Am I Supposed to Take a Pen?

From: Me
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:44 PM>
To: Webmaster
Subject: mba.com Contact Us - General Information (CS#:-----)

Question or Comment:

What is a noteboard? Is it like a dry-erase board? If so, how would it get filled up?
________

From: Webmaster
Subject: mba.com Contact Us - General Information (CS#:-----)
To: Me
Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 11:17 AM

The administrator will provide you with five noteboards at the start of your test. If you fill these noteboards during your GMAT® exam, you may request replacements by raising your hand. You may not remove these noteboards from the testing room at any time. Every noteboard must be returned at the end of the test session. You may not take your own noteboard into the testing room.

We continue to monitor the use of noteboards as well as all other aspects of the testing environment to ensure an appropriate and consistent testing experience.

Thank you for your inquiry,
Customer Service Coordinator
Graduate Management Admission Council
________

From: Me
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 1:03 PM
To: Webmaster
Subject: mba.com Contact Us - General Information (CS#:-----)

I understand what you wrote above (it is included, verbatim, in the GMAT information brochure and online.) My question was not "how many noteboards?" or "what happens if I fill the 5 noteboards?" but was What is a noteboard? Can you provide information on how a noteboard is different from notebook paper?
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From: Webmaster
Subject: mba.com Contact Us - General Information (CS#:-----)
To: Me
Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 12:22 PM

The official noteboards used in the testing centers have the following qualities:

Legal sized
5 sheets bound that you can use the front and back of

Again, should you need additional noteboards, the test administrator will gladly provide you with another.

Thank you for your inquiry,
Customer Service Coordinator
Graduate Management Admission Council
________

a) I'm not impressed with the GMAC Customer Service Coordinator's reading comprehension skills.

b) I believe one gets penalized on the Analytical Writing Assessment for using jargon, like calling a notebook a "noteboard."

What a bunch of hypocrites.