I had waited until the last minute and needed to get my test done before the application deadline for my program. In addition to limiting my study opportunities, I was also forced to accept an 8 am testing time. I'm not a morning person and I wasn't thrilled but I didn't feel like I could afford to wait an extra week. I did take several practice tests from the book I got. This let me know that my Verbal scores were already very strong and it wasn't really necessary to study hard on that part. My math scores were average. For my degree program those would be far less important but I did try to study some and I think it helped.
There are three parts to the test Verbal, Quantitative (math), and two written essays. You get the scores for the first two immediately at the end of the test but the essays are scored by hand. I scored 720 out of 800 on verbal and 540 on math. I was hoping for something above 750 on verbal but I later found out scores are exponential so even my 720 puts me in the 95 percentile. I was also able to find out on my colleges website that average scores for students are in the "mid 500s." This was a relief! My math score while not stellar, are acceptably average and my verbal scores are outstanding. That is exactly what I wanted.
Over all, the testing experience was not bad at all. In studying, I would say trust your instincts. I started out trying to read the study material for the essay portion and quickly found it was just making me self conscious and giving me writers block. By all means, study to improve your weak points but don't second guess yourself. Stay relaxed! Once you get there to the test, what's done is done. Just keep breathing and take each question as it comes. Watch the time and don't rush yourself. There are no points for finishing early and you can't go back so give each question your full attention. I was very fortunate that the topics for my essays played to my strengths. I haven't received scores for those yet but I can rest easy feeling assured that I can't imagine having written a better essay than I did.
Be prepared to crash, too. This is another point at which we are all different, however, even though I didn't panic and didn't feel it was unbelievably hard, after it was over I found myself suddenly exhausted. I sat down on a bench in the building lobby feeling unexpectedly weak and slightly dizzy. Of course the early morning commute hadn't helped either. Perhaps bringing along a bottle of juice would have been a good idea. I called a few friends and gave them the unofficial good news and when I felt steady on my feet, I left and took the rest of the day off to treat myself.
I got my completed application in several days ago. In my program, all applications received before the deadline are evaluated equally. That might be something to check on in your program. I don't recommend waiting until the last day, as I did, but if there is no advantage given to early submission, then by all means take the time you need to get it right rather than rush to get it in early. Do read over the requirements early and double check if there is any question or inconsistencies. A co-worker applying at a different school has had a much different experience from mine with repeated mixed messages from various faculty members as to what he should submit. A mutual friend suggested the high quality the program the less pretense and disorganization there would likely be. I'm not sure this is true but I'm certainly grateful for my pleasant experience. Had I had his experience I could easily see having second thoughts, although he remains committed.
I let my program director know that my application was complete and on it's way. She wrote back to thank me and once again intimated that I was already on the list. Official letters of acceptance should be sent in approximately six weeks. I don't expect to have much to report before then. I think perhaps my biggest challenge of all will be finding a place to live and relocating. It is too early time wise to make many plans in that direction, though, and I'm not entirely comfortable obligating myself before I have the official letter in hand, anyway. The one thing I am doing is working my social contacts to meet people in the area, or people who used to live in the area. Since this is an enormous change for me in both geography, culture, and climate, I'm trying to gain as much knowledge as possible, including everything from the good restaurants to eat at to trivial facts like snow boots will be readily available, and much cheaper, in outlet stores in the area than they are down here where I live.
