A final word before you take the test:

• Be there on time. No, make that before time!
• Bring a pen with you to the test center because you have to fill up a statement there and it is highly inconvenient to borrow.
• Don't forget your passport or proof of identification!
• Please check your pockets before going in. Don't take anything inside the examination hall
• Utilise the break given to you for calming yourself before the next section.

So what is the situation inside the test room? (WARNING: The following is what I've observed)

Once you go to the ETS testing center, you'll be seeing a number of people standing outside (assuming you've booked the morning slot. Don't let the sight of seeing people going through the last minute blues worry you. GRE is not like the other exams. Your last minute preparation matters the least. Make sure you're near the examination center atleast 15 minutes before the test time. After reaching the test center, you'll be allowed to go inside during the last 30 minutes of the commencement of the exam.

One you are inside, you'll be given a form to fill out. Not a big deal, its not a form having logical questions. So fill it out with a cool mind. After filling it, you'll be asked to hand over the form and will be then be directed to enter the testing room. Before that, make sure you put all your belongings (including cash) inside the lockers available there. Lock it and take the key with you. Don't even carry a pen at this stage. ETS provides you with everything. When you enter the testing room, you'll come across a person who'll ask you to verify a few details. You'll have to show your passport too after which you identity will be confirmed. You'll be alloted a seat and will be directed there by another person.

The testing room is usually a room that is pleasantly decorated with lights. The computer table will look like the conventional tables with an executive chair too. So don't worry too much about how the seating arrangement will look like. At the same time, don't expect a super computer there. Its just a normal computer that you've been seeing all these years. Once you begin your test, you'll be produced with a few instructions. If you've gone through any of the CAT tests in your home, skip these instructions because at some point of your exam, even reading instructions will cost you time!

The first section is usually the Analytical section. Pick a topic and start writing. As highlighted in the previous chapters, you need not be a super human at typing but at the same time make sure you're not a snail either. Follow the tips written in the previous chapters and complete the section. Whether you get the Issue writing or the Argument will depend on the computer. Don't bother too much about this. Remember - you have only one task at the moment - complete the essay within the time frame. One important thing: If you're distracted easily by the sounds made by other peopl's typing expertise, consider wearing the super-duper headphones provided. It'll pain a little in the beginning but believe me, if you get used to it, then there's no other peaceful place than your chair. And DO NOT look at people around you however beautiful/handsome they are. You're here to take a test not to look at other test takers. Every second you spend there is counted. Besides that looking at other people tends to lower your own morale sometimes. So, before you look at the beautiful girl/handsome boy next to you, reconsider your thought.

After the analytical section, you'll be provided with a 10 minute break. TAKE this break at any cost. Do not skip it. This is the longest break you'll get in the entire testing period. Even if you don't want it, give your hands some rest. Go out and chill for sometime. After your ten minute break is over, you'll be reminded but a better thing to do is to go before that and occupy your seat. When the break is over, you'll be displayed with the next section. Again whether the next section is Verbal or Quant is dependent on the computer algorithm. In simple words, its random.

In the Verbal section, make sure you do the first ten questions correct no matter what. Because to compensate one wrong answer in the first ten, you'll have to do some 4-5 question correct in the last 15. Again, this reasoning might vary heavily. No matter what, try not to loose any question in the first ten because these are the question that mostly decide your Verbal Score. Same goes with the Quant section. Do not worry if you've answered one or two questions incorrectly. You always have a chance to compensate them later. But to the maximum extent possible, try not to make any silly mistakes. Remember, GRE is like a ladder of difficulty. It is easy to climb in the beginning. So you'll almost always get easy questions in the beginning. As a precaution, keep an eye on the timer too. Spending too much of your time on the first ten questions could prove fatal.

The Technique of the Wicked - Cunning Fox Method

During the test, if you're intelligent like most test takers, do not try to predict the computer. That is, do not guess if you've answered the previous question correctly or not depending on the difficulty level of the present question. It is to be noted that, what is difficult to you might not be difficult to the computer and vice versa. But if you did take the risk of actually wasting your time trying to guess the mind of the computer or by looking at other people, chances are that you are left with no time. There is a technique that you can use when you feel everything is lost. But remember, this technique can be constructive or destructive based on your luck on that particular day and is not a tested way. Do not blame me if something goes wrong. This is just to give you an idea on how to deal with complicated situations.

Suppose you're in the 11th question and you have just 9 minutes to go. This is a very complex situation in which you'll have to do some 19 questions in 9 minutes. There's no hard and fast rule for quant but for verbal, use some intelligent guessing. You'd be better off leaving lengthy RCs. Just make some intelligent guesses. Don't even read the passage. Go by your insticnts. Use the "What could be the most appropriate answer for this?" and answer the questions to the lengthy RCs. But make sure that you answer the short RCs correctly at any cost. Because RCs take a lot of time, it is better to spend the least time on these questions when you feel the time is not sufficient. Antonym questions are perhaps the easiest. Make sure not to spend more than 5 seconds during the crisis period. If you have a good instict you can answer Sentence Completion questions and Analogy questions even without looking at the question. Use the POE(Process of Elimination) technique highligted in Princeton material. If you've fallen short of time in the quant section, there is nothing you can do except trying to attempt all the questions because there is a double penalty for not attempting questions!

WARNING: Do not use this method if you have plenty of time!!

After both the sections, you'll be asked to take an optional dummy section. I don't know if it is still in existence because ETS withdrew its plans of implementing the new GRE pattern. If you did get the dummy section, please don't leave it. After all, you'll make the life of the future students a little easier.

Ofcourse, at the end of the dummy section, you'll be displayed the final button of the exam that says "View your Scores" Go ahead and click it. After all, its your D-Day! With a good strategy you can make sure that its gonna be a Destination Day and not a Dooms Day.

All the Best! You'll rock... Just believe in your abilities.

Imagine a test where you can't skip questions, all answers are final and there's a penalty for not finishing on time--- this is exactly what you will experience in GRE's CAT!

Pacing strategies are more critical and difficult on the GRE-CAT than for any test you have ever taken. To quote the makers of the GRE, "Time management is key." Your timing skills could make a world of difference to your final score. This is because the test has highly unusual pacing constraints. The things that you should keep in mind while you attempt the questions.

• DOUBLE PENALTY- for any unfinished questions at the end of each section when time expires. The penalty for unfinished questions is severe (worse than getting a question wrong). You should pace yourself to make sure that you finish all the questions in the allotted time.
  
  
• NO DOUBLE CHECKING- All answers are final. If you finish a section early, you cannot go back to double-check your earlier answers. For example, if you hurry and finish your section with 20 minutes left, you are stuck at the end of the test with 20 extra minutes.
  
  
• NO SKIPPING- When you hit a tough question or get a mental block, you cannot skip the question. Instead, you have to trudge through it, guess, and hope you don't waste too much time.
  
  
• GO FASTER AND FASTER- The value of each question decreases as the section progresses. The first few questions will determine most of your score, so you have to start slowly and carefully and then accelerate as the test progresses.

So what is the best way?

Unfortunately, there is not best way. It all depends on your problem handling and solving skills. GRE CAT students complained that they had trouble learning the right pacing. You have to accustom yourself to the test conditions while taking practice tests and how when to stop wasting your time on a tough question and begin to make intelligent guesses. The only way to get acquainted with the pace is to solve as many tests as possible. Whatevertechniques you learn, whatever algorithms you follow, remember to follow your instinct.