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Princeton Review GMAT Focus Premium Prep : 3 Full-Length CAT Practice Exams + 2 Diagnostic Tests + Complete Content Review (2024)

Princeton Review GMAT Focus Premium Prep : 3 Full-Length CAT Practice Exams + 2 Diagnostic Tests + Complete Content Review (2024) makes exam prep stress-free with structured learning.

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    Downloaded from StudyXY.com [= Ww + StudyXY oi as . Za \ Rr ' BE \ Stu dy Anything This ContentHas been Posted On StudyXY.com as supplementary learning material. StudyXY does not endrose any university, college or publisher. Allmaterials posted are under the liability of the contributors. | 8) www.studyxy.com

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    The Princeton Review Publishing Team Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief David Soto, Senior Director, Data Operations Stephen Koch, Senior Manager, Data Operations Deborah Weber, Director of Production Jason Ullmeyer, Production Design Manager Jennifer Chapman, Senior Production Artist Selena Coppock, Director of Editorial Orion McBean, Senior Editor Aaron Riccio, Senior Editor Meave Shelton, Senior Editor Chris Chimera, Editor Patricia Murphy, Editor Laura Rose, Editor Isabelle Appleton, Editorial Assistant Penguin Random House Publishing Team Tom Russell, VP, Publisher Alison Stoltzfus, Senior Director, Publishing Emily Hoffman, Associate Managing Editor Patty Collins, Executive Director of Production Mary Ellen Owens, Assistant Director of Production Alice Rahaeuser, Associate Production Manager Maggie Gibson, Associate Production Manager Suzanne Lee, Senior Designer Eugenia Lo, Publishing Assistant The Princeton Review 110 East 42nd St, 7th Floor New York, NY 10017 Copyright © 2024 by TPR Education IP Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Penguin Random House, LLC, New York. Terms of Service: The Princeton Review Online Companion Tools (“Student Tools”) for retail books are available for only the two most recent editions of that book. Student Tools may be activated only once per eligible book purchased for a total of 24 months of access. Activation of Student Tools more than once per book is in direct violation of these Terms of Service and may result in discontinuation of access to Student Tools Services.

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    ISBN 9780593517802 Ebook ISBN 9780593517819 GMAT is a registered trademark and owned by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University. The material in this book is up-to-date at the time of publication. However, changes may have been instituted by the testing body in the test after this book was published. If there are any important late-breaking developments, changes, or corrections to the materials in this book, we will post that information online in the Student Tools. Register your book and check your Student Tools to see if there are any updates posted there. Editor: Patricia Murphy Production Artist: Jason Ullmeyer Production Editor: Kathy Carter and Heidi Torres Cover art by Elena Ermakova / Alamy Stock Photo Cover design by Suzanne Lee Photo selection and layout by Carling Design, Inc. For customer service, please contact editorialsupport@review.com, and be sure to include: o full title of the book * ISBN e page number a_prh_7.0_148197864_c0_r0 f Studyxy

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    Acknowledgments Our GMAT course is much more than clever techniques and powerful computer score reports; the reason our results are great is that our teachers care so much about their students. Thanks to all the teachers who have made the GMAT course so successful, but in particular the core group of teachers and development people who helped get it off the ground: Alicia Ernst, Tom Meltzer, Paul Foglino, John Sheehan, Mark Sawula, Nell Goddin, Teresa Connelly, Phillip Yee, Kimberly Beth Hollingsworth, Bobby Hood, Chris Chimera, Chris Hinkle, Peter Hanink, Cathy Evins, and Doug Scripture. Special thanks to John Fulmer and Kyle Fox for their valuable contributions to GMAT Focus Premium Prep. Special thanks to Adam Robinson, who conceived of and perfected the Joe Bloggs approach to standardized tests and many of the other successful techniques used by The Princeton Review. We are also, as always, very appreciative of the time and attention given to each page by Emma Parker, Heidi Torres, and Jason Ullmeyer.

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    Contents Get More (Free) Content Letter to the Test-Taker Part I: Orientation 1 Introduction 2 Taking the GMAT: What to Expect 3 Cracking the GMAT: Fundamental Strategies for Success Part ll: Diagnostic Test 1 4 Diagnostic Test 1 5 Diagnostic Test 1: Answers and Explanations Part lll: How to Crack GMAT Math 6 GMAT Math: Principles and POE 7 GMAT Math: Plugging In 8 Data Insights: Fundamentals of Integrated Reasoning Style and Data Sufficiency Questions 9 Data Insights: Strategic Approach to Integrated Reasoning Style Questions 10 Data Insights: Strategic Approach and Strategies for Data 11 Basic Principles of GMAT Math 12 Working Difficult Questions 13 Arithmetic 14 Number Theory

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    15 Algebra 16 Miscellaneous Math 17 Data Methods Part IV: How to Crack the Verbal GMAT 18 Reading Comprehension 19 Critical Reasoning Part V: Answer Key to Drills Part VI: Diagnostic Test 2 20 Diagnostic Test 2 21 Diagnostic Test 2: Answers and Explanations Part VII: The Princeton Review GMAT Math and Verbal Warm-Up Questions and Explanations 22 GMAT Math and Verbal Warm-Up Questions 23 GMAT Math and Verbal Warm-Up Questions: Answers and Explanations Online Practice Tests Grad School Insider 148197864 _

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    1 Go to PrincetonReview.com/prep and enter the following ISBN to register your book: 9780593517819 2 Answer a few simple questions to set up an exclusive Princeton Review account. (If you already have one, you can just log in.)

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    3 Enjoy access to your FREE content! Need to report a potential content issue? Contact EditorialSupport@review.com and include: « full title of the book

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    * ISBN * page number Need to report a technical issue? Contact TPRStudentTech@review.com and provide: o your full name « email address used to register the book « full book title and ISBN « Operating system (Mac/PC) and browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) Once you've registered, you can... o Take 3 full-length practice GMAT Focus exams o Access the GMAT Focus Question Bank « Get our take on any recent updates to the GMAT * Research admission rates and average test scores for dozens of popular business schools e Access our guide to financial aid, admissions, writing winning application essays, MBA job prospects, and more « Check to see if there have been any corrections or updates to this edition

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    Look For These Icons Throughout The PREMIUM PORTAL ONLINE VIDEO TUTORIALS ONLINE ARTICLES ONLINE PRACTICE DRILLS ONLINE PRACTICE TESTS PROVEN TECHNIQUES APPLIED STRATEGIES TIME-SAVING TIP OTHER REFERENCES

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    WATCH OUT

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    Dear Test-Taker, There is a lot of content that could be tested on GMAT Focus. Virtually all that content is covered in this book. Therefore, this book is very long. We set out to create a book with a simple goal in mind: we want you to achieve the GMAT score of your dreams. We've loaded this book with enough practice questions, tests, and discussion about the GMAT that nothing you see on test day is going to be a surprise to you. Before you even see a single question, you are going to be provided with information and details to give you confidence that the GMAT is the right test for you to take to help achieve your career goals. Over the years, The Princeton Review has learned a lot of important lessons about preparing to take standardized tests. Many of those lessons that pertain to the GMAT are in the pages of this book. But we've also learned a lot of lessons about students such as yourself. And central to those lessons is that no two students follow the same path to success. Some of you are going to thoroughly comb through every page, take every practice test, send questions to our editorial team, and think about nearly nothing else until test day. If this sounds like you, then you're going to love this book. You might even give it a permanent spot on your mantle. Others of you want a book that helps you triage how to spend your time. You have only so many hours a day or week to devote to your studies. You're going to see a book this big, that feels this heavy, and know you are unlikely to see every page and work through every

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    question. If this sounds like you, then we have good news. You are also going to love this book. The opening diagnostic test is going to give you a good sense of where you are with each question type. The closing diagnostic test is going to let you know just how far you've come and what you still may need to brush up on to maximize your score. In short, we created a book that you can use to maximize your time in order to maximize your score. We think you'll love it. But don’t take our word for it. See for yourself. Happy studying, The Princeton Review

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    Part I Orientation 1 Introduction 2 Taking the GMAT: What to Expect 3 Cracking the GMAT: Fundamental Strategies for Success

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    Chapter 1 Introduction Congratulations on your decision to attend business school, and welcome to GMAT Focus, Premium Prep! Preparing for the GMAT is an important part of the process, so let’s get started. This chapter will provide you with a strategic plan for acing the GMAT Focus, as well as an overview of the test itself, including question formats and information on how the test is scored.

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    WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS BOOK: A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ACING THE NEW GMAT The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is changing. Technically, we should probably say the GMAT is changing again. In fact, by the time you read this sentence, it’s possible the GMAT will have already changed. After introducing the Integrated Reasoning section in 2012, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has decided to make further adjustments to the test by rolling out the GMAT Focus Edition. The updates to the GMAT are another shift in the long history of tweaks the GMAC has rolled out over the years, all done ostensibly to better parrot the skills required to succeed in modern industry. Alas, we’ll (mercifully) spare you any further history lessons. After all, you came here to learn about how to succeed at the new GMAT, not to trace the steps of how we got here. So, let’s get cracking. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS BOOK 1. Learn the Famed Princeton Review Test-Taking Strategies In the next few chapters, you’ll find the strategies that have given our GMAT students the edge for more than 20 years. 2. Learn the Specific Skills You’ll Need Our courses include an extremely thorough review of the skills our students need to ace the GMAT, and this book will give you that same review. 3. Periodically Take Simulated GMATs to Measure Your Progress As you work through the book, you’ll want to take our online practice tests to see how you're doing. Our practice tests can be found at

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    PrincetonReview.com. In addition, we actively encourage students to use the GMAT Official Guide 2023-2024, which is published by the GMAC. It contains actual test questions from previous administrations of the GMAT. You should also take at least one of the real practice tests available through the GMAT website, www.mba.com. 4. Hone Your Skills Using the detailed score reports from your practice exams and the diagnostic tests, you’ll be able to zero in on problem areas and quickly achieve proficiency through additional practice. And as your score rises on the adaptive sections, this book is ready with more difficult question bins to keep you on track for the score you need. 5. Keep Track of the Application Process Throughout the book, you will find informative sidebars explaining how and when to register for the test, how and when to apply to business school, the advantages and disadvantages of applying early, and much more. Plus, at PrincetonReview.com, you’ll be able to take advantage of our powerful web- based tools to match yourself with schools that meet your needs and preferences. WHAT IS THE GRADUATE MANAGEMENT ADMISSION TEST? The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test that business schools use as a tool to help decide whom they are going to accept into their MBA programs. Where Does the GMAT Come From? The GMAT is published and administered by the GMAC, a private company. We'll tell you more about them later on in this book. What Does the Test Look Like?

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    The GMAT is offered on computer only at approved testing centers or by online appointment for those who wish to take the GMAT in a familiar environment, such as at home. The test contains three 45-minute sections that present multiple-choice questions. 1. A 21-question Quantitative Reasoning section that focuses on problem solving style math questions in algebra and arithmetic 2. A 23-question Verbal section that focuses on Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning questions 3. A 20-question Data Insights section that focuses on Data Sufficiency and Integrated Reasoning style questions— two question types found only on the GMAT On average, this would give you right around two minutes for each question in each section. You must answer a question in order to get to the next question—which means that you can’t skip a question and come back to it. And while you are not required to finish any of the sections, your score will be adjusted downward to reflect questions you do not complete. On each section, approximately one-quarter of the questions you encounter will be experimental and will not count toward your score. These questions, which will be mixed in among the regular questions, are there so the test company can try out new questions for future tests. We’ll have much more to say about the experimental questions later. There is also a 10-minute optional break period that can be taken after the first or second section. If you take the break after the first section, then you will not have the option to take a break after the second section. But Wait, There’s More

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    One of the first options you’ll encounter when taking the GMAT is the option to choose from one of six possible orders for the exam sections. You pick your preferred section order on the day of the test. Here are the possible section orders: Order #1 Order #2 Order #3 Quantitative Reasoning | Verbal Reasoning Data Insights Verbal Reasoning Data Insights Verbal Reasoning Data Insights Quantitative Reasoning |Quantitative Reasoning Order #4 Order #5 Order #6 Quantitative Reasoning | Verbal Reasoning Data Insights Data Insights Quantitative Reasoning |Quantitative Reasoning Verbal Reasoning Data Insights Verbal Reasoning You do not need to choose up front after which section you take your break. You'll be presented with the option as soon as the first section ends, no matter which section you choose. How Do You Know What Order to Pick? The answer to that depends on your goals for the test and your level of comfort with the different sections. Are you looking to get a high Quantitative score, but you don’t care so much about the Verbal? Has your school told you they never consider the Verbal Reasoning section? Are you good at Data Insights but not so good at Quantitative? The answers to these questions and other questions like them help to inform your section order choice. What Information Is Tested on the GMAT? + Studyxy

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    You'll find several different types of multiple-choice questions on the GMAT. Quantitative Reasoning (21 questions total) e Algebra and arithmetic questions in a roughly 50%-50% split Verbal Reasoning (23 questions total) ¢ Reading Comprehension (tests your ability to answer questions about a passage)—10-14 questions e Critical Reasoning (a logic-based question type recycled from the LSAT)—approximately 9-13 questions Data Insights (20 questions total) e Data Sufficiency (a strange type of problem that exists on no other test in the world)—approximately 5-7 questions o Integrated Reasoning (tests your ability to read and interpret charts, graphs, and data in 4 different question formats)—13-15 questions o Table Analysis—data is presented in a sortable table (like an Excel spreadsheet); each question usually has three parts. o Graphics Interpretation—a chart or graph is used to display data; each question usually has two parts; answers are selected from drop-down boxes. o Multi-Source Reasoning—information (a combination of charts, text, and tables) is presented on two or three tabs; each set of tabbed information is usually accompanied by three questions. o Two-Part Analysis—each question usually has five or six options of which you need to pick two.

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    A Note on Integrated Reasoning Style Questions The official GMAT doctrine no longer officially refers to Integrated Reasoning (IR) questions. Instead, this specific question type is lumped in under the Data Insights section and given no particular name at all. However, there are specific approaches and strategies for working with this type of question. For the sake of clarity, we will continue to refer to Integrated Reasoning questions throughout this book to describe Graphics Interpretation, Two-Part Analysis, Table Analysis, and Multi-Source Reasoning questions in the aggregate. How Is the GMAT Scored? As soon as you are finished taking the GMAT, the computer will calculate and display your unofficial results. Each section will receive an individual score between 60 and 90 points in 1-point increments, as well as a percentile rank for that section. These section scores will all contribute equally to calculate your total score between 205 and 805 in 10-point increments, as well as your overall percentile rank. Scores on the individual sections of the GMAT are based on three factors: the number of questions you answer, whether you answered the question correctly, and the parameters of the question (such as difficulty). Your score improves if you answer more questions, answer them correctly, and answer them at a higher level of difficulty. The percentile ranking for each section is there to give you a sense of how you performed compared to other test-takers. For example, if you see a percentile of 72 next to your Data Insights score, it means that 72 percent of the people who took this test scored lower than you did on the Data Insights section. Here are the average scores for the total and each of the sections, according to GMAC. Section Average Score | Standard Deviation

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    WHAT IS THE PRINCETON REVIEW? The Princeton Review is a test-preparation company founded in New York City. It has branches in more than 50 cities across the country, as well as abroad. The Princeton Review’s techniques are unique and powerful, and they were developed after a study of thousands of real GMAT questions. They work because they are based on the same principles that are used in writing the actual test. The Princeton Review’s techniques for beating the GMAT will help you improve your scores by teaching you to: o think like the test-writers o take full advantage of the computer-adaptive algorithms upon which the GMAT is based o find the answers to questions you don’t understand by using Process of Elimination o avoid the traps that test-writers have set for you (and use those traps to your advantage) How Closely Does The Princeton Review Monitor the GMAT? Very closely. We regularly publish a new edition of this book to reflect the subtle shifts that happen over time or any major changes to the GMAT. For the latest information on the GMAT, please visit our website PrincetonReview.com. Is This Book Just like The Princeton Review Course? No. You won’t have the benefit of taking 10 computer-adaptive GMAT that are scored and analyzed by our computers. You won’t get to sit in small

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    classes with a small group of other highly motivated students who will spur you on. You won’t get to work with our expert instructors who can assess your strengths and pinpoint your weaknesses. There is no way to put these things into a book. What you will find in this book are some of the techniques and methods that have enabled our students to crack the system—plus a review of the essentials that you cannot afford not to know and some customized study guides to help you allocate your time to the highest priority areas. Two Warnings Many of our techniques for beating the GMAT may be very different from the way that you would naturally approach problems. Some methods may even seem counterintuitive. Rest assured, however, that many test-takers have used our methods to get great GMAT scores. To get the full benefit of our techniques, you must trust them. The only way to develop this trust is to practice the techniques and persuade yourself that they work. Integrated Reasoning style questions are unlike Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency questions in that they can involve interaction with the content on your screen. For example, for many question types the answer choices are in drop-down menus, there are tables that you may want to sort, or a question may include multiple tabs that contain information you’ll need to solve the problem. Needless to say, re-creating this type of interactivity is beyond the capabilities of a book. We’ll outline how the content in this book differs from the test for Integrated Reasoning questions when we get to that discussion. For now, just recognize Integrated Reasoning can be a challenging question type to put in book format. Practice with Real Questions One reason coaching books do not use real GMAT questions is that GMAC won’t let them. So far, the council has refused to let anyone (including us) license actual questions from old tests. As we mentioned above, the council

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    has its own review book, GMAT Official Guide 2023-2024, which we heartily recommend that you purchase. GMAC also puts out preparation materials called GMAT Focus Official Starter Kit, which can be downloaded for free from www.mba.com. This kit includes two computer-adaptive tests plus additional practice sets, all of which feature real GMAT questions. By practicing our techniques on real GMAT items, you will be able to prove to yourself that the techniques work and increase your confidence when you actually take the test. Additional Resources In addition to the material in this book, we offer a number of other resources to aid you during your GMAT preparation. Register your book at PrincetonReview.com to gain access to your Student Tools, the companion website to this book. There you will find: ¢ 3 GMAT Focus exams e Our GMAT Focus Online Drills * Business School Resources Premium Student Tools To gain access, follow the instructions on this page.

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    Summary o By using a combination of The Princeton Review’s study materials and published content directly from GMAC, you will be able to improve your score on the GMAT. o The test itself is taken on a computer. It consists of the following:

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    Chapter 2 Taking the GMAT: What to Expect This chapter will outline what to expect on and leading up to test day, the basics of the GMAT’s layout, and how the computer-adaptive scoring algorithm works.

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    REGISTERING TO TAKE THE GMAT The easiest way to register for the exam is online. You can register to take the GMAT Exam Delivered at a Test Center or the GMAT Exam Delivered Online, which can be taken at a private location, like your home. Both options allow you to schedule the time of the exam, so choose a timeslot that works best with your personal preferences. mba.com. The registration fee varies depending on your location and how the test is delivered. In the United States, the fee to take the GMAT Exam Delivered at a Test Center is $275 and $300 to take the GMAT Exam Delivered Online. Those who schedule an exam in certain countries will incur taxes. Tax rate information is available at www.mba.com in the GMAT registration section. Note that checks or money orders payable in U.S. dollars must be drawn from banks located in the United States or Canada. your Student Tools or by checking the GMAT website. PRACTICING TO TAKE THE GMAT As you prepare for the GMAT, it’s important to know—in advance—what the experience of taking the test is like so that you can mimic those conditions during practice tests. When you are taking a practice test, turn off your telephone, and strictly observe all time limits and restrictions. To mimic the experience of working with scratch work resources, buy a spiral notebook filled with grid paper or a whiteboard that meets the permitted dimensions. If you know what time you will be taking the real GMAT, try to schedule your practice tests around the same time of day.

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    If you are the sort of person who likes to have a mental picture of what a new experience will be like, you might even consider visiting the test center ahead of time. This serves two purposes: first, you’ll know how to get there on the day of the test, and second, you’ll be familiar with the ambiance in advance. If you registered to take the GMAT Exam at home, make sure your personal computer meets the system requirements. More information is available at www. mba.com. The Days Before the Test Try to keep to your regular routine. Staying up late to study the last few nights before the test is counterproductive. It’s important to get regular amounts of exercise and sleep. Continue the study plan you’ve been on from the beginning, but taper off toward the end. You’ll want to take your last practice exam no later than several days before the real test, so that you’ll have time to go over the results carefully. The last day or so should be devoted to any topics that still give you trouble. The Night Before the Test If you are taking the GMAT at a testing center, now is the time to get together the things you will need to take with you for the test: a government- issued ID card, directions to the test center (if you haven’t already been there), a mental list of the five schools you wish to receive your test scores (if you can’t identify these when you take the test, you will have to pay an additional fee per school to get scores sent out later). Don’t bother to take a calculator—no outside calculators are permitted on the GMAT. An onscreen calculator is provided for the Integrated Reasoning questions in the Data Insights section. What to Take to the Test Center

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    1. A government-issued ID 2. A snack 3. A bottle of water If you are taking the GMAT at home, prepare your testing space. Get together the items you will need with you for the exam: a government-issued ID card and your physical whiteboard (if you are planning to use one). Remove all prohibited items from the testing area. Use the GMAT Exam Online Pretest Checklist on www.mba.com to ensure you have taken all the required steps to prepare for the exam. Once you have gathered everything you need, take the night off. Relax. There is no point in last-minute cramming. You are as ready as you are going to be. The Day of the Test If you are taking the test in the morning, get up early enough so that you have time to eat breakfast, if that is your usual routine, and do a couple of GMAT questions you’ve already seen in order to get your mind working. If you are taking the test in the afternoon, make sure you get some lunch, and, again, do a few GMAT problems. You don’t want to have to warm up on the test itself. Do Not Take Food or Drinks As of 2023, individuals are no longer permitted to take food or drinks into the testing center and leave them in a locker to eat during a break. The official GMAT language states these items are not allowed “unless expressly pre-authorized as an accommodation.” AT THE TESTING CENTER You'll be asked to present your government-issued ID, and an employee will take your photograph and scan your palm using a palm vein scanner. Finally, T= StudyXY

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