Consistently running out of time on quant and verbal

Question

I'm nearly a year into GMAT prep, yet having a hard time adhering to the target timing on both quant and verbal. I consistently guess on the last 6-7 questions on both sections, which I realize is close to 20% of the entire exam.

According to my ESRs, I seem to do well (70%-80% accuracy) until the end of the third quarter, after which my performance plunges sharply. I'm starting to think this could be the main reason I'm struggling to hit my target score of 700 despite spending the year improving my accuracy in both sections.

Because the GMAT is a "where you end is what you get" test, should I be front-loading the guessing so that I can actually attempt the questions in the last quarter? I tend to recheck the question before selecting my answer and moving on to the next question - perhaps I could skip this step entirely?

I typically average 650 to 680 in the official practice tests.

Any expert advice is so very appreciated!

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi achloes.

Simply "front loading" your guessing isn't going to help. In fact, it could hurt if some of the guesses are on relatively easy questions.

That said, it could help to guess on some questions that you find particularly challenging along the way.

Also, why not just try not rechecking your answers, or not rechecking as many? That one change may get you to the ends of the sections.

Coming at this issue from a different direction, shooting for high accuracy when you're practicing could help. What I've seen is that, when people shoot for close to 100 percent accuracy when doing Quant and Verbal practice untimed, they achieve precision that ends up making them fast.

For some more ideas on how to speed up, see these posts.

How to Get Faster at GMAT Quant Questions

How to Get Faster at GMAT Verbal

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Consider using time markers for time management. May also be worth checking out some ESRs to see the types of performances in each quarter of a section that can lead to various scores.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi achloes,

One thing I think you cannot do is double-check your answers. In fact, here is a video where we discussed this:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/C1BkFknkWtg

Feel free to reach out with any questions.

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi  achloes

Let me share my 2 cents from my experience of scoring 740 on GMAT and helping many students reach their target score.  Taking extra time to solve questions is a symptom and not the disease itself . Let me elaborate.

There are  2 things that you do while solving questions  - 1. You think about how to solve the question and 2. You solve the question. It's the first point that eats up unnecessary time. Now how do you tackle Point 1. Most people think the best solution is by solving additional questions. It does help but sadly is not the most effective solution because by just practising more questions you end repeating the same mistakes. Similarly, guess-work too won't help really.

The better solution is to learn the right logical methods to solve questions and then master these methods with additional practice. Now before suggesting you the right methods, I would like to understand how you approach questions at present and then accordingly I can suggest you what's the way out. Feel free to connect with me on a DM to discuss further.

Meanwhile, here's a video that you may find helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT0vSq0eP1k

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi achloes,

In one of your recent posts, you implied that you were scheduled to take the Official GMAT a few weeks ago - and in this post, it sounds as though you did (and that you've taken the GMAT more than once). While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). Since you purchase the ESR(s), then I'll be happy to analyze it/them for you. If you would rather not post them in the forums, then you can feel free to PM them directly to me (or email me - at [email protected]).

Many GMATers face pacing issues in the Quant section, the Verbal section or both – so you are not alone. However, it's important to remember that pacing problems do NOT exist on their own - they're the results of OTHER problems. Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) On what dates did you take your Official GMATs and how did you score on each attempt (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
2) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do you typically study each week?
3) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
4) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

ReedArnoldMPREP · Answer

The problem is simple: you're spending too much time on too many questions, and you're not doing what you need to do (guess quickly on some questions) to get back onto pace.

Here's what you need to think about:

1). How accurate are you when you go long on questions? (above 2:30 on quant and CR, above 1:45 on SC, passages+3 quesitons that go longer than 7 minutes or so).

2). How often do you go too long for even right answers? (above 3:15 for quant and CR, above 2 minutes for SC, above 8 minutes for RC + 3 Q's).

3). How often do you burn a question early in order to bank up some time?

If you go a little long on 2-3 questions, and you get them all right, that's a good investment of time. You've taken on 'debt' but you've invested wisely. Now you pay it back with a question that you burn.

*If you are worried about 'burning' a question, you fundamentally misunderstand the way this algorithm works.*

Most people have timing issues for one major reason: they're afraid of missing questions. That can't be your mindset during this test, because that's not the game.

The only questions you should 're-check' are ones you do fairly quickly that you know you are capable of getting so long as you don't make a silly mistake. You don't get to 'recheck' when it takes longer than 2 minutes to arrive at an answer.

Consistently running out of time on quant and verbal

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