identification of a 700+ level question.

Hello shaunakgt,

There is no secret formula for both of your questions. However, lets try to solve with by some logic.

1. How to identify 700+ level question: It hard to tell exactly but as you may be aware that GMAT is an adaptive test and it will throw a question at you based on your previous answer responses. But assuming you have been answering correctly then may be some mid and last (5-10) few questions will be 700+ level questions.

But honestly I would not spend so much time in determining what level of question it is, I would rather focus on solving the question. Because you will waste your valuable time in thinking about the level of the question and you never know if that can impact your answers.

2. When should you guess a question: This a good question and I believe a very important one. Ideally if you see a question and if you have absolutely zero idea about that concept or that formula or that topic, then you should be taking a good educated call to make an educated guess and move on. There is no point in trying to think on different approaches and concepts. Also, if you feel that you are spending more than 2 or 3 mins just to understand the problem, or trying to figure out the formula, that's a red signal.

Ron from Manhattan says it really well - Do not stare at a question, that is the last thing you should do on GMAT.

Hope that helps, please feel free to re-question if you have doubts.