At what point in the study process should I begin practicing timing?

I wouldn't be strict on timing and would work on preparing your knowledge as much as possible

Being aware of timing takes toll on your focus

I finished both my quant and verbal at least 30 minutes before each session ends without ever paying attention to how much time I spent on each question

The test is designed so you have to finish the lower level questions faster and spend more time on the higher level questions. Average time (2 mins per question as mentioned on several threads on this forum) does not help

Hi okay,

Since you've been studying for just a few weeks, your pacing/speed should NOT be your focus right now. At this point, your goals should revolve around building up your knowledge, and learning/practicing the proper Tactics. 'Speed' tends to improve with time (as you become more and more familiar with the types of questions you'll face, the patterns behind those questions, how to efficiently work through prompts, etc.). That having been said, you would likely benefit a great deal by working on your Tactical skills now - even if it might feel like it's 'slow-going' at first. It's also important to take FULL-LENGTH CATs (with the Essay and IR sections) at regular intervals as a way to measure your progress and define other non-content areas that you might need to work on.

With a May 13th Test Date, you still have well over 3 months of study time remaining, so I suggest that you continue with your current study routine. You should take another CAT in 2 weeks (or so) and report back with that score. We can use that result to gauge how well your current study plan is helping you to improve.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Thanks, Rich. Would you recommend I take CATs un-timed for now? Or timed?

Hi okay,

You should take all of your CATs in a realistic fashion (so you MUST take them timed). As you continue to study, you will likely experience some pacing 'issues' while you take your CATs, but that's all part of the learning process. You need to learn how it feels for a question to take 'too long' and how to properly respond to that situation (and later on, how to properly avoid putting yourself in that situation altogether).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

630 is less in untimed condition, provided you are targeting 730. Increase your accuracy, work on weak areas. Last 1 month is fine for timing. Focussing on timing now will not be wise

Sent from my Z1 using GMAT Club Forum mobile app