GMAT Verbal Timing Management

Question

Hi everyone & Verbal experts @ GMATNinja  @ mikemcgarry  ,

I've just started preparing for my GMAT focus for 3 weeks and am wondering how I should manage my time in the verbal section.

From this forum and GMAT Ninja videos, I know we should spend around 2 mins per Q for the quant section.

But for the verbal section, should we also impose a rigid time limit i.e. 2 mins per Q (45mins /23 qs) just like the quant section?
For me, reading a RC passage thoroughly will take me ~4 mins. Subsequently, answering the 1st q in the first passage would result in using ~5-6 mins. Then, it will take me ~1.5 mins or less to answer the remaining qs of the same passage.

Can you pls advise if this approach will negatively affect my score in the verbal section since I am spending "lots of time" answering the "1st q in a brand new passage"?

Also, can you pls advise if it's better to think about time allocation per passage (e.g. allocate 10 mins per RC passage) or if should we still think about time allocation per q like the quant section? Appreciate if anyone could share their experience or any strategy on this.

Thanks so much in advance!

Swimtrader · Answer

@GMATNinja, @mikemcgarry

bb · Answer

It is a simple math equation. You have 45 mins. You need answer all questions. Whether you take 8 mins for a 4-question passage or 10 mins, that's for you to decide and leverage your strengths or weaknesses, but you have only 45 mins and you want to maximize your score by answering as many questions correctly as you can.

Oh and here you go: https://gmatclub.com/forum/timing-strat ... 06035.html

Swimtrader · Answer

Hi BB, Thanks for your prompt reply. Appreciate the link, it's very helpful!

Wondering if the time taken for each q constitutes part of the GMAT score? Got this question because I received a report on the time spent on each q for the official practice test. Hence, I'm wondering if 'timing' plays a part in scoring. Or, does GMAT purely consider the number and level of questions you get right? Thanks!

bb · Answer

Hi. Timing does not play any role in scoring. Therefore, guessing something and barely spending any time will give you the same score as spending five minutes on that question and answering it correctly. Time was never a consideration for the score on the GMAT.

The time spent per question is more of a helpful tip and assistance to you to show you where you spend your time because time is the primary currency which you trade off on each of the questions.

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