Improving on Critical Reasoning Timings

Question

It takes 2 minutes just to read the question prompt of Critical Reasoning (excluding answer options) and total it takes 4-5 minutes to select the correct answer, how to improve the timing to under 2 minutes ? Can anyone suggest any strategies, habit to build or any other reading exercises ? Provide sources to study also, if any.

pintukr · Answer

You may attempt questions using Forum Quiz for various difficulty levels, gradually improving the timing. All the Best.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hi Nkathiyawadi

I don’t think everyone spends 2 minutes reading just the question prompt. If someone takes 4–5 minutes to pick an answer, they are probably just getting started with their CR prep. I have read the Manhattan Prep CR guide and the PowerScore CR Reasoning Bible, the latter was super comprehensive and really helped me improve my CR skills. You can also check out the many  GMAT prep courses  out there to help you out.

If I had to give one quick piece of advice: focus on the logical structure of the argument and track how the conclusion is formed. Identifying the correct conclusion is absolute key in CR questions.

Good luck!

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi Nkathiyawadi,

Is this a CR issue or a more general issue? Do you see the same problem in, say, RC as well?

hr1212 · Answer

An effective long term goal for Critical Reasoning is to solve most questions in under two minutes. A useful breakdown is to read the argument in about 30 seconds, spend 15 to 20 seconds pre thinking possible outcomes or gaps, and then use the remaining time to eliminate choices and arrive at the correct answer. This is the stage you eventually want to reach to handle the Verbal section with both speed and accuracy.

That said, it is completely fine if you are taking longer during practice while building these skills. Your first priority should be accuracy. Once you can consistently get questions right using a structured approach, then start tightening your timing. If reading itself is slowing you down, try reading more outside of prep such as news articles, blogs, or books to improve speed and familiarity with varied vocabulary. You will also need strong analytical thinking to pre think effectively so you do not get stuck rereading answer choices. You can refer to my “How to Improve Verbal with AI” guide for methods to strengthen pre thinking (link is in my signature) and identify gaps in the CR argument. As these habits come together, you should begin to see consistent high accuracy within the two minute window.

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