Timing strategy

Question

hi all i'm new to this forum
this place is amazing
i was wondering if anyone has a good timing strategy

mine is
on quant:
25 min for first 10 questions then 20 for next and so on
on verbal:
10 min par paragraph- 1min answering each questions

but i really need a good timing strategy to simulate test environment
i mean how much time should i spend on
1- reading the text
2-answering a RC question
3-answering a CR question
4- answering a SC question

thanks

alexau · Answer

I am not really sure that I understand your strategy but from what I have read on GMAT Club (as well as other blogs) I can try to give some advice.

While some people have performed experiments on GMATPrep to show that the first 10 questions MAY be more important than later questions, GMAC has stated that the algorithm (also note that the GMATPrep algorithm is not the same one that is used currently) uses the first few questions to get an INITIAL assessment of your ability. Therefore, the algorithm will adapt even after the first 10 questions. Therefore, I personally would not recommend paying more attention to earlier questions and would recommend spending approximately 2 minutes on each quant question.

For Verbal, it depends on a lot of different things. One key factor is your familiarity with the English language. If you are a native speaker, then RC probably won't take as long. There is no one way to go about the Verbal section but some people like to do Sentence Correction in under 90 seconds which will give them just under 2 minutes for each Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension question. I wouldn't spend more than three minutes reading a passage since you don't want to be rushed during the questions. You often do not need to know every single minute detail, but rather have a general understanding and be able to recognize if something was discussed in the passage and where it was discussed.

Hope this helps.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jimwild,

While everyone has questions and concerns about pacing at some point during their studies, it might be too early for you to be focused on that issue. Pacing problems don't exist on their own - they're the results of OTHER problems, so you really have to put in the necessary prep time to get comfortable with the content, tactics and patterns of the GMAT before you start nitpicking your pacing.

I'll be happy to offer some advice, once I know a bit more about your studies so far and timeline.

1) How long have you been studying?
2) What is your score goal?
3) How have you scored on your practice CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
4) When are you planning to take the GMAT?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

jimwild · Answer

Hi thank you both for replying

I started around 1 month ago
i did 1 practicet test using GMATPREP software but i really rushed because didnt apply time management and got 610

im targeting 750

everyone say 1st 10 questions are importants in forum what do you mean by INITIAL assessement?

alexau · Answer

The algorithm that GMAC uses (or at least the information that we know about it) makes sure to adjust the difficulty over time. GMAC representatives have essentially done all they can to debunk this rumor without telling everyone the specifics of their algorithm.

From what the GMAC reps have said, they use the first 10 questions to get an initial assessment of your ability. However, if you get the next 10 questions correct, you can bet that you will see harder questions. That is the nature of a computer adaptive test. So while the first 10 questions may be important for the initial assessment of ability, you can show the GMAC algorithm that the questions are too easy for you (or too hard) and thus the algorithm will adapt.

Does it help to get all of the first 10 questions correct? Yes, of course. But remember that you need to finish the entire quant section and rushing at the end could cause you to make multiple mistake in a row, which would certainly bring down your score.

Side Note: Just because everyone thinks something may be true, doesn't mean it actually is true. Always use your CR skills!

I do agree with Rich though. It is likely too early to really be worrying about bigger timing strategies since you are only a month into the game. I think the most important thing is to make sure you are completing each section. If you find that a certain problem type is particularly difficult for you, then you can try to identify why you may be taking extra time.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jimwild,

You'll need to provide some specific information before I can offer any specific suggestions.

1) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on that first practice CAT?
2) What materials have you been using during your studies so far?
3) When are you planning to take the Official GMAT?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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Timing strategy

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