How and When Can I Reduce my CR Answer Timing?

Question

Hi everyone,

As of now I am seeing than on average I am spending about 2-2.5 minutes for answering CR Medium (600-700) level questions (correctly). How and when will I be able to achieve such an improvement that would allow me to get 80% of the answers correct at this level but in 1.75 minutes?

Thank you very much for your time,

Steven Iallonardo

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Doing sets of questions under timed conditions may be helpful. You could leverage the online Wiley function of the Official-Guide to do this. If you find CR assumption questions slippery, the negation technique may be worth checking out.

CR tips

CR tips

Score-Quest · Answer

To help you improve your speed, could you share how you're utilizing those 2-2.5 minutes? A breakdown of your approach might reveal areas where you can gain efficiency. Also, while it's great to aim for faster responses, remember it's important to balance accuracy and timing across a mix of question difficulties, including easy, medium and hard ones, especially since the exam includes RC/SC questions too. Focusing on a broad range of questions can better prepare you for the varied pacing of the actual exam

If your overall timing across the entire GMAT section is on track, you might not need to reduce the time you spend on CR Medium level questions. It's often more about the overall strategy than just speed on individual question types.

MartyMurray · Answer

Hi Steven.

Speed in CR results from skill, and the best way to develop skill is to analyze CR questions choice by choice to develop skill in seeing exactly what's going on in the questions and how the choices relate to the passage.

The more clearly you see what's going on the faster you'll be.

For some additional tips that will help you master CR and be faster in Verbal in general, see these posts.

The Final Key Step in Getting a Critical Reasoning Question Correct

How to Master GMAT Verbal

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Steven_Iallonardo,

Averaging between 2 and 2.5 minutes per CR on the Official GMAT is a reasonable pace (although if your average is closer to 2:30 per CR, then there are likely some overall inefficiencies with how you are dealing with those prompts). Thus, if you have a broader pacing issue in the Verbal section, then you should put some time into how you handle SC and RC prompts.

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) Have you taken the Official GMAT yet? If so, then when - and how did you score (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
2) How long have you studied? 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)?

Goals:
5) What is your overall goal score?
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

Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com
www.empowergmat.com

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Steven_Iallonardo,

Regarding how to improve in CR, here is an article that you may find helpful:

GMAT Critical Reasoning: 8 Essential Tips

anushree01 · Answer

Hi, thanks that was helpful to me

RetaketheGMAT · Answer

Hi Steven,

If you're aiming for a top score, then it IS critical to get your time down for medium level CR questions. Only hard-level questions warrant more than 2 minutes since their value in boosting your section score is much higher.

The key is testing-taking skills. Depending on the type of CR question (strengthen, weaken, assumption, bold-face etc) the hierarchy of focus changes. That means what you put the most time on changes depending on the type of question. The other parts you put less emphasis on saves you time and you get to the answer quicker.

Our FREE diagnostic session LIVE with a GMAT performance coach will help to identify your process gaps -- then you'll know how to approach building those CR focus skills to get your score up.

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How and When Can I Reduce my CR Answer Timing?

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