My weird problem in GMAT Quant

Question

Hello everyone!

Background:
After a short sabbatical, I have returned to GMAT-land. I got a 710 (Q49/V39) on my first attempt, a couple of months ago. But I'd been scoring better on my practice CATs, and I feel that I can do better. I belong to a competitive pool of candidates, and I need a higher GMAT score to successfully compete with my peers.

Objective:
78%ile in quant is not exactly a happy thing, considering the fact that I'm a non-native English speaker and quant is 'supposed to be' my forte. I plan to retake the GMAT and improve my quant score to a 50-51.

Problem:
I started my GMAT prep yesterday with a MGMAT diagnostic, and I discovered, much to my delight, that I could complete the quant section 25 minutes ahead of time. I'd never done this before. My score, however, remained 48. I knew that MGMAT tests have crazily tough questions- so that didn't quite bother me. On the other hand, I celebrated my early finish.
Today, however I took GMAT Prep 1 (After resetting. I had forgotten all the questions, :-D

). I finished it 30 minutes ahead of time, but my score was 49. This was probably because I messed up 2 DS questions in the beginning. Now that I have gained speed, I've lost my accuracy. And I'm JUST NOT ABLE TO SLOW DOWN!

Is there anyone who's facing/ has faced a similar issue? How do I tackle this?
I think I have 2 weeks.

TIA!

). I finished it 30 minutes ahead of time, but my score was 49. This was probably because I messed up 2 DS questions in the beginning. Now that I have gained speed, I've lost my accuracy. And I'm JUST NOT ABLE TO SLOW DOWN! Is there anyone who's facing/ has faced a similar issue? How do I tackle this? I think I have 2 weeks. TIA!

bb · Answer

Interesting issue indeed! Very cool problem to have :-)

Unfortunately, whether you end your test 5 mins short or 5 mins left - you are not using the time right and unfortunately not maximizing your chance of success. My suggestion is to pace yourself and use the extra time for the first 10-15 questions and make sure you are extra careful, go through checklists of most common errors you make after you solve each question. Another suggestion I would have if you have extra time is to stop for 5 seconds before you start working on the next question (i used to do it for 2-3 seconds) before I jump into the next question. This would give me a bit of a composure and let me regain my focus and get on the offensive with the GMAT vs. defensive, just rushing and running. Finally, there are time-checks and checkpoints you can establish - e.g. go through 15 questions at 45 mins left. go through 25 questions at 25 mins left go through 35 questions by 5 mins left Hope this gives you an idea and on the right track.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi neutronskye,

Can you define why you feel compelled to move so quickly through the Quant section? You've defined the relevant details of your situation and your goal, so the simple solution is to SLOW DOWN, double-check your work and be thorough (especially on DS questions - that's where thoroughness of thinking matters MOST in the Quant section).

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

neutronskye · Answer

Thanks bb! I'm trying to pace myself. I didn't face this 'problem' the last time. Now that I see the checkpoints you've suggested, I'm appalled. I was done with my first 15 questions with 55 mins left. I'll try to follow the ones you've suggested though. :-D

I think I'm just too impatient/ in a hurry to get done with the test. I'll have to work on that too. 4 hours is a long time for someone who's been out of practice.

neutronskye · Answer

Hi Rich
It's probably because I get impatient, and I fear that I'll run out of time. I plan to keep the checkpoints in mind, the next time, now that I know that I'm going a bit too fast and that I have time to double-check.

jz4analytics · Answer

I wouldn't worry about that too much. A Q49 used to be a much higher percentile even just a few years ago, but the "level" should still be the same. The percentiles have gone down because a lot more quant-types (especially non-US applicants) have been taking the exam. The percentiles drop steeply because so many people get the same scores. I think the adcoms know this.

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Most people would do anything to have this problem

Although finishing a section early has its advantages - it gives you the much needed additional break before the Vebal section. Still, finishing a section will 25 minutes remaining clearly indicates that you are not utilising the time properly. There is very little difference between Q49,50 and 51 and to take your score above 50, you need to make sure that you SLOW DOWN and focus on the question at hand. Making a time chart and writing it down on the scrap book can help you. Also make sure that you walk through the first 10 questions and then start running. This will ensure tat you have a solid base to build on.

mvictor · Answer

oh mate, I have the same problem at the moment. I've taken GMATClub's CATs, and all the sections, I have finished way ahead of time:
last Q - time 65 : 18 - score 47
last V - time 58 : 20 - score 41

verbal - 57 : 28 - score 30 (but from what I understood, there was a problem with tests, and the CAT was not working properly, throwing at me 500 lvl questions...)

verbal - 58 : 20 - score 32 (again, finished ahead of time)...

I don't know if it's good or no..on the actual GMAT, i had problems with timing one time with Q, and other time with timing on V.

and you know what..when I checked the solutions of the incorrectly answered questions...I answered so because I made silly mistakes and was rushing myself to the next question..

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi mvictor,

All of that extra time represents the opportunity to do proper work (on the PAD), double-check your work, and raise your score. There is NO reward for finishing early. By comparison, you would be better off running out of time and having to guess on the last question than finishing 10-15 minutes early. So when you're working through the Quant and Verbal sections, make sure to breathe, work at a reasonable pace and don't rush through anything.

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

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

This is not at all good on the GMAT. Finishing so early means that you are rushing and this would in turn translate to making errors most of the times.
Make sure that you write down a time map on your scratch pad.

Double check your answer before submitting the answer. See if the option satisfies the equation in Quants or if the option actually answers what is asked in the Verbal section.
You can certainly improve your score by being a bit more attentive:

1. Not reading the question properly/Missing certain keywords
2. Not reading the question fully and start solving
3. Not performing calculations on the paper
4. Not paying full attention to the question at hand.

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