GMAT Timing

Question

I'm really struggling in getting the last questions of quant right as a result my scores are dropping massively

silverprince · Answer

It's really important that you build a sense of a "90 second" awareness. We need to accept that there will be some questions that we won't solve within 2 minutes. The way to do this is to objectively evaluate every question. After 90 seconds, ask yourself the question "can I solve this in 30 seconds?". If yes, then go ahead; if no then it's make your best guess and move on.

I used to face the same issue as you and since I developed my "90 second" awareness, I have been able to solve the entire quant section with ~3 minutes to spare.

Develop your 90-second awareness by practicing daily. Get a stop watch and hit the lap button when you think 90 seconds is up. Build this up by starting with 5 seconds, then 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds. With time, you'll get really good and you'll be within a couple of seconds.

Good luck!

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

I suggest you manage your time in batches of 5 questions. To that end, you can use the following Milestone Charts to keep you on track: 
 https://i.imgur.com/g8LinXc.png

These times are easily remembered so you can quickly jot them on your noteboard on test day.

This (and more) is covered in my GMAT time management video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWrUiBT83PQ

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi amansahani,

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. If you consistently have to 'rush' through a block of questions at the end of any of the sections of the GMAT, then it's likely that you are approaching the overall section in inefficient ways. By extension, since most GMAT questions can be approached in more than one way, it's possible that "your way" is the "long way" - and the result of those choices is that you spend a lot more time earlier on and have a lot less time near the end of the section. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) 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)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) 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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi amansahani,

Since you are having issues with timing, here are two perfect articles for you:

How to Get Faster at Solving GMAT Questions

Timing Strategies For a Higher GMAT Quant Score

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