunately I can't leave seat without prior permission. And no test center personnel is going to permit you for this case but you can wait in your seat, no one will object that. If you marked your answer, and in case you don't have sufficient time to proceed, it'll be evaluated.

Regards,
Shubhrayan

Are you 100% sure about your answer?
Even if I don't press the "next" button the answer will count?

They won't allow me to go out to the bathroom or to drink or something?
Of course sitting in my chair won't bother anyone, no one will know :)

Thanks again.

I don't have any proof for quant section because there is no way you can know whether GMAC has evaluated your last question.. but in awa section, even if you don't press next button they will evaluate ur essay because it has happened with me in the past. From that only, I am speculating that your last question will be evaluated.
However you can try the same thing on gmat prep and check out whether they evaluate your answer.
You can take break in the middle of your exam but that is only in emergency situation. But a lot of it depends on Pearson personnel.

Regards,
Shubhrayan

Just close your eyes for 5-7 minutes and then confirm the last answer and then leave for the standard 8 minute break. You just need a mental break, going out of the room doesn't matter cause its not like there is a lot you can do outside either

That's what I was planning on doing, but I was just interested if I'll need to go to the restrooms or something like that.
Are you sure the breaks are 8 minutes each?
In mba.com they wrote 5 minutes each...

Lots of commentary on this one! Answering in order from first post.

Yes, the breaks are between 2nd essay and quant, and between quant and verbal (8 min each, but effectively more like 5 min, because you have to sign in and out of the room every time).

Once you answer the last question, you will be asked whether you want to take the break (you can choose to skip the break and keep going). If you choose to take it, the test administrators wil be alerted and will come into the room to escort you out.

You cannot leave the room - you cannot even stand up - without a test administrator to escort you out. Unless the room is on fire. Then, don't wait for the test administrator. :)

You can, however, just sit at your station and do nothing - let the time run down. For the essays, it will accept whatever you had typed when the time runs out. For the multiple choice, it will accept whatever you've clicked, even if you don't hit "next" and "confirm."

Then, leave the room on the official break to go to the bathroom, have something to eat, etc.

Good luck!

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Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director of Online Community
ManhattanGMAT